higgy's guide to midwestern living

[grannock]

ANy good edm in chicago for nye?


http://www.psymbolic.com/unlock.html...ts/?=freakeasy

This looks exactly what im looking for, anyone experience this promotion firsthand?

[SoulDischarge]

Free travel on Megabus for January & February http://us.megabus.com/Megabuscom%20O...e%20Seats.aspx Limited availability, so you have to book early and get lucky but you can find some free seats if you're flexible with dates. I'm hitting up Chicago the last weekend of January and Philly the last weekend of February. Roundtrip total for both adds up to $1.00 ($0.50 booking fee for each, and it'll probably be an extra couple of dollars because I need to book from Akron to Pittsburgh to get to Philly but still . . . )

[heart cooks brain]

Pomegranates

January 17-Shuba's, Chicago
January 18-Firebird, St. Louis

[paulb]

Sasha - Fri Jan 20th - Spybar, 17 bucks.... sounds like a hell of a great time!

How good of a club is Spybar? Good sound system? Sounds tiny....

[heart cooks brain]

spybar is legit.

[higgybaby23]

[higgybaby23]

Chicago...

January 2012

1/6 - Gene Farris @ Spybar
1/6 - The Juan Maclean (dj set) @ Berlin Nightclub
1/7 - Funkagenda @ The Mid
1/8 - Wu Tang Clan @ Congress Theatre
1/11 - Glass Candy + Chromatics @ Lincoln Hall
1/11 - Com Truise @ Schuba's Tavern
1/12 - Tycho + Active Child @ Lincoln Hall
1/13 - Craig Richards + Kate Simko @ Smart Bar
1/13 - Jamie Jones + Tini + Guti @ Spybar
1/13 - Laurent Garnier @ The Mid
1/13 - Theophilus London @ Lincoln Hall
1/13 - Gauntlet Hair @ Schuba's Tavern
1/14 - Wyatt Cenac @ The Hideout (two shows)
1/14 - The Numero Group record label (dj set) @ The Hideout (late show)
1/14 - Pharoahe Monch @ Double Door
1/14 - He's My Brother, She's My Sister @ Empty Bottle
1/14 - The Walkmen @ Metro
1/14 - Chairlift + Class Actress @ Schuba's Tavern
1/19 - Pearson Sound @ Smart Bar
1/20 - Sasha @ Spybar
1/20 - Motor City Drum Ensemble @ Smart Bar
1/20 - Mark Farina @ The Mid
1/20 - The Kills @ Riviera Theatre
1/20 - STS9 @ Congress Theatre
1/21 - STS9 @ Congress Theatre
1/21 - Marcel Fengler @ Smart Bar
1/21 - ATB @ Enclave Nightclub
1/21 - Mr. Muthafuckin' EXquire @ Beauty Bar
1/22 - Kool Keith @ Reggie's Rock Club
1/24 - Tortoise @ Empty Bottle
1/25 - Fujiya & Miyagi @ Lincoln Hall
1/27 - DJ Funk @ Smart Bar
1/27 - 16 Bit Lolitas @ Spybar
1/27 - Los Campesinos! @ Metro
1/28 - Devotchka @ Metro
1/28 - Tanner Ross @ Smart Bar
1/28 - Ladytron (dj set w/Reuben Wu) @ Berlin Nightclub
1/28 - Thee Silver Mount Zion Memorial Orchestra @ Lincoln Hall
1/28 - Drive By Truckers @ Congress Theatre

