Music, Reviews

Review: Cass McCombs Brings a Lengthy Performance to a Sold-out Lincoln Hall

Cass McCombs really knows how to test an audience. The 41-year-old singer-songwriter and his band played a two-hour set to a sold-out crowd at Lincoln Hall on Saturday night, in […]

Carissa Coughlin /
Music, Reviews

Review: Everyone Loves Brandi Carlile

On Friday, Brandi Carlile performed before a sold-out crowd at the Chicago Theater. Her performance’s quality was no surprise; Carlile is an established singer-songwriter who has honed her stagecraft over […]

Nicholas Blashill /
Folk and Bluegrass, Music, Reviews

Album Review: Trampled by Turtles’ Life is Good on the Open Road is Varied, Thoughtful

Duluth bluegrass sextet Trampled By Turtles will play back-to-back sold out nights at Thalia Hall this weekend, May 19th & 20th. The band’s timely visit provides fans the opportunity to […]

Nicholas Blashill /
Folk and Bluegrass, Music, Previews, TCR Mixtape

TCR Mixtape No. 36: Spring Americana Concert Preview

Picture of the author

It’s a rare mixtape/preview crossover! This is the spot where you get a preview of this spring’s Americana slate coming to Chicago’s great music venues, alongside a nice playlist of […]

Nicholas Blashill /
Music, Reviews

The Mowgli’s Joyful Vibes Filled Schubas

I first heard The Mowgli’s in 2012, when WXRT played “San Francisco” on a new music segment. I recall being struck by the song’s earnestness. It opened with the lyrics, […]

Nicholas Blashill /
Music, Reviews

Richard Thompson Takes Old Town School of Folk with British Bravado and Old-Man-Leather Sex Appeal

Richard Thompson acoustic

Richard Thompson started playing music professionally in 1967 with Fairport Convention. He was 18. Fifty years of performing, touring, and recording 40+ albums should leave a musician spent. Rather than […]

Emma Terhaar /