The past year has been filled with “Meet me in the Bathroom” celebrations and nostalgia for early 2000’s NYC. One of the great gems of that era was Ben Kweller’s cult-classic debut, Sha Sha. As 2023 comes to a close, Chicagoans will have the chance to celebrate the double-decade milestone when BK returns to the Windy City on Saturday, November 18th.

Chicago played a key role in bringing Ben Kweller to the mainstream. Jeff Tweedy (Wilco) was one of the first major artists to take Kweller on tour and Q101 was the first station to put his slacker anthem, “Wasted & Ready”, into heavy rotation.

Kweller has built a reputable catalog in the years since his Anti-folk beginnings and BK fans have always loved his nostalgic tendencies. That’s why it makes perfect sense that Sha Sha recently received the royal reboot with a triple-vinyl reissue full of B-sides and rarities out now on the NoiseCo label.

November 18th also marks Kweller’s first Chicago show since the pandemic and more poignantly since the tragic death of his 16-year old son. In March of ‘23, Kweller publicly vowed to carry on with his touring plans in honor of his son, a talented artist by the name of ZEV.

Whether you’re a lifelong Kweller fan or someone who longs for that early 2000s indie-rock scene, this is guaranteed to be an evening of great music, one that’ll be emotionally charged on many levels.