Jan. 02--Winter has arrived, and with it a bunch of new Chicago concert bookings. Here's a sampling of some of the more notable shows in the next few months (listed chronologically):
Sam Smith: Coming off a sold-out appearance at the Riviera a few months ago, the U.K. pop-soul singer has picked up six Grammy nominations and is touring U.S. arenas for the first time. 7:30 p.m. Jan. 23 at UIC Pavilion, 525 S. Racine, $38.50, $48.50, $64, $74, $84; jamusa.com
Sleater-Kinney: The pioneering riot-grrrl trio splintered in 2006, but now Carrie Brownstein, Corin Tucker and Janet Weiss are back with a new album, "No Cities to Love," due out in a few weeks. 7:30 p.m. Feb. 17 at the Riviera, 4746 N. Racine Ave., $30; jamusa.com
Swans: Michael Gira's epic albums have a heft all their own, but they take bolder shape on stage, where the musical ebb and flow can become overwhelming. 9:30 p.m. Feb. 21 at Thalia Hall, 1227 W. 18th St., $25 and $35; thaliahallchicago.com
Hozier: Irish singer Andrew Hozier-Byrne's debut album soared to No. 1 on the pop charts last year, and yielded four singles, including the ubiquitous "Take Me to Church." 7:30 p.m. Feb. 25 at the Riviera, 4746 N. Racine Ave., $30; jamusa.com
TV on the Radio: The revered New York City band suffered a major loss with the death of bassist Gerard Smith a few years ago, but recovered to release its fifth album, "Seeds," in 2014. 9 p.m. March 23 at Metro, 3730 N. Clark St., $35; metrochicago.com
Decemberists: Colin Meloy's versatile band of Portland indie-rockers gears up to release its first album in four years, "What a Terrible World, What a Beautiful World." 7:30 p.m. March 27 at the Chicago Theatre, 175 N. State St., $36; jamusa.com
Ariana Grande: The 21-year-old former Broadway singer and Justin Bieber opening act ruled the charts in 2014 with a No. 1 album, "Everything," and four top-10 singles. 7:30 p.m. March 3 at Allstate Arena, Rosemont, Ill., $29.50, $39.50, $49.50, $69.50; ticketmaster.com
Electric Wizard: The British doom-metal trio tours the U.S. sparingly, so for fans who worship at the altar of such heavyweight landmarks as "Dopethrone" (2000), this is an event. 8 p.m. April 7 at Metro, 3730 N. Clark St., $25 and $27; metrochicago.com
Neil Diamond: Last year's "Melody Road" was the sequined one's 32nd album since the '60s, but it's the oldies the fans demand. At 73, he's got enough hits to keep the sing-alongs rolling for hours. 8 p.m. April 14 at United Center, 1901 W. Madison, $65, $95, $120, $150; ticketmaster.com
Milky Chance: The German duo of Clemens Rehbein and Philipp Dausch released their debut album in October, a year after it landed in their home country, and it cracked the charts with its hazy mix of folk, rock, pop and electronic music. 7:30 p.m. April 24-25 at the Vic Theatre, 3145 N. Sheffield Ave., $20; jamusa.com
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