Notable Shows Stories

Just Teasin': Greensky Bluegrass & Fruition Join Forces @ The Vic [Setlists / Audio]

 A photo posted by Keith Griner (@phierce_photo_by_keith_g) on Feb 12, 2017 at 11:50am PSTGreensky Bluegrass completed the first let of their 2017 touring plans, and the last show with openers Fruition, on Saturday night in Chicago.There were sit-ins on both sides, with Dave Bruzza joining Fruition for a cover of Ray Charles' "...

What A Difference A Weir Makes | Video From Los Muertos Con Queso

Shit happens.  Sometimes quite literally.Bob Weir had to sit out the first of two Los Muertos shows during the new group's debut at the Los Muertos Con Queso destination event in Mexico -- food poisoning the official explanation.It had to be disappointing for Deadheads making the trip down to the co-headlined (with...

Review / Audio | Ryley Walker @ SPACE 2/1/17

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...

PHOTOS / AUDIO | Umphrey's McGee @ Palace Theatre 1/28/17

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...

AUDIO | Ryley Walker / Bill MacKay / Michael Zerang @ The Hideout 1/28/17

Guitarist Ryley Walker hits Evanston's SPACE this coming Wednesday with his trio, but a trio of a different sort stopped by the The Hideout on Saturday night.  Joel Berk (@pfcidb) was on hand and captured audio of the appearance.  He has offered a stream of the show to accompany the download hosted at...

Review / Audio | The Lumineers @ Allstate Arena 1/20/17

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...

Review / Audio | Steve Gunn & Lee Renaldo @ Empty Bottle 1/16/17

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...

Greensky Bluegrass Pays Tribute To The Last Waltz @ State Theatre | Setlists / Audio 11/25 & 26, 2016

Photo: Kristine Condon (Greensky Bluegrass Facebook)Greensky Bluegrass have made a Thanksgiving run in their Kalamazoo hometown a tradition since the very beginning.  Coming at the end of intense touring years, these shows typically represent the culmination of everything the band has been up to, and whether in the Bell's back room, or in...

Full Show Audio | Steve Gunn @ Metro 10/8/16

When Alex made it out Dinosaur Jr. in October (filing this excellent review), we were disappointed that he wasn't able to catch set by opener Steve Gunn, a guitarist who has been dazzling us for some time now.Luckily another contributor was in the house, and even brought his recording gear.  We're happy to...

Review / Photos / Audio | Deerhunter @ Metro 10/21/16

Words, Photos & Audio: Joel Berk (@pfcdib)Deerhunter brought the second lap of their tour behind 2015s excellent Fading Frontier to Metro on October 21.Built around Bradford Coxs dark-meets- dreamy songs/unorthodoxly melodic guitar playing and Moses Archuletas soundscapes/propulsive drumming, Deerhunters unique strain of ambient psychedelic has been winning over audiences since 2001. Lockett Pundt...