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.” 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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