The first show covered by Illinois Hi-Fi...Ratatat

Note: Photo courtesy of Beggar's Group.

The headline says it all. Illinois Hi-Fi will be covering its first show on Monday night, the sold-out Ratatat concert at the Metro in Chicago. We are incredibly proud and grateful that we will be able to cover a show at this level, especially for our first time around (this will be the first of many, as there are some exciting things planned for the future).

Ratatat is an instrumental rock/electronic band from New York City. Currently touring behind LP3, their (appropriately-titled) third record, the band is getting spacier and spacier as they make more and more music. In addition, the band is continually getting more and more exposure (so much so that their Metro show is sold out), touring with bands like The Killers, Interpol, Franz Ferdinand and more.

The first time I heard this band was when their first album came out in 2004. I was a senior in high school, and I started listening to them because I liked the name and artwork ("with a name like that, they have to be cool!"). I was right though, it was an interesting sound, very electronic but at the same time human. There was no disconnect between computers and man on that record, and Ratatat is still great five years later.

While LP3 may not reach those heights, it still has some highlights (check out "Shempi"), and should make for an interesting show (the band has a feeling that reminds me a bit of guitar mastermind Joe Satriani, but maybe that's just me). It's my first time as well (for Eric and Illinois Hi-Fi), so I'm hoping for a good show.

Ratatat, with Despot and Think About Life: March 23 at Metro, 3730 N. Clark St., Chicago. Tickets are $23 in advance and $26 day of the show (sold out). Doors are at 8 p.m., show at 9 p.m.