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Concert Wed Jan 16 2008
Tomorrow Never Knows Starts Tonight!
Despite the spat of warm weather a few weeks ago, winter in the Midwest can be might depressing--I'm sure most of you, like me, spend your time complaining about the temperature and that godforsaken wind and yearning for summer, with its promises of barbeques, trips to the lake and outdoor music festivals. It's the festival that's a true gem, as there is possibly nothing better in the world than lying on the cool grass and listening to a potpourri of live musical stylings wafting in and out and through ear holes. Hell, I'm getting a little bitter just thinking about the cold beer and pleasant surroundings.
Into this wintry abyss, comes Tomorrow Never Knows 2008, Schubas' fourth annual mid-winter festival that won't succeed in changing the weather, but will most likely alter your mind a little bit. Starting tonight, you can stop by that quiet tavern on the corner of Belmont and Southport for five sultry nights of the best indie music has to offer. In addition to a terrific Wednesday thru Sunday lineup, there will be DJs upstairs nightly as well as a Southern and Roots Rock Tribute Show on Saturday and Sunday afternoon from Paul Green's Chicago School of Rock Music.
Tickets are $15 nightly, and $55 for a five-day pass. Visit the website for the full lineup. While giving a nod to all of the fine musicians on display, I've included my own personal highlights below:
On Thursday, catch Bobby Conn, that weirdo showstopping song and dance man whose live shows have become legendary around Transmission. He'll be playing material from his latest record, King for a Day, but there's a better than average chance we'll get his experimental-showtunes take on a couple of classic pop songs.
Friday sees local pop rock stalwarts, the Redwalls, taking one for the team and stepping in for Cloud Cult, who recently cancelled due to personal reasons. Watch as their 60s influenced wall of garage-y sound attempts to blow the roof off.
Saturday night will prove not to be dead, as it serves as TNK's party night, with funkadelic hip-hop guru Ohmega Watts, followed by Canadian rapper Cadence Weapon (who is finally old enough to drink) and a throw-down headlining set from happy hardcore ace, White Williams.
Venerable indie rockers, the Walkmen (now elder statesmen in this universe) play Sunday, and while their individual show is sold out, tickets can still be gleaned from that five-day pass. The past few years has seen a couple of creative stumbles from this rock'n'roll cabaret ensemble (the unfortunate Pussy Cats cover album, anyone?) but even if Bows and Arrows ends up being their only masterpiece, it's still enough to add to the Canon.
Read all our Tomorrow Never Knows coverage.
