Mayne Stage Chicago
John Barleycorn Schaumburg
The Arboretum Music Fest June 23-24

RSSAll Entries in the "Stage Buzz" Category

It's reining men

It’s reining men

The forecast calls for precipitation this weekend, and also for a bunch of dudes to come to town. We spotlight Howlin’ Rain (natch), Good Old War, Bassnectar, and Fun.

Oh, unlucky 13!

Oh, unlucky 13!

Do we put extra stock in a month that has both an April Fool’s Day and a Friday the 13th? Is Halloween a better companion to the fated date? Who cares? Ceremony, Trampled By Turtles, In Solitude, and The Lumineers walk under ladders this Friday.

Jersey more!

Jersey more!

While the initial appeal of “Jersey Boys” may be a soundtrack-ripe golden oldies like “Sherry,” “Big Girls Don’t Cry,” “Walk Like A Man,” “Oh What A Night,” and “Can’t Take My Eyes Off You,” there’s actually plenty of surprises

Savor this week

Savor this week

Public schools have been on spring break so driving on the northwest side has been a dream. No surprise this weekend’s shows feature First Aid Kit, Willis Earl Beal, Bahamas, Nero, White Rabbits, 200 Years, All-American Rejects, The Hobart Brothers, Paul Doffing, and, allegedly, Kevin Tihista. Plus, did anyone else feel ripped off that April [...]

March into spring!

March into spring!

My neighbor’s testing a new lawn mower. Some friends’ mother was complaining that our property looks drab without new mulch. Our wife wants outside seating at the restaurant. It’s still March, dangit! Ben Kweller, Cheers Elephant, Beak, and Needtobreathe know; Joe Budden and Kasabian represent the summery future.

Beyond the grassy knoll

Beyond the grassy knoll

What kind of person names their kid “Shooter”? What in-bred, gun-loving . . . Waylon Jennings, you say? Oh. Well, then. Shooter Jennings is in town this week, as are Bowerbirds, Dry The River, Hunx, and Of Monsters And Men.

Of Shows & Shows

Of Shows & Shows

Bands still on tours that hit SXSW continue to scamper around the country, partly explaining the flood of shows that close out March. The Magnetic Fields, Rhyton, Of Montreal, and Janus rush in.

Parallel lives

Parallel lives

Is it wrong to consider Cursive to be Omaha’s version of Local H? Obviously the setups don’t match, but there’s more in common than what Lasers And Fast And Shit, 3 Inches Of Blood, The Wedding Present, Oberhofer, and Fanfarlo offer to them, though they’re also in town this week.

Austin's (delayed) Powers

Austin’s (delayed) Powers

While the industry goes off to play, IE take a well-earned respite from the hype machine to enjoy our inboxes’ inactivity. If it says “SXSW Party” in the subject, it goes immediately in the bin. The whirlwind gets reaped the Monday and Tuesday after. Delta Spirit with Waters, Chuck Prophet, Andre Williams, Paperplanes, and Jeff [...]

The O.G. Beebs

The O.G. Beebs

Nothing against Justin Bieber — may he enjoy a long, fruitful career until his imminent usurper comes along — but long before there was “Beebs” (and perhaps long after) there came B.B. King. And he keeps on coming. Van Hunt also plays this week.

Ides wide shut

Ides wide shut

Did Marc Antony and Octavian overreact when avenging Caesar’s death on the senate floor? The Ides Of March was Rome’s traditional feast day for warrior-god Mars, and maybe things got a little out of hand on the 15th. Peter Mulvey, the Abbey’s St. Paddy’s deal, When Clouds Attack, and K-Holes all converge in Chicago because [...]

Four days to St. Patrick's Day!

Four days to St. Patrick’s Day!

They started reminding us how close it was way back in September — we can’t take it any longer! Neither can Anti-Flag, Grimes, Tyga, or Dave Barnes.

Getting a Glasp

Getting a Glasp

Being an accomplished jazz musician, Robert Glasper may have thought he’d pulled the coup of coups regarding the guestlist for his new album, Black Radio (EMI). He’s in town this weekend, and Rose Cousins also suits up.

A penny saved

A penny saved

An undersold aspect of electronic music for aspiring musicians is the thrifty nature with which one can travel, especially versus a dozen sarcophagi. This, and other thoughts, as Korallreven, A Storm Of Light, Yellow Ostrich, Here Come The Mummies, and Lee DeWyze come to town.

The shows go March-ing in

The shows go March-ing in

The March issue takes centerstage today, but we’d be remiss to skip over some worthy shows kicking off the month: Islands, Punch Brothers, Lynch Mob, and Water Liars.