Tomorrow Never Knows 2013

This year the Tomorrow Never Knows festival is bigger than it’s ever been. It runs from Wed 1/16 through Sun 1/20, and in addition to 2012’s venues—Lincoln Hall, Schubas, Metro, Smart Bar, and the Hideout—the Vic has come aboard, hosting the Walkmen (who played a tenth-anniversary show at last year’s TNK) and Father John Misty on Fri 1/18. The fest’s hefty lineup includes a diverse assortment of bands and DJs, heavy on the indie rock, plus three nights of comedy at the Hideout, Thu 1/17 through Sat 1/19, featuring stand-up, variety shows, and a live version of the Low Times podcast (with hosts Tom Scharpling, Maggie Serota, and Daniel Ralston and special guests including Steve Albini). Among the bands on the Schubas schedule are Bear in Heaven and Supreme Cuts (Wed 1/16), Florida postpunks Merchandise (Thu 1/17), Free Energy and the Orwells (Fri 1/18), Chelsea Wolfe and King Dude (Sat 1/19), and Geographer (Sun 1/20); in the afternoons on Sat 1/19 and Sun 1/20, the club hosts School of Rock tributes to Wilco. The Lincoln Hall lineup includes Born Ruffians (Wed 1/16), Chicago sibling duo Wild Belle (Thu 1/17), Niki & the Dove and Ssion (Fri 1/18), Freelance Whales and Hundred Waters and British singer-songwriter Jessie Ware and Mister Lies (Sun 1/20). The festival’s one Metro show is Sat 1/19 with headliners Lucero, and DJs spin Fri 1/18 and Sun 1/20 at Smart Bar (Slam, Jeff Derringer, Derrick Carter) and Sat 1/19 at the Hideout (the Black Madonna, Studio Casual, Only Children). All shows at Schubas and Lincoln Hall start at 9 PM, cost $15, and are open to ages 18 and up. Times, prices, and age restrictions vary for other events; festival passes cost $100. For tickets and more info, call 773-525-2508 or visit tnkfest.com. —Luca Cimarusti