Empty Out Your Wallet: Mouse, Spears and Spektor
By Veronica Murtagh in Arts & Entertainment on Jun 19, 2009 7:00PM
Bringing back this column has reminded us of the nature of ticket sales. Last week was huge for upcoming shows, and inevitably this week follows in lighter suit. Don't fret, we still rounded up a couple gigs that will pique your interest.
Singer-Songwriter Regina Spektor (pictured right) has earned her fair share of comparisons to Tori Amos. Hunched over a piano with reddish hair and wide, bright eyes, she even resembles a young Tori. However, the Tori comparisons end there for us. Spektor's roots in the East Village anti-folk scene, coupled with outsider-leaning lyrics and vocal stylings, will always bring to mind Ani DiFranco. Spektor releases her fifth album, Far, next Tuesday (listen to the stream here) and plays The Chicago Theatre on September 12th.
Regina Spektor with Little Joy, Saturday, September 12, The Chicago Theatre, $38.50-$41.50, Tickets on sale Saturday, June 20 at 10 a.m. via Ticketmaster
Modest Mouse are one of those iconic indie bands that are difficult to hate and are usually regarded with either undying praise or neutrality. Conceived in 1993, it's hard to believe that in their 16-year career the band has only released five studio albums. Despite constant clamoring from fans for new material, Modest Mouse's formula has proven an artistic success, with each new release building on the previous. Expect a full house as the band plays the Aragon Ballroom on August 25th.
Modest Mouse, Tuesday, August 25, Aragon Ballroom, $29.25, Tickets on sale Friday, June 19 at 10 a.m. via Ticketmaster
Britney Spears is the perfect character study of the modern pop star. We watched her rise to fame at too young an age, and gossiped throughout her triumphant fall from grace. Now we sit and wonder if she will reinvent herself, or if she's fallen too hard to get back up again. We remain skeptical, but have to admit her 2008 album Circus has earned more than a few plays on the old gym ipod. Britney plays Allstate Arena on September 9th. Tickets start at a reasonable $39.50 and skyrocket to a laughable $495. You better get a seat on Ms. Spears' lap for that price.
Britney Spears, Wednesday, September 9, Allstate Arena, $39.50-$495.00, Tickets on sale Friday, June 19 at 10 a.m. via Ticketmaster