photos by Sara Pieper

Wanda Jackson @ the Double Door on 12/31/2012

"The Queen of Rockabilly," Wanda Jackson, came through Chicago to play a New Year's Eve show at the Double Door. Jackson performed a mix of songs from her expansive career, prefacing each with the year in which it was written // recorded. She also covered Amy Winehouse's "You Know I'm No Good," which appears on the rockabilly royalty's 2011 album The Party Ain't Over.

More pictures from Wanda Jackson's New Year's Eve show at the Double Door continue below...

Continue reading "Wanda Jackson played a NYE show at the Double Door (pics)"

Happy New Year everyone! Check out our list of New Year's Eve shows HERE.

Also check out our guides to NYE shows in Austin and New York City.

Check out what Local Natives were listening to in 2012. What were you listening to?

Follow BV Chicago on Instagram.

What else?

Beloved South Loop dive bar Cal's will be closing their doors on New Year's Day after spending 65-years at 400 South Wells Street. Over the years they've been known for cheap drinks, and more recently, weekend punk shows. Catch one last show at Cal's, on New Year's Eve, with performances by Mercy Mercy, Demerits, and Larroquettes.

RIP, Cal's.

Hannibal Buress @ the Bell House in Brooklyn, 2011 (more by David Andrako)

Though funnyman Hannibal Buress left Chicago for New York City a few years ago, we're not holding it against him. He visits often, and is set to again this weekend, for a trio of Chicagoland shows. Buress will play both an early and late show at Zanies in Rosemont, IL on December 29 (tickets), Zanies' St. Charles location on December 30 (tickets), and three shows at Zanies in Chicago on New Year's Eve. Advance tickets for his three NYE shows in Chicago are sold out, but the Zanies box office might be holding onto some.

All known Hannibal Buress tour dates and some videos are below...

Continue reading "Hannibal Buress playing Chicagoland shows this weekend"

We've been talking New Year's Eve for quite some time, and since the world didn't end last week, all the great shows and parties we told you about are still happening.

Refresh your memory below...

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"The Screaming Eagle of Soul" himself, Charles Bradley, will be visiting Chicago for a two-night stand at Lincoln Hall on December 30 & 31. Advance tickets are still available for both shows, and though his New Year's Eve performance will cost you twice as much as the 30th, you'll receive complimentary drink tickets, appetizers, and a Daptone Records drop card for a free digital sampler.

Speaking of Lincoln Hall, their sister venue Schubas will be hosting Maps & Atlases on December 30 & 31. Gypsyblood will act as main support on the 30th, Santah will open the show on New Year's Eve, and advance tickets for both shows are still available. There's also a two-show pass for sale.

Screeching Weasel are celebrating their 27th anniversary with a two-night run at Reggie's on December 30th & 31st. Though Night 1 (with The Queers, The Manges, and Vatican Junkies) is sold out, advance tickets for Night 2 (with The Queers, The Manges, and They Stay Dead) are still available.

Local H are playing the Beat Kitchen on December 30 (with State & Madison) & 31 (with All Eyes West). Their NYE show is sold out, but tickets are still available for their 12/30 performance.

Tilly and the Wall are yet another act that will be playing two Chicago shows during New Year's Eve weekend. You'll be able to find them at Subterranean on December 30 (with California Wives) & 31 (with My Gold Mask and DJ CC Rider). Advance tickets for both shows are still available.

Butch Walker and Dick Prall are also playing two nights in Chicago. They'll appear at the Double Door on December 30 and at the Bottom Lounge on December 31. Both shows are sold out.

The Eternals will be performing "the Espiritu Zombi Suite," a piece written for a larger group-version of the band, at the Hideout on New Year's Eve. As discussed, core members Damon Locks, Wayne Montana, and Areif Sless-Kitain will be joined by six additional musicians on vibes, coronet, flute, saxophone, and more. Chandeliers will act as main support and will also play a DJ set around midnight. Advance tickets are still available.

