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Review / Setlist | Andrew Bird Closes Gezelligheid Run @ Fourth Presbyterian 12/10/15

By Alex Wood | Images: andrewbirdmusic InstagramThe fourth and final night of Andrew Birds Gezelligheid run at Fourth Presbyterian Church found the Chicago violinist in an especially comfortable form, leading to a number of rarities and live debuts.Though about half of the songs played were also performed at Mondays show, there are never two identical...

Review / Setlist | Andrew Bird Kicks Off Gezelligheid 2015 [December 7]

By: Alex WoodBird followed with another potential live-debut, a song from the upcoming album that was initially intended to be a love song but became a clever song about writing love songs and their often formulaic and banal lyrical choices. Perhaps most importantly, Bird announced that the song would appear on the album as a...

Review: PiL @ Concord Music Hall 11/18/15

Public Image Ltd. Rises To The OccasionBy: Joann D. Ball | Photos: Philamonjaro StudioPublic Image Ltd.released its10th studio albumWhat the World Needs Nowin September, and justwrapped up its North American tour. John Lydon and company played sold-out shows on both coasts, in Montreal, and even in Lincoln, Nebraska.The band played to a smaller...

Review / Full Show Video | Jake Cinninger Solo @ Tonic Room 11/15/15

By: Carmel O'Farrell | Photos: Michael Welter | Video: Charles IzenstarkThe Umphreys community in the Chicagoland area contains some of the most devout fans in the jam world.After all, this prog-heavy powerhouse rock sextet once called the Windy City their home and cut their teeth in many of the local venues like Martyrs and Schubas....

Review / Photos / Stream / Download | Greensky Bluegrass @ State Theatre 11/28/15

Photos: Jon RosenbergerThe scene: the lights go down for the second set, after a drum-set and keyboard are inconspicuously set up stage right.With guitarist Dave Bruzza manning the kit, Greensky Bluegrass divesheadlong into the newish reggae-tinged original, "For Sure, Uh-Huh", this time with a rock-steady beat oozing from the bass drum.Dobro man Anders...

Review & Setlist | BoDeans @ Symphony Center 11/7/15

By: Judith Barahal | Photos: Philamonjaro StudioMidwest stalwarts The BoDeans took an adoring audiencethrough a 30-year strongsongbook this past Saturday night at Chicago Symphony Center. Taking the stage as a trio,lead singer/guitarist Kurt Neumannexplained that when the band saw the grandpiano on the stage, they wanted to take full advantage of thesetting.Neumann, guitarist/...

Review / Setlist | The Wood Brothers @ The Vic 11/7/15

By Alex WoodIts easy to see why the jam-band scene has embraced The Wood Brothers with such passion.Their performance at The Vic featured everything fans could want, from stylistic variation to expert musicianship to a fervent stage show that found the musicians perfectly comfortable in a larger setting.The show was the most tickets...

Review / Photos | Gang Of Four @ Thalia Hall

Gang of Four ConnectsWith Fans in Chicagoby Joann D. Ball | Photos: Philamonjaro StudioU.K. post-punk upstarts Gang of Four formed in Leeds, England in 1977. Original Gang member and lead guitarist Andy Gill keeps the insurgent spirit alive with a solid line-up featuring current comrades John Gaoler Sterry on vocals, bassist Thomas McNeice, and drummer Johnny...

Photos / Setlist / Recap | Old 97s & Banditos @ Thalia Hall 10/28/15

By: Heidi Peters | Additional Reporting: Sam PetersOver twenty years into a career, Old 97s are making music with integrity rootedin great songs, masterful musicianship, engaging vocals and a broad range of styles.Introduced by WXRT's Johnny Mars, the bandoccupies a space where that station serves our market well. Where 20 years ago, they may have threatened...

Review / Stream / Download | ALO @ Double Door 10/14/15

Shapeshifting In Chicago - ALO @ Double Door 10/14/15By @312mrgA Wednesday morphed into a Saturday last week inChicago, with ALO playing a smoking hot, extended set at the Double Door.A week into a tour supporting Tangle of Time, their latest release, the band took their party to Bucktownwith an undeniableswagger. The band broughtpolished new tunes...