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Record Store Day Guide 2026
Record Store Day 2026 is Saturday, April 18. Our guide includes complete RSD listings, plus previews, album reviews, a local RSD lists, and advertisements from your favorite local stores: Rolling Stones Records, Laurieâs Planet of Sound, Blue Village Vinyl, Bobâs Blues & Jazz Mart, Scratched Vinyl, Hoarders Records & More, Audiophilâs Records, S&J Stereo, Purple […]
Record Store Day 2026 ⢠Spins: Blur ⢠Live at Budokan 30th Anniversary
Blur Live at the Budokan 30th anniversary 2xLP (Warner Bros.) Live at the Budokan is a Record Store Day release to entice Blur diehards and vinyl junkies alike. This is the first vinyl pressing of a set that originally appeared in 1996 as a […]
Photo Gallery: The Format ⢠April 2 ⢠Chicago
The Format The Salt Shed Chicago, IL April 2nd, 2026 Recap and photos by Curt Baran Nate Ruess FINALLY made it back to Chicago. His band, The Format, announced in 2020 that they would once again hit the road as a live touring band. They booked shows in New York, Phoenix, and the previously […]
Stage Buzz: GWAR, Ashnikko, Poison the Well
Intergalactic shock rockers GWAR are chaos incarnate. The only thing they love more than blood, sex, and violence is rock and roll. The otherworldly beings promise to bring carnage and kick ass music when âThe Gor Gor Strikes Back Tourâ rolls into town. Catch GWAR with special guests Soulfly and King Parrot at Concord Music […]
Photo Gallery: The Hives at The Salt Shed ⢠Chicago
The Hives March 26, 2026 The Salt Shed Chicago, IL Recap and photos by Curt Baran Since their inception back in the early ’90s, Swedenâs The Hives have consistently proven to be one of the most dependable live acts in the Rock pantheon. To the unsuspecting, their matching suits (which included illuminated hemlines this time […]
Live Review: Lamb of God at Aragon Ballroom ⢠Chicago
Lamb Of God Aragon Ballroom Chicago March 25, 2026 It only took three songs for frontman Randy Blythe to express an overt and timely political message during Lamb Of Godâs all-ages headlining show at the Aragon on March 25: âNo more war for oil, motherfuckers,â Blythe spat out as an introduction to âBlood Junkie.â Otherwise, […]
Stage Buzz: The Hives, Lacuna Coil, Prognosis, Hanabie
In case you didnât know, The Hives are the best band in the universe. Count yourselves lucky. The Swedish garage rockers graced us with their new album, The Hives Forever Forever The Hives, last year. And yes, they are still the high-energy, bouncy, cocky band you fell in love with over 30 years ago. Catch […]
Stage Buzz: Vicious Rumors, Haunt, and Intranced at Reggies ⢠Chicago
Vicious Rumors, Haunt, and Intranced Reggies Chicago March 19, 2026 Thursday night (3/19), Reggies in Chicago is serving up an epic feast of heavy metal mayhem. A showdown of old school metal versus new school metal. The old school portion of the night comes from the 80âs Bay Area outfit, Vicious Rumors. Led by founding […]
Stage Buzz: CuppcakKe, Sabrina Claudio, Carti B, Prognosis
Buzzworthy singer/songwriter Sabrina Claudio seduces you on her âFall In Love Tour,â which rolls into Chicago this week. With her smooth R&B vibes and whispery vocals, she transforms a theater into a warm-lit jazz lounge. Join Claudio for an intimate evening when she performs at the House of Blues on Thursday, March 19th. Tickets […]
Stage Buzz: Descendents, Action/Adventure, Michael Shannon and Jason Narducy
You may know Michael Shannon as a two-time Oscar-nominated actor. But now, itâs time to get to know Michael Shannon the musician. Shannon and his longtime musical collaborator Jason Narducy are teaming up to celebrate the 40thanniversary of R.E.M.âs Lifes Rich Pageant. Hear cuts like âFall on Meâ and âSupermanâ when the two perform at […]
Stage Buzz: Testament at The Rave/Eagles Club ⢠Milwaukee & Ramova Theatre ⢠Chicago
Bay Area thrash titans, Testament, will be ripping across the US on their 20-date âThrash of the Titansâ US leg of their 2026 world tour. The trek begins in Portland, OR, on March 14 and runs through the beginning of April, including stops at the historic Rave/Eagles Club on Friday, March 2o, and at Ramova Theatre, Chicago, on […]
Stage Buzz: Dropkick Murphys, LCD Soundsystem, Peaches
Our favorite Celtic punk band, Dropkick Murphys, returns for their annual St. Patrickâs Day outing. Mosh to the rapid fireguitars and trilling bagpipes when the band brings their âFor ThePeopleâŚIn the Pitâ tour with Aggrolites, Haywire, and Slugger to Salt Shed on Tuesday, March 3rd. Tickets available here. Are you ready to âDance Yourself Clean?â […]
Cover Story: Lilâ Ed and The Blues Imperials ⢠Blues in our Blood
Chicago Blues guitar icon, Lilâ Ed Williams, has been churning out his brand of classic yet contemporary Blues compositions for over four decades. Williams has played the renowned Chicago Blues Festival multiple times, and on Friday, February 27, 2026, at FitzGeraldâs in Berwyn, Lilâ Ed & The Blues Imperials will be playing a âhometownâ record-release […]
Media: March 2026 ⢠National Radio Hall of Fame Chicago Nominee Suggestions
The National Radio Hall of Fame is located right here in Chicago, in the Museum of Broadcast Communications (440 W. Randolph).* This is a National Hall of Fame, but Chicago is well represented. For instance, among the inductees youâll find Chicago radio greats like Dick Biondi, Jonathon Brandmeier, Jack Brickhouse, Harry Caray, Bob Collins, Steve […]
Spins: Ratboys ⢠Singin’ to an Empty Chair
Ratboys Singin’ to an Empty Chair (New West) Chicago-based indie-rock veterans Ratboys are back with their sixth full-length album and first for New West. Singer and guitarist Julia Steiner has revealed that creating Singin’ to an Empty Chair was a way to work through the difficult experience of estrangement from a family member while […]
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