If you pay attention to this sort of thing, you've probably heard that the new Hold Steady record, Stay Positive, sucks. I may have even been the one to tell you that, after one or two spins, but after spending some quality time with it I've changed my tune like Kid Rock with a ProTools rig. more ›

This writer-photographer had never been to Lollapalooza and came with mixed expectations. Fortunately, we seemed to choose our acts correctly, and between the tight sets from The Hold Steady and Muse on Saturday and the intense energy offered up by Iggy and the Stooges and Cafe Tacuba on Sunday, we left the weekend without any disappointments. Chicagoist was fortunate enough to secure a few coveted photo passes, allowing us access to the photo pits... more ›

The day is finally here! We get to mark up the schedule, fight with our friends over who to see, and determine what time we have to wake up to make it down to Grant Park. The Lollapalooza schedule is finally out. Also, if a three-day pass seemed excessive, the single day tickets are now on sale for $80. Which headliner will make the previously unconvinced head to the festival? Will it be Daft Punk... more ›

The talk of the "indie rock diet" that's been tossed around the blogosphere this week is ripe with irony; any of us who have hung out with a band for even a night know that the stereotypical indie rocker replaces food with alcohol whenever given the chance. And when on tour, anything goes. A friend of ours, who happens to drum in a band coming to Chicago next week, once told us about how the... more ›

This week it seems almost impossible, but we're looking ahead to even more holidays for the shows that went on sale today. First of all, and also on the 1st, The Hold Steady just aren't playing New Year's Eve at the House of Blues, they're gonna stay around for the first day of the year and do it all over again. Boys and Girls in America made 2006 a lot of fun. We think this... more ›

This weekend, we were in one of Chicago’s many fine drinking establishments, arguing with one of our friends about music. In the midst of a second glass of Maker’s, we lamented that the number of “crap” years in Rod Stewart’s career had now outpaced any cred he’d achieved thanks to Every Picture Tells A Story and his work with The Faces. Our friend – citing “the Stevie Wonder question from High Fidelity” – argued that Rod (and other rockers of his advanced age) had earned the right to “take it easy”, and it was perhaps asking too much for him to get his Celtic United-loving ass off his yacht to make some relevant music. more ›

Last Monday, Chicagoist ventured out to Metro for the much-hyped, sold-out TV on the Radio concert. We love going to shows at Metro because the sound quality is usually high, and there's a balcony - perfect for us under 5'5, who usually end up standing behind the 6'8, 240lb. dude in a Cat In the Hat headpiece. And most importantly to us non-smokers who don't want to smell like an ashtray the next day... more ›

Chicagoist has begrudgingly come to grips with the arrival of fall – seriously, we had to wear a coat this morning – and embracing the good that comes with it. Namely: sweaters and hot toddies. more ›

Day 1 of Intonation offered several acts worth mentioning. Chicagoist's faves on Saturday were Head of Femur who hang with depressive indie god Conor Oberst and have opened for Wilco, Magnolia Electric Co. who emulate the Old 97s Fight Songs era, and Four Tet who is a mad mixer and got the evening rolling for all the acts following him. Day 2 of Intonation definitely had more excitement and buzz surrounding it. From the... more ›

Hate festivals, but want to see some of the bands anyway? A few of the bands playing Intonation Festival this weekend will also be playing at other venues around town. So click around and see if anything is of interest. First up, Four Tet will be doing an in-store at Reckless Records at 3161 N. Broadway on Friday at 5:30 pm. Free. The Go! Team will be at the Double Door on Friday night with... more ›

Some might say the best rock and/or roll is performed atop monster riffs saddled by cigarette choked squawks. Chicagoist would never agree with such an overgeneralization but we do enjoy a good bar band. We like them even better when the music is surprisingly smart and those monster riffs come loaded with surprisingly literate vocals detailing stories filled with dirt, grime and - most importantly – redemption. The Hold Steady knows plenty about seeking redemption.... more ›