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Setlist / Review: Dawes @ Jay Pritzker Pavilion in Millenium Park 7/8/13

When they do break through, audiences will find themselves with something amazing: an impeccable studio band that can back up the goods live. Even this show clocked in at about 80 minutes while only scratching the surface of their fine three album catalog. Where the gig I caught in April felt more like a showcase of...

Phish Debuts Apples In Stereo's "Energy", New Mike Gordon Original "Yarmouth Road" at SPAC Night One (7/5/13)

Phish setting the bar high for debuts in the second show of their 2013 tour, with a new cover, Apples In Stereo's "Energy" and a new original,the reggae tinged, Mike Gordon-sung Yarmouth Road (actually co-written with Mike Gordon Band / Max Creek guitarist Scott Murawski).Intrepid videographer was on hand to capture both of the debuts...

The Barn's Best Of The (First Half) of 2013

Since we didn't publish our Best of 2012 list until February of 2013, I'm pleased as punch to get a jump on this post prior to July 31st -- it's our list of our best albums of the first half of the year...Many thanks to @WeirScrewed for contributing this list which I (Steve - @thebarnpresents) will...

Tour Diary: A Look Back At Phish Europe 98 In Words And Pictures

I'm tempted to write about every anniversary of every amazing musical experience I've ever had. Most go unwritten, eliciting just a hint of pleasant nostalgia, some are acknowledged via tweet, but some just wrestle around in my brain until they receive the full treatment.Spring of 1998 was a pretty amazing time to find yourself neck...

Sunshine Daydream! Chicago Area Theaters For 3rd Annual Grateful Dead Night At Movies 8/1/13

There are certain elements that make up a perfect summer movie: a great soundtrack, compelling protagonists, interesting locations, copious amounts of gratuitous nudity.Luckily, our friends at Rhino Entertainment and Fathom Events have just that formula in store this August, finally releasing a pristine copy of the 1972 film Sunshine Daydream for screening in theaters. The...

Photos / Recap: Greensky Bluegrass @ City Winery 6/15/13

Let's hand it to City Winery for putting an exclamation point on a wonderful festival. Moving into this venue for an aftershow just reinforced the class, elegance, and accessibility that makes Greensky's music so welcoming.Stream or download the complete sets here: Friday - SaturdayWe were lucky to have Adam McCall on hand to document...

Review / Photos / Setlist: Bustle In Your Hedgerow @ Bottom Lounge 6/14/13

The music of Led Zeppelin occupies a rarified air. With a songbook asbeloved as any seminal rock band, and an outsized mythology that seems to revereits members to the point of forgiving their generalaloofness, they find themselves in a comfortable zone -- able to maintain mystique and prestige aming their diehard fanslong after the initialdiscovery...

Setlist / Stream / Download / Video: Rolling Stones with Taylor Swift @ United Center 6/3/13

Here's Monday night's set list. Taylor Swift rounds out the guest list that featured Taj Mahal (first night...listen here) and Sheryl Crow (Friday). Read my review or listen to Friday's show here.Rolling StonesUnited Center - Chicago, ILJune 3, 2013Get Off My Cloud, It's Only Rock N Roll (But I Like It), Paint It Black,...

Considering The Delay: What Are Alternatives For Charter One Pavilion?

Of course, this post is just for fun. I have complete faith that the expansion of the site at Northerly Island will be ready in time for the bulk of the summer concert season -- including the three shows I'm most looking forward to.Or will it?Yes, we reported on the progress at the...

Review / Stream / Download / Setlist / Video: Rolling Stones with Sheryl Crow @ United Center 5/31/13

I've heard so much shit talking about The Rolling Stones lately. Sure, I get it. They're old (really old), worse for wear, nostalgia-driven, no longer "relevant". The tickets are priced astronomically. They play large, inpersonal mega-arenas. The jokes write themselves.Honestly, when the 50 and Counting tour was announced I had no intention of coming anywhere...