"The Queen of Rockabilly," Wanda Jackson, will be headlining the Double Door on New Year's Eve. JD Wilkes and the Dirt Daubers, Burlesque le' Moustache, and Soul Summit DJs will open the show. Advance tickets are still available.

Alejandro Escovedo and his band The Sensitive Boys are set to play SPACE in Evanston, IL on New Year's Eve. Nicholas Tremulis will open the show, and advance tickets are still available.

Naked Raygun and The Dwarves are playing the Cobra Lounge on New Year's Eve. Though advance tickets are sold out, there may be a small amount available for purchase at the door.

Denton, TX's The Marked Men are playing the Empty Bottle on December 31 with Bad Sports and Terrible Twos (tickets). As discussed, Marked Men side project Mind Spiders are playing the Bottle on December 29 with The Novice and Dumpster Babies (tickets).

Speaking of the Empty Bottle, they're also presenting Mucca Pazza, White Mystery, and Jon Drake & the Shakes at the Logan Square Auditorium on New Year's Eve (tickets). They're also doing "New Year's Eve: Two Thousand Turnteen" with The Hood Internet, Moon Boots, Only Children, and DJ Esquire at Beauty Bar (tickets).

JC Brooks & the Uptown Sound are set to play the final show of 2012 at Mayne Stage on December 31. Advance tickets for that show are still available.

The Airborne Toxic Event and On An On play Metro on New Year's Eve. Tickets are still available, and don't forget: Neurosis, Bloodiest, and The Atlas Moth play the venue on December 30 (tickets).

Magic Milk, Rabble Rabble, Vamos, Kodiak Farm Boys, The Electric Dollhouse Groove Buggy, Don't Forget Your Dinosaur, and The Sueves are ALL set to play Quenchers on New Year's Eve. Tickets will be available for purchase at the door.

Outer Minds, The Hello Hello, and Absolutely Not will be performing at The Burlington on December 31.

South Loop dive bar Cal's are closing on New Year's Day. They'll be throwing a farewell // New Year's Eve show, featuring performances by Mercy Mercy, Demerits, and Larroquettes.

Hannibal Buress is playing three shows at Zanies on New Year's Eve. Advance tickets for his three NYE shows in Chicago are sold out, but the Zanies box office might be holding onto some.

Perhaps you're looking for something a bit more electronic? Porter Robinson is coming to Chicago for a two-night stand at the Congress on December 30 & 31. Hardwell and Deniz Koyu will act as main support on the 30th, and Mat Zo and The M Machine will open the show on the 31. Advance tickets for both nights are still available. Paul Oakenfold is also playing Castle Nightclub (tickets).

ALSO: You'll be able to ride the CTA from 10PM - 4AM on New Year's Eve for 1¢. For more information on how that works visit the CTA's website.

What did we miss?

Heading to Austin or New York? We also have a list of shows that are happening in both of those cities.

Happy (almost) New Year!

photos by Grant MacAllister

Maps & Atlases at Lincoln Hall on 10.28.2012

As part of a recent Bonnaroo365-sponsored tour, local dudes Maps & Atlases hit the road with White Denim and a few different opening acts. That tour came through Chicago on October 28 for a performance at Lincoln Hall. More pictures of both White Denim and Maps & Atlases are in this post. And while we're well aware that far too much weight is put on New Year's Eve, we're here remind you that Maps play Schubas on both December 30 & 31. Gypsyblood open on the 30th, and tickets are still available for both performances. There's also a two-show pass for sale.

More pictures from the 10/28 show at Lincoln Hall continue below...

Continue reading "Maps & Atlases played Lincoln Hall with White Denim (pics); catch them at Schubas on NYE"

The Marked Men @ Beerland during Chaos in Tejas 2011 (more by Harriet Roberts)

Denton, TX punks The Marked Men and Mind Spiders are both headed to Chicago in late-December to play the Empty Bottle.

The Marked Men are headlining the venue on New Year's Eve (December 31) with support from Bad Sports. Advance tickets are still available.

