Sound check: Tomorrow Never Knows launches today; 2019 faves play this weekend
Favorites on parade
A few weeks ago I wrapped up the last year with a look at nine of my favorite new (or new to me) Chicago-area discoveries that hit my radar in 2019. If they were new to you, too, you're in luck; several of them are playing this weekend. First, listen to them on this playlist. Then catch them at these shows:
• Wolf Rd joins dying in designer on its “Nobody's Happy In America” tour with Lil Extra and Wilmette at 8 p.m. Friday, Jan. 17, at Beat Kitchen, 2100 W. Belmont Ave., Chicago. $12. (773) 281-4444 or beatkitchen.com.
• The Darling Suns plays a free show at 10 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 18, with The Cordial Sins and Tiny Kingdoms at Emporium Wicker Park, 2363 N. Milwaukee Ave., Chicago. (773) 697-7922 or emporiumchicago.com.
• The Footlight District hosts a vinyl release party at 8 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 18, for last year's “Fairytales for the Dark Age” with Los Black Dogs and Old Grand Dad at Liar's Club, 1665 W. Fullerton Ave., Chicago. Free. facebook.com.
• Zorila headlines with Ignited, Out for Hours and Butterfly In Traffic at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 18, at Cubby Bear, 1059 W. Addison St., Chicago. $7-$10. (773) 327-1662 or cubbybear.com.
Underbelly Hours acoustic night
The Underbelly Hours, Elmhurst College radio's underground music show, is filling the Elmhurst Brewing Company with a fine acoustic lineup for a chill Sunday night this weekend. Check out Josh Buché, Mirabelle Skipworth, Quinn Pokora (of Iris Blue) and Isabella Snow as they perform and share stories with Adela and Dan (hosts of the radio show).
8 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 19, at Elmhurst Brewing Company, 171 N. Addison Ave., Elmhurst. Suggested donation of $5. (630) 834-2739 or elmhurstbrewingcompany.com.
Tomorrow Never Knows
The gray days of January don't seem to be as packed musically on the local scene as the rest of the year is, which makes it prime ground for Tomorrow Never Knows to sweep in and seize the week. The lineup of the five-day festival of music and comedy is curated to put some on-the-rise Chicago acts alongside national acts on five stages across the city — Lincoln Hall, Metro, Schubas Tavern, Sleeping Village and The Hideout. The fest, which launches Wednesday, Jan. 15, with sets from Caroline Polachek, Taylor McFerrin, CJ Run, Wyatt Waddell and more, also brings NOV3L, Goth Babe with Jude Shuma, Davis the Dorchester Bully, Whitmer Thomas, Hannah Cohen, The Ophelias, Twain and much more over the fest's duration. Five-day passes are already sold out, but tickets are still available for individual shows; check out the full lineup at tnkfest.com.
• Lincoln Hall, 2424 N. Lincoln Ave., Chicago. (773) 525-2501 or lh-st.com.
• Metro, 3730 N. Clark St., Chicago. (773) 549-4140 or metrochicago.com.
• Schubas Tavern, 3159 N. Southport Ave., Chicago. (773) 525-2508 or lh-st.com.
• Sleeping Village, 3734 W. Belmont Ave., Chicago. (773) 654-3971 or sleeping-village.com.
• The Hideout, 1354 W. Wabansia Ave., Chicago. (773) 227-4433 or hideoutchicago.com.
• Brian Shamie is a Daily Herald multiplatform editor and local music junkie. Find him on Facebook or follow him on Twitter (@thatshamieguy) or Instagram (@chicagosoundcheck). Brian also keeps tabs on the Chicago-area music scene at chicagosoundcheck.com.