Dear Kanye, We love you. We’re your hometown fans. We get that you have to have vision and determination to make it to the top in the music industry. We understand the ego that goes with great talent. But, it’s time for a carefrontation. There was your issue with losing the American Music Awards' Best New Artist category to Gretchen Wilson. We thought it was a little bit odd to threaten the Grammy voters right... more ›

Last Friday night, we braved the deep freeze of February and headed over to the Park West to see the Chicago stop of the Undertow Orchestra. We were drawn by way of Will Johnson (also of Centro-matic), but we were familiar with Mark Eitzel (also of American Music Club), and curious about the music and musings of Vic Chesnutt and David Bazan (also of Pedro the Lion). more ›

Chicagoist has already railed against the Broadway in Chicago cash machine that is Wicked. New twists on classic tales intrigue us, and this new take on The Wiz caught our attention. But entrusting the man who scored The Baker’s Wife with such an idea made us queasy. more ›

What’s the best way to cap off a week of promotion for your new album? If you’re Kanye West, it’s taking on the President during a national telethon and cementing your status as the ambassador of the hip-hop nation. During an appearance on NBC’s “A Concert for Hurricane Relief,” West departed from scripted remarks he was to deliver with fellow presenter Mike Myers. After an introduction by Meyers, a nervous-looking West stammered “You see a... more ›

We don't know about you, but Chicagoist absolutely can not wait for this long holiday weekend to begin!! We've tried to round up everything that's going on in Chicagoland, but if there's something we've missed that's sure to be a good time feel free to add it in the comments. Happy Fourth of July! more ›