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Photos / Setlists: Lotus @ Riviera Theater 4/11 & 4/12, 2014

Lotus kicked off a short Spring tour in Chicago with a two-night run at the Riviera Theater. Playing two full sets each night, their sound and their production has truly grown into these mid-size theaters, stretching there jams and inspiring the packed house until 2 a.m.Rickie Kostiner was on hand for the second of...

Album Review: Pert Near Sandstone - The Hardest Part Of Leaving

The Hardest Part Of Leaving is evidence that Pert Near Sandstone understand the traditions of the bluegrass genre -- they channel old-time bluegrass traditions into a record both modern and timeless.Unlike the work of Minneapolis bluegrass contemporaries Trampled By Turtles, the tracks remain relatively short and centered around the vocalist, recorded with a distinct...

Video: Trey, Derek & Warren Play Jerry - Franklin's Tower From Wanee

So two of my favorite guitarists are already in the same band (for the time being). But when a third joins them for a jam on a song by Jerry Garcia, it's worth a post up in here.Here's Trey Anastasio joining Warren Haynes and Derek Trucks and the rest of the Allman Brothers Band (...

Review / Photos / Setlist: The Men @ Empty Bottle 4/12/14

Words / Photos: Alex WoodThe garage and punk rock genres have seen a massive influx of talent in recent years, and The Mens show at The Empty Bottle felt like a celebration of the music scenes embrace.Both openers were local and put on tremendous shows, full of energy and attitude, as though they represented the...

Notes From The Jam Underground

This installment of Notes From The Jazz Underground features the playlist based on the January 31st show.This was the show broadcast the day after found Umphrey's McGee drummer Mike Mirro had passed so NFTJU host Paul Abella built the playlist around some UM material.First featuring Mirro, "Nothing Too Fancy" from Local Band Does...

Papadosio Jams Late Night In Chicago, Perform Debut Album The Following Night

One of our contributors, photographer Rickie Kostiner, had a busy night on Saturday, April 5th. After catching KarlD and the Tiny Universe, she popped over to Concord Music Hall for some late night fun with Papadosio.Papadosio has been steadily building an audience over the last few years, the packed room certainly spoke volumes about...

Setlist / Video: Tinariwen @ City Winery 4/5/14

The sound that Tinariwen makes is a remarkable one. With guitars at the forefront, you may think that they are playing the blues, but it is steeped in the desert music of Mali, where the band originates. The question, did American rock and blues records influence them? Or is the sound of their country's assouf...

Setlist / Photos: Karl Denson @ Park West 4/5/14

Karl Denson and the Tiny Universe mixed up material from their latest release, New Ammo, with a handful of classics at Park West on Saturday night.Our photographer, Rickie Kostiner, caught this set as a part of a big night (look for more from her to come). Check out her handiwork and the complete setlist...

Review / Setlist / Video: Bela Fleck & Chick Corea @ Auditorium Theater 4/5/15

Words / Photos: @WeirScrewedEven in the robust musical market of Chicago, it is a rare treat when two virtuosos the caliber of Chick Corea and Bela Fleck come together. Both players have such deep catalogs and their respective careers transcend genre. The duo visited the magnificent Auditorium Theatre on Saturday night to play for a few...

These Are My Jams, Volume Ten

Welcome to the ninth edition of the The BarnsThese Are My Jamsseries. To see what this is all about,check out Volume Oneand for more jams, ourlanding page for the entire series.1. It always warms my heart to see young people embrace the sound that Houndmouth excels at. It's inviting, comfortable and capable of so...