By: Howard GreenblattWillie Dixon smiled down on the Big Head Blues Club from the show stage as he surely does from Blues Heaven.In tribute to Willies music, Todd Mohr (aka Big Head Todd), assembled some of Chicagos finest bluesmen: Mud Morganfield, Billy Branch and Ronnie Baker Brooks, along with Blues belting Erica Brown to...

Photos: Mandy Pichler PhotographyDeadheads have always had reason to love and celebrate Bob Weir.As author and voice of dozens of our favorite songs, his primary and distinct disadvange in bringing along the rest of the world was sharing the stage with the guy who wrote and sang hundreds of them.Bob was...

Photos: Heidi Peters PhotographyWhen writing about the Chris Robinson Brotherhood, I suppose it's important to address the elephant in the room.Only, in this case, it's not exactly an elephant, more like a big black crow.I'm sure it escaped nobody in Thalia Hall on Friday night, that Chris Robinson probably wouldn't be...

By: Heidi Peters PhotographyShovels & Rope dropped their latest LP Little Seeds and are celebrating with two shows at Chicago's Thalia Hall.  This photo set is from Thursday's gig.Michael Trent and Cary Ann Hearst pound out wonderful, darkish flavored songs -- steeped in the South and dripping with ...

By: Howard Greenblatt - Imagine PicturesJohn Mayall packed City Winery on Saturday night and at 82, hes still experimenting.His set consisted of many familiar Mayall tunes such as "Parchment Farm", "Long Gone Midnight", "Tears Came Rolling Down", "California" and, of course, "Room To Move," but he decided to go without a lead...

Photos: Adam Miszewski | Video: Melodie Yvonnemoe. kicked off their fall tour last weekend in Chicago. First playing in the city for 20 years ago, and making an Illinois stop yearly at Summer Camp, the moe. love is running strong here, and both band and audience made sure that was abundantly clear.Adam Miszewski was...

By: Philamonjaro StudioMike Peters -- front man of the 80's alternative band The Alarm -- rocked the rafters at Old Town School of Folk Friday night for a room full of long time fans.  The show was sponsored by CHIRP Radio - a listener-supported music and arts focused community radio station...

By: Heidi Peters Photography"I love a venue that you can buy rosin in the lobby,"  Sara Watkins confessed, thanking the Old Town School of Folk Music several times throughout her Wednesday night set.  After repeated visits, it's starting to feel familiar for her, and clearly the audience has found a...

By: Philamonjaro StudioThe Thursday night leading up to the 2016 edition of Chicago's Riot Fest & Carnival kicked off with two amazing ska club shows: The Specials with opener The Far East at Concord Music Hall  (an official Riot Fest pre-show) and The Skatalites with special guest Charley "...

By: Howard Greenblatt - Imagine PicturesBlues in the desert?  Bisbee, Arizona hosted its 12th Annual Blues Festival this year at the Bisbee Royale and City Park in Brewery Gulch.The three day event kicked off on Friday night with a special performance featuring The Blues Wizard, the T.S. Henry Webb &...