Marked Men side project Mind Spiders, lead by guitarist/vocalist Mark Ryan, are playing the Bottle on December 29 with The Novice. Tickets for that show go on sale this Friday (11/16) at 10AM CST. Ryan's Mind Spiders was originally a solo project, but now features members of Marked Men, Bad Sports, High Tension Wires, and more. They welcomed a new LP, titled Meltdown, in February of 2012 via Dirtnap Records. Take a listen to Meltdown in its entirety at the bottom of this post.

Song streams from both The Marked Men and Mind Spiders are below...

Continue reading "The Marked Men and Mind Spiders are playing the Bottle in December (separately)"

Tilly and the Wall @ NYC's Bowery Ballroom in October (more by Amanda Hatfield)

Tilly and the Wall welcomed new first new album in four years, titled Heavy Mood, last month via Team Love. They're currently on tour in support of the LP and visited Chicago on October 7 for a performance at Lincoln Hall. Were you in attendance? If you missed them that time around or if you'd just like to see them again, the group will be headlining Subterranean on December 30 & 31 (NYE). Tickets for both shows go on sale this Saturday (11/3) at 10AM CST.

All Tilly and the Wall dates, a stream of Heavy Mood, and some videos are below...

Continue reading "Tilly and the Wall playing NYE and the night before at Sub-t"

Maps & Atlases @ Metro in May (more by Grant MacAllister)

Maps & Atlases are currently on tour with White Denim (pictures from their Lincoln Hall show are forthcoming) and have announced that they'll be closing out 2012 with a pair of hometown shows at Schubas. They'll headline the venue on December 30 & 31 (NYE) with TBA openers. Tickets for both shows and a two-show pass go on sale this Friday (11/2) at noon CST.

All Maps & Atlases dates and video footage from a recent KEXP performance are below...

Continue reading "Maps & Atlases playing NYE and the night before at Schubas"

Gogol Bordello toasting The New Year in NYC (more by Dana (Distortion) Yavin)

We've already told you about quite a few New Year's Eve concerts, and here are two new options to add to that list.

You can ring in 2013 with The Airborne Toxic Event at Metro. Tickets go on sale this Friday (10/26) at noon CST, and you've also got the option of purchasing a VIP table.

JC Brooks & the Uptown Sound, who play Metro on November 21, will be headlining Mayne Stage on New Year's Eve. Advance tickets are on sale now, and like Metro's NYE show, you could also opt for VIP seating.

Stay tuned for even more New Year's Eve options.

The Eternals @ Fireside Bowl in July of 2011 (more by John Yingling)

The Eternals are slated to play the final show of 2012 (New Year's Eve) at the Hideout. They'll be performing "the Espiritu Zombi Suite," a piece written for a larger group-version of the band. Core members Damon Locks, Wayne Montana, and Areif Sless-Kitain will be joined by six additional musicians on vibes, coronet, flute, saxophone, and more. A supporting act is TBA, and advance tickets are on sale now.

Check out a couple of videos of the group in their Espiritu Zombi form below...

Continue reading "The Eternals playing New Year's Eve at the Hideout"

Butch Walker @ Music Hall of Williamsburg in 2011 (more by Chris La Putt)

Producer, songwriter, and former Marvelous 3 frontman Butch Walker has been booked to play the final show of 2012 (New Year's Eve) at the Bottom Lounge. The Chicago show is currently Walker's only announced tour date, and is also his first New Year's gig in a long time.

He recently posted this message on the blog of his website:

hey.... psssst.... what are you guys doing for New Years Eve? me? i'm gonna play my first New Years Eve concert in 13 years. no biggie... it's just gonna be the BEST FREAKING NIGHT EVER.

Butch dropped his most recent LP, The Spade, in August of 2011, and his autobiography, Drinking with Strangers: Music Lessons from a Teenage Bullet Belt, arrived just a couple of months after that. So far this year, the pop-geared producer has been credited with production on new albums by Lit and Pink.

A few Butch Walker videos are below...

