Dec. 28--It may be winter, but Chicago concert bookings haven't slowed down. Here's a sampling of some of the more notable shows in the next few months (listed chronologically):
Bruce Springsteen: With the E Street Band, Springsteen will take a deep dive into his 1980 double-album, "The River." Die-hards hope he'll also dip into the trove of excellent outtakes and rarities from the two-year recording session packaged on a recent box set. 7:30 p.m. Jan. 19 at the United Center, 1901 W. Madison, $55, $105, $150; www.jamusa.com.
Black Sabbath: The heavy metal pioneers -- minus drummer Bill Ward -- say they are calling it a wrap after this tour, in deference to guitarist Tony Iommi and his ongoing battle with cancer. This may be "The End" for Iommi, Ozzy Osbourne and Geezer Butler, but their early music retains a timeless power. 7:30 p.m. Jan. 22 at the United Center, 1901 W. Madison, $35, $95, $159; www.ticketmaster.com
Ry Cooder, Sharon White and Ricky Skaggs: A gifted guitarist, producer and musicologist, Cooder doesn't tour much, but when he does, it's usually a can't-miss event. This matchup with bluegrass virtuoso Skaggs and vocalist White certainly upholds that standard. 8:30 p.m. Jan. 29 at Thalia Hall, 1807 S. Allport St., $39, $59, $67, $100; www.thaliahallchicago.com
Godspeed You! Black Emperor: The Montreal art-punk innovators are revered for their densely packed recordings and immersive concerts. The group returned from a hiatus with its power and exclamation points intact on "Allelujah! Don't Bend! Ascend!" in 2012 and followed with "Asunder, Sweet and Other Distress" in 2015. 7 p.m. Feb. 13 at the Empty Bottle, 1035 N. Western Ave., $30 and $40; www.emptybottle.com; and 8:30 p.m. Feb. 14 at Thalia Hall, 1807 S. Allport St., $24, $28 and $34; www.thaliahallchicago.com
Levitation Chicago: This collaboration between the Empty Bottle and Austin Psych Fest brings together a stellar lineup, including German art-rock pioneers Faust and the reunited Royal Trux, with Chelsea Wolfe, Oneohtrix Point Never, Ryley Walker and more. 7 p.m. March 10-12 at Thalia Hall, 1807 S. Allport St., $95 for three-day pass; www.thaliahallchicago.com
Freakwater: The plaintive deep-country harmonies of Catherine Irwin and Janet Bean underlined seven brilliant albums between 1989 and 2005, and now at long last the duo is back with a new album, "Scheherazade," due out Feb. 5 on Chicago-based Bloodshot Records. 9 p.m. March 18 at the Hideout, 1354 W. Wabansia Ave., $20; www.hideoutchicago.com.
Bonnie Raitt: A brilliant guitarist and vocalist, Raitt is particularly astute at digging out songs that are unjustly overlooked and giving them new life. Songwriters such as John Prine, John Hiatt, Richard Thompson and countless blues artists have benefited from her endorsement. She and her ace band will be touring behind a new album, "Dig in Deep," due out in February. 7:30 p.m. March 22 at the Chicago Theatre, 175 N. State St., $49.50, $65, $85; www.jamusa.com
Pusha T: The MC born Terrence Thornton was one-half of Clipse, and now owns a lauded solo career. He's got a flood of new material coming out, with the just-released "King Push -- Darkest Before the Dawn: The Prelude" and the forthcoming "King Push." 8 p.m. April 5 at the Vic Theatre, 3145 N. Sheffield Ave., $32.50, $35, $100; www.jamusa.com
Savages: The British quartet made an indelible impression with its first tour and a pull-no-punches album, "Silence Yourself," in 2013. The band returns this month with a follow-up, "Adore Life," that is equally merciless. 8 p.m. April 7 at Metro, 3730 N. Clark St., $24; www.metrochicago.com
Rihanna: After 13 No. 1 hits and eight Grammy Awards, the singer has let a couple of years pass while working on her eighth studio album, "Anti." She'll follow up with a major tour. 7:30 p.m. April 15 at the United Center, 1901 W. Madison St., $29.50, $70, $115, $165; www.ticketmaster.com
Greg Kot is a Tribune critic.
greg@gregkot.com
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