On February 9, 1964, The Beatles made their first appearance on The Ed Sullivan Show. Yada, yada, yada, they became the biggest rock band the world has ever known. Tonight you have a chance to look behind the patina of myth and rose-colored memories at two of the primal documents of Beatlemania. And it's free. more ›

Electronic music is a medium ripe for resurrecting the sounds of the past, and every year one or two sub-genres reappear with a new twist. This year is widely becoming known as the year dubstep finally stepped out of its own dark shadow and into a position of public popularity. more ›

The recent, much publicized antics of stoner-garage act Wavves has everyone taking note of what just might become the defining musical trend of 2009. The recent popularity of experimental acts like Dan Deacon and Animal Collective convinced music fans to think outside the box of head-nodding choral loops and drum solos and embrace the new sound of improvisation. The second half of 2009 sees guitars take the place of samplers as bands both old and new wash off the smiles, don dark shades and take a walk on the wild side. more ›

'Tis the season of free music in the city, but don't put your wallet in the lockbox for the summer quite yet or you will miss out on these veteran acts gracing two of Chicago's best stages in the coming months. more ›

If you missed Pearl Jam at the their sweaty, crowd-rousing 2+ hour Lollapalooza closing set in 2007, then you'll want to leave your credit card under your pillow tonight. Almost two decades have passed since Pearl Jams' debut album, Ten, but the public's interest in the grunge godfathers shows no signs of waning. Pearl Jam plays August 23 at United Center. Due to early public demand a second show on August 24 has been added. Tickets for both shows are priced at $66 and go on sale tomorrow morning. more ›

Yesterday we clued you in to the Chicago Department Of Cultural Affairs' Edible Audible Picnic noontime summer music series. The fine folks at the Department of Cultural Affairs have pulled out all the stops to make this a musically memorable summer as they follow up the lunchtime tunes with Downtown Sound: New Music Mondays, an evening series featuring both local and international indie-rock and pop voices. more ›

It's May 1st and we hope you got paid today because your wallet is about to be REALLY empty. more ›

The current electronic music climate is in a unique place. New acts are booking entire tours and playing major music festivals before the release of a debut album. Critics and fans alike have begun to call foul on music bloggers, claiming them responsible for over-hyping every act that PR agencies send their way and breeding a music culture where being new takes precedence over being established. It seems we've long forgotten a time when electronic groups were successful based on talent, not press. more ›

Toronto electronic outfit MSTRKRFT hits Chicago Thursday night for their installment of Myspace's Secret Show series. Previously gracing Double Door, Smartbar and Vision on their Chicago tour stops, fans can expect a very different live experience as the funky electronic maestros turn Bridgeport arts complex Co-Prosperity Sphere into sweaty mayhem. more ›

The drunken debauchery, celeb spotting and musical bliss that was SXSW has come to a close. Our favorite bands and DJs are returning home and we're excited for some of the new friends they've brought with them. more ›

The week's mass exodus of Chicago's indie rock and electronic musicians (and fans) to Austin for SXSW is a blessing in disguise. With local talent checked out for a long weekend, this is a great opportunity to support the many touring acts stopping through Chicago. We've already touched on one of our favorite rock picks, so here's our rundown of your weekend in electronic music. more ›

Every decade has been musically defined by a sound, movement or genre. The 1950's brought doo-wop to the publics' ears, paving the way for the widespread embrace of rock & roll that would lay the foundation for the soul, classic rock, funk and punk genres that ruled the following decades. Disco in the 1970's and Synthpop in the 1980's convinced the public to dance and undeniably influenced the development of modern electronic music, allowing bands like Daft Punk to sell out arenas. As Gen X and Gen Y'ers, grunge in the 1990's was the music that served as the soundtrack to our formative listening years. We went to our first concerts in plaid shirts and Converse chucks with dirty hair and downward gazes. As we come to the close of the first decade of the 2000's, we face a crossroads in musical history, where defining the sound of the decade elicits silence. more ›