*CANCELED* Julien Baker & TORRES
THE NEW OUTLAWS Listen: For some of us, maybe even most of us, it’s been a rough year. As I write these words, it’s mid-November in Chicago, the warmest autumn on record, and the bad news keeps coming. Family and animals and homes washed away in the rural south. A wildfire season that never ends. Too much water in some places, not enough in others. Back in my home state of Texas, pregnant people, some barely out of childhood, are dying for lack of medical care. And Lord have mercy if you, or someone you love, is an undocumented immigrant, or if you’re trans, queer, poor, Black, and the list goes on (and on and on). Sometimes it feels like the whole damned world has made up its mind to destroy itself once and for all. So I feel it in my bones when Julien Baker sings, That it can’t get much worse depends on who you’re askin. Maybe you feel it, too, and maybe you could use the good company of this much-anticipated country album by critically acclaimed artists Julien Baker & TORRES (aka Mackenzie Scott). Send A Prayer My Way has been in the works for years. Imagine two young musicians playing their first show together at Lincoln Hall, a much-loved venue here in Chicago. It’s January 15, 2016, and bone chillingly cold outside, especially for a couple of southerners. When the show is over and they’re shooting the shit, one singer says to the other, “We should make a country album.” This is the origin story and the beginning of a collaboration between two artists already admired for their spare, elegant lyrics as well as the courage to share their struggles with those who love their music. I’ll lay my cards on the table from the get-go: Send A Prayer My Way is a damn fine country album, written and sung in the best of the outlaw tradition—defiant, subversive, working class, and determined to wrestle not only with addiction, regret and bad decisions, but also with oppressive systems of power. These are songs about wrapping up a long shift and driving home bone tired, just hoping for a little weed and a quiet place to put your feet up; or falling off the wagon (again) and wondering if this time it will finally drag you under the wheels; or thinking that bad decisions are the only decisions you know how to make. Mercifully, this is only the beginning of the stories TORRES and Baker are determined to tell. Because these are also songs about radical empathy and second chances, and third chances, and while there’s plenty of struggle and regret in here, there’s also humor and defiance. There is clarity in time’s passage, at least sometimes, and whatever grace some of us can muster often comes from taking the irreverent, and much funnier, low road. And in this way, Send a Prayer My Way reminds me of Lucinda Williams’s Happy Woman Blues (1980), or Loretta Lynn singing about The Pill in 1975. So listen: Whatever your story—if you’ve been staying up late and sleeping in, dodging calls from old friends and wondering how many times you can break your own heart through every fault of your own; if you’ve been missing work, or skipping school, or blowing past deadlines like they’re four-way stop signs on the highway to hell; and most especially, if you’re feeling afraid for your life, or the lives of those you hold most dear—I hope you will find some comfort in these twelve songs. I hope you will put a little sugar in the tank and let these two singers love you all the way to hell and back. Because here’s the thing about going to hell and back: You came back. Elizabeth Wetmore
Buckethead
Future Islands
VIP PACKAGE INCLUDES: • One (1) Premium Reserved seat – OR – General Admission ticket • Invitation to an exclusive pre-show experience with Future Islands, including:• Access to the last 2-3 songs of the band’s soundcheck• Q&A Session with the band• VIP merch gifts, including one (1) item signed by the band• One (1) commemorative VIP laminate• Merchandise shopping prior to doors opening to the public• Priority entry into the venue _______ If Future Islands’ songs once seemed like invitations to witness scenes from someone else’s life, People Who Aren’t There Anymore presents the whole absorbing saga, transmuting hurt to hope in the triumph of this band’s career. Here is excitement, devastation, understanding, and the dawn’s rays of redemption in 44 minutes—a record that, at last, commits the full rapture of Future Islands to tape. From their start, Future Islands have been singular and instantly identifiable. Samuel T. Herring’s life-worn croons and cries backlit by Gerrit Welmers’ melodies and charged by the rhythms of William Cashion and Michael Lowry. That premise hasn’t changed on People Who Aren’t There Anymore, but the people have. There’s a pain and a joy that’s in Herring’s voice that’s only been rivaled by their legendary live performances, but never captured in their studio albums, that feels like it’s been untethered for the first time. Future Islands have played nearly 1,500 shows – shows that have bruised bodies, frayed vocal cords, provided escapes for audiences, and healed their messengers. People Who Aren’t There Anymore is a major work from a band at an inflection point: they’re discovering new ways to experience the world, because the old ways weren’t working. That freedom has led to the most fully realized, most transparently honest statement in their 17 years as a band.
