Best in the Midwest is a weekly breakdown of shows and events happening throughout the region. Our merry band of music-obsessed staff scours the very reaches of the internet to tell you the best way to spend your weekend. It’s tireless work, but it must be done. Peruse our recommendations of the best in the Midwest below, and spend your weekend as best as possible.
Faux Ferocious, Glyders, Junegrass, Magic Ian (DJ set): April 12 | The Empty Bottle, Chicago | info
Before Faux Ferocious makes the trip up to Milwaukee Psych Fest, they’re swinging through The Empty Bottle to get a little psychedelic with Glyders, Junegrass, and Magic Ian. –Alyssa Lee
Night Beats, Heaters, Flesh Panthers: April 12 | Sleeping Village, Chicago | info
Grand Rapids’ outfit, Heaters, joins hometown rockers Flesh Panthers for an awesome night opening for Night Beats. –Alyssa Lee
Sen Morimoto, ShowYouSuck, Drea the Vibe Dealer: April 12 | Co-Prosperity Sphere, Chicago | info
Sen Morimoto brings grooves like none other. –Tina Mead
Pixel Grip, Grun Wasser, Cae Monae, DJ Ariel Zetina: April 13 | Sleeping Village, Chicago | info
I’ve seen Pixel Grip twice, and each time blew my mind for complete different reasons. This show is 100% worth it. –Alyssa Lee
Thee Casual Hex, North By North, The Tomblands, Rainbow James: April 13 | Subterranean, Chicago | info
This Chicago-centric line-up fires on all cylinders. It’s a little psych, a little garage, a little alternative, and a boat load of rock. –Alyssa Lee
Post Child, Avantist: April 14 | Emporium Wicker Park, Chicago | info FREE
Grab a beer, play some Burgertime, and catch great music by Avantist and Post Child as they support Deaf Poets from NYC. –Alyssa Lee
Nest Egg, Les Strychnine: April 15 | Cafe Mustache, Chicago | info
Asheville’s Nest Egg are no strangers at melting some faces with their heavy psych jams and they’re bringing those vibes back to Chicago on Monday! Joined by Chicago’s masters avant-garde psych-pop Les Strychnine. –Dan Jarvis
Cafe Racer, Mia Joy, Claude, Zilched: April 16 | Subterranean, Chicago | info
Not only is this line-up 👌, but the show also benefits Girls Rock! Chicago, making this a win-win. –Alyssa Lee
Vesper, Zigtebra, Big Syn: April 16 | The Empty Bottle, Chicago | info
A night of synth pop, dance, jazz, and more with Vesper celebrating their latest release at the bottle! Zigtebra and Big Syn will set the mood and kick off the night! –Dan Jarvis
Zigtebra is INCREDIBLE, and they’re playing with Big Syn to support Vesper’s album release. If you plan to come, just practice your dance moves beforehand. –Alyssa Lee
Vibe.Talk.Music featuring Chason, Joe Cardigan, DEVMO: April 17 | The Comedy Bar, Chicago | info
New to Chicago, VIBE TALK MUSIC is an event where independent artists can gain exposure, network and learn about the music business. –Alyssa Lee
Pink Avalanche, Anatomy of Habit, Djunah: April 18 | The Empty Bottle, Chicago | info
Anatomy of Habit is debuting a song, and Pink Avalanche will be releasing an album. This is going to be anything but boring. –Alyssa Lee
Reeds Fest 2019: Day One: April 18 | Reed’s Local, Chicago | info
The second Reeds Fest boasts a stacked line-up of Chicago mainstays. Lasers and Fast and Shit, AWEFUL, MAMA, Hughes Family Band, and Flesh Panthers *all* hit the stage on the festival’s first night. –Alyssa Lee
Gretchen Pleuss, Dan Socha, Bethany Svoboda: April 12 | The Rialto Theatre, Akron | info
Gretchen Pleuss kicks off her album release weekend with a show at The Rialto Theatre celebrating Daughter of the Broader Skies. –Alyssa Lee
Basic Printer, Summer School, Prithee: April 13 | CODA, Cleveland | info
Ohio natives Summer School and Prithee are joined by Basic Printer out of Nashville. –Alyssa Lee
Sleeping Bag, Campbell, Coughy, Cliffs: April 13 | Spacebar, Columbus | info
Three killer Midwestern bands are playing this evening’s 2019 Record Store Day Party. –Alyssa Lee
Gretchen Pleuss, Emily Keener: April 14 | Music Box Supper Club, Cleveland | info
Join Ohio native, Gretchen Pleuss, as she releases her much anticipated full-length album, Daughter of the Broader Skies, with help from Emily Keener. –Alyssa Lee
Engine Summer, The Spouts, Wharm: April 17 | Spacebar, Columbus | info
This show promises a “spooky surprise in store come midnight,” and we love surprises! –Alyssa Lee
Who Hit Me, The Magnavox, New Candys: April 18 | The Happy Dog, Cleveland | info
New Candys traveled all the way from Italy to play with these incredible local bands and to taste The Happy Dog’s legendary dogs. –Alyssa Lee
Wild Belle, Jeffertitti’s Nile: April 18 | Ace of Cups, Columbus | info
Wild Belle and Jeffertitti’s Nile continue their tour through the Midwest with a stop at the Beachland. –Alyssa Lee
Murder By Death, The Sidekicks: April 18 | Grog Shop, Cleveland | info
Both of these bands know how to fill a room, so hurry up and buy tickets before the room is, well, filled. –Alyssa Lee
New Candys, Who Hit Me, The Magnavox: April 18 | The Happy Dog, Cleveland | info
Ohio punk rockers Who Hit Me and psych rockers The Magnavox host New Candys as they tour through the United States. –Alyssa Lee
Yellow Paper Planes, North By North, Sussman Can’t Sleep, Tango Moms: April 18 | Rumba Cafe, Columbus | info
This bill is guaranteed to bring the E N E R G Y. With four back-to-back rockers, what more could you need? –Alyssa Lee
YUM YUM CULT, Peshtigo, Ali Thomas, and Fuzzysurf: April 12 | Riverwest Public House, Milwaukee | info
The line-up boasts a supreme variety of genres and slick vibes for your Friday night. Also, I love the supergroup that is YUM YUM CULT. –Alyssa Lee
Milwaukee Psych Fest: April 12-13 | The Cooperage, Milwaukee | info
Over 25 psych (or psych-adjacent) bands playing to the Mad Alchemy Light Show at one of Milwaukee’s coolest venues–sign me up! –Alyssa Lee
<!--The Hasbians, Lollygagger, Fake News : April 14 | The Wisco, Madison | info FREE Chug a Red Bull, crush the can on your forehead, and then grab a beer and go to this show. The Hasbians and Fake News host Chicago's Lollygagger. –Alyssa Lee-->
Caley Conway, Gauss, SistaStrings: April 18 | pin Anodyne Coffee Roasting Co., Milwaukee | info
Caley Conway celebrates the release of her latest EP, “Surrounded Middle,” with friends Gauss and SistaStrings. –Alyssa Lee
Anything else happening this weekend? Drop some links in the comments below.