Words: Robin Zimmerman | Photos: Howard Greenblatt (imaginepictures.net)The 36th Annual Taste of Chicago closed out with a bang as iconic percussionist Sheila E brought the huge crowd to its collective feet on Sunday, July 10th. This multi-faceted performer pulled out all stops for the audience.Opening with a spirited salsa, Sheila...

The Hyde Park Jazz Festival is celebrating its 10th anniversary this summer with 36 performances across 11 stages, taking place September 24 and 25.The festival partnered with the Reva & David Logan Center For The Arts to commission composer and alto saxophonist Miguel Zenon to compose a 60-minute piece to be performed with Chicagos Spektral Quartet. According to...

By: Alex WoodViolent Femmes rarely tour these days and seem reluctant to play regular venues when they do. But with a new record out, We Can Do Anything, the band is playing two nights in Chicago, at Concord and The Vic.Known for their eclectic and strange instrumentation, innocent, oddball lyrics and an intense delivery,...

By: Philamonjaro StudioThe 80s were alive Saturday night in Chicago -- with Billy Idol (Taste of Chicago), Duran Duran (Ravinia), and The English Beat (Thalia Hall).  While each brought a whiff of nostalgia, it was The English Beat, in their club setting, who probably played to the hardest core of music freaks.From first...

Perhaps the white hair has inspired her, but I guess you pretty much expect the unexpected from St. Vincent. She tweeted this two minute, synth heavy cover of the 80s sitcom theme "Thank You For Being A Friend", self described as a "dirge."I remade the "Golden Girls" theme song into a dirge. #...

On March 25, 1999, musican and bandleader Nicholas Tremulis hosted an event called The First Waltz, a benefit for homless kids at Chicago's Metro, and featuring The Band's Rick Danko.  The all-star, Chicago-driven lineup featured Billy Corgan (and his dad!), Cheap Trick's Rick Nielsen, Ivan Neville, Lonnie Brooks, Jon Langford, Alejandro Escovedo, and&...

By: Alex WoodExpectations from a Paul McCartney concert should be high.With endless money, a fanbase spanning every living generation and a catalog that includes hundreds of timeless classics, how could the Beatles bassist address the eternal demand for his live performances with a show that meets, if not exceeds, the hype?At Milwaukees Summerfest,...

My Morning Jacket have released a new song, Magic Bullet, as a means of condemning violence and encouraging peace.Posted to SoundCloud yesterday, the track features a funky vibe blending horns, guitar and electronics over a simplistic but powerful percussion section.The song's lyrics predictably focus on dealing with gun violence as a...

Dead & Company returned to Alpine Valley for the second of two shows on Sunday.  Although attendance was down from the Saturday show, the band continued their trend of trotting out huge Grateful Dead favorites.The traditional Sunday "Samson" opened the show, and the second set was a huge "Sugar Magnolia" --> "Sunshine...

By: Dale Foster PhotoGrateful Dead was on a lot of Midwesterner's minds with two nights of Dead & Company rolling through Alpine Valley over the weekend.In the Chicago area, if you were looking for a preview of sorts, one great option was Palatine's Durty Nellies on Friday night.Old Shoe has made a name...