Pecos and the Rooftops
Pecos & The Rooftops have been perfecting a signature heavy blend of lowdown country and classic rock since their inception in a big five-bedroom house in Lubbock, Texas. Formed in 2019 by a tight-knit squad of college friends, the band outfits their soulful Americana with muscular guitar grit, yet remains tuneful and melodic. They’ve carved out a singular niche for themselves in the rich songwriting tradition of their home state, as evidenced by their debut Warner Records single “5AM.” Anchored by the heart-baring songwriting and booming voice of former Marine Pecos Hurley, the band is rounded out by top-tier players and songwriters Brandon Jones (rhythm guitar), Zack Foster (lead guitar), Kalen Davis (bass), Garrett Peltier (drums) and Hunter Cassell (guitars & keys). Big things have small beginnings. Pecos & The Rooftops chose their name—a nod to the part of the house they’d hang out, drink beers, and jam on—just before self-releasing their debut single, 2019’s slow-burning “This Damn Song.” It was a runaway success, earning an RIAA Platinum certification and going on to rack up more than 250 million streams globally. Deciding to ride the wave for as long as they could, the band hit the road directly after and haven’t stopped since, touring relentlessly on the club circuit and opening for the likes of rising country star Zach Bryan. They released the Red Eye EP in 2020, expanding on their already solid sound with more guitar heroics and more complex arrangements, hinting at jazz and psychedelic influences. Hurley has a gift for exploring the shadowy sides of life through his songwriting, offering a clear-eyed and unflinching look at heartbreak, disconnection, self-medication, and wrestling with dark times. On “5AM,” he’s stuck in a self-destructive pattern, trying to live up to the idea of being the man he wants to be, but thwarted on all sides by his own bad decisions. “Wish I could say that I saw it coming—problem is I never do,” Hurley sings over a gloomy guitar line. “It’s too late to let myself feel something, so I’ll just keep running from you.” “It’s about having a habit of going to the bar and getting drunk and staying up all night,” Hurley says from his home outside Dallas. “You kind of know that when you go to bed it’s probably not going to end well—because you fucked up again and you can’t get out of the cycle. It’s about being by yourself in the early hours of the morning. It’s just one of those ‘You fucked up’ songs.” Pecos & The Rooftops have earned a devoted fan base who’ve come out to support them both online and on the road, with the band garnering over 350 million global streams and more than 101 million video views. They’re currently on a nationwide headline tour with more dates to be announced soon. “5AM” is a telling preview of what’s to come, as Pecos & The Rooftops ready their major label debut LP—a bigger, bolder collection of songs set for release later this year. “At the end of the day, I just want to help people with our music, honestly,” Hurley says. Between the band’s wild road shows and their highly-anticipated upcoming full-length, Pecos & the Rooftops are set to do that and much, much more.
Bingo Loco – SOLD OUT
Tropidelic & Ballyhoo!
A musical lighthouse, shining a resilient light for everyone that has had to pull themselves up by their bootstraps, Tropidelic has arrived on the national stage. Hailing from Cleveland, Ohio, a city rich in character and music history, this six-piece performance powerhouse carves their own path with an independent mentality. Front man Roads, explores feelings more than sounds, seeing where the emotional travel can take him, while valuing being comfortable and honest. There is a sense of seeing where the music can go on their 2024 new album. As an everyman-band making music to overcome life’s obstacles, the “goals” that Tropidelic made when starting the band have all been surpassed. Roads says of the band’s future, “I’m nose to the grindstone. It’s going great and I am going to keep going.” The past year has included a first pitch at a Cleveland Guardians game followed by a live performance for the entire stadium; an adopted highway in their hometown; producing two of their own festivals (Sunny Days and Everwild Music Festival); tens of millions of streams of Tropidelic’s music; appearances at major US festivals such as Beach Life and Tortuga; tours with The Dirty Heads, Lupe Fiasco, 311, and Michael Franti; and their first performance at Red Rocks Amphitheater. __ Through 25 years and eight independent albums, the last four on their own Right Coast Records, Ballyhoo! have earned the exclamation point which marks their name. Starting in the basement of their mom’s Aberdeen, MD, home, rocking out on guitar and drums respectively, practicing every day, brothers Howi and Donald Spangler formed the proto-punk band in the mold of Green Day and Nirvana, with an eye towards the emerging ska genre led by Goldfinger, Sublime, 311 and No Doubt. The group’s eighth and most recent studio album, the breezy, ska-fueled, hook-filled Message to the World, on their own Right Coast Records, finds the self-declared “beach-rockers,” having grown up in public, accepting the responsibilities of adulthood while still hanging on to their dreams of world domination. Stylistically, their music ranges from the hard-edged punk of 2018’s Detonate, which captured the feelings of anger and depression from dealing with personal loss and the exhaustion generated by over a decade on the road to the island reggae beats of the follow-up, Message to the World. “Whatever you want to achieve, just focus on that and work towards it,” explains Howi about the Ballyhoo! ethos. “Don’t worry about followers, views, or even money. Just keep making good stuff. One day it may be possible to finally quit that day job and live your dream full time.”Ballyhoo! is still doing just that, purveying good vibes, positivity and fun live shows meant to take you away from real life. __ For his entire life Joey Harkum has been strumming a guitar and after a decade of touring as the lead singer and songwriter of Baltimore-based band Pasadena, he released his debut solo album, Love and Labor, to critical acclaim in 2016. Along with a relentless touring schedule Joey has most recently been working on his 4th studio album The Art of Revenge which released March 1st 2024. Known for his deep and poignant lyrics telling stories of joy, love, loss and sadness, Joey brings the human experience to life through his relentless tour schedule that culminated in the release of Live at Buffalo Iron Works in 2018. 2020 brought new challenges but Joey responded with writing and recording new music and released his album Storyboard in March of 2021. Immediately following the release of Storyboard, he started work on his follow up album Salt and Tar which was released in spring 2022. Catch him on tour now or online at joeyharkummusic.com
Liverpool Legends: Beatles Experience!
