Here are my recommendations for upcoming concerts in the second quarter of 2017. I’ve checked out all of these artists and I’m interested in them for various reasons ranging from several I’ve seen and enjoyed already like Goldlink and Elhae, to those I expect some of you readers will like such as Nao and Blake, to those with an intriguing sound such as Mobley and So Much Light. Some of these songs featured are explicit. Click the links on the dates for tickets. Updates: Justine Skye, Emily King, Moonchild.

1. Jamila Woods (singer) and Saba (rapper) at the Rice KTRU Annual Outdoor Show on April 22; Free!

This deserves some premium placement because it’s free and we have two very solid artists from Chicago. I’ve wanted to see Jamila Woods perform since she was a member of M&O (aka Milo & Otis) and Saba sounds promising.

2. Vince Staples (rapper) w/ Kilo Kish (singer) at Warehouse Live on April 6; $20

3. Kingdom (producer) at 2005 Commerce Street on April 8; $15

4. Mobley (singer) at White Oak Music Hall on April 23; $8

5. Ab-Soul (rapper) w/ Little Simz (rapper) in The Studio at Warehouse Live on April 26; $23

6. Oddisee (rapper/producer) w/ Olivier St. Louis at Walter’s Downtown on April 26; $15

7. Little Dragon (band) w/ Goldlink (rapper) at White Oak Music Hall on April 27; $35

8. Nao (singer) at The Studio at Warehouse Live on April 27; $18

9. Sinkane (musician) at White Oak Music Hall on April 28; $12

10. Blake (rapper) in The Studio at Warehouse Live on April 29; $20

11. Emily King (singer) at White Oak Music Hall on May 13; $18

12. So Much Light (producer/singer) w/ Nnamdi Ogbonnaya (musician) at The Satellite Bar on May 13; $8

13. Smino (rapper/singer) in the Bronze Peacock at House of Blues on May 14; $13

14. Blackbear (singer) w/ Elhae (rapper) at House of Blues on May 16; $25

15. [Canceled] Justine Skye (singer) in the Bronze Peacock at House of Blues on May 20; $15

16. Moonchild (soul group) in The Studio at Warehouse Live on May 23; $15

17. JMSN (singer) at White Oak Music Hall on June 3; $15

18. MNDSGN (producer/singer) at Walter’s Downtown on June 21; $15

Day for Night Festival presale on December 16 – 17; $100

The cheapest tickets you’ll see for this annual festival that has brought acts including Kendrick Lamar, Janelle Monae, Bjork, and Travis Scott along with a ton of very cool light exhibits.

I miss stuff all the time and concerts get added so check back for updates. Also, while I focused on nationally touring artists here I’ll still be sharing local musicians in my event posts.