CurrentVerse Stories

Alex's Top 100 Albums Of 2016

Even before becoming a contributor to Tomorrows Verse, Ive held a tradition of creating a (potentially excessive) list of my favorite albums of the year, spending November and December re-listening to everything I enjoyed throughout the previous 12 months. Though we began celebrating the new year by posting a Staff Poll of our favorite records...

Ticket Giveaway | Andrew Bird & Ryley Walker at The Canopy Club 1/30/17

Two of our favorite artists, Andrew Bird and Ryley Walker, get together for a special double bill at The Canopy Club in Champaign, IL on Monday, January 30th, 2017.Tickets are $31 in advance, but we are happy to offer some of our readers a crack at a free pair.Enter to win by...

Setlist / Recap / Photos | Umphrey's McGee @ The Aragon 12/31/16

After putting out two nights of incredible music, Umphreys came out swinging with an epic new year's party that had a little something for everyone.The new-ish rocker Attachments kicked off the festivities, but The Fussy Dutchman that followed felt like the true set opener.  The complex, yet melodic tune explored some beautiful textures...

Album Reviews | December 2016 Releases

By: Alex WoodChildish Gambino- Awaken, My Love [12/2]Actor, screenwriter and musician Donald Glover returns with his third full-length release as Childish Gambino, reinventing his sound entirely in the process. Known initially for his fresh and intelligent take on hip-hop, Awaken, My Love finds Glover channeling musical influences like Prince and Funkadelic, leading to an album...

Setlist / Recap / Photos / Video | Umphrey's McGee @ The Aragon 12/30/16

Words: Ryan Mannix | Photos: Tara Gracer PhotographyAfter a change of venue from Thursday, night two of the UM NYE run got underway with hard rocking Mulches Odyssey, somewhat of a staple opener. Some reggae-inspired jamming followed that included some Dopeman by N.W.A. lyrics spouted off by Brendan.  The song, and the...

Setlist / Recap / Photos / Video | Umphrey's McGee @ The Riviera 12/29/16

Words: Ryan Mannix | Photos: Tara Gracer PhotographySimilar Skin opened Umphreys McGees first of three nights back home in Chicago, and with that, all felt right again. While 2014 doesnt seem like that long ago, too many Umphreaks felt like its been forever since the last true multi-night run in our beloved city.The classic...

Summer Camp Music Festival Announces Initial 2017 Lineup

Summer Camp Music Festival has officially released the initial round of artists performing at the 2017 festival.  May 26th-28th at Three Sisters Park in Chillicothe, IL looks like it will be one for the books. Included are Summer Camp staples, moe. and Umphrey's McGee, along with solo projects from Trey Anastasio and...

Preview & Ticket Giveaway | UM Afterparty with Marcus Rezak & Friends 12/29/16

Thursday, 12/29! Harmonica Dunn & Tonic Room host an Umphrey's McGee Afterparty ft. Marcus Rezak of Digital Tape Machine & Stratosphere All-Stars with Greg Fundis (Fareed Haque, Old Shoe), Paul Mutzabaugh (Heather Headley, the Renegades), Chris Clemente (Kick The Cat), Emily Clark (The Passing Fancy), Christian Rogala (Supernatural Beings), and Marty...

Review / Setlist / Video | Andrew Bird @ Fourth Presbyterian Church 12/15/16

By: Alex Wood | Video: the1stMikeC | Photo: @jamesrichardsivAndrew Birds Gezelligheid performances at Fourth Presbyterian Church are a tradition of sorts in Chicago, ringing in the holiday season with a solo performance from the violinist as gorgeous as the intimate setting itself.Having attended at least one of Birds church dates nearly every year...

Discussions Underway For Music Festival At White Sox Park

Last summer, the music world was bowled over by the runaway success of Chance The Rapper's Magnificent Coloring Day Festival.Despite not having headlined at a Chicago venue bigger than a theatre, headlining and curating a festival style event at the south-side MLB ballpark (the now newly christened Guaranteed Rate Field) proved to...