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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
Sleater-Kinney’s Dig Me Out Turns 20
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. […]
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 […]
Bluegrass, Banjo Picking and Clog Dancing Light Up the Symphony Center
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 […]
Aimee Mann and Jonathan Coulton Shared the Stage and Delighted Park West
[soliloquy id=”13314″] There is no doubt that a show headlined by Aimee Mann and featuring Jonathan Coulton as the opener is going to be a good time, but as Mann […]
Magic Giant Make Their Mark at Lincoln Hall
[soliloquy id=”13237″] Indie rock fledglings Magic Giant are already making a huge wave in the music world. Having formed in 2014, the trio released their self-titled EP the following […]
Prince Almost Resurrected by The Revolution at Metro
Dearly beloved We are gathered here today To get through this thing called “life” Electric word, life It means forever and that’s a mighty long time But I’m here to […]
The Evening Attraction and Joe Bordenaro & The Late Bloomers Shake Up Schubas
The Evening Attraction lit incense on stage at Schubas. They brought out a vintage Farfisa organ, plenty of Vox amps, and even a Danelectro bass. The five-piece band was going […]