March 29, 2024

On the Radar: Nine Inch Nails returns with new music, Riot Fest opens a food joint, introducing Brontë Fall + More

On The Radar

What’s happening this week? Cage the Elephant plan an acoustic album, Nine Inch Nails reveal more EPs, and Riot Fest opens a restaurant. All this and more On the Radar.

Nine Inch Nails plan to release more EPs this year

We’re getting new music from Nine Inch Nails this summer, according to Trent Reznor. In an email sent out to fans who pre-ordered NIN vinyl reissues, Reznor revealed 2016’s Not the Actual Events was only part one of a trilogy of EPs.

In the email he says, “”DID YOU KNOW THERE’S A NEW TOP-SECRET NINE INCH NAILS EP THAT WILL BE RELEASED BEFORE THE FIRST SHOWS WE DO THIS SUMMER? DID YOU KNOW NOT THE ACTUAL EVENTS WAS THE FIRST PART OF A TRILOGY OF RELATED EPS THAT WILL BE RELEASED ABOUT 6-8 MONTHS APART? NOW YOU DO. MORE INFORMATION ON THIS SHORTLY…

THANK YOU. TRENT”

Read the entire email here.

The second currently untitled EP is slated to drop sometime this summer. Hopefully, it’ll come out before NIN plays Riot Fest on September 15-17. Tickets are currently on sale.

Riot Fest gets its own pop-up restaurant, Riot Feast

Riot Fest never fails to surprise us. Not only is it a notable punk rock festival in Chicago, it’s now a restaurant. The new joint, dubbed Riot Feast, was revealed last week. The brains behind the project are Derek Berry, Zack Eastman, and Steve Harris, all who worked on the popular Saved By the Bell themed restaurant. Since Saved by the Max closed its doors, the trio looked for something new to work. They decided to dedicate a restaurant to the Chicago staple.

Opening July 8 and staying for three months, the restaurant will take on a carnival theme with a menu offering funnel cakes to food truck tacos. The place also promises to have “turn-of-the-century-carnival-style environment.” Riot Feast will occupy 1941 W North Ave in Wicker Park, where Saved by the Max previously stood. The restaurant will be open Wednesday – Sunday nights with seating at 6 and 8 pm. You don’t want to miss this one, so make sure to get your tickets now before it’s too late.

Cage the Elephant announce their first acoustic album

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2J9-TcFkaoA

Cage the Elephant have been busy on the road, but they’re also been working on a new live album. Titled Unpeeled, the new record collects 18 tracks from across their four albums in an acoustic and stripped back formula. The LP was inspired by their Live & Unpeeled acoustic tour from this past April. There aren’t too many details, but the band says it will be out this summer. You can get an idea of what to expect with their updated performance of “Too Late to Say Goodbye” from Late Night with Seth Meyers. Stay tuned for more details.

Cage the Elephant are hitting the festival circuit hard this year making appearances at Lollapalooza, Float Fest, and The Forecastle Festival. You can find their list of dates here.

Upcoming Shows

Legendary metal band Iron Maiden stops by Chicago as part of their Book of Souls tour June 15 at the Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre with special guest Ghost. Grab tickets while you still can here.

Party like it’s 1992 with the Total Package Tour. Catch Boys II Men, Paula Abdul, and New Kids on the Block when they play Rosemont’s Allstate Arena for two nights on June 15 and 16. Find tickets here.

Get pumped for Mamby on the Beach with the official pre-party. The night features sets from Gene Farris and DJ Heather at the Cerise Rooftop. Tickets are still on sale.

Finally, catch heavy metal titans Metallica when they shake up Soldier Field on June 18. Joining them are Avenged Sevenfold and Chicago’s own Local H. Catch tickets while you still can.

Chicago Artist Spotlight: Brontë Fall

If grassroots, Americana music is more of your vibe then you’ll want to check out Brontë Fall. Founded by Teri Bracken, the group is a seven-piece specializing in Americana, pop-rock with a dash of country and classical for good measure. Bracken, who is a classically trained musician, came up with the group when she decided she wanted something more real and raw from her music. She teamed up with a group of like-minded musicians and Brontë Fall was born.

With an attitude and fervor similar to the Dixie Chicks, the band’s compositions range from beautiful to hard edge. The way they blend classical music with country rock and pop makes for a gripping listening experience. Their mix of different musical genres gives them wide appeal; there’s a little something for everyone. And it helps that Bracken has a powerful voice that can sound fiery one minute and sweet the next.

Brontë Fall released their debut album, Silhouette Dances, last month. Make sure you check it out and grab a copy.