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 16, 2015
By: @WeirScrewedWhile many Chicago's best venues for live music tend to skew north, some of the best local talent can be found south of Archer Avenue.Brown Bag, The Leadfoot Band, and Caution have made a circuit of Americana/alt-country/bluegrass/jam bands that has been entertaining fans on the South Side over the past...
Mar 4, 2015
Words / Photos / Video: Kelley Lauginiger - @peapodmcgeeAmerica was founded on forging ahead, taking chances, and maneuvering to the forefront of change. America has survived, however, on babes, laughs, good beer (or at least lots of it), and good ole fashion rock n' roll.There is probably no better intersection in Chicago music to embody all...
Oct 27, 2014
Without one "big" show dominating Halloween in Chicago this year, there's a lot of talent playing in a lot of places. As usual, this city can't seem to keep its Halloween celebration to just one day (even when it falls on a Friday!) -- so we're listing shows in this preview from Wednesday through Saturday....
Oct 30, 2013
We've lined up our picks for the best live music experience in Chicago this Halloween.Best Bet for a Freaky Good Time:The masterminds at Otter Presents are taking over the lovely City Winery on Halloween night. The main event features Brothers Past with support from Lynx. But that's not all.... Yes, there's a costume...
Apr 9, 2013
There have been hiatuses, New Year's Runs, Wood Tours, and gigs En La Playa, but there hasn't been a full on electric TOUR from Widespread Panic, since they stepped off the stage in Chicago on Halloween 2011. That changes this week in St. Louis, but the first weekend stop finds them bunking down in our city...
Apr 3, 2013
It's always nice to see a local band on the rise. Brown Bag recently made their headlining debut at one of our favorite venues in the city: Martyrs.The night opened with the psychedelic folk song titled "Shaky Memory" featuring keyboardist Michael Ellis as well as some "special guest" backup singers, who were featured to...
Nov 15, 2012
Every summer, interesting festivals overtake the music landscape in and around Chicago. While the festival calendar dries up after Labor Day, leave it to the area's best venues to make our holidays seem like mini-festivals of their own. And with Thanksgiving more of a homecoming style occasion, the program leans delightfully local.We've...
Oct 4, 2012
Words: Dave Weckstein, Images: Caitlin JefkoAs we enter the first full month of fall, I decided to immerse myself in a night at Martyrs, one of my favorite Chicago music venues. On Tuesday, October 2nd, the club played host to four talented jazz influenced acts. While changing weather may leave some longing for the warm...
Sep 6, 2012
Today is the last day to get pre-sale tickets for the 2012 edition of Shoe Fest. The concept behind this local festival is a simple one: build the lineup like an invite to a family reunion. Bring together friends and like minded musical spirits from around the Chicago area and Midwest. These are the bands and...