Tomorrow Never Knows preview

Tomorrow Never Knows Festival
Schubas, Chicago
January 16 – 20, 2008

Schubas’ annual “January sucks” festival might be its deepest yet, featuring headliners John Vanderslice, Bobby Conn, The Redwalls, White Williams, and The Walkmen.

At this stage (pun not intended), Vanderslice, The Redwalls, The Walkmen, and some of the openers (The M’s and White Rabbit) can be considered Schubas regulars, while Bobby Conn is certainly no stranger to West Lakeview.

The most intriguing night would easily be Saturday’s White Williams/Cadence Weapon showcase, which, were life fair, would have the indie boys ‘n’ girls clawing at their hair as much as they do for Girl Talk and Dan Deacon. Not exactly of their ilk, Williams avoids clear-cut “dance” labels by angling from ’80s Bowie (“New Violence”), avant synths (“Lice In The Rainbow”), and dropping hints to his noise-rock past on last year’s Smoke (Tigerbeat).

Cadence Weapon won’t be bringing precious indie rock smarm either. The Edmontonion rapper, born Rollie Pemberton, rhymes with a flow like Atmosphere’s Slug and has set about clearing Canadian rap’s (so far indistinguished) name on March’s forthcoming Afterparty Babies (Anti).

Cloud Cult, scheduled to headline on the 18th, have cancelled and been replaced by The Redwalls. Matinees of the interactive Paul Green School Of Rock Music begin at 2 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. For full lineups, check Schubas.com.

— Steve Forstneger

Click here to download White Williams’ “New Violence.”

Category: Stage Buzz, Weekly