By: @WeirScrewedIn these uncertain days, we need escape more than ever.Few artists can elevate and transport the listener nowadays as much as Ryley Walker and the rotating cabinet of genius that accompanies him on stage. On the heels of his brief trio show over the weekend at The Hideout, Walker came to SPACE...

Photo: Rene Huemer, Phish From The RoadThe much rumored, long awaited Phish residency -- The Baker's Dozen -- has finally been announced and with it, we are in (forgive the expression) uncharted waters.So, while there is much celebrating amongst those who simply can't function without knowing when their next Phish fix will be, there...

By: Dave DeCrescenteUmphrey's McGee continued a Northeast run on Saturday night, playing to a tightly packed State Theatre in Albany .Spafford opened the show, which featured a Joel sit-in, continuing the burgeoning bromance between the touring partners.LIke the two previous shows, the band pressed on without Jake Cinninger (sick leave), but still managed...

By: Alex Wood | Photo: @exhuastedwriterDespite only having two albums to date, The Lumineers have had an undeniable influence on todays indie scene, gaining a massive following through the infectious simplicity of their folk-rock songwriting.Their popularity was especially visible at their recent concert at Rosemonts Allstate Arena, where the band played to an ecstatic crowd...

Words: Alex Wood | Photo: @amacatlettThough Ben Gibbard has become a household name in the indie scene thanks to Death Cab For Cutie and The Postal Services undying popularity, the songwriter enjoys an especially strong following in Chicago.His first of two sold-out nights at Thalia Hall justified this following, with Gibbard offering an eclectic...

Photos: Mandy PichlerFor the second January in a row, the Tedeschi Trucks Band set up shop in the Chicago Theatre and if this is the beginning of a new winter tradition, Ill doubt youll hear many complaints.The 2017 run was distinguished, not only by adding an additional day of music (plus a guest appearance with...

Words / Photos: Heidi PetersA lot was made of "intersectionality" at the Women's March in Chicago on January 21st. That's the fancy way of saying "overlap" when it relates to social groups, especially groups that are marginalized politically.It occurred to me that all this talk of intersectionality between different social groups was also a way...

By: Nick LaMantia | Photo: @zebaystoneAfter a few years marked by lineup changes and the subsequent search for musical cohesion, Chicago roots / bluegrass band Cornmeal has found their groove again. Their January 18th Winter Wednesdays show kept an energetic crowds feet moving throughout the nearly two hour set.The show kicked off with the staple When...

By: @WeirScrewedIndie guitarist Steve Gunn made an anticipated return to Chicago Monday night, but in a slightly different capacity than originally billed.  This stop from his solo tour with Lee Ranaldo and Meg Baird had been rescheduled from Thalia Hall and moved to the cozier confines of Empty Bottle.  Billed as a solo...

Photos: Tara GracerWhile Ryan Mannix chimed in with reviews of all three nights of the Umphrey's McGee run as they happened, sometimes a picture (or video) can really complete the picture.Luckily, Tara had delivered hundreds of incredible photos (click on some of the galleries below to see even more great shots) that...