It's a small mystery to us how, after The Mountain Goats' feel-good show at The Vic Tuesday night, John Darnielle didn't wind up with the whole audience going home with him. Darnielle is best known for his vivid and robust lyricism, which is easily his greatest strength and the likeliest reason behind the band's consistent wave of critical praise. Perhaps less well-known is Darnielle's surprising skills as a front man, able to disarm a crowd with his lyrics before simply charming the pants off them with his banter. more ›

Remember the guy who did piano improv on Chatroulette? And we compared it to Ben Folds' last record? It seems Folds himself was inspired. In fact, some think the two are the same. more ›

• There are now nine suspected cases of Swine Flu in the Chicagoland area: 5 in Chicago, 2 in Kane County, and 1 in DuPage and Lake Counties.
• Former Alderman Tyrone Kenner, who was once found guilty of accepting bribes, passed away on Monday from complications due to diabetes; Kenner was 76.
• ComEd named Anne Pramaggiore its first ever female president and COO today.

Piano pop-rocker Ben Folds will be rocking Chicago's Apple Store at 3 p.m. in a special performance to help promote his new LP Way To Normal. Folds will be performing a 30-minute set followed by a 30-minute signing opportunity for fans. If you want to get in, you'd better start lining up now. more ›

How about a rousing anthem to kick off the work week? more ›

Whilst we have gone on and on about how much we enjoy The Changes, suffice it to say that their CD release show last Friday went swimmingly. We admit we could have done without the disco dancing encore of "Twilight," especially since it followed a hipstertastic cover of Judas Priest's "Living After Midnight," but one misstep could not ruin an otherwise joyous affair. And by joyous we mean the band was tight and beaming, and... more ›

According to Mute Math’s myspace page, the group has “enough dizzying energy to make the hardest cynics wet their pants”. Well, we will be the first to admit that there was no need for Depends last night at Park West. We wanted to piss ourselves, but we just didn’t believe Mute Math even cared that they were there. Oh, they went through the motions – pulling all the rock star moves. Guitars held over head? Check. Jumping into the crowd? Check. Standing on the drum set and jumping off? Check. It seemed like the hot guy who got us into bed with his Sting vocals and Springsteen looks didn’t really have what it takes to get us off. more ›

The band Lincoln Conspiracy must enjoy a challenge. more ›

* Chicago’s Victory Records announced this week that it will release a live CD and DVD from legendary Chicago rock band The Smoking Popes on February 26th. Thanks to a successful (and sold-out) reunion show last November, a headlining tour is planned from February 22nd to March 12th. The tour will kick off in St. Louis with the band playing an all-ages show at Creepy Crawl. More cities will be announced soon. more ›

There are certain things in life that, in Chicagoist's opinion, are responsible for keeping the world turning. These are things that one can count on: Sunday comes before Monday, the sky is blue, Ben Folds and William Shatner's work together for Shatner's "Has Been" was a collaboration that produced underrated genius. Another is that carnivals are going to have more than one criminal working for them. more ›

Chicago summer institution Ravinia celebrates its centennial this year, but only abandons its characteristically stuffy and predictable lineup for one evening, June 18. That�s when they�ll let these two flamboyant troubadours take their Highland Park stage. Expect inebriated self-indulgence from Wainwright and plenty of genial tomfoolery from Folds. So grab a few lawn tickets, buy some red wine, hop on the Metra, and get ready for a night of some mean piano playing. Elton John, eat your heart out. more ›