Friday 25
LOS LOBOS The cover art for Los Lobos’s new album, Live at the Fillmore (Mammoth/Hollywood), is a Mexican-flavored send-up of Grateful Dead art, which reflects the group’s recent decision to emphasize feel-good jamming over the innovations that marked albums like Kiko (1992) and Colossal Head (1996); their last few studio efforts have sounded like little more than excuses to stay on the road. For what it is, though, the stuff is good, effortlessly mixing blues, cumbia, ranchera, soul, and folk rock. The first pressing of the album includes a bonus CD of three acoustic tracks, and for this tour the band’s going largely unplugged, which suggests the set will showcase the Latin American side of their music, as featured on albums like Del este de Los Angeles (2000) and La pistola y el corazon (1988). 8 PM, Orchestra Hall, Symphony Center, 220 S. Michigan, 312-294-3000 or 800-223-7114, $20-$50. All ages. –Peter Margasak
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SOVIETTES What the Minneapolis-based Soviettes lack in originality they make up for in energy, fun, and brevity, which befits a band that records for a label cofounded by Billie Joe Armstrong. The title of their second album, LP II (Adeline), is somewhat ironic: only three of the fourteen songs on the EP-length disc crack the two-minute mark. But that means that none of their punk-pop rave-ups wear out their welcome, and the quartet constantly changes up its vocals (both male and female), and shuffles songwriting duties. The Methadones headline; the Arrivals, the Phenoms, and the 4-Squares open. 8 PM, Bottom Lounge, 3206 N. Wilton, 773-975-0505 or 800-594-8499, $8 in advance, $10 at the door, 18+. –J. Niimi
APPLESEED CAST This unusually artful band–no emo act has ever had more Pink Floyd in it–has been in something of a holding pattern since the 2003 release of Two Conversations (Deep Elm). But they’ve got a new drummer, Nathan Richardson of the now defunct Casket Lottery, and are reportedly working on new material. Chin Up Chin Up and Sybris open. 8:30 PM, Logan Square Auditorium, 2539 N. Kedzie, 773-276-3600 or 800-594-8499, $10. All ages. –Monica Kendrick
