Music Top 5: March 2022

Photo: Justin Higuchi

1
BILLIE EILISH
(United Center)
The COVID-delayed tour for the singer-songwriter’s second album, “Happier Than Ever,” arrives on the heels of an acclaimed documentary on the then-teenage star (she turned twenty in November). Eilish is having a genuine cultural moment.
March 14

2
PERFUME GENIUS
(Thalia Hall)
Singer-songwriter Mike Hadreas tours “Set My Heart On Fire Immediately,” his fifth release as Perfume Genius—an album that continues to chart his growth not only as an utterly singular voice in American music, but as an evolving and defiantly vulnerable human being.
March 29

3
NICK CAVE AND WARREN ELLIS
(Auditorium Theatre)
Last year, former Bad Seeds frontman and restless spirit Cave and his frequent collaborator Ellis released “Carnage” to near universal acclaim; now they’re bringing it on tour, where Cave’s legendary prowess as a stage performer can only add additional depth and excitement.
March 20

4
LAST WORD QUINTET
(SPACE)
The ensemble, comprising four seasoned music-scene lifers and poetry-slam trailblazer Marc Kelly Smith, weaves together melody and chronicle in ways that dazzle and charm; there’s more sheer ardor in their sets than you’ll find in performers half their age.
March 30

5
BLACK MIDI
(Metro Chicago)
The band defies classification, with elements of prog-rock, Frippertronics and hard-funk grooves in their tunes. And its two Pitchfork appearances suggest a smaller venue and longer show will make for a more mind-blowing experience.
March 23

Robert Rodi

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