Monday, March 25
New Jersey-based musician Steve Marion, a.k.a Delicate Steve, comes to Subterranean in support of his 2012 record, "Positive Force," on David Byrne's Luaka Bop record label. Last year, local band Like Pioneers released "Oh, Magic," a fine collection of ragged indie-rock. Also on the bill is local four-piece Shiloh, whose just released record, "Mrs," deftly combines elements of garage rock, Americana, and fuzzy power-pop. Subterranean. 8 p.m.
Celebrate the release of new records from local bands Toupée and Moonrises Monday at Empty Bottle. Last year, Toupée released "Dinner Parties" on cassette and the new record, released by Rotted Tooth Recordings, is newly recorded versions of the tape songs. "Frozen Altars," is the debut record from experimental trio Moonrises, a project headed by Steve Krakow, a.k.a. Plastic Crimewave. With PissPissPissOnoOnoOno, a collaborative effort from Piss Piss Piss Moan Moan Moan and Ono, and local drone trio Mako Sica. Empty Bottle. 9 p.m.
Singer-songwriter Julie Byrne brings her beautiful voice to The Whistler. Last year, Byrne released "Faster Or Greener Than Now," a lovely 7" single produced by Owen Ashworth of Advance Base. With CS Luxem and Famous Laughs. The Whistler. 9:30 p.m.
Also Monday: Boston-based indie rock quartet Pile headline a nice show at Abbey Pub and will be assisted in riffage by local band Geronimo!, who celebrate the release of the "Buzz Yr Girlfriend Vol 3 -The Metal David Byrne" cassette. Listen to the first single "Genius is Dead," here. With Fat History Month and My Dad. Abbey Pub. 8 p.m.
And: Watch the exuberant marching band Mucca Pazza perform while sitting in chairs in the Brewer's Lounge upstairs at Revolution Brewing. 9 p.m.
Tuesday, March 26
When I heard that Sonic Youth's Kim Gordon and Thurston Moore were ending their marriage after 25 years, it felt like a big old punch in the heart. And then not too soon after that devasting news, I heard that Sonic Youth, a band that I loved since I was a kid, was probably breaking up, and it felt like a big old punch in the gut. Thankfully, we still have both Gordon and Moore creating music, albeit separately, and we are lucky enough to get visits from both artists this week. Tuesday at the Museum of Contemporary Art, as part of the final Face The Strange event of the season, Kim Gordon will improvise on guitar and voice with White/Light, the local duo consisting of Jeremy Lemos on synthesizers and Matthew Hale Clark on guitar, who also program the series. Museum of Contemporary Art. 6 p.m.
Bobby Conn and Monica Boubou end their month-long residency at The Hideout. For the final performance, Conn and Boubou will be joined by John Ridenour on guitar, Josh Johannpeter on drums, Nick Macri on bass, Abraham Levitan on keyboards, Thymme Jones on horns and Allison Trumbo on strings and recorder. The band will perform selections from Ridenour's 2012 record, "The Guilt & The Ambiguity," as well as some songs from Conn's 2001 record, "The Golden Age." The Hideout. 9 p.m.
Brighton, England's dark and moody goth trio Esben and The Witch come to town Tuesday in support of their recent record, "Wash the Sins Not Only The Face." With the dreamy psych-rock of Brooklyn's all-girl four-piece Heliotropes, the cathcy and loud shoegaze of locals Airiel and DJ Peroxide. Empty Bottle. 9:30 p.m.
"Cheeky for a Reason," the latest record from Scottish indie-rock band The View is full of upbeat anthems that would appeal to fans of Arctic Monkeys, The Fratellis, The Libertines, Kaiser Chiefs or any number of U.K. pop-punk enthusiasts. Many Places is a local four-piece who released "Another Oath," a full-length record of moody folk rock in 2012 and recently released the terrific, "Home + Departed EP." Schubas. 8 p.m.