Continue reading "Butch Walker playing New Year's Eve at the Bottom Lounge"

Wanda Jackson at Newport Folk Fest 2011 (more by Jim Brueckner)

Given the great weather we're experiencing today, we figured we'd make you think about winter. (Sorry.) Here's another great option for New Year's Eve: the Queen of Rockabilly Wanda Jackson will be headlining the Double Door. Tickets for that show haven't been posted yet, but are said to go on sale this Saturday (9/29) at noon CST.

Jackson's new LP, Unfinished Business, hits stores on October 9 via Sugar Hill Records. The release of this record marks her 31st studio album(!), and was produced by Justin Townes Earle. Unfinished Business features five-new-originals and five-covers, including Steve Earle's "The Graveyard Shift," Etta James' "Pushover," and Bobby Womack's "It's All Over Now." Check out the lady killer-centric video for the album track "I'm Tore Down" below.

All known Wanda Jackson tour dates and her new video are below...

Continue reading "Wanda Jackson playing New Year's Eve at the Double Door"

Screeching Weasel in LA in July (via)

Chicago punk mainstays Screeching Weasel, whose band members all quit except for founding member Ben Weasel after Ben's fiasco at SXSW 2011 causing Ben to continue on with a new lineup, which he debuted at Reggie's last October for a show with The Queers. They previously had planned on doing a 25th anniversary celebration last year, but due to all the band's inner turmoil, plans had to be put on hold. Now, Ben and co. are set to ring in the new year with a 27th anniversary celebration at Reggie's on December 30 and 31. As is to be expected, The Queers are on both shows. The Manges play both dates too, Vatican Junkies open on 12/30, and They Stay Dead open on 12/31. Tickets for both shows are on sale now. Members of Screeching Weasel will also be DJing afterparties at the lounge next door both nights.

In related news, a documentary about the band has been in the works for some time now, but the producers have officially given up on making it and the blame Ben. They write (via Punk News):

The reason we can't make this film is Ben Weasel. Plain and simple. He is trying to tell me who I can and can't interview, and frankly, since the punch out, it's been a nightmare dealing with him. We are no longer allowed to speak with him directly. And I'm not interested in getting into a "he said-she said" fight on this here Facebook. I have honest and interesting interviews with people like Danny Panic, Dan Vapid, Ben himself (numerous times), Larry Livermore, Mike Dirnt, Fat Mike, Joe Queer, Joey Vindictive, John Jughead, and many, many more. You may not know, but this project began with Ben. Ben expressed interest in doing an honest, thorough documentary about the long history of Screeching Weasel. He said he didn't want a fluffy fan movie.

We never had any intention of "creative editing" to skew the real story. Ben can believe or say whatever he wants, but it was never going to happen. This was going to be an in-depth look at the trials of a working punk band that has had ups and downs over 25 years.

A video from their Reggie's show last year are below...

Continue reading "Screeching Weasel celebrating 27th anniversary at Reggie's for two New Year's Eve shows w/ The Queers"

Charles Bradley @ Metro in February (more by Zach Pollack)

"The Screaming Eagle of Soul" Charles Bradley is slated to ring in 2013 with a two-night stand at Lincoln Hall on December 30 & 31. Tickets for both performances go on sale this Friday (9/14) at noon CST. The New Year's Eve show is three-times more expensive than the December 30 performance, but Charles and LH are currently working together to provide a special NYE package for ticket buyers. Stay tuned for more information on the pair of shows, including opening acts.

Charles Bradley and His Extraordinaires have a number of shows left on their schedule before they usher in 2013 in Chicago. All tour dates and a couple of videos are below...

Continue reading "Charles Bradley playing New Year's Eve and the night before at Lincoln Hall"

Alejandro Escovedo @ Waterloo Records in Austin, TX (more by Tim Griffin)

Alejandro Escovedo and his band The Sensitive Boys have a busy fall schedule ahead of them. As mentioned, the legendary singer-songwriter is slated to support John Prine on a short string of September tour dates in his home state of Texas. After that, he'll be heading out on an East Coast tour with Heart, and then will finish off the fall season with some headlining dates of his own. Alejandro Escovedo & The Sensitive Boys are also set to play a New Year's Eve show (December 31) at SPACE in Evanston, IL. All reserved seating and tables are sold-out, but general admission tickets are still available.