February 2012

2/1 - Chiddy Bang @ Reggie's Rock Club
2/2 - Zion I @ Bottom Lounge
2/3 - Aeroplane @ Smart Bar
2/3 - Carl Craig @ The Mid
2/3 - Smith Westerns @ Metro
2/4 - Danny Daze @ Smart Bar
2/4 - Kill The Noise @ Bottom Lounge
2/4 - Voodoo Glow Skulls + Authority Zero @ Beat Kitchen
2/6 - Jeff Mangum @ Athenaem Theatre
2/7 - Jeff Mangum @ Athenaem Theatre
2/7 - The Asteroids Galaxy Tour @ Lincoln Hall
2/9 - Miri Ben-Ari @ Lincoln Hall
2/10 - Tale Of Us @ Spybar
2/10 - A-Trak @ The Mid
2/11 - Derrick Carter @ Smart Bar
2/11 - Cedric Gervais @ The Mid
2/11 - Evol Intent @ Logan Square
2/11 - The Darknes @ Metro
2/15 - The Black Belles @ Empty Bottle
2/15 - Die Antwoord @ Metro
2/16 - 12th Planet @ Bottom Lounge
2/17 - Daedelus + Emancipator @ The Mid
2/17 - Karl Denson's Tiny Universe @ Park West
2/17 - Twin Sister @ Empty Bottle
2/18 - Sage Francis @ Bottom Lounge
2/18 - moe. @ Riviera Theatre
2/18 - Dr. Dog @ Vic Theatre
2/18 - Charles Bradley & His Extraordinaires @ Metro
2/18 - Flogging Molly @ Aragon Ballroom
2/21 - DJ Krush @ The Mid
2/21 - Zola Jesus @ Lincoln Hall
2/23 - Sharam @ Spybar
2/24 - Damian Lazarus @ Spybar
2/27 - Ben Lee @ Martyrs'

March 2012

3/2 - Martin Buttrich @ Spybar
3/2 - Riton @ Berlin Nightclub
3/2 - Galactic @ Park West
3/3 - Lila Downs @ Congress Theatre
3/3 - Reverend Horton Heat @ Metro
3/10 - EMA @ Lincoln Hall
3/14 - Grimes @ Empty Bottle
3/17 - G.Love & Special Sauce @ Metro
3/19 - The Black Keys @ United Center
3/25 - Kimya Dawson @ Old Town School of Folk Music
3/26 - The Magnetic Fields @ Vic Theatre
3/27 - The Magnetic Fields @ Vic Theatre
3/28 - Of Montreal @ Metro
3/30 - Childish Gambino @ Riviera Theatre

April 2012

4/1 - Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds @ Riviera Theatre
4/2 - Kasabian @ Vic Theatre
4/3 - Swervedriver @ Bottom Lounge
4/3 - Gotye @ Park West
4/4 - Metronomy @ Lincoln Hall
4/5 - Wild Flag @ Metro
4/6 - Neon Indian @ Metro
4/10 - Rasputina @ Double Door
4/17 - Talvin Singh + Niladri Kumar @ Empty Bottle
4/20 - Cults @ Metro


May 2012

5/4 - M83 @ Vic Theatre

[SoulDischarge]

Jesus fucking Christ the next two months are packed. I'm almost glad I'm not living there right now because I would surely drive my self to destitution and ruin.

[fiopadp7791]

It also sucks that Minneapolis isn't getting all of those acts as well. That is an incredible amount of good acts coming through

[SoulDischarge]

Cleveland probably won't get a single one of those acts.

[paulb]

Thanks Higgy for posting that list. Was that all on a website, or did you just copy and paste here and there?

Sasha, Zola, M83, Rammstein, Roger Waters are shows Im all interested in. Yet, cant commit until Im living in Chicago, hopefully within the next 2 months.

[higgybaby23]

I compiled the list from combing through each venue's website(s). I also used Pollstar to help find venues that I didn't already know. There are a TON of other shows that I didn't list either due to disinterest or ignorance.

So much going on and this is the slow season. Just wait until the spring and summer!

I purchased tix for Sasha. Presale tix are still available for just under $20.

[paulb]

Ya, how is a 300 capacity venue for Sasha not sold out!?

[fiopadp7791]

Total lack of promotion and an odd venue for the Minneapolis date. Did you guys know he was doing a 2nd round of US touring?

Theophilus London
Jan 11- Cleveland
Jan 12- Detroit
Jan 13- Chicago
Jan 14- Minneapolis
Minneapolis didn't get him on his tour last year, so it'll be cool to see him.