Wednesday, March 27
Rhett Miller, singer-songwriter and frontman for terrific alt-country band Old 97s, plays City Winery Wednesday behind, "The Dreamer," his latest solo record. Opener, the great Robbie Fulks will perform some songs with Miller as well as his own material. City Winery. 8 p.m.
English singer-songwriter Lucy Rose plays The Tonic Room in support of her 2012 record, "Like I Used To." With local singer-songwriters Jennifer Hall and Anna Soltys. 8 p.m.
Thursday, March 28
Green Day vocalist and singer Billie Joe Armstrong is back after seeking treatment for substance abuse, and the long-running pop-punk band proved to recapture some of their firepower at a recent performance at the SXSW Music Festival in Austin. The band released three records in 2012 ("¡Uno!," "¡Dos!," "¡Tré!"), have a documentary ("Cuatro!") about the making of the trilogy and also have a documentary about their Broadway production of "American Idiot," called "Broadway Idiot." Catch the band with the bright and sunny pop of Best Coast at Allstate Arena. If you can't make the show, "American Idiot" will be at the Cadillac Palace Theatre in April. 7:30 p.m.
Lee Fields & The Expressions come to Chicago behind 2012s exemplary record, "Faithful Man." Fields is a legend and tunes like "You're The Kind of Girl," "I'm Still Hanging On," and "Wish You Were Here," are perfect examples of smooth soul and R&B. Opening the show are Terri Walker and Nicole Wray, the soul and R&B duo known as Lady. Lincon Hall. 9 p.m.
The muched buzzed about Engligh art-pop quartet Alt-J comes to town behind their Mercury Prize winning 2012 debut record, "An Awesome Wave." Opening the show is Florida-based electronic-folk quintet Hundred Waters, who released a gorgeous, self-titled full-length debut last year. Metro. 8 p.m.
Neo-soul singer Erykah Badu settles in for a two night stand at House of Blues. For this performance, Badu will be performing songs from her 1997 debut record, "Baduizm," including hit-single, "On and On." House of Blues. 9 p.m.
Also Thursday: Legendary blues musician Magic Slim passed away last month at the age of 75 and his legacy will be celebrated at A Night for Magic: A Tribute to Magic Slim at Mayne Stage. All proceeds will go to Magic Slim's family and the tribute will include performances from Otis Clay, Jimmy Burns, Billy Branch, Eddy Clearwater, Lonnie Brooks, Ronnie Baker Brooks, Wayne Baker Brooks, Nick Moss, and many others. Mayne Stage. 7 p.m.
Friday, March 29
Waxahatchee is the solo project of singer-songwriter Katie Crutchfield, who just released a brilliant record, "Cerulean Salt." See her play at an in-store performance at Permanent Records. 6 p.m.
Chelsea Light Moving is the current band from Thurston Moore of Sonic Youth and the bands' eagerly anticipated self-titled debut record is out now. With local Kraut-rockers Cave and local musician and sound engineer Jeremy Lemos. Empty Bottle. 9:30 p.m.
Both Thao & The Get Down Stay Down and Sallie Ford & The Sound Outside come to town behind two terrific records. "We The Common," the third album from San Francisco's Thao & The Get Down Stay Down is a compelling melange of indie-rock, folk and R&B that is reminiscent of tUnE-yArDs. "Untamed Beast," from Portland's Sallie Ford deftly mixes country, rockabilly, pop and good old fashioned rock and roll. Lincoln Hall. 10 p.m.
Neo-soul artist Erykah Badu performs songs from her 2000 record, "Mama's Gun," including Top 10 hit single, "Bag Lady." House of Blues. 9 p.m.
Charming Australian quartet San Cisco headline a show at Schubas. In 2012, the group released the delightful "Awkward EP," an infectious set of catchy indie-pop. Their full-length debut is due out this year and the band is definitely one to keep an on. Chaos Chaos is the new moniker for sisters Asy and Chloe Saaverda, who previously gained a strong following performing under the name Smoosh. Schubas. 10 p.m.
