Jun 26, 2012
It's crazy that a former Grateful Dead drummer was instrumental in assembling one of the coolest New Orleans bands currently touring. Bill Kreutzman has joined forces with NOLA products George Porter Jr. (The Meters, Runnin' Pardners), Papa Mali and Matt Hubbard to form 7 Walkers - a band in which all members distinct personalities are right...
Jun 25, 2012
There's so much to like about a festival that celebrates the best of American music that has run for 32 (!) years. The 2012 edition of the American Music Festival at Fitzgerald's in Berwyn combines top notch national acts and homegrown Chicago area favorites in a multi-stage lineup with discounts for those who get out early. WARNING: the...
Jun 25, 2012
We've creeped past the solstice marker and are entering the heart of festival season in the Midwest. The oddest trend for 2012 seems to be festivals moving locations, which no less than five of the fests that we are tracking declaring a new home this year. Here's our roundup of the most intriguing camping and / or...
Jun 15, 2012
Both Old Shoe and Family Groove Company will both be playing next weekend's Stranger Danger Festival, which means you won't be seeing the in Chicago this week. But when a good friend of the bands has a birthday that falls a week before the fest, what can they do?Super Group!Performing live for the...
Jun 13, 2012
Welcome to summer in Chicago. Nobody denies it's the best time of year and, of course, there are tons of musical options.We are home to mega-festivals in Grant and Union Parks -- offering intriguing lineups but lacking intimacy and coming with a commiserate ticket cost. Swing a dead cat and you'll hit a street...
Jun 1, 2012
We're still not over the loss of Adam Yauch, but Lincoln Hall and a smattering of Chicago's coolest bands are doing their part to help the healing process, paying tribute to MCA's legacy and furthering his humanitarian mission in the process.One Monday, July 2nd, Lincoln Hall will host Time For Livin', a one-of-a-kind multi-media...
Jun 1, 2012
Naperville Ribfest has always been about the classic rock dinosaurs and this year is no different with ZZ Top, Joe Walsh and Steve Miller Band scheduled to appear at the 2012 festival. But this year, the fest adds a bit of jam to the festivities.The reunited Leftover Salmon will make their first Chicago area appearance...
Apr 25, 2012
Thursday, April 26th, tickets go on sale for the Summer 2012 season of Ravinia Festival in Highland Park. Programmers there are usually pretty good about sprinkling in a handful of pop and rock shows to the classical heavy lineup and this year is no exception. No, it's not the best place for sitelines (unless you have...
Apr 9, 2012
It's always exciting to get the Old Town School of Folk Music concerts flier in the mail. One of the cities most intimate and eclectically programmed rooms sees a number of Barn favorites graces the stage from April to August. Highlights include:The Bad Examples' Ralph Covert plays two shows with his Ralph's World children's...
Mar 19, 2012
Jazz on a Monday night? Fans of the Chicago improg heroes Umphrey's McGee will get a chance to see drummer KrisMyers in a slightly different setting. Myers will maximize his time at home during the break between legs of the UM spring tour with a gig at Webster Wine Bar on April 2nd.The show...