[higgybaby23]

FEBRUARY 23rd:
MUSEUM OF CONTEMPORARY ART: Diamanda Galás

FEBRUARY 25th:
MUSEUM OF CONTEMPORARY ART: Diamanda Galás

This show interests me.

Here is some more info...

http://www.mcachicago.org/performances/now/all/2012/745

[SoulDischarge]

Oh shit. That's something that I'm really going to regret missing. I haven't gotten super familiar with her discography but I know that she has to be a one of a kind performer.

[higgybaby23]

Kickass update!!!!

ART DEPARTMENT @ Spybar on March 9th.

MACEO PLEX and EATS EVERYTHING @ Spybar on March 16th.

Both are Friday night shows and FREE if you RSVP. Fuck yeah!!!!

Also, Sasha tix are STILL available at the presale price.

[higgybaby23]

I finally have the time and energy to share my tale of last weekend's adventure in Chicago.

We embarked on Friday afternoon with naive hopes of avoiding the blizzard that had threatened all day. Things went well for the first hour or so, then there was SNOW. Lots of it. And many many cars in ditches. The drive usually takes us a little over three hours. That night it was four and a half grueling and treacherous hours. We arrived at our hotel with just enough time to change and pre-party.

Then off to the club! It was our first time at Spybar. Initially I was impressed by the design and layout of the space. My wife and I both thought it reminded us of Smart Bar. Both are dimly lit basements with dominantly black color schemes. Tragically not long after, the douches arrived. The positive vibe was only maintained by the music and dancing. The horrible crowd that showed up for Boys Noize at The Mid seemed to have taken over this place as well. Uggh.

There were so many plastic people with ADD. They can't seem to focus on the music or stay in the same place for more than two minutes. I was pushed and shoved for most of the night. The onslaught was relentless. Luckily I had faced these people before and knew how to protect myself. No one got by me without getting an elbow (or two).

About the music: Sasha is fucking incredible. Truly a master of the craft. His set was DARK, sexy and aggressive. He played for almost two and a half hours. Spybar does have a great system. You can feel the vibrations right up in ya'. There is a large post in the middle of the dance floor. It's both annoying and useful. We made use of it by blocking off some of the endless herd of roaming idiots. Some guy stood in front of the post and filmed most of the set. It's on youtube. Watch it.

Overall, an amazing night due to the music, my wife and the libations. Spybar definitely draws a shitty crowd and has expensive drinks ($9.00 for a well drink). But, I would go back to see a quality act. It wasn't as bad as The Mid. Maceo Plex and Eats Everything will most certainly lure me.

The next night we went to see Marcel Fengler at Smart Bar. This place pleased me once again. The dance floor was bumping most of the night, but never too crowded. I was able to do the Higgy Jig with room to spare. Justin Long played a hard hitting house set. Plus, he used records!? Haven't seen anybody do that in a while. Around 2:30, Marcel Fengler took over. We danced pretty hard and really enjoyed what Fengler brought. He was still playing when we left at 3:45.

In other news, Juan Atkins is playing Smart Bar on March 3rd.

[captncrzy]

I will be in Chicago for one night, and one night only, on February 26.

[Tupper]

This thread is useful:
Thanks for the Sasha review...I ended up not using my tickets. Will be watching youtubes.
Agree on Smartbar's general positive vibe.

[paulb]

Thanks for the Sasha review, I was dying to be there.

Gesaffelstein just announced a DJ Set March 16th, at The Mid.

[guedita]

Higgy, where is there info about Maceo Plex/Eats Everything's March tour? I'm really hoping that they swing through San Francisco on the 17th (and don't just come out to LA for Beyond Wonderland).

[higgybaby23]

Here are the Maceo Plex North American dates so far...

