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Lykke Li live!
Though she’s set to take the stage later this summer as part of this year’s Lollapalooza, Swedish songstress Lykke Li hit town Monday the 23rd at Metro in support of her 2011 effort, Wounded Rhymes (Atlantic).
Military beats
Wounded Warrior Rockfest takes place Monday the 30th at Durty Nellie’s in Palatine, and will drive proceeds and donations to its namesake program to help severely injured combat veterans return to civilian life.
Standard time
Everyone needs a go-to beer. You don’t feel right showing up at a party with a domestic, are non-plussed by most supermarket imports, but never see the same lineup of microbrews in different stores. Why not know a couple sturdy ones?
Girls who play guitar
The world, not just women, needs new guitar heroes. Anna Calvi probably doesn’t need that pressure dumped in her lap, but it’s her fault for being such a good player.
Death Cab For Cutie live!
Somewhere over the course of the last decade, Death Cab For Cutie went from college-radio regulars to darlings of “The O.C.” and headlining Lollapalooza. The band are far from the indie upstart they once were, both in terms of exposure and delivery, with venue stops in recent years reflecting that. All of which made Friday […]
A CSS/Sleigh Bells Chicago preview that’s a review of the Minny show!
There’s a particularly virulent strain of nostalgia permeating electronic dance music (see Cut Copy, Holy Ghost, Foster The People) that appeals to older audiences who immediately connect through reminiscing, as well as, hooking young hipsters who approach it with wide-eyed exuberance.
Spring is here! Get inside and rock!
Next weekend, Memorial Day, typically kicks off outdoor season in Chicago (Belmont-Sheffield Fest) along with all the barbecues. The next weekend is Mayfest. Now’s the time to get your indoor ya-yas out.
The Cars live!
In spite of not being one of the most prolific bands in history, The Cars are certainly among the most influential, especially when it comes to the power pop, synth rock, and new wave.
Speer’s head
The big tell on D. Charles Speer & The Helix‘s Leaving The Commonwealth (Thrill Jockey) is its combination of rusticity and variety. The music’s not necessarily indicative of New York, but they sure don’t do this in the South anymore.
A who’s who
By 1980, you needed to keep Major League Baseball’s official scorer’s guide to keep track of who was and wasn’t in UFO. Long associated with former guitarist Michael Schenker (whose main group, MSG, is also an anagram), it’s time to sort this out.
Twilight Singers live!
On record, Greg Dulli’s Twilight Singers operation can come across slightly docile at times, the group’s slow-building and subtle approach allowing for the mistaken impression of a sleepier production.
Bob Seger live!
Bob Seger recently turned 66, and readily admits he doesn’t like touring. With his hair and beard four-and-a-half-years greyer since the last road trip, and with his “newest” album released in 2006, one could expect a slower-paced, toned-down show. That didn’t happen.
The Dredg report
This much has always been known about Dredg: the band has long resisted the shackles ready to be attached to it. The phonetic spelling suggests nu-metal, use of interludes and segues exposes classical/art-rock tendencies, and Gavin Hayes’ vocal wanderings push the prog ends of emo. But few would have predicted what it has become. Its […]
Frosted Blake
Out of the bedroom and into the fire: the fact James Blake has chosen to tour America either speaks to a fealty to public demand or an actual need for cash, because otherwise it’s completely counterintuitive.
Neil Young live!
Neil Young strolled onto the stage at the Chicago Theatre on Friday night as casually as a man entering a friend’s living room. He patiently surveyed the sparse surroundings, almost as if he was taking inventory for his two-night residency. But, as soon as he slipped on an acoustic guitar, he was all business.
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