Weekly
New York is for losers
The CMJ Music Marathon runs this weekend in Manhattan and Brooklyn. It’s more dignified than South By Southwest, but still an unforgiving task to distinguish a cadre of hipster acts who all sound the same. Chicago? We have Amon Tobin, The Bo-Keys, The Sounds, Phantogram, Juicehead, The Misfits, Exitmusic, and a benefit at Unity Church.
Alien lanes
Digging up the past never seems to go well in life, but in music it’s lucrative. Mostly. Some artists manage to get snagged on invisible tastemaker defenses that arbitrary decide who get plaudits, and who don’t. This weekend stars Cymbals Eat Guitars, Vagabond Opera, Big Tree, and Cory Hart.
Riching the Rob
Between the Davieses and Gallaghers, rock ‘n’ roll’s brawling brothers were the Robinsons. As the Black Crowes matured, however, the sideshow abated, giving each enough strength to concentrate on exceptional solo projects as well. (Also this week: Uh Huh Her and pinball!)
Portishead live!
Portishead‘s first Chicago show in well over a decade was often magnetic without an excess of on-stage motion. This British group, which stood at the forefront of the trip-hop/down-tempo ascension in the early ’90s, played it cool and composed while revisiting its three-album catalog on October 12th.
Haynes’ underwear
It’s something for everyone as real October weather unfolds. This Monday and Tuesday feature Warren Haynes, Masters Of The Hemisphere, Firewind, and Wale.
Dierks Bentley live!
Dierks Bentley rolled into Chicago Sunday, led by Illinois State Troopers and followed by more than 300 bikers.
Bryan Ferry live!
As the singer of Roxy Music, Bryan Ferry’s already earned seminal status in the glam, art-rock and new-wave worlds, though he continues to make sophisticated strides in his solo career. Touring behind his first non-covers collection in eight years, Olympia (Virgin), marks a suave and soulful evolution for the veteran, who through two hours, spellbinded […]
Think about the Future . . .
Horrorcore rappers Odd Future Wolf Gang Kill Them All — horrorcore, horrorcore, horrorcore, horrorcore! — have become one of the most fiercely debated, if not exactly listened to, artists since Eminem. And they’re in town Friday, as are New Duncan Imperials’ for their farewell, Primus, Light FM, Double Dagger, and the Biophilac musical.
Three Girls And A Guy
It’s not the increasing gender disparity at colleges nationwide, it’s our early-week preview with Sims, Dessa, Hindi Zahra, and Zola Jesus!
Good girls
Image is everything. Dowdily dressed women can be the most sexual creatures alive, while vacantly expressioned art waifs don’t necessarily lie with any man or thing just because “life is empty.” Where do Lisa Hannigan and Anika fit in?
Bringing Saxon back
Saxon come to town on their 19th album; Wild Flag on their first. Yet which of the two are the real classic rockers?
The October of our years
Wow. September’s only ending and it’s already been October for a month. Tom Russell, Ty Segall, Jens Lekman, and Color Radio’s local release party: bring us to the light!
Ach! Toe = brrr!
Before we beat you upside da head with the October issue, perchance you’d glance at previews for the Diane Izzo tribute, Chipotle’s Cultivate Chicago fest, Wild Beasts with Twin Sister, Randy Montana, Wood Brothers, and Darling!
Rapturous, unpaused
The House Of Jealous Lovers was foreclosed upon, leaving this week’s preview targets (The Rapture, Megafaun, Hymn For Her, and Mates Of State) all to look for new housing.
Toby Keith live!
Toby Keith and his marketing machine hit town Saturday for a one-day blitz. Coming in after a Friday night gig in St Louis, he kicked things off by signing bottles of his new Wild Shot Mescal at a local Beverage Depot.
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