By: Alex WoodFor My Morning Jacket fans, It Still Moves is a holy grail of sorts. The album, released in 2003, is arguably the bands first fully realized full-length record, a flawless testament to the raw energy and songwriting capabilities that have earned MMJ its diehard following over time.The songs on It Still Moves have...

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: 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...

By: Alex WoodId be lying if I said I wasnt skeptical going in to White Denims Thalia Hall show on Saturday.Mylast two White Denim shows, during their 2014 tour, both took place in venues in the 200 and 500 capacity range. This, combined with the band's newlineup,gives reason for a longtime fan to think, or possibly...

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 WilmsenSomeone said Parquet Courts is going to destroy the Metro. Were not violent people. We wouldnt destroy a historic landmark."- Andrew Savage, of Parquet Courts. It wouldnt be the last of this random, funny, crazy, and often intellectual banter that came from the Metro stage throughout the night. The chit-chat ...

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...

By: Heidi Peters PhotographyMountain Goats. What is it? A band? A person? Possiblya small cult?In any case, it was clear from the get-go that the fans are "all in", knowing words and subtleties acrossa vast catalog of songs.Prolific songwriter John Darnielle assembled crew of crack musicians for this run, with drummer Jon Wurster,...

By: Amanda Roszkowski | Photos / Video: Wyatt BrakeGoing from featured festival performer to theater headlineris animportant transition, and one that can provide a whole different perspective on an artist.Headliners can offera bit more drama and showmanship. When the lights dimmed on Friday night, a shadowy figure -- tall and lanky-- stepped to the sage to...