Liverpool Legends are four incredibly talented musicians/actors put together by Louise Harrison, sister of the late George Harrison, to honor her brother’s legacy, and re-create the band that changed the world forever. Experience the complete history of The Beatles, starting with the early mop-top hits, such as I Want To Hold Your Hand, She Loves You, and Twist and Shout. You’ll then take a Magical Mystery Tour down Penny Lane, through the psychedelic era of Sgt. Pepper. And in The End, Come Together and sing and dance to classics like Get Back, Here Comes the Sun, and Hey Jude. This unique one of a kind Beatles show is narrated by Louise Harrison. Liverpool Legends have toured the world, with sold out performances in the US, Europe, Mexico, Canada, Israel, Ukraine, India and South America. They have performed in prestigious venues such as The Cavern Club in Liverpool, Carnegie Hall, and The Rose Bowl. They’ve also recorded at the world famous Abbey Road Studios in London, and received a Grammy nomination for their work on “Fab Fan Memories – A Beatles Bond.” Liverpool Legends have headlined their own show in Branson, Missouri since 2005. They have been awarded Best Band, Best Show, Best Tribute Show, and received the Visitor’s Choice Award for Entertainer of the Year.
Paul Cauthen – CANCELED
Paul Cauthen is a true force of nature. His ability to captivate audiences with his soulful sound and larger-than-life personality has become lore amongst those that have witnessed it. Also doesn’t hurt to have a generational set of pipes to top it all off. Hailing from East Texas, Cauthen embodies the spirit of the Lone Star State, earning a reputation for doing things his own way. Born into a family of preachers, Cauthen’s upbringing heavily influences his deep-rooted connection to music. With a voice that resonates with raw emotion, he aims to transport listeners, inviting them on a journey through love, heartbreak, and the pursuit of personal freedom. Cauthen’s journey has been one of resilience, perseverance and sheer independence. Turning down major label deals at various points in his career, Cauthen has valued forging his own path and betting on himself over all else. With multiple releases this year including the genre bending Hometeam and raucous Wild Man, Cauthen has continued to explore new sonic territory fearlessly, while unapologetically defying expectations and creating music that resists categorization. As he embarks on the This Road I’m On Tour, his biggest headline tour to date, Cauthen brings his long time live band, the Hot Grease Fire, and a collection of hits and new tracks begging to be played for his hungry audiences. He also brings his trademark dance moves, so make sure you’re ready to get down if you come to a Paul Cauthen show.
Groundhog Prom
Once a year the Groundhog awakens to party! Wear something ironic, iconic, bionic, supersonic, topical yet respectful, bizarre, tacky, formal, irreverent, still alternative and satirical but authentic to you! And then dance all night while the Knights search and interview our new queen candidates! Since it is our 45th Prom, think of 45 RPM records, so we’re going to have a SOCK HOP! Get out your poodle skirts and change that dancing poodle with a diamond collar to a dancing groundhog!
The Amity Affliction
Since emerging in 2008 on the debut Severed Ties, The Amity Affliction have served up three ARIA gold-certified albums, Youngbloods [2010], Chasing Ghosts [2012] and This Could Be Heartbreak [2016]. They also achieved platinum certification for the seminal Let The Ocean Take Me [2014]. The band achieved four consecutive #1 debuts on the ARIA chart with Chasing Ghosts, This Could be Heartbreak, Let The Ocean Take Me and Misery[2018]. Most recently Everyone Loves You…Once You Leave Them [2020] continued their ARIA chart streak, debuting at #2 and showed the band returning to their heavier side with a global stream tally surpass 460 million and counting. The Amity Affliction have also been a dominating live act, headlining arena tours and festival bills alike worldwide throughout their career.