By: Philamonjaro StudioPortland, Oregon's The Decemberists contrasted the hip-hop and alt-rock of the first two nights of The Taste, with a pleasing take on indie-folk for the Grant Park crowd.Front man Colin Meloy, guitarist Chris Funk, and keyboardist Jenny Conlee combined for soaring and dramatic melodies, wrapped up in folksy narratives.  ...

By: Philamonjaro StudioDespite a threatening sky, music fans stuck it out in a mild rain to see the double bill of The Kongos and opener Elle King on the second day of the annual Taste Of Chicago.Both acts shared an unbridled energy on stage, with hooks and ...

By: Philamonjaro StudioThe 36th Annual Taste of Chicago opened last night with excitement in the crowd and a handful of on-stage surprises.Grey skies threatened, but the weather held out this night for a packed Chicago audience.The opening night headliner was Grammy Award winning band The Roots, belting out their...

The White Sox hosted the infamous Disco Demolition night back in the 70s and in more recent years welcomed Elvis and Country Music fans to the ballpark.  One year after Fare Thee Well graced another of the city's sports stadiums, the team welcomed Deadheads to the park for the first ever Grateful Dead Night...

Lots of folks headed to Indiana after two nights of Phish at Wrigley.  Of those who stayed in the Chicago area, quite a few decided to hit up a Grateful Dead related event at Highland Park's Ravnia Festival on Sunday.Warren Haynes, along with drummer Jeff Sipe, former Garcia Band vocalist Jaclyn La...

By: Alex WoodShortly before single day tickets went on sale for Chicago's Riot Fest, festival organizers annouced the daily schedules, including a few surprise additions to the already massive lineup.Amongst the bands added are The Flaming Lips, Sleater-Kinney, Julian Marley performing Bob Marley's Exodus in full, The Bronx, Fucked Up and The...

By: Howard Greenblatt Wayne Baker Brooks plays the blues and he plays it fast and loud. Making an appearance at Buddy Guy's Legends -- a South Loop institution -- kept the packed crowd riveted, up and dancing for the both the up-tempo rockers and the simmering slow blues.  Brooks made the...

By: Alex WoodWicker Park Fest organizers have announced the headliners for the 2016 summer street festival taking place July 23 and 24. This year's headliners will be The Mountain Goats, Com Truise and Antibalas on Saturday and Rocket From The Crypt, Ought and Alvvays on Sunday. With three stages set up along Damen...

Introducing Tomorrows Verse.Music doesnt end when the last note is played. It is with us constantly challenging the listener and calling them to action.It invites us to dig deeper and explore to contextualize the past, understand the present, and prepare for tomorrow.Tomorrows Verse exists to aid this process in whatever possible form....

If you love rock related art -- specifically Phish related -- you'd be fortunate to be able attend a gallery or showing of the stuff you love.  This weekend in Chicago, there are at least three big events that a savvy lover of music and art can hit, as well as some interesting...