We didn't go to a single concert at the Showbox last year. Ok, so we saw Obama at the SoDo, but that's not nearly the same thing, even though there were bands preceding the politics. It's most unusual for us to have a Showbox-free year, that's for sure. But along with that Gutter Twins show in March, there're a few more events on the Showbox calendar that are worth buying tickets for in advance......

Hey, whaddya know? Ever since the Showbox upped the service fees and made a pact with the devil, their bookings have been less than stellar. In fact, we haven't been to the downtown venue for a single show so far this year, which is totally out of the ordinary. Sure LCD Soundsystem and the Arctic Monkeys played last month, and of course Robin Williams sold out his three-day stand, but taking a look at......

Here's to the ice melting away because there are some good shows this week. Tuesday 28th >>> Cat Power at the Showbox. Chan Marshall plays the piano and sings. Our heart breaks. That's just how it is. She's on NPR, too. *mp3: The Greatest 8pm doors; tickets $30 at the door. >>> The Lemonheads at The Crocodile. Evan Dando's spent the last few years focusing on drugs solo work, but now he's brought back......

Tuesday night's performance by Hot Chip was surprising. While the band's productions are based around heavy synth-work, we weren't expecting every song to be built around such danceable foundations live. Even the more quiet songs became stompers, and a sizable portion (it'd be fair to say even most of the crowd) was ready to party, and did so. Looking around Neumos there wasn't any direction where you could look and see people not moving (except......

Tuesday 14th >>> P.O.S. at Chop Suey. P.O.S. is one of the latest hot MCs to "blow up" (the term being relative since this is still very underground hip-hop we're discussing here). In any case, there's an opener called the Cleveland Steamers, and how could you not want to see what that sounds like? 8pm doors; $10. All ages. >>> Hot Chip at Neumo's. Hot Chip blurs the line between the electronic and indie......