News Fri Mar 28 2008

Only in Amerykah.

We’ve told you about the apocalypse that may be coming in Lollapalooza, now, we’re gonna warn you about impending ticket apocalypse. Just part of our public service here at Transmission.

Ah, neo soul. This ain’t your sister’s funk cassettes, your aunt’s Stax eight-tracks, your granddad's original pressing Motown vinyl. The game has changed, and so have the names. The first name basis we were on with Aretha, Gladys, Anita, and Sharon are being phased out by the pop machine to clear the floor for contenders to Top Diva status.

There are a few contenders to the throne, and two have made Chicago a stop on their tours recently. Jill Scott, aka Jilly from Philly, stopped by earlier this month, and the tickets to her appearance sold out in less than an hour. Hence our PSA to you.

Erykah Badu, on tour supporting her latest musical opus Amerykah, comes to the Chicago Theatre with The Roots on May 30th, which promises to be an absolutely electric show. One of the music world’s best live acts, along with the bohemian soul sister? Perhaps a "You Got Me" or at least a Roots accompaniment through a few of Ms. Badu’s songs. Add to that the fact that the Roots’ next sound experiment is due to hit at the end of April and they’ll have new music to showcase to prove, leads one to predict that a lot will be brought to the table in what will most likely be a three hour break from the mundane. Could Fall Out Boy’s Patrick Stump (who is featured on The Roots' leaked Birthday Girl) show up for a surprise cameo?

This show will probably sell out with impressive speed. The internets are already spreading rumors that all that’s left are balcony seats.

The pre-pre-sale is past; today begins the official pre-sale. Tickets go on sale today (Friday) at 5pm, both online and at the Chicago Theatre ticket office. So go on over after work, or post up at our absolute favorite ticket broker’s site and prepare to take on $15 on top of $45.50-$65.50 tickets.

- Troy Hunter