Niggy Tardust Coming to Chicago

By Tankboy in Arts & Entertainment on Jan 29, 2008 7:05PM

Saul Williams went the Radiohead route with his last Trent Reznor produced disc, The Inevitable Rise and Liberation of Niggy Tardust. The "pay what you want" model didn't move as many units as Radiohead did, though it probably raised Williams profile much higher that it's ever been before. The disc itself is pretty mesmerizing. Reznor creates jarring soundscapes for Williams to lay his own brand of street poetry over, and it's one of the best collaborations we've heard, especially considering how unlikely the pairing seems. Reznor's industrial pop bumps and grinds under Williams throaty vocals, creating an effect both vivifying and chilling.

Williams is coming to Martyr's April 18 and we're told he'll be doing a show with a band, though earlier dates of the tour are simply spoken word engagements. We've never seen Williams live, but have a heap of testimonials from trusted friends that have. So those, paired with just how terrific Niggy Tardust turned out to be, make this a can't miss show. Tickets don't appear to be on sale yet, but we recommend getting them as soon as they are since this show will sell out.