1 LIZ VICE (SPACE) Vice has the voice (and the bio) of a blues singer, but sings gospel-inflected R&B, creating a gorgeous, hair-raising fusion. May 20
2 JOEY BADA$$ (Concord Music Hall) As the young rapper has grown more political, his lyrics have become more streamlined and less poetic. But enormous heart overrides any deficit. May 23
3 “UKRAINIAN REQUIEM” (Harris Theater) Yevhen Stankovych’s vast, and increasingly cautionary work, memorializing the 1932-33 Ukrainian genocide, has its North American premiere. May 19
4 THIRD COAST PERCUSSION (Thalia Hall) The intrepid Chicago quartet performs its expansive, invigorating new soundtrack for the Oscar-nominated 1966 Canadian short, “Paddle to the Sea.” May 13
5 HAIM (Aragon Ballroom) Still working their main themes of love, loss and longing, the California sister trio has added grown-up complexity and dissonance to their pop-rock confections. May 11 and 12
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
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