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Empty Out Your Wallet: 'Bout To Be Broke

By Veronica Murtagh in Arts & Entertainment on May 1, 2009 6:10PM

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It's May 1st and we hope you got paid today because your wallet is about to be REALLY empty.

We're halfway through 2009 and it's never too soon to speculate what releases will earn spots on the Best Of lists come year's end. The Yeah Yeah Yeahs owe much of their success to intoxicating art-rock frontwoman Karen O. Beginning with 2003's Fever to Tell, Ms. O won fans over with her artistic savvy and dramatic stage presence. This year's newest release from the NY-based trio, It's Blitz!, sees the band reach new heights as Karen O stops screaming and starts singing. Heads will roll as the Yeah Yeah Yeahs play the Riviera Theatre on May 26th.
Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Tuesday, May 26, The Riviera, $25, Tickets on sale Saturday, May 2 at 10 a.m. via Ticketmaster

There are few bands who've influenced modern rock with the reach and passion of Sonic Youth. No wave, noise rock, punk and altrock are all genres the band has made their mark upon in their (almost) three decades long career. Thurston Moore and Kim Gordon are names that defined not only a sound but a certain era of music. Raw rock passion and experimental guitar stylings have ensured Sonic Youth a place in history as legends. Grab your tickets before they surely sell out for the band's June 28th show at the Vic.
Sonic Youth, Sunday, June 28, Vic Theatre, $29, Tickets on sale Saturday, May 2 at 10 a.m. via Ticketmaster

The summer festival roundup continues as tickets go on sale for annual hip hop fest Rock The Bells. If headliners Nas, Damian Marley and The Roots weren't enough to convince you to make the trek to Tinley Park, then hopefully supporting acts like 2009's It boy, K'Naan, Wu-Tang's RZA, GZA and Raekwon and Rhymesayers' Eyedea & Abilities will bring you out of the city for the June 27th festival held at First Midwest Bank Amphitheatre.
Rock The Bells, Saturday, June 27, First Midwest Bank Amphitheatre, $51-$101, Tickets on sale Saturday, May 2 at 10 a.m. via Livenation

Photo via Sonic Youth's Myspace page.