Hey, everyone, it’s Wilco week! I’m not going to any of the shows, but I’m sure plenty of you are.

I’ll be at Schubas on Saturday night for Noam Pikelny and friends. Banjo!

If you’re not doing anything on Sunday night, my band, Jungle of Cities, is playing at the Abbey Pub. We go on at 9, and there’s no cover. You should definitely come out.

Monday, December 12
Wilco; Civic Opera House. 7:30 pm, sold out

Tuesday, December 13
Wilco; the Riviera. 8 pm, sold out
Harper Blynn; Schubas. 8 pm, $8-10

Wednesday, December 14
Tim Reynolds and TR3; Lincoln Hall. 8 pm, $20
The Joy Formidable; Metro. 8:30 pm, $17-20
Josh Caterer, Rainbow Rhythms; Schubas. 9 pm, $12
Kathryn Calder, Himalayan Bear; Double Door. 9 pm, $10

Thursday, December 15
Graham Colton; Lincoln Hall. 8 pm, $14
Wilco; the Vic. 8 pm, sold out
Alabama Shakes, the Lawrence Peters Outfit; Hideout. 9 pm, $10

Friday, December 16
Wilco; Metro. 8 pm, sold out

Saturday, December 17
Noam Pikelny and friends; Schubas. 10 pm, $15-18
The Sea and Cake; Empty Bottle. 10 pm, $18-20

Sunday, December 18
Apollo Chorus of Chicago: Handel’s ‘Messiah’; Harris Theater for Music and Dance. 3 pm, $15-75
Wilco; Lincoln Hall. 8 pm, sold out

Related posts:

1. This Week in Great Music: 12/13 – 12/19
2. This Week in Great Music: 9/27 – 10/3
3. This Week in Great Music: 12/19 – 12/25

My musical week can be pretty easily summed up in two words: Andrew Bird.  For everyone else who isn’t as enthralled as I am at the prospect of watching Mr. Bird do his thing in a church, or who couldn’t get tickets, here’s the rest of what I find interesting this week in Chicago.  But I’ve got to admit, it looks like anyone I would find even vaguely interesting has chosen to steer clear of Chicago for the beginning part of the week.  No complaints here; with the exception of missing out on the Metric show (which, being at the Cubby Bear, I would have just complained about the entire time), I’m not seeing anything that I’m too heartbroken to miss.

Also: Our Lady Peace? Sister Hazel? No, seriously, what’s up with the 90s band resurgence here?  I’m starting to get a little concerned.

I am a bit sad about missing out on the greatness that is Second City’s 24-Hour benefit show, which I’m missing out on more because of not being able to leave the day job just to go to concerts.  But it should be a great time, and the money goes to provide presents for needy children in Chicago.

Monday, December 14
Andrew Bird, Fourth Presbyterian Church (126 E Chestnut). 8 pm, $15 (audio only; all other seats sold out)

Tuesday, December 15
Jeff Tweedy, Second City (1608 N Wells). $15 for 24-hour admission, 7 pm
The Bravery, Manchester Orchestra, and As Tall As Lions, House of Blues. 7:30 pm, $23-26
Andrew Bird, Fourth Presbyterian Church (126 E Chestnut). 8 pm, $15 (audio only; all other seats sold out)

Wednesday, December 16
Bonnie Prince Billy, Second City (1608 N Wells). $15 for 24-hour admission, 6 am
Nina Nastasia, Second City (1608 N Wells). $15 for 24-hour admission, 12 pm
The Mountain Goats, Second City (1608 N Wells). $15 for 24-hour admission, 2 pm
Andrew Bird, Fourth Presbyterian Church (126 E Chestnut). 8 pm, $15 (audio only; all other seats sold out)
Chicago Clarinet Conglomerate, The Velvet Lounge (67 E Cermak). 8:30 pm, cover varies
Metric, Cubby Bear (1059 W Addison). 9 pm, $10

Thursday, December 17
Andrew Bird, Fourth Presbyterian Church (126 E Chestnut). 8 pm, $35-40
Our Lady Peace, Cubby Bear (1059 W Addison). 9 pm, $10

Friday, December 18
Kathleen Battle and the Chicago Children’s Choir, Harris Theater (205 E Randolph). 7:30 pm, $45-95
Sister Hazel and Tony Lucca, House of Blues. 9 pm, $25-26.50

Saturday, December 19
The Klezmatics, Centre East (9501 Skokie Blvd., Skokie). 8 pm, $48
Sister Hazel and Tony Lucca, House of Blues. 9 pm, $25-26.50

Sunday, December 20
Apollo Chorus of Chicago presents Handel’s Messiah. Harris Theater (205 E. Randolph). 3 pm, $35-50
Dasboton, Hideout. 9 pm, $8

Related posts:

1. This Week in Great Music: 12/13 – 12/19
2. This Week in Great Music: 12/19 – 12/25
3. Show Announcement: Andrew Bird’s Gezelligheid is Back