BOSTON
Thu, Mar 15
1:00 am

Uhall
Washington D.C.
Fri, Mar 16
1:00 am

Spy Bar
Chicago
Sat, Mar 17
1:00 am

Footwork
Toronto
Wed, Mar 21
1:00 am

WMC
MIAMI
Fri, Mar 23
1:00 am

WMC
MIAMI
Sat, Mar 24
1:00 am

WMC
MIAMI
Sun, Mar 25
1:00 am

[stinkbutt]

Chicago people, go see Father See You Queen at their EP release party April 28th @ Burlington Bar. I swear you will walk away floored

[higgybaby23]

My exploration of Chicago continued with a Friday night show at the dreaded Mid and a Saturday show at Smart Bar. One of the highlights of the weekend was actually a non-musical one. The Art Institute of Chicago blew our minds! What a great way to split up two incredible performances and two crazy nights.

Don't go to The Mid unless you are ready for an intense night. There is nothing casual about this club. The bouncers and doorman wear three piece suits. Around 2am, I spied the attendance on a club worker's computer. It said there were currently 700+ patrons and over 1000 people had been through the doors. I've heard that capacity is supposed to be 600. We had to wait half an hour in line to get in around midnight. Entirely too many persons. The crowd wasn't nearly as douchey as our previous visit, but still....pretty shitty.

Once again we overcame the odds against us to offer our tribute to the dance. Carl Craig started almost immediately after we finally found our way to the dance floor. His set was only an hour long. It was a tease. The sounds were slowly evolving. He really needed a minimum of two hours to perform. Three would have been even better. Craig is definitely on another level. It wasn't just boom boom boom boom. The mix grew layer by electronic organic layer. He was playing a live PA too! Another time perhaps, another time.

The only consolation to Carl Craig's abbreviated set was that Adam Beyer and Ida Engberg played for the rest of the night. They turned out to be a very complimentary couple. Ida started with some deep driving house. After the groove is laid, Beyer comes in and somehow cranks the whole thing through the roof. Subtly, here comes Engberg again with her smooth soft sound. Then back to Adam hitting it out of the park. Very yin/yang.

On Saturday, we went to see No Regular Play and Danny Daze. Thankfully this was another show at Smart Bar. I really love this place. There has always been plenty of room on the dance floor. The drinks are cheaper and there is no mandatory coat check. It also has the best decor. The show shifted into gear at 1:15 when a live version of No Regular Play began their set. The two members shared programming duties and one added vocals and trumpet as well. Their take on vocal jazzy house is solid. I enjoyed it, but wasn't floored. Danny Daze took over an hour later and proceeded to bring the heat. He has an aggressive mixing style with minimal build and maximum bump. The track selection in his set was what impressed me the most. It was mainly deep house with progressive flourishes.

I will return to Smart Bar religiously. The Mid will be reserved for must see acts. There is potential in Spybar that could reveal a decent scene. I'm hoping to visit other venues soon.

[higgybaby23]

Lest this thread become a one note wonder, here are a few shows that are not in Chicago and not EDM.

2/11/12 - Wet Hair + Cuticle (both of Not Not Fun Records) @ Rozz Tox, Rock Island IL
2/17/12 - The Toasters @ The Redtone Room, Davenport IA
3/27/12 - Kimya Dawson @ Rozz Tox, Rock Island IL
**3/27/12 to 4/1/12** - Mission Creek Festival @ various venues in Iowa City...http://missionfreak.com/lineup/
4/25/12 - Shabazz Palaces @ Gabe's, Iowa City IA

[ShyGuy75]

other lives at the lincoln hall 2nite will feel good

[involvelemons]

Why do cool shows have to happen when I'm working and broke?
Oh wait, I'm a grad student. That's every night. Aaaaand I'm broke *because* I'm going to Coachella...
Oh well.

[higgybaby23]

SHPONGLE PRESENTS THE MASQUERADE

Tue May 8, 2012 The Vogue, Indianapolis, IN

Wed, May 9 2012 PLUSH | SAINT LOUIS, MO

Thu, May 10, 2012 Majestic Theatre, Madison, WI

Sat, May 12, 2012 House Of Blues, Chicago, IL

Fri, May 11 2012 Majestic Theater | Detroit, MI

[higgybaby23]