Blur announced The Magic Whip, their first album since 2003s Think Tank, to be released in the US on April 28.The announcement, made from a press conference at a Chinese restaurant in London, marked the first definite sign of life for the band since the news that recording sessions were taking place in Hong Kong...

 Between the intricate deluxe vinyl pressing of Lazaretto and the intense sets from the albums tour, Jack Whites past year has been steeped in excess. In a continuation of this trend, the blues rocker recently released a three-part interactive music video for That Black Bat Licorice.The video allows viewers to toggle through three...

Sleater-Kinney returned to Chicago for a set at the Riviera on an icy cold night in February.Read Greg Kot's full review in the Tribune here, but for a slice of what really went down, check out these three videos by YouTuber seijinlee.Edit this setlist | More SleaterKinney setlistsAhh @Sleater_Kinney!! What an incredible show....

John Mellencamp has been a summer shed staple in the Chicago area for as long as I can remember, so it's good to see him bring the show to a theater in the wintertime. The fact that it was at Chicago's flagship venue is icing on the cake.And while the beginning of his set...

Valen-Times Two: Zap Mama & AntibalasWords: @312mrg | Photos: PhilamonjaroThis was our best show of this tour Martin Perna said at the end of an exuberant, energized dance filled 2-hour non-stop set.It was a statement that justified the trance that had taken over my body -- really the entirety of the Park West -- on...

Luke Winslow-Kings songs evoke the demeanor of his hometown, New Orleans. The slow, breezy acoustic songs take their time, and the blend of blues, jazz and folk literally reflect the deep musical traditions of the delta. Never excessive and often understated, the songs sound both familiar and fresh, evidence of the songwriters passion for pre-war...

Reporting / Photos: Heidi PetersMore than 20 years after her departure, it's still hard not to think of Natalie Merchant as fronting 10,000 Maniacs.It's been so long that her replacement, Mary Ramsey, has subsequently left and rejoined the band. Ramsey fronted the longtime Maniacs stalwarts for four straight sold out gigs at City Winery and our Heidi...

By: Kelley Lauginiger - @peapodmcgeeThe Chicago Bluegrass & Blues Festival has expanded from one night of hoopla back in 2007, to a month-long jamboree spanning some of our cities finest venues, and delivered by a host of different bands. Each act brings some dust with them for us to kick up with our salt-laden boots here...

Words & Photos: Alex WoodTim Reynolds Trio, the long-running project featuring Dave Matthews Bands guitarist, began another tour at SPACE in Evanston on Thursday. The band put on a high-energy show of originals and covers in support of recently released full-length Like Some Kind Of Alien Invasion.The set began with a jazz-fusion instrumental, Tims guitar...

Symphony Hall proved to be a lovely venue for Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit. Although this show was performed without Amanda Shires on Violin, there was plenty of powerful and engaging music to complement the impressive performance space.Here's the full setlist followed by three outstanding videos shot by Sojahsey1.Flying Over WaterStockholmDecoration DayTour of...