Rocking new year
Want to inaugurate the new year with live music? Here is a brief rundown of the best choices out there.
Tributosaurus, 9 p.m. at Martyrs', 3855 N. Lincoln Ave., Chicago. $35. (773) 404-9494.
The famed Chicago cover collective becomes Ray Charles, playing a night of classic soul.
Spoon, 10 p.m. at Metro, 3730 N. Clark St., Chicago. $76. (773) 549-0203.
The indie band from Austin, Texas, plays their special brand of poppy, angular rock.
Black Kids with These Are Powers and Walter Meego DJs, 10 p.m. at the Empty Bottle, 1035 N. Western Ave., Chicago. $20/$25. (773) 276-3600.
The Chicago debut of Jacksonville's Black Kids, one of the bands to watch in 2008, armed with an EP that has the tastemakers at Vice and Pitchfork in a tizzy.
Jon Brion, 9 p.m. at the Harris Theater in Millennium Park, 205 E. Randolph St., Chicago. $85. (312) 334-7777.
The Intonation Music Festival hosted this famed L.A. producer-songwriter-film composer who performs in a one-man band mode.
The Punch Brothers featuring Chris Thile, 7:30 and 10:30 p.m. at the Old Town School of Folk Music, 4544 N. Lincoln Ave., Chicago. $24/$26/$28. (773) 728-6000.
Chris Thile of Nickel Creek showcases his new project, a bluegrass band that follows classical music structures. A debut album is due in February.
Umphrey's McGee, 10 p.m. at the Aragon, 1106 W. Lawrence Ave., Chicago. $62.50. (312) 559-1212.
Chicago's jam band that has exploded on the national scene returns for the third of a three-night stand.
The Temptations and The Marvelettes, 9 p.m. at Centre East at The North Shore Center for the Performing Arts, 9501 Skokie Blvd., Skokie. $85. (847) 673-300.
A Motown revue featuring just a few of the founding members of both landmark singing groups.
-- Mark Guarino