By: Howard Greenblatt Is that Tom Petty on bass guitar? That's the way it goes at Mudcrutch, a band resurrected now for the second time and touring behind the appropriately named 2 album. But that doesn't mean Petty's fingerprints aren't all over this project. You'll find his familiar presence (looking more aging-hippie than ever), songwriting, and...

Photo: Philamonjaro StudioTortoise returned to Chicago earlier this month -- following up their in-the-round performance with a a more traditional club date at Metro.The show was recorded and shared via the sweethblahg tumbler and we thought it'd be a nice service to fans to have it available for streaming.The band will play the...

Words: Ryan Mannix | Photos: Mandy Pichler Photography | Audio: J. Frank Hard Working Americans opened their summer tour at Park West on Friday night. For a relatively "new" band, the crowd certainly skewed older, and could appreciate the the spacious and comfortable venue. Park West is a beautiful place, and definitely one of my favorite...

By: Philamonjaro StudioBen Folds -- along with the Brooklyn-based chamber ensemble yMusic -- is seeking totake his music in a new and different direction.That was the case on Friday, May 13th when these musicians got together at Chicago's Riviera Theatre.Ben Folds used this format to combinehis familiar sarcastic-pop, piano-driven style weare familiar with...

Photos: Howard Greenblatt | Video by dreadnickmonWhile full band Little Feat shows may not fill the calendar like they used to, Paul Barerre and Fred Tackett still collaborate, carrying the torch of that great band to points far and wide.On Friday, May 13th, the duo arrived at Fitzgerald's for a typically great night of roots...

By: Heidi Peters PhotographyCerebral punk. Intellectual aggression. No matter how you describe it, Bob Mould brought it to the Metro on Friday night, mixing up the thoughtful and emotional to the crowd's approval.He and the band powered through thee evening's setlist with a short break only to introduce the band and to say thank...

 Dear Chicago,I realize that Sugar Blue plays around town an awful lot.I realize that it's easy to take that fact for granted.Here's some advice: don't. Sugar just put out an new CD called Voyage and busted out of the clubs he typically plays, and checked in to Fitzgerald's for a...

Juke Joint Festival Boasts Great Jams from Over 100 Blues BandsWords: Robin Zimmerman | Photos: Howard GreenblattForget the big-ticket festivals -- long lines, superficiality, and craning your neck just to see who's on stage. For many, there's nothing better than heading down to the birthplace of the blues every April for Clarksdale, Mississippis Juke Joint Festival. ...

By: Heidi PetersCount The Avett Brothers among the artists capable of selling out Madison Square Garden in New York City.  So when they hit town for three nights at the relatively cozy Chicago Theater, you can excuse the fans for being a little giddy.So they ended up with a marriage proposal from...

By: Sean Wilmsen | Photos: Kristine Condon Photgraphy"Above The City". It's the Cut Copy tune that I was listening to as I pulled up to the Willis (Sears for the real Chicagoans) Tower last Sunday. It seemed appropriate. After all, I was gearing up for anight on the 99th floor with one of my favorite...