We like to think of our fellow Chicagoans as big-hearted folks, and we fancy our comedians as some of the best in the business. For their 9th annual holiday benefit, "The Second City That Never Sleeps: Letters to Santa," Second City is corralling big-hearted comedians and other performers for a full 24 hours of music, improv and some sweet looking raffle prizes. more ›

At first glance one could accuse Iggy and the Stooges of miking money out of nostalgia. Their last album sucked, they recently trumpeted the return of early guitarist James Williamson to the fold, their sets mostly incorporate material almost four decade old, and on paper these moves would describe the actions of a group of has-beens. But we are wholly endorsing their show at The Riv (moved from its original location at The Aragon) this Sunday and think you're nuts if you miss it. more ›

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So we just got word that Juliette and the Licks will be appearing at Reggie's on November 16. We saw this group, led by Juliette Lewis, at The Note over the summer and admit to loving her live show. Some have opined that Ms. Lewis is too busy ripping off Iggy Pop and PJ Harvey to be very interesting, but we suspect these folks have a) never seen her live and b) have not heard... more ›

O.K., so this is a few days old, but we're such big fans of Iggy Pop (and, of course, the Stooges) that we couldn't resist.... more ›

It’s difficult to choose only one performance that was my favorite from 2007 Lollapalooza. Polyphonic Spree's joyous performance captured my heart and made me remember what Lollapalooza and all music festivals are for — losing myself in the music. The Yeah Yeah Yeahs put on an energetic, tight set, and Daft Punk brought it all home with a phenomenal stage show that was never topped throughout the weekend. more ›

Braless and wearing an oversized white T-shirt with a hand drawn peace sign and the word "Love" written underneath it, Patti Smith humbly began her set with an extra-Jamaican sounding "Redondo Beach," fumbling some of the lyrics and apologizing to the crowd for being too excited. more ›

This was not a very happy week for the -ist network as one of our own, Phillyist co-editor Star C. Foster, passed away early in the week. Her wit, intelligence, and good nature shone through the site, making Phillyist an immensely fun read. She was loved by many and will be missed by all. Phillyist paid tribute to her this week with a heartfelt letter to her and an obituary. And now, the awkward... more ›

We’ve done a little improv in our day, and we know just how challenging it can be to chock-full of humor and energy for an hour or two. But being the improv giants they are, Second City will be hosting a 24-hour marathon of comedy and music beginning this evening at 7 p.m. as part of their benefit event, “The Second City That Never Sleeps: Letters to Santa.” Tickets are $10 for the entire day... more ›

Jagshemash! Borat is a hit. It's getting rave reviews, grossing millions, and definitely the most quotable thing we've seen in ages. But Borat seems to have missed most of the -ist cities, and we were all wondering how the film would have been different if he'd made his way around the world on the -ist tour. In Shanghai, Borat would be observing Inane Learnings of Penis Photos for Make Benefit Glorious Flat World of... more ›

Recording their first album in thirty-three years, the revamped Stooges are in town recording at Steve Albini’s home away from home, Electrical Audio. Over the last two weeks or so, Mr. Albini has been getting quite the press. His business is profiled in a Crain’s series regarding music and the bottom line, he’s the subject in Bob Mehr’s piece “The Plumber”, and now the MSM has decided to jump in and talk about our indie... more ›

For roughly the last year, it seems that any American rock and roll act has only made itself known to people in its homeland by first capturing the hearts and minds (and blogs) of the UK. Then again, when the pop charts here are taken with bands that sound more like the Pussycat Dolls and less like the New York Dolls, it’s little wonder that we come late to the game on a band like Be Your Own Pet. more ›

This year’s Double Door Halloween show seemed a little bit weirder than previous incarnations. It could’ve been because Chicagoist decided to stay stone cold sober to really see what the show was really like, or it could’ve been the girl in the stall of the men’s room exhorting her date to “Stick your finger all the way to the back of your throat and just get it all out.” Irregardless we had a great time. more ›

Pop music's greatest curmudgeon, Stephin Merritt � who moonlights in the 6ths (just try and pronounce that band name) and Future Bible Heroes (just try and think of a better band name) � will bring his main project, The Magnetic Fields, to our beloved Old Town School of Folk Music ("Now, not even in Old Town!") for a handful of shows this weekend. Merritt, a self-professed rock music snob, has disdain for nearly all... more ›

Today finally sees the local release of Jim Jarmusch�s concept album on celluloid, Coffee and Cigarettes. A longtime Chicagoist favorite, Jarmusch has been making stylized, deadpan fish-out-of-water comedies for over twenty years now. (If you happen to have $40 still lying around � and what unemployed, blog-checking Chicagoan doesn�t? � do yourself a favor and buy Criterion�s DVD edition of his hilarious Down By Law.) This latest effort, eighteen years in the making, collects a number of shorts that capture people � and by �people,� we mean Iggy Pop or Roberto Benigni � just sitting around and enjoying the titular indulgences. Some of the sketches drag, mainly those in the middle starring non-famous people, but the good ones � namely those with pseudo-cousins Alfred Molina and Steve Coogan, married siblings Jack and Meg White, Bill Murray and Wu-Tang Clansmen RZA and GZA, and icons Bill Rice and Taylor Mead � really sizzle. It starts an exclusive engagement at the Music Box today. Chicagoist will be there, wondering why great movies open in our city weeks after playing to the philistines in New York and L.A. more ›