Alejandro's most recent record, Big Station, hit stores in June via Concord Music. Haven't heard it yet? Stream the album in its entirety at the bottom of this post.

All Alejandro Escovedo tour dates and a stream of Big Station are below...

Continue reading "Alejandro Escovedo & The Sensitive Boys touring, playing SPACE on New Year's Eve"

video by John Yingling

Mines

On Monday night (1/2), Chicago's Mines played the first show of 2012 at the Empty Bottle with Color Card and Famous Laughs. Our own John Yingling shot some video footage of their set and did the same when they played the Happy Dog Gallery on New Year's Eve with SNACKS.

Both segments, below..

Continue reading "Mines played the first show of 2012 @ the Empty Bottle (video)"

Local H @ Bottom Lounge on NYE (by Ryan Manno)

Local H helped ring in 2012 and 2112 at Bottom Lounge on New Year's Eve. Missed it? Download audio of the entire live show at the Internet Archive (where you'll also find the 19 song setlist).

And... you can catch Local H two more times this week! On Friday (1/6) they hit Austin's Saloon in Libertyville. Saturday (1/7) it's 115 Bourbon Street in Merrionette Park.

Horrible news:

"An 18-year-old from North suburban Highland Park, shut out of a New Year's Eve concert because she didn't bring an ID, was sexually assaulted and beaten outside the Congress Theater by six young men Saturday night, according to accounts from police, security guards and a theater employee.

The woman was found beaten, naked and bleeding on a residential sidewalk just up Rockwell Avenue from the theater on Milwaukee Avenue in Chicago's Logan Square neighborhood, said the theater employee, who asked that his name not be used.

The woman was listed in critical condition in a coma at Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center Sunday morning, police News Affairs Officer Robert Perez said. But by Sunday afternoon, a detective working on the case said it appears the woman "is going to be fine.""
[Chicago Sun Times]

The Rusko show was 17+, but as the article says above, the New Year's Eve show at the Congress Theater required ID. The article also points out that "In six years there, Assistant Public Cook County Defender Bormes said the theater's security has generally been pretty good and he has seen little violence outside the theater."

In unrelated, but related news, a woman in Austin was murdered after leaving a New Year's Eve event, and the music community is seriously feeling the loss (RIP Esme Barrera).

As mentioned, JC Brooks & the Uptown Sound are kicking off a two-night-stay at Schubas, TONIGHT (12/30). Support will come from Green Room Rockers and DJRC, with My Mans warming up the crowd on New Year's Eve. Both nights are now sold out, flyer below.

If you weren't able to grab tickets, catch Brooks and co. opening for JJ Grey & Mofro at the Vic on January 14th. Tickets are still available.

Uptown Sound keyboard player Andy Rosenstein also fronts Clip Art, who have an upcoming January residency at Schubas. They'll begin on the 9th of the month and play three more times throughout January. Stream some music via their Facebook.

All Uptown Sound / Clip Art dates, and some videos, below..

Continue reading "JC Brooks & the Uptown Sound @ Schubas TONIGHT (and NYE), opening for JJ Grey @ the Vic & other stuff"

Girl Talk crowd @ Congress Theater on NYE 2009 (more by Graeme Flegenheimer)

New Year's Eve Weekend 2011 presents a wide variety of options for Chicagoans. We've announced a bunch of shows already and here are some more for you to choose from.

Brain Idea and The Yolks play The Burlington on December 30th. Tickets are $7 at the door. The venue are also hosting what they call a New Year's Eve Spectacular! (DJs and stuff).

Jameson are throwing a New Year's event at the Cobra Lounge which features The Spits, Mickey, and TV Ghost. Tickets are still available. The night before, the Cobra Lounge will host Nachtmystium, Enabler, and Like Rats.

