As a rocky 2016 comes to a close, most of us are somewhat terrified of what 2017 has to bring. The least we can do is look forward to all of the amazing music coming our way from these artists (and many more) and when/where you can see them!
Below are seven tours that I am really hoping to get a chance to attend in the new year. I hope you have fun reading and actually purchase tickets to one (or many) of these shows!
Margaret Glaspy
Chicago date: Sunday, January 29 / Schuba’s / 3159 N Southport Ave, Chicago
Margaret Glaspy, 26, got her started in 2012 with a self-released EP, Homeschooled. The success of this release led to another self-released EP in 2013, which garnered enough attention and recognition to be signed to ATO Records in 2015. Her debut album was released in June of 2016, which was self-produced.
With influences like Joni Mitchell, Glaspy’s raspy voice pairs well with her folk/indie pop style of music. Johnathan Bernstein, a contributing writer at Pitchfork, writes “Glaspy is a lyricist who can toggle between distanced storytelling and open-hearted self-examination with equal ease.”
Side note, don’t be confused with these tour dates listed: Glaspy will be opening up for The Lumineers for a few dates next year and her Chicago headlining show wasn’t announced until a few weeks ago.
Léon
Chicago date: Thursday, February 9 / Schuba’s / 3159 N Southport Ave, Chicago
If you’ve been following my blog for awhile, I actually wrote about Léon this past March in a post about 16 musicians to watch in 2016. Fast forward to the end of the year and Léon has released two more songs, an EP of remixes of her song “Tired of Talking,” (the original song has been streamed on Spotify 40 million+ times), and has announced her first headlining tour. She also recently took part in recording two live tracks for Spotify Singles, one is “Think About You,” the other an AMAZING cover of Fleetwood Mac’s “Dreams.” Listen to it here.
If I am not mistaken, her debut album is due in early 2017, which would correlate with the above tour dates. I actually have heard her on the radio a couple times, which is really exciting, and I’m looking forward to seeing her show in Chicago.
MUNA
Chicago date: Saturday, February 18 / Subterranean / 2011 W. North Ave. Chicago
As if I haven’t spoken about Muna enough, here’s another hint that you should check out their music! These wonderful women are going on their first US headlining tour this winter through February and will be hitting most major US cities with support from Lo Moon. This is a perfect opportunity to see them because their debut album, “About U,” will be out on February 3.
The Japanese House
Chicago date: Saturday, February 25 / Bottom Lounge / 1375 W Lake St, Chicago
Imagine The 1975 and Imogen Heap creating a love child and you have The Japanese House (listen to the song “Clean” and you’ll get it). Amber Bain is the voice behind this dream-like experience that makes you want to dance while simultaneously crying. Only 21-years-old, Bain has been working with The 1975 on her album (they produced a handful of her tracks), and just had a few dates supporting The 1975 on their European tour.
She hits the road in the US in February and will be on this tour through the end of March: I’m predicting that she’ll start to appear on some summer festivals, also.
Maggie Rogers
Chicago date: Sunday, April 2 / Lincoln Hall / 2424 N Lincoln Ave, Chicago
One of my favorite breakout starts of 2016, Maggie Rogers recently announced her US headlining tour ahead of the release of her debut album, which is pretty impressive, considering she only has two officially released songs that total nearly 25 million streams on Spotify.
While not having an album out yet may cause fans to be skeptical to purchase tickets to her show, I believe with all of my heart that her album is going to be as amazing as the two singles she’s already released to the world. I really want to go see her show at Lincoln Hall in Chicago. I just need to find someone who is willing to go with me!
Rogers “wants to make music forever” and I know I will be one continuing to listen.
Hippo Campus
Chicago date: Friday, April 7 / Metro / 3730 N Clark St, Chicago
Hippo Campus has been making music for the past four years, but have yet to release a debut album. After releasing two EPs and a handful of singles, they are finally releasing Landmark on February 24.
After touring with musicians like My Morning Jacket, Modest Mouse, and Walk the Moon, and also performing at a wide variety of festivals like Lollapalooza and South by Southwest, the Minnesota grown band will be headlining their own North American tour starting February through April of 2017.
My guess is they’ll be touring the festival circus next summer, also.
Mayday Parade
Chicago date: Saturday, April 22 / House of Blues / 329 N Dearborn St, Chicago
Now I know for a fact that I can’t be the only one who used to JAM out to Mayday Parade when I was in middle and high school. I was never too interested in their music other than their 2007 album “A Lesson In Romantics,” and I am so excited that they are touring the album in honor of the 10 year anniversary. I only had the chance to see Mayday Parade perform once when I was maybe thirteen years old and was only at the show to see All Time Low, so I’m really looking forward to seeing them perform ALIR in its entirety because it’s honestly probably one of my favorite albums ever.
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Grreat post