So you missed Lollapalooza and Pitchfork this summer? No need to fret. Many of the artists that played Chicago’s two big music fests are already plotting a return this fall. And this time around you won’t have to worry about getting sunburned, maneuvering between multiple stages or holding your breath in that nasty porta-potty.

Girl Talk is one of the many Lollapalooza acts returning to Chicago this fall.

Girl Talk will be much more at home in the cover of night than he was in the afternoon sun at Lollapalooza. On Nov. 8, the mash-up mastermind will play the Congress Theater (a surprisingly big venue for a guy on a laptop). Cut Copy will get the chance to make up for their abbreviated set at Pitchfork (airport woes caused them to arrive late). The Australian dance-rock band will headline the Metro on Sept. 17.

Summer festivus was fun while it lasted, but it’s now time to start gearing up for the busy
fall tour season. Smaller, more intimate venues and late-night ragers will take the place of street festivals and evening concerts in the park. Devoted fans will replace the curious hordes of people at this summer’s overcrowded fests. Fall may just be the best time of year for live music. Here's several reasons why.

Pitchfork artists returning to Chicago this fall:

Spiritualized – Monday, Sept. 8 @ Metro
Icy Demons – Friday, Sept. 12 @ Empty Bottle
Cut Copy – Wednesday, Sept. 17 @ Metro
High Places – Tuesday, Sept. 23 @ Av-Aerie
Mogwai and Fuck Buttons – Friday, Sept. 26 @ Congress Theater
The Dodos – Wednesday, Oct. 6 @ The Bottom Lounge
Fleet Foxes – Sunday, Oct. 12 @ Metro
Jay Reatard (Riot Fest) – Sunday, Oct. 12 @ Congress Theater
Times New Viking and Deerhunter – Saturday, Nov. 15 @ Metro

The Lollapalooza bands who couldn’t wait to get back to the Windy City:

Does It Offend You, Yeah? – Wednesday, Sept. 10 @ Subterranean
Holy Fuck – Friday, Sept. 12 @ Subterranean
Black Kids – Monday, Oct. 6 @ Metro
Jamie Lidell – Wednesday, Oct. 6 @ Metro
Broken Social Scene – Thursday, Oct. 9 @ Vic Theatre
Okkervil River – Tuesday, Oct. 14 @ Metro
Yeasayer – Tuesday, Oct. 28 @ Bottom Lounge
Girl Talk – Saturday, Nov. 8 @ Congress Theater

Some other shows that should be on your radar:

Nas – Sunday, Aug. 31 @ House of Blues
Andrew Bird – Wednesday, Sept. 3 @ Millennium Park
Mike Gordon – Thursday, Sept. 4 @ Park West
The Juan Maclean – Friday, Sept. 5 @ Empty Bottle
GZA (performing Liquid Swords) – Sunday, Sept. 7 @ House of Blues
Benevento/Russo Duo – Sunday, Sept. 7 @ Martyrs
Ice Cube – Saturday, Sept. 13 @ House of Blues
Hideout Block Party – Saturday, Sept. 20-Sunday, Sept. 21 @ The Hideout
A Place to Bury Strangers – Sunday, Sept. 21 @ Empty Bottle
Sigur Ros – Wednesday, Sept. 24 @ The Chicago Theatre
The Omega Moos – Saturday, Sept. 27 @ Metro
Common, The Roots, Talib Kwali – Saturday, Sept. 27 @ House of Blues
My Bloody Valentine – Saturday, Sept. 27 @ Aragon Ballroom
Hot Chip – Sunday, Sept. 28 @ Metro
Beck w/ MGMT – Thursday, Oct. 2-Friday, Oct. 3 @ Aragon Ballroom
Weezer w/ Tokyo Police Club – Thursday, Oct. 2 @ Allstate Arena
My Morning Jacket – Thursday, Oct. 9 – Friday, Oct. 10 @ The Chicago Theatre
Man Man – Saturday, Oct. 18 @ Bottom Lounge
Yonder Mountain String Band – Saturday, Oct. 18 @ Congress Theater
TV On The Radio – Wednesday, Oct. 22 @ Riveria Theatre
Redman and Method Man – Friday, Oct. 24 @ House of Blues
Lotus – Saturday, Oct. 25 @ Park West
David Byrne – Sunday, Oct. 26 @ Civic Opera House
Of Montreal – Monday, Oct. 27 @ Riveria Theatre
Kings of Leon – Friday, Oct. 31 @ Aragon Ballroom
M83 – Friday, Nov. 21 @ Bottom Lounge

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