Rat Tally, Social Cinema, Liska
Rat Tally makes sad music for sad people. Or happy people. Or whoever. Whether it’s due to their years as touring musicians, gradually honed songwriting and stylistic ambitions from scrappy, garage-y roots, or some combination of all of the above, Social Cinema makes an immediate impression with seasoned beyond their years songwriting chops and a road-hardened work ethic and resolve to match. Since adopting the Social Cinema banner in 2021, the alternative/indie rock quintet has issued four EPs — 2022’s Causing Scenes and Repeat, Get Along, and Stay Numb in 2023 — and a number of singles highlighting the outfit’s multifaceted songcraft prowess, and has shared bills with the likes of Metric, Saint Motel, Slothrust, The Velveteers, Spiritual Cramp, Bad Bad Hats, Sego, THICK, PUP, The Macks, and more. With Briggite Bardot hair, psychic abilities, and enough broken hearts to inspire an entire discography, Chicago’s-own Liska has all the makings of a “pop girly,” the Gen-Z-originated internet term of endearment reserved for the most iconic of icons. Liska fans appreciate her signature, Gwen Stefani-esque pout and her impish lyrics. Both her vocal delivery and the topics she sings about are unapologetically girlish. With inspirations stemming from Charli XCX, Evanescene, Britney Spears and No Doubt, there’s a little bit of something for everyone
King Sans, Frozen Charlotte, The Metalliques
King Sans is Chicago’s Gothic Noisepunk Duo Frozen Charlotte is the newest project from Madison, WI based multimedia artist Sigra DeWeese. Blending DeWeese’s signature airy coloratura vocals with a heavy, hardcore infused production and catchy, pop sensibility, Frozen Charlotte boasts a dynamic sound for fans of Lung, Deftones and Lingua Ignota. Live show supported by the musical talents of drummer Samwise Baker, second bassist Quintin Bovre, and Keyboardist Riley Rentfro. Local cosmic act The Metalliques have a cinematic, sultry and surfy sound with lounge and spaghetti western elements that would be equally at home in a David Lynch film or 70s soft core escapade.
bloodsports, ira glass, Stalled
bloodsports is a brooklyn-based slowcore and noise rock band. Since moving to New York at the beginning of 2024, they have built up a following through their dynamic and emotive live performances, dissonant guitars and driving rhythms. ira glass is a post-hardcore band from Chicago When the Wall Breaks Down says of Stalled- “Their music has everything I love to hear in a live music context- slow, moody passages, effect-drenched guitars, intricate rhythms, and unbelievably powerful sonic explosions when you least expect them.”
Oh Geeez, Not Again, Luke Frees & The Shadowband, 5pm to Nowhere
Luke Frees writes songwriter-driven rock music and plays live with his backing group, The Shadowband. Retro-inspired guitars, soaring avant saxophones, and a tight rhythm section give the band its energetic edge, all the while prioritizing the writing and serving the song. Their newest album, Tomorrow’s Lucid Dream, is now available on all streaming platforms, and their greatest hits compilation album can be found on vinyl at lukefrees.net. Arriving from out of the woods along the shores of Lake Michigan, Oh Geeez, Not Again is here to soundtrack your expedition through the wilderness of reality. The Milwaukee indie pop quartet – Sean McGibany (vocals/guitar/banjo), Jack Gilmond (vocals/guitar), Alex Dollenmayer (drums), and Joe Ludwig (bass) – are lifelong musical adventurers and distill their sound from an eclectic blend of 2000’s pop punk, 2010’s alternative, and 90’s country.Specializing in colorful lyrics, driving organic beats, and nonstop melodic hooks, their songs are sure to get stuck in your head and make you feel like the protagonist in your own coming of age movie. Milwaukee alternative rock voyagers 5pm to Nowhere emerged in 2020 under the creative vision of singer-songwriter Jacob Webb, drawing from the grand emotional balladry of alternative icons like Jeff Buckley and Sufjan Stevens. With drummer Ben Dahms, keyboardist Noah Bayer, and guitarist Christian Lese infusing 5pm to Nowhere with new indie rock sound and energy, 5pm to Nowhere continues their sonic expedition into uncharted territories.Milwaukee alternative rock voyagers 5pm to Nowhere emerged in 2020 under the creative vision of singer-songwriter Jacob Webb, drawing from the grand emotional balladry of alternative icons like Jeff Buckley and Sufjan Stevens. With drummer Ben Dahms, keyboardist Noah Bayer, and guitarist Christian Lese infusing 5pm to Nowhere with new indie rock sound and energy, 5pm to Nowhere continues their sonic expedition into uncharted territories.
