The latter half of the aughties was a good time for Bradford Cox. Between Deerhunter and Atlas Sound, this Atlanta native became one of the most well-known and respected musicians in the indie-rock scene, earning countless spots on year-end best-of lists. He landed a spot on Under the Radar magazine’s current “Best of the Decade” issue, along with Jenny Lewis, Ben Gibbard, Kevin Barnes and Devendra Banhart, artists that began performing in Rilo Kiley, Death Cab for Cutie and Of Montreal, respectively, while Cox was still in high school. Deerhunter at its core is a rock band, though Cox and company have explored various genres, from the experimental punk of debut “Turn It Up Faggot” to the psychedelic shoegaze of “Cryptograms” and “Microcastle/Weird Era Cont.” Atlas Sound, Cox says, is for “ideas that I can’t make work with a five-piece rock band.” Its debut LP, 2008’s “Let the Blind Lead Those Who Can See But Cannot Feel,” is pleasant ambient pop. The follow-up, 2009’s “Logos,” is similar, but also includes some flat-out pop songs, including the wonderful “Walkabout.” If you’re a fan of Cox, you won’t want to miss what’s sure to be a fun night. The band is solid live and the banter is more often than not hysterical. (Kelley Hecker)
January 15 at Lincoln Hall, 2424 N. Lincoln, (773)525-2501. 10pm. $15, five-day passes available for all TNK shows at both venues for $75 via Schubas.com.
For “Want” of a Change: A Preview of Rufus Wainwright at Ravinia Park Rufus Wainwright isn’t the first singer-songwriter to reinterpret earlier work through an orchestral lens. And much of Wainwright’s third and fourth albums, “Want One” and “Want Two”—whose twentieth anniversaries are the prompt for this new tour—is fully scored. But when Wainwright hits the Pavilion stage at Ravinia tonight, the Chicago Symphony Orchestra will be behind him.
Brutal Finesse: A Preview of King Crimson at Ravinia There have been few new compositions from King Crimson these past two decades, but the live arrangements of songs from its catalog are often strikingly different than the recorded versions.
Cooling It: A Preview of Colleen Green at Cole’s Bar When Green strums power chords or chiming notes on top of her backing track, you might think you’re at Ramones karaoke night and Madonna is taking her turn.
Can’t-Miss Music Events (Fall Arts Preview 2023) This fall we get new albums and tours from iconic acts like Wilco and Kurt Elling, plus a Corrine Bailey Rae project inspired by Theaster Gates' Stony Island Arts Bank.
