Apr 28, 2015
Chicago's North Coast Music Festival has in past years been a bit of a jam purist's puzzle. There has always been a smattering of jam-friendly acts in its lineups, but EDM and flavor-of-the-minute bands tended to cast a long shadow for those looking for improv in Chicago over Labor Day Weekend.The scales seemed to...
Apr 17, 2015
It has been a remarkable run for Mountain Goats, who headline a show Saturday, April 18th at The Vic. Here's a look at an older recording from Empty Bottle that helps to put this achievement in perspective.Back in 2002, the Mountain Goats released two albums, All Hail West Texas and Tallahassee. Though both are widely...
Mar 26, 2015
At least in the Midwest, no festival has a better "ground game" than Chillicothe, IL's Summer Camp. They wrap community building or awareness campaigns into local Chicago show by affiliated artists all year round, energize their base via social media, and keep acts at all levels involved in the process.Each spring, they sponsor a...
Mar 9, 2015
Chicago's City Winery is only a few years old, but at this point, catching Del McCoury there has fast become a must-do for area bluegrass fans.Here's our coverage of his 2014 gigs at the classy West Loop music room:Review / Photos / Stream / Download: David Grisman & Del McCoury @ City Winery 11/16/14Review / Photos / Audio / Setlist: Del...
Feb 25, 2015
By: Matt FricksThe last twelve months have been interesting for electronic-jam quintet, Sound Tribe Sector 9 (STS9). With the unexpected departure of bassist and widely-perceived Sector 9 front man, David Murphy (Murph), in January 2014, the groups loyal fan base was faced with the groups vague future following a tour cancellation.Fortunately, the remaining four members took to...
Feb 23, 2015
We've entered that period -- post Mardi Gras and pre Jazz Fest -- in which we just can't stop thinking about New Orleans.Thankfully, the real NOLA will be coming to Chicago this weekend. The Funky Meters will touch down at Concord Music Hall on Friday, February 27th and we've got a pair of tickets...
Feb 17, 2015
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...
Feb 5, 2015
A massive snowstorm blanketed Chicago on Super Bowl Sunday and while high temps this Saturday may peak near 40, there should be plenty of the white stuff on hand for the 2015 edition of Snow Shoe, Old Shoe's winter festival. This year, they are moving the festivities to the beautiful Mayne Stage in Rogers Park. Frequent Shoe...
Jan 28, 2015
Let's talk about String Cheese Incident and the Midwest.During their hard touring days, you could count on several swings through the area per year. A Chicago Cheese fan could easily catch a multiple night run (or two) right in their home town, plus be on the lookout for a few driving stops around...
Nov 19, 2014
One of the most unique events that we covered in 2013 was Otter Presents' grand experiment in venue selection married with super group curation: The Top Of The Tower Jam. Hosting a party 99 stories in the sky, essentially putting a band-for-a-night in a venue-for-a-night, makes for memories that definitely stands out.With a lineup that mixed...