Tonight: The Dears, Great Northern @ Lakeshore Theater

By Johnny Loftus in Arts & Entertainment on May 13, 2009 7:30PM

There will be swoon, and velvety darkness, and an epic reach to the music. After all, these traits have been common to the Dears over the Montreal group's four full-length albums. But there might be a few surprises tonight, too, considering that founder and frontman Murray Lightburn has seen a nearly wholesale shift in his supporting lineup since the recording of Missiles (Dangerbird), the band's latest. (The Dears kick off nearly a month of touring with this Lakeshore Theater gig.) Internal squabbles aside, the live setting suits their music, which is forever searching for a way to breathe life into the ether. Plus, there's like seven musicians in this band now, so there's always something to look at. Is that a harmonium?

Great Northern is an apt touring partner for the Dears. Led by Rachel Stolte and Solon Bixler (ex-Earlimart), who trade vocals, the Los Angeles-based outfit takes on a number of indie rock forms, from bracing and melodic, Metric-style anthemics to dreamier moments that build from washes of keys or a repeated phrase that's just cryptic enough to mean everything and nothing. It's all very stylish and composed, and a nice soundtrack for a Spring night if it keeps on raining. The name of Great Northern's just-released second album? Remind Me Where the Light Is. Feels appropriate.

The Dears with Great Northern and the Eulogies, May 13 at Lakeshore Theater, 3175 N. Broadway. 10pm, $15.