Yeah, summer’s over. But the 2008 music calendar is still red-hot. From top local bands to national acts that aren’t afraid of a little Chicago chill, these are the concerts you can’t miss through November. (You’ll have to be patient for New Year’s Eve show announcements.) As a bonus: Four great festivals, because Lollapalooza and Jazz Fest weren’t your last chances to stuff a full day of music in one place.
Local
Andrew Bird
Wednesday at Millennium Park’s Jay Pritzker Pavilion
In the midst of finishing his new record, the eclectic multi-instrumentalist plays this highly anticipated free show. See Page 22 for more details.
Bound Stems
Sept. 12 at Hideout
Restless indie rockers play a record release show for the excellent “The Family Afloat,” out Sept. 9.
Icy Demons
Sept. 14 at Empty Bottle
These genre-hoppers will make you scratch your head and do enough swaying and lunging to possibly qualify as dancing.
Yea Big + Kid Static
Sept. 21 at Abbey Pub
The kind of hip-hop you used to listen to, when beats jumped, lyrics flowed and rappers sounded like they did it for the fun of it.
The Interiors
Sept. 24 at Empty Bottle
Smart, noisy guitar rock from this buzz band, which released its self-titled debut June 24.
Rachael Yamagata
Oct. 1 at Lakeshore Theater
Piano princess plays songs from her haunting new album, “Elephants … Teeth Sinking Into Heart,” out Oct. 7. Technically she lives in Philly now, but we’ll give her a pass, since she spent years in Chicago going to school and as a member of Bumpus.
Morse Theatre grand opening
Oct. 3-4
Local artists soon to be announced. We’re just jazzed to see this new Rogers Park venue in action.
National
Ra Ra Riot
Sept. 11 at Subterranean
One of our favorite new indie bands supports its just-released full-length debut, “The Rhumb Line.”
Chicago dance-pop duo Walter Meego opens.
Cut Copy
Sept. 17 at Metro
A longer showcase for the Australian dance-pop outfit, who played for only about 25 minutes after an hour delay at Pitchfork.
Fleet Foxes
Oct. 12 at Metro
Acclaimed, lightweight jam-pop follows up on the group’s terrific set at Pitchfork.
Atmosphere
Oct. 16 at Vic Theatre
Hip-hop act finally finds the audience it deserves, on the shoulders of this year’s great “When Life Gives You Lemons, You Paint That S*** Gold.”
Yeasayer
Oct. 28 at Bottom Lounge
New Yorkers predict a bleak future while re-imagining how world music-influenced indie sounds today.
Jason Mraz
Nov. 22 at Aragon
This talented live performer now has a quality studio album to draw from thanks to this year’s “We Sing. We Dance. We Steal Things.”
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FESTIVALS
Hideout Block Party
Sept. 20-21
The always-reliable fest spends its 12th year with Neko Case, Ratatat, Rhymefest, Black Mountain and others.
World Music Festival
Sept. 19-25, various locations
10th annual event offers a host of free (and non-free) shows to expand your palate.
Hyde Park Jazz Festival
Sept. 27, various locations
Hot sounds stream across the neighborhood for 14 hours during this second annual free bash.
Chicago Bluegrass and Blues Festival
Nov. 22 at Congress Theater
A rockin’ day full of Americana with The Avett Brothers, Ha Ha Tonka and more.
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FIND FULL SHOW INFO AT METROMIX.COM
