Stage Buzz: DIIV, Armnhmr, Deacon Blues, Youth Fountain

Brassneck | January 11, 2026

Youth Fountain

Pop punk fans in the know have been buzzing about Youth Fountain since the release of their 2023 album, Together in Lonesome. What started as a solo project for singer/songwriter Tyler Zanon transformed into a full band a few years later. And though they may not be a household name (yet), the band leaves listeners in awe with their blend of Midwest emo and punk rock. Catch their acoustic set at Subterranean with Bogues this Wednesday, January 14th. Grab tickets here.

Armnhmr is your new favorite electronic duo you haven’t met yet. Joseph Chung and Joseph Abella quickly went from DJing local frat parties to playing to thousands of people at festivals like Electronic Daisy Carnival, Beyond Wonderland, and S2O. Prepare to dance when the two bring their electronic noise to The Salt Shed, featuring special guests Habstrakt, Tisoki, Paper Skies, and Tigue McKay, on Friday, January 16th. Tickets available here.

Acclaimed Chicago-based Steely Dan tribute Deacon Blues celebrates annually in January with a show at Arcada Theatre. The band is giving northwest-siders a treat this year by bringing the show to the Des Plaines Theatre on Saturday, January 17, to treat fans to its celebration of all things Steely Dan. With a great setlist of Becker & Fagan classics (“FM,” “Deacon Blues,” “Hey Nineteen, “I Got The News,” Reelin’ In The Years”) and classic Dan deep-cuts (“Pretzel Logic,” “Show Biz Kids,” “Home at Last”), founder Steven Kikoen and his all-star band (Thomas Linsk–piano & voice, Steven Kikoen–guitar & voice, Richard Patterson–bass, Charles Heath–drums, Thaddeus Tukes- vibraphone; Ben Lewis–keyboards, Jon Hey–keyboards, Cash Michael–saxophone, Victor Garcia–trumpet, Rich Lapka–trombone, Suzanne Cross–voice, Char McCalister–voice, Pamela Rose–voice. Use promo code: “DEACON25” for a 25% Ticket Discount. Grab tickets here: https://tinyurl.com/3z7tpucd

Still riding high on the success of their fourth album, Frogs in Boiling Water, DIIV brings their dreamy shoegaze to Lincoln Hall as part of this year’s Tomorrow Never Knows Festival. The sold-out show also features Accessory and This House Is Creaking. It all goes down Saturday, January 17th.

-Ashley Perez-Hollingsworth

Tags: 2026, Armnhmr, Deacon Blues, Deacon Blues Des Plaines Theatre January 17, Stage Buzz: DIIV, Youth Fountain