Material Re-Issue, Hushdrops, and Redgrave will play Reggie's on NYE.

Soulman Otis Clay and his band will play SPACE in Evanston on NYE.

The Disco Biscuits will play the Auditorium Theatre on both December 30th and 31st.

DJ Ves120 will play The Whistler on December 30th and the venue will host their own celebration the following night.

Playboy (who are leaving Chicago) are hosting a party at The Hilton downtown.

What are your plans?

DOWNLOAD: A Lull - "I'm On Fire" (Bruce Springsteen cover) (MP3)

Though we recently announced A Lull's winter tour dates (which didn't include one in the city), they've just agreed to open for Murder By Death on December 30th at Subterranean. Murder By Death will also be playing there on New Year's Eve, but with The Blind Staggers. Tickets are still available for both shows.

The band have just posted their take on the Bruce Springsteen classic "I'm On Fire." Sounding quite different than the original (in a good way of course), we receive a very percussive, artful version of the 1985 single. Download the track above and/or stream it below.

In related news, the Boss will deliver a keynote lecture at SXSW on Thursday, March 15th.

Continue reading "A Lull take on the Boss' "I'm On Fire," playing Subterranean"

Black Joe Lewis & The Honey Bears

Texas blues band Black Joe Lewis & The Honey Bears are currently touring their way to Chicago, for a New Year's Eve performance at the Double Door. Support will come from the Soul Summit DJs and tickets (which include an open bar) are still available. The group have had a great year so far, which included the release of their Jim Eno-produced LP Scandalous, a tour with Sharon Jones, and an appearance at Fun Fun Fun Fest.

They'll keep the momentum going, when they join up with Flogging Molly for some dates in mid-February. The two bands will hit Chicago's massive Aragon Ballroom (where The National just played) on February 18th. Tickets just went on sale last weekend.

Head below for all 2011/12 tour dates, and some videos..

Continue reading "Black Joe Lewis closing out 2011 @ the Double Door, touring w/ Flogging Molly (dates)"

Old 97's @ Lincoln Hall in July (more by Ben Rodig)

The Old 97's are set to return to the Chicagoland area for a New Year's Eve performance at the InterContinental O'Hare Hotel. The 15th annual event dubbed the New Year's Eve Rock 'n' Roll Ball, will take place in three separate halls and will also include performances by Cathy Richardson & The Macrodots, cover bands Hairbangers Ball and Imposter Radio, and DJ Roland. General admission tickets are $75, and include a 4-hour open bar. There are also VIP packages (hotel rooms included) available.

In related news, frontman Rhett Miller was able to fully fund his upcoming solo album via a PledgeMusic campaign.

After the New Year, the band will hit the road with Those Darlins, and then Caitlin Rose. Check out their full 2011/12 tour schedule, and a flyer for the NYE show below..

Continue reading "Old 97's to play the InterContinental O'Hare Hotel on NYE"

Chicago mainstay's Local H are set to play a special New Year's set at the Bottom Lounge, paying tribute to Rush's 2112.

"This is the end of our sci-fi New Year's trilogy," explains Local H frontman Scott Lucas. "We did 2001 and 2010 -- both of those were obviously nods to Kubrick. For 2012, we had no choice but to celebrate the oeuvre of Roland Emmerich. He's pretty much cornered the market on annihilation and destruction. Expect lots of explosions."

In addition to digging into their own deep catalog, which includes six studio albums, a quasi-greatest hits, a live album, an awesome mix-tape covers record and several EPs, Local H are preparing a slew of their favorite end-of-the-world songs, including bits of Rush's "2112" opus (Side A of the 2112 album). A video montage, edited by Felix Pinero of Bailout Pictures, will accompany the performance.

"Being Rush fans, we also realized that it was now or never to do something with 2112," says Lucas. "It's not numerically correct, but none of us will be around in 100 years, so we're doing this for humanity's sake. I hope Brian has enough drums."

Local H are also working on a new record, tentatively titled Hallelujah! I'm a Bum. Look out for that in the spring of 2012 (if we make it there).