Singer-songwriter Matthew Santos made a name for himself back in 2007 for the song, "Superstar," his collaboration with Chicago-based rapper Lupe Fiasco. In 2012, Santos released his well-regarded third full-length studio album, "Quickly Disappearing." Matthew Santos will be performing two shows in the very intimate recording studios at SPACE. 7 p.m. and 9:30 p.m.
Saturday, March 30
There is a lot of buzz surrounding singer-songwriter-model-actress Sky Ferreira. Last year, Ferreira released, "Ghost EP," an impressive record that showed tons of potential and included the indelible synth-pop single, "Everything is Embarrassing." Her highly anticipated forthcoming debut record is due out this year. How to Dress Well is the project of musician Tom Krell, and his 2012 record, "Total Loss," is a stunning collection of experimental pop and R&B highlighted by Krell's haunting falsetto. New York-based duo High Highs open the show behind their new record, "Open Season." Schubas. 9:30 p.m.
Portland experimental pop band Parenthetical Girls recently released, "Privilege," a collection of previously released 12" EPs, and the full-length record finds the group taking on upbeat synth-pop, folk, and indie-rock with aplomb. Advance Bass, the new project from Owen Ashworth of Casiotone for the Painfully Alone, released "A Shut-In's Prayer," last year. Jimmy Whispers, the solo endeaveor of James Cicero, frontman for local band Light Pollution, open the show. Empty Bottle. 10 p.m.
At The Burlington, celebrate the release of "Ripe Hours EP," the new record from chillwave artist Taught Abroad, the solo project from local musician and producer Chris Sadek. Local indie-poppers Brother George, will play songs from their terrific 2012 record, "Big Piney," and the captivating pop of Cross Record will open. The Burlington. 9 p.m.
Catch the new wave-pop of New York City's The Virgins play songs from their recently released record, "Strike Gently," out on Cult Records, the label founded by Julian Casablancas of The Strokes at Lincoln Hall. With Cult Records label-mate Har Mar Superstar, who will release "Bye Bye 17," on April 23. Download first track, "Lady, You Shot Me," here. Opening the show is the synth-driven funk of local trio Ghosthouse, who are set to release, "Deep V," next month. Lincoln Hall. 10 p.m.
Scott Lucas, one-half of blistering rock duo Local H, recently posted on the band's Facebook page a horrifying account of being assualted and robbed after a show in Moscow last month. During the attack, Lucas was put in a chokehold which caused damage to one of his vocal cords. The group was forced to cancel some shows on the current tour, but are scheduled to be back Saturday for a gig in Rosemont. In 2012, Local H released, "Hallelujah! I'm a Bum," their first full-length record in four years. Montrose Room. 8 p.m.
Also Saturday: Local singer-songwriter Michael McDermott will play cuts from his latest record, "Hit Me Back," at the Red Line Tap. With Kevin Mileski. 8 p.m.
And: Rap group Bone Thugs-N-Harmony celebrate their 20th anniversary with a show at Metro. The performance will also include a tribute to the late, great Eazy-E of N.W.A., who signed the group to his Ruthless Records imprint in 1993. 9 p.m.
Sunday, March 31
A great double bill Sunday at the Empty Bottle with Seattle-based folk rock group The Cave Singers and the Philadelphia-based indie rock group Bleeding Rainbow. The Cave Singers recently released their fourth full-length record, "Naomi," a roots rock gem, while the Bleeding Rainbows 2013 record, "Yeah Right," is excellent shoegaze-inspired fuzzed out rock and roll. Empty Bottle. 9 p.m.
Irish folk-rock quintet Little Green Cars will play songs from their forthcoming debut record, "Absolute Zero," which is due out in May. Rousing jams like "The John Wayne," and "Harper Lee," will fit perfectly nestled next to your Mumford & Sons collection. Take a look at the video for "Harper Lee," here. With local indie-poppers, The Hudson Branch, who recently did a Daytotter Session and you can watch that here. Lincoln Hall. 8 p.m.
