1 VAN MORRISON (Chicago Theatre) The grand old man of folk rock returns, pipes and passion intact, to celebrate the deluxe reissue of his seminal 1997 album, “The Healing Game.” April 25
2 SON VOLT (Thalia Hall) Jay Farrar’s alt-country veterans ride into town to tour their highly anticipated, unapologetically political new album, “Union.” April 27
3 CHERYL WHEELER (Old Town School) After forty years, this singer-songwriter deserves cultural benediction, not only for her shimmering folk music, but for her seriously lethal wit. April 14
4 AMANDA PALMER (Chicago Theatre) The barriers-busting singer-songwriter-entrepreneur tours her confrontational new album, “There Will Be No Intermission,” which she financed through crowdfunding. April 12
5 SQUIRREL NUT ZIPPERS (SPACE) The recently reunited 1930s-style jazz band brings back its ecstatic, pomo pastiche of klezmer, swing, gypsy jazz and honky-tonk just when we need it most. April 13
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
Music Top 5: April 2020 Thom Yorke's third album is a collective of complex, often cinematic material, ranging across the compositional landscape from songs to suites.
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.
