Thursday, April 23
Hackensaw Boys, Trampled By Turtles @ Schuba’s (Chicago)
A pair of bona-fide bluegrass bands invade Chicago for a Thursday-night extravaganza. Both groups mix rapid-fire riffs with aspects of Americana, engaging in multi-layered vocal harmonies. The Hackensaw Boys in particular are known to include 5-6 vocalists at any given point.
Boston Celtics vs. Chicago Bulls, Game 3
ALARM founder/editor Chris Force, a native of the Boston area, will be torn between his original B-ball love and his adopted home. As he proclaimed via text message during Game 1, “Dude. This is some King Solomon shit.”
Online editor Scott Morrow will be firmly in the Bulls’ corner. Music editor Jamie Ludwig will be listening to loud rock records somewhere.
Friday, April 24
Coalesce @ Reggie’s Rock Club (Chicago)
Leveling listeners with unadulterated force, this Kansas hardcore quartet has gone 10 years between full-length albums. The wait (and recent reunion) has been well worth it, however, as the band’s upcoming album mixes the trademark Coalesce sonic assault with acoustic interludes, vocal harmonies, a blues riff or two, and a number of other new elements.
The album, titled Ox, will be out on June 9 via Relapse. If attendees are lucky, the band will have some early copies in tow.
Saturday, April 25
Sole @ Abbey Pub (Chicago)
Known as a frequent collaborator with the Anticon crew, indie rapper Sole branched out in 2007 with two new releases — one as Mansbestfriend, an instrumental collection, and one as Sole & The Skyrider Band, a dub/rock-infused live setup with electronic musician and drummer SkyRider.
It’s uncertain as to what the future holds for Sole, but in the meantime, he hits our town as part of a solo jaunt with Awol One and Ceschi Ramos for the Outsiders Tour.
Sunday, April 26
Old Town School jazz guitarists @ Old Town School of Folk Music (Chicago)
Uniting four guitarists who specialize in bop, Brazilian fusion, Gypsy jazz and more, this Lincoln Square venue hosts Paulinho Garcia, Tony do Rosario, Alfonso Ponticelli and Mike Allemana, all faculty members, for this special one-time performance.