1 ROBYN (Aragon Ballroom) The Swedish sensation tours her new album, “Honey,” blending high-gloss club music with surprisingly powerful confessional lyrics. March 6
2 MEOW MEOW & THOMAS LAUDERDALE (Space) The dazzlingly post-everything chanteuse teams with Pink Martini’s pianist for a night of “kamikaze cabaret.” March 29
3 AVISHAI COHEN (Constellation) A jazz trumpeter of amazing intelligence and ingenuity, Cohen provides easy, athletic phrasing that conveys both rapture and restraint. March 21
4 MARIA TERREMOTO (Old Town School) Any of the Chicago Flamenco Festival is worth the trip; but Terremoto is a magnetic young singer who brings irresistible heat to an already piquant genre. March 13
5 JOYBIRD (Hideout) Chicagoan Jess McIntosh’s ensemble, which brilliantly improvises on traditional instruments, hosts a release gig for its new album, “Landing.” March 7
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,” and 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: March 2020 As a founder of Modern Lovers, Jonathan Richman helped midwife the new wave. In his subsequent solo career, he’s become a worldly, wry tunesmith.
Music Top 5: March 2021 Outstanding new album releases by stellar Chicago artists, available now.
Music Top 5: December 2019 Legends Richard Thompson and Bettye Lavette, cult hero Rodriguez, and up-and-comers Whitney and Erin Corine highlight a month of essential music.
Music Top 5: November 2019 Preservation Hall Jazz Band performs music “A Tuba to Cuba,” the documentary that traces the iconic New Orleans ensemble's roots to that island, as well as new material.
Music Top 5: May 2020 Steve Dawson’s new album features highly sophisticated songwriting gilded with dazzling orchestral colors—plus of course that gorgeously evocative voice.
