Who To See On New Year's Eve In Chicago!

First off, it's worth mentioning that anyone who wants to see Robin Zander sing some Christmas tunes is gonna wanna catch rock's best vocalist at Arcada Live on December 20 and 21.  I used to think Rick Nielsen was the real road dog in Cheap Trick, but it looks like Zander will be filling some CT down-time by going back out on the road with a few of his pals instead of getting reacquainted with his ol' lady back in sunny Florida.  Keep in mind that Zander and Cheap Trick will have just finished playing the New Orleans Superdome the night before, closing out their 2014 tour schedule.

Other bands doing Christmas shows at the Arcada: The Nelsons/Cowsills (Dec. 5), Ronnie Spector (Dec. 7), Gary Hoey (Dec. 11), Jim Peterik and Ides of March (Dec. 13), and LeAnn Rimes (Dec. 18).

There's also a Trans-Siberian Orchestra tribute band performing on the 14th.

A quick scan of House Of Blues shows that this venerable downtown venue is serving up a steady supply of tribute bands, going so far as to book Led Zeppelin 2 for their New Year's Eve festivities.

L.A. pop-punk legends The Muffs, whose latest LP Whoop De Doo is their best blast of snarly sing-alongs yet, have been tapped to headline NYE at Reggie's Rock Club.  Left Lane Cruiser will be entertaining in Reggie's Music Joint that same night.

For years, the best New Year's Eve show in town hasn't even taken place on December 31.  Robbie
Fulks continues to bypass "Amateur Night" with yet another round of year-end "rap ups" on December 26 and 27 at FitzGerald's in Berwyn.  Tix are $20 and available now.

Tickets for Bob Mould's NYE show at Metro are selling briskly.  That they're still available at all is incredible.  I mean, Mould still brings it and local talent Jason Narducy is the secret weapon in his new trio.

Those looking for a great suggestion on where to go NYE, I would humbly suggest checking out Champaign-Urbana's American Football, whose left-titled 1995 album remains one of the Top 5 emo records ever made.   The band reunited earlier this year and are rocking Bottom Lounge on 12/30 AND 31.  Keep in mind that Braid will be the opener on the 30th.  

The Orwells are doing an all ages show at Lincoln Hall on Dec 30th and then an 18 and over New Year's Eve show.  $40 buys you a pass to both shows.
Sinkane, whose blend of Sudanese pop with free jazz and minimalist psych rock is truly one-of-a-kind, will help Schubas ring in the new year.

Milk Carton Kids will be doing two shows on New Years Eve at Evanston's Space.  The Grammy-nominated duo are billed as the "absolute geniuses in close harmony" and their Anti Records release The Ash & Clay only hints at the jaw-dropping display of absolute musical tradition that will be on display in Evanston.