Torch the Hive, Speed Babes, Dogshit, Voidclass
Torch the Hive is a spawn of antifacist pro mental riffy punk that punches you in the throat Speed Babes (celebrating their 10th anniversary as a band in early 2025) are a 3pc budget punk/garage/diy band who have released 9 records (all via iOS Garageband) featuring over 140 short frenetic songs with witty satirical lyrics since their inception in early 2015. Dogshit is a paw punk trio from Chicago and Wauconda. They make music for everyone’s inner beast to bark, howl, laugh, cry, and sigh to. They gather influence from the Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Rancid, Josie and the Pussycats, Fidlar, and your mom, while also trying to incorporate their own special stinky flavor to the mix. Voidclass is a four piece dark wave garage punk band. Fast and abrasive with an evil smirk.
Holy Joke, Lydia Cash, North Warren
Holy Joke is a Rock n Roll band from Chicago, IL, bringing twangy jams to a venue near you. Holy Joke released their full band debut EP in July 2024. Listening to Lydia Cash’s newest EP, “Blush,” feels almost like reading a secret– the five songs are beacons of authenticity where she reveals the innermost workings of her heart’s loves and losses. Each song is a unique confessional, a portrait of a moment in time, poured out of her like the best bottle of wine on a back porch. Heartache, new romance, and introspection are all common themes that are held together with threads of vulnerable moments– a shared cigarette, a head on a shoulder. Her delicate melodies, enrapturing voice, and a pedal steel twang showcase this native Alabamian/Chicago transplant’s dichotomy of grit and sweetness. North Warren is an indie/emo/power-pop band from Milwaukee, WI. Formed by Luke Esperes in 2019, the music consists of raw overdriven guitars, fuzzed out bass lines with an accompaniment of emotive lyrics with catchy hooks.
Cruutahn, Modern Cults, Ommen
Cruutahn is a “garage improv” duo featuring Japan-based drummer Akio Jeimus and Chicago guitar player Sam Frampton. The two perform improvisations with pseduo song-structures and an emphasis on rawness and simple musical themes.Having self-released an ep in 2019, winter 2024 will be the duo’s first, long overdue reunion in some years. Modern Cults is power pop trash pop slacker pop rock. With continuing inspiration from Sparklehorse and an added dose of just cryptic enough songwriting from the likes of Stephen Malkmus and Alex G, Modern Cults is urgent and complex but easily accessible with melodies catchier than a cold. OMMEN (DJ SET) Chicago-based drummer and dj spinning selected favorites from the ambient, techno, and drum machine departments.
$50k Check, Background Character, Modern Daybreak
50k Check is a Chicago band that blends 70s post-punk, 60s psychedelic pop, and a noisy indie rock that gives every song its own unique vibe. On their first album, songs build from pin-drop quiet to all-encompassing layers of sound, others peel a song, layer by layer, to reveal their essence. Behind Kelly Torch’s soaring vocals, the band sways between melody and fuzz, groove and trance, dance and lounge. 50K Check is Kelly Torch on vocals, Mason Payne on guitar, Kisira Hill on bass, Karl El Sokhn on drums and David Green on keys. Background Character is a rock band from Chicago that erratically shifts genres mid-song culminating in a sound they call Hyperrock. Their 4th album just dropped in November 2024! Modern Daybreak is a collective of like minded musicians seeking love, peace, and understanding. Their music is the expression of years of hard work, heartbreak, and hope, coalescing in a project unlike any they’ve been a part of before. They come from all different walks of life, working together to create rock-flavored music without genre limitations.
Warren Zevon Birthday Tribute
Truth Zone Recs Presents An Emergency Birthday Celebration Tribute to WARREN ZEVON Performances by The Curls Chris Coleslaw Angela James Junegrass SJOD Bob Solone Bronco Bama Truth Zone Recs DJs on deck playing Warren’s finest all night long **All proceeds benefit LA Wildfire Relief**
Amanda Joy (Single Release), Gayun Cannon, CRYBERBULLY
Amanda Joy is an artist who writes and performs alternative/indie/R&B music. With her band, she creates a safe space filled with love and light. It’s groovy, relatable, fun, and passionate. If you are a person who feels literally anything, you are going to love the energy and joy that fills the room. Gayun Cannon is a 22 year old singer, self-produced, and multi-instrumentalist artist from the area we know and love, the South side of Chicago. Gayun is known for creating a process of healing within each song whether it is about love, healing or her own trials and tribulations through life. Her main goal is for her listeners to tap into their emotions and embrace them. CRYBERBULLY is a Chicago based DJ and artist whose style spans from dreamy ambient to hot and sweaty beats that you can’t help but to shake to. With the goal of creating atmosphere and a world outside of your own, CRYBERBULLY transports listeners through sound and dance.
Miss. Ma’amshe & Neutral Gena: MALL DRAG
Let’s go to the mall! Coming all the way from New York City- Miss. Ma’amshe brings her iconically hilarious homage to days of Juicy Couture & Jeans. Come see a stacked drag show full of your favorite Chicago Drag Artists giving you exactly what you need… some mall drag! Hosted by Miss. Ma’amshe and Neutral Gena Starring Lucy Stoole & Stephanie Gato-Girl Dance all night with DJ Mx. Toto
Jane Hobson, Big Chemical, Petsit
Jane Hobson is a songwriter and indie rock musician based in Chicago (originally from Madison, WI). Hobson leads a five-piece rock band featuring James Strelow on pedal ste, Ivan Skryagin on bass, Bronson Taalbi on guitar and backup vocals, and Eddie Campell on drums. She is often compared to The Cranberries, Snail Mail and Big Thief. Petsit plays laid back ever so slightly quirked up guitar rock that expresses a romanticism beset by life’s insecurities. also featuring Big Chemical
Contrapuntal Readings
In celebration of 3 years of the event, General Readings is hosting a week long series of readings/shows/parties at Cafe Mustache and Cole’s Bar. This is the third and final, Contrapuntal Readings, a gathering of writers, musicians, and musician-writers. General Readings first ever Show and first ever event outside of Cafe Mustache features Eli Sugerman, Jacob Stovall/Early Country, Jessica Mindrum, Tyler Crain, Shami of Mother Fortune, and local Logan Square legends, Vamos!
Cass Cwik, Trevor Joellenbeck (single release), Jack Brereton
Cass Cwik is a Chicagoan who plays and writes original folk tunes. He’ll be joined by his longtime musician pals churning out some groove rock for a special set. Trevor Joellenbeck is an Indie rock and roll / Americana songwriter from Chicago, IL. For fans of Andy Shauf, Courtney Barnett, and Chris Cohen, Jack Brereton writes songs about the everyday.