SANGO

CONCORD MUSIC HALL

May 12

BY JULIET CANGELOSI

Seattle-based producer Kai “Sango” Wright first announced In the Comfort Of over a Facebook post in 2014. Three and a half years later, the album finally came to life last month, featuring artists like Xavier Omär, James Vincent McMorrow, and Smino. Sango patiently crafted In the Comfort Of for the everyday listener by offering an affable assemblage of tunes in which you can truly find comfort. His low-end beats are their own commiserations for the listener, met with lyrics inspired by personal experiences that support this cozy warm blanket effect. After all, the tracks themselves are written after real life, with ”Mateo 2.19” written and named after his son and “Sweet Holy Honey” penned about the power of women. In an interview with NPR Music, he describes “empathy and transparency” as the theme for the album. In the Comfort Of is a record of calm reassurance, delivered at a time when we need it more than ever.

8 PM LISTEN 
$20 TICKETS 

THE BREEDERS

THE VIC

May 8

BY ERIN MALYSA
PHOTO BY MARISA GESUALDI

Twenty-nine years and five albums later, The Breeders are back with All Nerve, their first LP since 2008’s Mountain Battles. And, as expected, the original lineup of Kim and Kelley Deal, Josephine Wiggs, and Jim Macpherson delivers uncompromising lyrics wrapped in a soft, subtle maturity. Thematically, the album delves into the heady realms of isolation, loneliness, death and the need to run and escape while the exit remains elusive. On the track “Spacewoman”, the idea of being distant, fearful and alone on this planet is explored with the refrain: “Spacewoman, spacewoman / How lonely does it feel? You’re spinning round and round / I look up, I’m down here, rolling around too.” It’s the old idea of being lonely in a room full of people, as sometimes it’s not about “the big light show” or “hitting home runs and line drives with the sun in your eyes.” Sometimes you just want a single conversation with another human being that carries some weight and buoys your being to this plane of existence.

WITH MELKBELLY
8 PM LISTEN
$35 TICKETS

JEFF ROSENSTOCK

LOGAN SQUARE AUDITORIUM

April 26

BY ERIN MALYSA
PHOTO BY HIRO TANAKA

Were you paying attention? Did Jeff Rosenstock and his overflowing jock strap of interesting and artful bands (Arrogant Sons of Bitches, Bomb the Music Industry) somehow sneak past you over the past 18 years? If so, it’s well past time to catch the fuck up. Starting in 2006, Rosenstock’s DIY label Quote Unquote Records has been releasing free donation-based music for the people. Rosenstock’s love for his fans, music, friends and label mates is more than just charming and endearing: it’s quenching our increasingly collective thirst for a musician and person who isn’t an internet or social media persona but an actual genuine human being. His third full length album, POST — released on New Year’s Day with no warning or marketing behind it — is a continuance of Rosenstock’s strong penchant for excellence and unfiltered passion. Even though his Chicago show is sold out, maybe we can convince Jeff to stream the show for everyone to see. Seems like an idea he’d be into.

WITH MARTHA + BAD MOVES
6:30 PM LISTEN
$15 TICKETS

Millennium Park Announces 2018 Summer Concert Series

The Millennium Park Summer Music Series will offer 10 free outdoor concerts between June 18 and August 16 at the Jay Pritzker Pavilion in Millennium Park. The 2018 music series includes performances by Aimee Mann (July 30, pictured), Bahamas (August 6), Whitney (August 12), The Sea & Cake (August 16), Funkadesi (July 26), Anoushka Shankar (July 19), and Willie Colon (July 23). All performances begin at 6:30 p.m. and take place rain or shine. For more information, visit the Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events website.