Best in the Midwest: 4/26 through 5/2

Engine Summer, Bat Zuppel, Rookie: April 26 | Cole’s Bar, Chicago | info FREE
Lookie here–a whole shindig planned for Engine Summer’s release! Cassettes and limited tees available tonight; all new merch. –Alyssa Lee

13-Monsters, Monk 9, The Ions: April 26 | Wire, Berwyn | info
Fuzzed-out, Acid-psych band 13-Monsters headline a night of rock in the Western suburb of Berwyn –Dan Jarvis

Tokyo Police Club, Dizzy: April 26 | Empty Bottle, Chicago | info
–Tina Mead

The Slaps, GIRL K, Modern Nun, Haters Club: April 26 | Beat Kitchen, Chicago | info
–Tina Mead

Ohmme, Bunny, Cold Beaches: April 27 | Sleeping Village, Chicago | info
The women in Ohmme know how to sing, and they sing really, really well. After their wildly successful debut album, Parts, we’re recommending catching them local while you still can. –Alyssa Lee

Leggy, Pool Holograph, Seasaw: April 27 | Cole’s Bar, Chicago | info FREE
Pool Holograph will deliver smooth rock. Leggy will kick it up a notch and bring some melodic angst. Sounds like a perfect Saturday night to me. –Tina Mead
Leggy traveled from Ohio, and Seasaw from Wisconsin, to join Pool Holograph in Chicago. Such diversity! –Alyssa Lee

Emily Blue, Lake’s Mouth, The Churros: April 27 | Bone Student Center, Normal | info FREE
Emily Blue’s heading down to ISU for the third annual Spring Fling, joined by Lake’s Mouth and The Churros. –Alyssa Lee

Death, ONO, The Breathing Light: April 27 | Avondale Music Hall, Chicago | info
Proto-punk innovators Death are joined by Chicago experimental-noise legends ONO and The Breathing Light. –Dan Jarvis

Bosley Jr., Acceptor: April 28 | Crown Liquors, Chicago | info FREE
Another rad free show at Crown, come on out for a night of noisey, mathy, rock goodness. –Dan Jarvis
Bosley Jr. plays music that hurts their fingers, but pleases our ears. –Alyssa Lee

Monolord, Oozing Wound, Bruges: April 29 | The Empty Bottle, Chicago | info
The Wound opens for Sweden’s MONOLORD. Need I say more? –Alyssa Lee

The Kozmic Kicks, In Circles, Club Malos, Psychoid: April 29 | Burlington Bar, Chciago | info
High energy rock ‘n roll in Logan Square featuring some of favorite locals (we’re especially excited for a rare appearance by Club Malos!) –Dan Jarvis

Sparkle Carcass, The Family Gold, Nathan Graham: April 29 | Schubas, Chicago | info FREE
The 100% Off Locals series continues this Monday evening with Sparkle Carcass, The Family Gold, and Nathan Graham. So–a local show, *and* it’s free? Yes, please! –Alyssa Lee

Emily Reo, Foxes in Fiction, Apollo Vermouth: April 30 | The Hideout, Chicago | info
Glistening pop –Tina Mead

Bloodhype, Rahim Salaam, Paul Brinnel: April 30 | Odyssey Space, Chicago | info FREE
A diverse night of jazz, hip-hop, electronica and more at this Pilsen DIY spot. This is a DAMN cool gig. –Dan Jarvis

Glyders, Mike Donovan, Surface to Air Missive: April 30 | Cafe Mustache, Chicago | info
Garage psych grooves at Cafe Mustache from local Glyders joined by Mike Donovan (of Sic Alps) and Tallahassee’s Surface To Air Missive. –Dan Jarvis

Valley Maker, Caroline Campbell: May 1 | The Hideout, Chicago | info
–Tina Mead

Westonworld DJ NIGHT: May 1 | Sleeping Village, Chicago | info FREE
WESTONWORLD is here and ready to make you dance! Bob Weston of Shellac and his sidekick WLUW jockey Carrie curate a night of new wave, old punk, indie dance, and all sorts of random wax. –Dan Jarvis

“I’m Just The Drummer” BOOK Launch party: May 1 | DMen Tap, Chicago | info FREE
Hozac Books has unleashed a new book of photography & interviews from Bob Bert (former Sonic Youth drummer) and they’re throwing a party at Dmen Tap with a night full of Bob’s illustrious musical carnage. Expect Special Guests, DJs, and more! –Dan Jarvis

Dengue Fever, Dos Santos: May 1 | Lincoln Hall, Chicago | info
Cambodian legends Dengue Fever are joined by the psychedelic latin beats of locals Dos Santos for a night of serious grooves. –Dan Jarvis

Mako Sica, Stander, Imelda Marcos: May 1 | Empty Bottle, Chicago | info
A night of experimental rock featuring the spacey prog-rock rhythms of Mako Sica, the sludge rock of Stander, and the instrumental math-rock of Imelda Marcos. –Dan Jarvis

Reptaliens, Turnover, Turnstile: May 2 | The Concord, Chicago | info
Pop punk, hardcore, and dreamy indie, this lineup is for those who like a little variety. –Tina Mead

Peelander-Z, Brother O’ Brother: April 29 | HI-FI, Indianapolis | info
Indy music lovers!! Don’t miss this night of raucous rock from Peelander-Z and Indiana’s B’O’B. –Dan Jarvis

Mynah Tones, Baby Money, Honey Combs + Combo Slice : April 26 | Lydia’s On Ludlow, Cincinnati | info FREE
Last month, the Daughters of the Midwest concert series made its way up to Chicago. Now, it’s heading back to Cincinnati where Mynah Tones will host Baby Money. Not to be missed! –Alyssa Lee

Uno Lady, P.Stoops-Young Teazer, Sister Smirk: April 27 | The Happy Dog, Cleveland | info
–Alyssa Lee

Kiss The Tiger, Ouster, Diane Miller, Shy Moon: May 2 | CODA Live Music Venue, Cleveland | info
Come out and party with Minneapolis based rock ‘n’ roll band Kiss the Tiger as they tour on their new album, Let Me Bleed. –Alyssa Lee

Astral Hand, Tarek Sabbar, Shogun: April 26 | Company Brewing, Milwaukee | info
If you liked Calliope, you’re going to like Astral Hand–mostly because it’s the exact same band under a shiny new name. Join Astral Hand at their debut show as they’re joined by Tarek Sabbar out of Madison and Shogun out of Milwaukee. –Alyssa Lee

Trapper Schoepp: May 1 | Anodyne Coffee Roasting Co., Milwaukee | info
Celebrate Trapper’s birthday and send him and his band off on the USA leg of their world tour for Primetime Illusion. –Alyssa Lee

Vinyl Williams, Bum alum, YUM YUM CULT: May 1 | Cactus Club, Milwaukee | info
HEAR HERE Presents LA’s Vinyl Williams as he makes his way through the midwest to bring us a bit of sunshine pop. Joined by Milwaukee’s YUM YUM CULT and Bum alum it’s sure to be a groovy evening. –Dan Jarvis