1. Red Bull Thre3style World Finals 2012
Various locations
The world’s top party-rockers touch down to fight for the Thre3style crown before Jazzy Jeff shows them all how it’s done. Sept 24–29
2. Justice
Congress Theater
Lollapalooza’s main stage wasn’t enough for this prog-rock–loving, electro behemoth. The duo rolls out its ornate performance console and Marshall stacks for a feature-length return. Oct 24
3. Flying Lotus
Metro
The West Coast’s leader of Left Coast is finally repping new material. Even if he weren’t fresh off his fourth LP, a live show from this guy is worth fussing over. If you caught him at Pitchfork this summer, you know what we mean. Oct 16
4. Amon Tobin: Isam 2.0
Congress Theater
It was this same time in 2011 that this left-field breaks producer blew eyes and ears with the first iteration of his 3-D visual and sound spectacle Isam. For 2012, he’s upgraded his stage show and has new music to go with it. Sept 8
5. Lindstrøm
Smart Bar
Lanky cosmic disco space man Lindstrøm is having a busy year. With an album already under his belt from the spring, he’s back with more upbeat and dancy fare on Smalhans, which you can expect to get a live taste of here. Oct 13