Stage Buzz
Conor Oberst preview
Conor Oberst Vic Theatre, Chicago Friday, October 31, 2008 Saturday, November 1, 2008 Conor Oberst and Bright Eyes have been synonymous since the former stopped releasing solo albums in his mid-teens. Now a grizzled 28-year-old, Oberst closets the band name and reveals the two aren’t as conveniently entwined as shorthand might hope.
The Takeover UK preview
The Takeover UK Beat Kitchen, Chicago Sunday, November 2, 2008 It’s a bit jarring to discover that quartet The Takeover UK don’t actually reside in some far-off, across-the-pond location. These young fellas grew up right here in the U.S. of A. Pittsburgh to be exact.
The Stolen Minks preview
The Stolen Minks Darkroom, Chicago Sunday, November 2, 2008 I put The Stolen Minks’ High Kicks (New Romance For Kids) into the CD player to listen while perusing the band’s press interviews, liner notes (nonexistent), and other “important materials” us rock critics use to judge a band’s worth, but a funny thing happened: By the […]
Uh Huh Her preview
Uh Huh Her Park West, Chicago Monday, November 3, 2008 Riot grrrls use caution — same to you, jaunty post punk supporters. Cable TV subscribers? Come on down!
Abigail Williams preview
Abigail Williams Doug’s Rockhouse, Aurora Thursday, October 23, 2008 Think American Black Metal (or black metal in general, really) and a few things come to mind: one-man bands, graveyard promo photos, unreadable logos, ridiculous corpsepaint, kvlt dudes on their parents’ computer talking shit about Nachtmystium, and horrible-sounding record production.
Lykke Li preview
Lykke Li Empty Bottle, Chicago Saturday, October 25, 2008 It would be devious to downplay the disparity between Lykke Li’s concerts and albums. The difference cannot be overstated.
Of Montreal preview
Of Montreal Riviera, Chicago Tuesday, October 27, 2008 Of Montreal’s Kevin Barnes explores every corner of his sexuality on Skeletal Lamping (Polyvinyl), named for the nocturnal hunting practice of flooding hiding places with light.
Jamie Lidell live!
Jamie Lidell Metro, Chicago Wednesday, October 8, 2008 Jamie Lidell isn’t a big fan of doing straightforward takes on his songs. On his second headlining show in Chicago this year, Lidell, the Berlin-based British singer/producer and his soul band no doubt had a set list. But that didn’t stop the freewheeling act from going off […]
Old Crow Medicine Show preview
Old Crow Medicine Show Riviera, Chicago Saturday, October 18, 2008 If it ain’t broke . . . Certain clichés sound best in a Southern accent, which makes it disappointing when a Nashville-based string band forgets them.
Yngwie Malmsteen preview
Yngwie Malmsteen House Of Blues, Chicago Sunday, October 19, 2008 Kids, this is Yngwie Malmsteen:
Murs preview
Murs Abbey, Chicago Tuesday, October 21, 2008 After years of helping define the DIY indie hip-hop movement with his Living Legends crew, Murs is moving out of the underground for his Warner Bros. debut.
Elephant 6 Surprise
Elephant 6 Holiday Surprise Show Bottom Lounge, Chicago Tuesday, October 21, 2008 The frequency with which Elephant 6 finds mention in music discussion suggests that everyone knows what it is, when, judging by album sales, such clearly isn’t the case.
Bayside preview
Bayside Metro, Chicago Thursday, October 9, 2008 Having weathered the death of drummer John Holohan on last year’s The Walking Wounded, Queens-based Bayside made a conscious decision to start over with drummer Chris Guglielmo for the new Shudder.
Two Cow Garage preview
Two Cow Garage Bottom Lounge, Chicago Saturday, October 11, 2008 Speaking In Cursive (Suburban Home), Two Cow Garage’s fourth album, is a surprise. It isn’t a change in direction, a leap forward in melody and ferocity, or a candidate for the Nobel in literature. No, it just seemed a smart bet the band would have […]
Sleeping In The Aviary preview
Sleeping In The Aviary Ronny’s, Chicago Saturday, October 11, 2008 Sleeping In The Aviary wears its heart on its sleeve, combining wry, yet heartfelt lyrics with an acoustic punk aesthetic. The Madison quartet has much to lament on its sophomore effort, Expensive Vomit In A Cheap Hotel (Science Of Sound). Recording on the heels of […]
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