1 HERBIE HANCOCK & KAMASI WASHINGTON (Northerly Island) Hancock’s Miles Davis Quintet-backed piano chops, alongside Washington’s artful sax, assures a genre-bent night of jazz and beyond. August 10
2 (SANDY) ALEX G (Empty Bottle) Following a Thursday Lolla appearance, the lo-fi prince of indie brings his intimate, DIY sound to a Chicago institution. August 3
3 SHARON VAN ETTEN (Lincoln Hall) The songstress of the moment tours her incisive, dreamy new album, “Remind Me Tomorrow,” as she steps into her magnitude as a frontwoman. August 3
4 CLAP YOUR HANDS SAY YEAH (Lincoln Hall) The small-batch indie project has pared down to its founding member, Alec Ounsworth, and he returns to Chicago full of jitters, urgency and bounce. August 26
5 SQUEEZE (Chicago Theatre) The New Wave pioneers cross the pond, bringing their brainy, groovy pop. Should be cool for cats during the dog days of summer. August 31
Music Top 5: August 2021 Marquee names return to Chicago as a long deferred summer festival season resumes.
Music Top 5: August 2020 Lockdown—self-isolating—sheltering in place—whatever you call it, goes easier with these outstanding album releases by stellar Chicago artists.
Music Top 5: May 2021 Outstanding new album releases by stellar Chicago artists, available now.
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.
