Last Minute Plans: Tankboy's Top 5 New Year's Eve Concerts Still On Sale

By Tankboy in Arts & Entertainment on Dec 30, 2014 6:35PM

There are a bunch of great shows happening around town to make certain live music fans see in 2015 to the soundtrack of their choice. My personal inclination is to celebrate with loud rock and/or roll so my picks reflect that. But there is a lot out there! So even if one of my five recommendations below aren't to your liking, there truly is something for everyone out there that still has tickets available. (Looking to dance? Hood Internet at East Room. Crazy punk rock marching bands your thing? Mucca Pazza at Double Door. You get the idea!) Have fun!

OK Go at Headquaters Beercade in Lakeview
This was waaaaay off my radar until recently, and I'm guessing that must be the case for most folks since there are actually still tickets available for this. It's listed as a "private event" but we're guessing that's to avoid Chicago's recent attempts at extorting NYE events. If you're looking to ring in the new year with an epic and once local band in a show that rivals (and may surpass) The Flaming Lips for sheer feel-good and over-the-top inventive DIY-ness, you can't beat this show. UPDATE: Thanks to a reader's comment we've discovered and confirmed that the full band isn't playing this event. Instead OK Go's Tim Nordwind (bass guitar and vocals) and Dan Konopka (drums and percussion) will be DJing. Tickets are available for $85

Andrew WK at Thalia Hall
PARTY PARTY PARTY PARTY PARTY PARTY PARTY PARTY PARTY PARTY PARTY PARTY PARTY PARTY PARTY PARTY with Andrew WK and his full band PARTY PARTY PARTY PARTY PARTY PARTY PARTY PARTY PARTY PARTY PARTY PARTY PARTY PARTY PARTY! Tickets are still available for between $40 and $50.

Archie Powell & The Exports, The Noise FM, Ghastly Menace at Cobra Lounge
We love Archie Powell & the Exports. We're big fans of Noise FM. And Ghastly Menace's new album Songs of Ghastly Menace isn't out until next month but we've heard it and it's great indie pop that we're excited to see kick the local 2015 release schedule off right. And everyone's favorite Kansas City Royals fan is DJing. if you're looking for the loudest and rowdiest way to ring in 2015 then this is your show. Tickets are still available for TEN BUCKS.

Local H at Cubby Bear Wrigleyville
Local H's New Year's Eve shows have always been big affairs, marked by epic set lists and often featuring unexpected covers, themes and tricks. We don't know what the band has up its sleeve for the Cubby Bear show, but we've yet to experience a NYE show from this Chicago two-piece that was a let down. Also, since the band is hard at work on a new album this might be a chance to hear them preview some new material. Tickets are available for $22.

Pelican at Subterranean
If you're gonna cry at midnight wouldn't it rather be because your eyes are watering in the face of the sonic vibration of Pelican's punishing live show? Tickets are available for $32.50.