Go To There: July 16 - 22

By Gene Wagendorf III

Magic Milk

Tuesday, July 16th: Magic Milk at Empty Bottle (9pm, 21+, $8)
Word on the street is that this could be the last show, ever, for local garage heavyweights Magic Milk. At the very least it'll be the last one for what the band is calling "a long ass time." It's a fair assumption that if this is the end that Magic Milk will go out with a bang- they've more than earned their reputation as one of Chicago's premier party bands.



Wednesday, July 17th: The Hecks, The Funs, Coffin Ships and Earring at Empty Bottle (9pm, 21+, $7)
Wednesday The Bottle is hosting a lineup of stellar local talent in the form of four guitar/drum duos. Manic Static label-mates Coffin Ships and The Funs come blasting out of Chicago's DIY scene and shouldn't have much difficulty turning the bar into a sweaty, blissed-out basement bacchanal. The Hecks have been impressing us for a while now, and they show no signs of stopping. Fuzzy rock two-piece Earring (also on Manic Static) make their Bottle debut, likely with a set culled from their 2013 release Nunn Ones.

Thursday, July 18th: Sarah Neufeld at Millennium Park (6:30pm, All Ages, FREE)
Best known as a member of (who is) Arcade Fire (?), violinist Sarah Neufeld is set to release a solo record, Hero Brother, on Constellation Records in August. A combination of rock, avant-folk and European folk, the record is chilling and beautiful, startling and somewhat magical. There might be not better setting for this in Chicago than Pritzker Pavilion, so get out and enjoy a free evening of something a little different.

Friday, July 19th: Richard Album and John Bellows at Big Forever (6pm, All Ages, $5)
Humboldt Park DIY space Big Forever is throwing a festival of their own, appropriately titled Big Forever Fest. Of the 9+ acts performing, we're excited to see pop-savant Richard Album and grungy-folk troubadour John Bellows. The latter just released a killer 7" of tumbling, rattling country tunes perfect for sipping whiskey in the heat.



Saturday, July 20th: The Cell Phones at Bughouse Theater (7pm, All Ages, $?)
Odradeck Theatre Company is throwing an impressive art showcase featuring live music, belly dancers, visual art, spoken word and a traveling thrift store. We're not exactly sure on the cover charge, but a $5 suggested donation is a safe bet. More importantly, math-metal three-piece The Cell Phones are on the bill. Led by Lindsey Charles' sweetly sinister vocal twist, the band conjures up hailstorms of needly, thrashing, yet-somehow-danceable rock.

Sunday, July 21st: White Mystery and Rainbow Gun Show at Cobra Lounge (9pm, 21+, FREE w/ RSVP)
Any regular reader of WCR is going to know these two bands by now. Both are playing the third and final night of Cobra Fest, and it's a free show to boot. This is a no-brainer. Read about (and listen to tracks from) White Mystery's new record here, and the latest 7" from RGS here.


Monday, July 22nd: Netherfriends at The Whistler (9:30, 21+, FREE)
WCR's Quinn Donnell just sat down with Shawn Rosenblatt, better known as one-man-band Netherfriends. They chatted about the conclusion of the musician's 50 Songs 50 States project and what it's like being a truly independent musician. Rosenblatt also casually mentioned that The Whistler was his favorite bar in Chicago, so it stands to reason that he'll arrive ready to put on one hell of a show.