Audio, Music, TCR Mixtape

TCR Mixtape No. 26: Dreamy Vibes

chicago, local music, mixtape,

Well, I set off to create a playlist of 10 dream-inducing ballads, but I ended up with 70—turns out it’s way too difficult to narrow down these gorgeous, layered songs, […]

Sarah Brooks /
Festivals, Music, Previews

Do Division to Kick Off Festival Season (and Summer) Next Weekend

Summer signals street fair celebrations. This weekend, Do Division will span ten city blocks, and it will bring together local vendors and restaurants in between the stages. Speaking of the stages, Empty Bottle […]

Colin S. Smith /
Music, Reviews, Venues

Nightlands Breathes Light into Schubas

My return to my favorite Chicago venue was thanks to a band called Nightlands. This band brought light back into my week after a rough beginning, and it brought light […]

Elif Geris /
Music, Reviews

Mild High Club Gets Dreamy @ Lincoln Hall

  Alex Brettin wore his signature blue, yellow, and red cap. He grew out a willy beard that made him look ages older. He looked haggard, looking worn and yet […]

Colin S. Smith /
Music, Previews

OUT, The Rutabega, Mint Mile, Andrew Cohen & Light Coma @ Township 5/28

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This Sunday, May 28, Township in Logan Square hosts a rare showcase from the label Comedy Minus One, featuring four bands with fairly recent releases: OUT, The Rutabega, Mint Mile, […]

Phil Huckelberry /
Music, Reviews, Uncategorized

Meat Puppets and Mike Watt Jam Econo

I’ve been jumping into the musical Wayback Machine to disappear into my post-college groove and deflect this post-apocalyptic shit storm. Since the 11/9 election terrorism attack, I’ve already taken a […]

Karin McKie /
Music, Reviews

Mac DeMarco Gets Weird and Invites Us to Get Weird, Too

To say that Mac DeMarco is eccentric is putting it lightly; but that’s honestly why I, and his ever-growing legion of fans, love him in the first place. After seeing […]

Sarah Brooks /
Music, Reviews

Real Estate Keeps it Mellow @ the Vic

I’d seen Real Estate in concert before—at Pitchfork Music Festival, as the sun started to descend. It was the perfect forum for such breezy tunes. Cut to this past Friday […]

Sarah Brooks /
Audio, Music, TCR Mixtape

TCR Mixtape No. 25: That Gum You Like Is Going To Come Back In Style

chicago, local music, mixtape,

It is happening again. Honestly I didn’t think it would ever happen again. I was too young to have watched the show when it originally aired, but its legacy and […]

Julian Ramirez /
Music, Reviews

Sleater-Kinney’s Dig Me Out Turns 20

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Cue up the first track. Hit play. Or drop the needle, if you’re so inclined. Immediately, there’s a guitar line that doesn’t sound quite like any other guitar you’ve heard. […]

Phil Huckelberry /
Music, Reviews

Laura Marling Graces Chicago @ Metro

Dusky pink lights stream over the stage at Metro Chicago, strands of white-flowered ivy coiling along the amplifiers and guitar stands of the band. At center stage, the leaves wind their […]

Stephanie Lenchard Warren /
Folk and Bluegrass, Music, Reviews

Bluegrass, Banjo Picking and Clog Dancing Light Up the Symphony Center

3cr-Washburn and Fleck.

The Symphony Center is a different place when the program veers away from classical. Few suits and ties, no designer dresses or jewelry. Plenty of jeans and khakis, checks and […]

Nancy S Bishop /