Jett Girls, Rareforms, The Laughing Hearts
The Jett Girls are a rag tag group here to wreak havoc, cause chaos, and marry their love for the absurd with high powered rock music. Rareforms makes heavy psych rock tinged with 90’s influences. A power trio bringing a high-energy show with riffs and intricacies to pull people in from the other room. The Laughing Hearts are from Chicago. Our first full length Album “TRACES” is out now. We are excited to share it with you. We have been a band since 2017, and will be forever.
Chainbreaker, Augment, Chaosphere, Malinche
Malinche is a Chicago band from the Southside founded on Malört to make, Malört-core! Chaosphere plays groove metal with hardcore/diy ethos. Pushing boundaries sonically and diversifying our scene. Everything we do is for Chicago. We will play anywhere to anyone. Life is just a sentencing. Augment are a Chicano hardcore band from the Southside of Chicago that plays a mixture of heavy groove riffs mixed with heavy beatdown 2 step drums. RIYL: desmadre, DARE. Chainbreaker is music to beat up your best friend to.
The Orchard, Pool Hall, Dogcatcher
The Orchard describes themselves as “Barn Rock” and will be performing their new EP County Fair Pool Hall brings fast licks, catchy lyrics, and a damn good time. Since its inception as the songwriting project of Chicago-based Iowa expat Mitch McAndrew, Dogcatcher has grown into a dynamic, twangy, and agile starting 5 that isn’t afraid to crash the boards.
Public Figure, Arcade Riot, Radar Waves, HeadTrip
Public Figure is an alternative pop-rock band whose focus throughout its time has been writing with the exclusive purpose of making their songs catchy and fun for themselves and their audience. With influences ranging from The Strokes to Red Hot Chili Peppers to Maroon 5, their debut singles “Poor and Pretty”, “Better Sleep”, and “Hollywood” have galvanized their fanbase across the Midwest, leading to multiple sold-out shows and a crowd that is obsessed with their art and personalities. Arcade Riot is an energetic neon pop-punk band from Omaha, Nebraska, with their roots in the music that shaped the childhood of kids growing up in the late 90s and early 00s. Their aim is to set themselves apart with catchy riffs and earworm hooks. With their soaring vocals, blazing guitars, and relatable lyrics, Arcade Riot is a force to be reckoned with in the modern pop-punk resurgence. Radar Waves is a trio that plays trash rock for trash people. HeadTrip is a Chicago Pop Punk 4-piece giving you high energy shows, relatable lyrics and infectious hooks.
Daundry, Atheena, Bum Rush
Daundry is a three-piece grungagze band from Chicago IL. Atheena is rock band that mixes early 2010’s alternative rock and 90’s grunge sound. Our recent release,”What We Do In Secret”, highlights our influences that range from Narrow Head to The Smashing Pumpkins. Interesting guitar work with grittiness will captivate the crowd and have you thinking,”When’s the next show?”. Bum Rush is a loud, energetic and irreverent punk trio based in Chicago, Illinois. They sound like all of your favorite bands rolled into one, but with more kick. There’s never a dull moment when Bum Rush steps up to the plate. They play shows often and sometimes release music, which you can check out anywhere you listen to music.
Big Step, LJA Trio, Tunnel, Beach Trash
Big Step is the songwriting project and band of Jordan Paine. Through Big Step, Jordan uses carefully crafted lyrics to tell stories and tease out thoughts and ideas. Listeners experience all of this fully embodied thanks to the talents of Augie & Griffin (Bass and Drums). The music often sounds like a dance-y blend of singer/songwriter, alt rock and post punk with vocal harmonies added in. The LJA Trio (Labratio/Alex Maerbach/Jeff Goulet) is made up of 3 longtime contributors to both the Improvised Music, and No-Wave/Art Rock scenes here in Chicago. We have collaborated in many different lineups, but will play on this night as a trio for the first time, pulling out a set of psychadelic free improv. Members of Pet Peeves, Lovely Little Girls, Larvavision, and Taste Rubber. Tunnel (est. 2023) is a four-piece psych outfit that consists of Kelsey Gould (drums), Michael ‘Goldy’ Goldstein (guitar), Salem Iyabode (bass), and Tong Pan (guitar, trumpet) – all of the members sing. Tunnel indulges in musical catastrophe, embraces the endless possibility within its chaos, and searches for the momentum that brings us together. We believe in truth through motion. The band released their full-length debut album Driver Don’t Believe in Freewill on December 18th of 2024. Beach Trash is a jazz fusion powerhouse with a filthy punk streak. Known for chaotic grooves, blistering solos, and an unapologetic attitude, they smash genre rules like a barroom brawl. Sophisticated but rowdy, Beach Trash brings jazz snobs and pit warriors together for one wild, sweaty ride.