The Suffers
THE SUFFERS
(Schubas)
The girl power is off the chain in this ten-piece soul/R&B outfit. Frontwoman Kam Franklin’s supple, supercharged vocals recall Gladys Knight in her prime.
October 7
EAR TAXI FESTIVAL
(Various venues)
The city’s premier new-music fest returns with four days of adventurous programs, featuring more than 350 artists and fifty-four world premieres.
October 5-10
LAMPEDUSA: CONCERT FOR REFUGEES
(The Vic)
A singular charity event featuring Emmylou Harris, Steve Earle, Patty Griffin and others, with proceeds going to a Jesuit organization serving refugees worldwide.
October 13
ROBBIE FULKS
(SPACE)
Chicago’s bluegrass bard strays from his home turf at the Hideout, presumably to focus on the progressive folk of his new “Upland Stories” album.
October 15
APOLLO’S FIRE
(Mandel Hall)
A Baroque orchestra that infuses its centuries-old material with an almost giddy passion that turns it weirdly alive—making Handel as vital as hip-hop.
October 14
Robert Rodi is an author, spoken-word performer and musician who has served as Newcity’s Music Editor since 2014. He’s written more than a dozen books, including the travel memoir “Seven Seasons In Siena.” His jazz quintet recently completed a two-year residency at Uncommon Ground, and he regularly hosts a jazz singers’ jam at Lizard’s Liquid Lounge. His literary and music criticism has appeared in the Los Angeles Times, the Chicago Tribune, Salon, The Huffington Post and many other national and regional publications.
Contact: robert@newcity.com
Related Stories
Music Top 5 1 WANDA JACKSON (City Winery) Almost sixty years into her career, the original bad girl of rock 'n' roll still wails, growls, whoops and purrs. May 17 2 CHRIS PUREKA (SPACE) The piercingly personal folk-rocker is settling into her second decade as a defining talent. May 22 3 TY SEGALL (Thalia Hall) The garage-rock icon has kept it stripped-down lately—the…- Music Top 5 1 NICK CAVE & THE BAD SEEDS (Auditorium Theatre) The lord of catharsis and loss tours his stunning new album, “Skeleton Tree,” recorded in the wake of personal tragedy. June 16 2 COMMON (Ravinia) The hip-hop superstar veers his 2017 tour home for a night on one of the Chicago area’s favorite summer stages. June 24 3 RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS (United Center)…
- Music Top 5 1 RUFUS WAINWRIGHT (City Winery) Indie pop’s reigning divo (and now opera composer) goes retrospective, covering every phase of his flamboyant career. April 6 and 7 2 RICHARD THOMPSON (Old Town School of Folk Music) A not-to-be-missed chance to see British folk-rock’s reclusive elder statesman and Fairport Convention founder. April 9 and 10 3 THE ZOMBIES (Thalia Hall) Fifty years…
- Music Top 5 1 MESHELL NDEGEOCELLO (SPACE) Despite nearly a quarter century in the public eye, the singer/rapper/bassist/activist remains an elusive presence—but never less than mesmerizing. July 28 2 PJ HARVEY (Pitchfork Music Festival) Pitchfork is heavier than usual with elder-statesman acts this year, but British banshee Harvey is the clear standout. July 15 3 THE CHURCH (City Winery) The trippy, jangly psychedelia…
- Music Top 5 1 KURT ELLING QUINTET (Green Mill) Elling at the Green Door is about as bona fide a slice of Chicago iconography as you can get these days. Expect a sold-out—and adoring—crowd. August 12 2 YOUSSOU N’DOUR (Jay Pritzker Pavilion) The legendary Senegalese singer-songwriter is just the kind of force of nature who can meet the Chicago lakefront on its own…
- Music Top 5 1 GEORGE CLINTON & PARLIAMENT (Thalia Hall) If you’re still waiting for a Clinton to lift you up from despair, the grandfather of funk is ready to oblige. February 19 2 LADYSMITH BLACK MAMBAZO (Old Town School of Folk Music) Hard to believe the South African a cappella ensemble has been at it half a century; they still sound fresh…
