Bloodshot Records and Hideout have a working relationship that goes back practically since Bloodshot was founded nearly 17 years ago and some Bloodshot artists may have even served you a beer or a shot. more ›

The two words that best describe this year's Hideout Block Party lineup: "Holy Shit!" more ›

You need not look far to see why even 125 years later the Haymarket Square Incident still holds meaning to many. The battle over collective bargaining in Madison clearly cast a big shadow over yesterday's re-enactment of the bloody Chicago riot that spawned America's labor movement. While the event, featuring troubadour Jon Langford, Chicago historian Tim Samuelson, Environmental Encroachment, and a cast of more than 100 bringing the events back to life (including Chicagoista Kevin Robinson as Mayor Carter Harrison), was meant to mark a deadly serious moment in the City's history, there was clearly fun to be had. Missed the event? We have you covered with photos from all perspectives. more ›

While we highly recommend that you check out Paper Machete every single Saturday you are able, we doubly recommend tomorrow’s event because former former Chicagoist editor-in-chief Margaret Lyons will be making an appearance. Also expect to see Jon Langford playing music, Susan Messing doing improv and lots of other folks showing off their respective talents. Check out a full 'We Dare You To Love" line-up for more details. more ›

If you've ever gone to a songwriters showcase in Nashville, you know that they can be a m…lange of informal jam session, coffee klatch, storytelling night and amateur comedy showcase, with the slightest possibility that you might just hear a future hit performed bare bones by the songwriter. more ›

Big Star is getting close to its first anniversary and they're ringing it in with beer, tacos, and music. Pretty much like any night there. more ›

Whenever the Sadies are in town it's a safe bet that Mekon Prime Jon Langford will take the stage for a short three song set. If Langford's bandmate Sally Timms is in the audience, she might convinced to come onstage and sing a couple songs, as well. more ›

We’ll admit we have it pretty lucky in Chicago with regard to record stores. While some locales are limited to whatever Target or Best Buy will stock, our city enjoys options aplenty from outlets like Reckless Records, Permanent Rex and Laurie’s Planet of Sound, to name a few. With this past weekend’s opening of Saki, the new retail store from Carrot Top Distributions, that local record store community just got a little bigger. more ›

Sure, it’s only Wednesday, but think about your plans for this weekend. Holiday party? Ugly Christmas sweater bar crawl? Again? Come on, mix it up a bit. These shows are all closing this weekend: more ›

A spicy-scented potpourri pie of events to keep away the winter doldrums... more ›

The huge banner containing an image of President-elect Barack Obama and makes it pretty obvious that Hideout's owners and staff were pretty vocal supporters of the dude when he was running for office and are tickled pink that he's about to take the reins. more ›

Get your weekend off to a grand start by checking out these events: more ›

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So we were poking around Second City's website and noticed they're having a fundraiser to buy presents for needy kids on December 5 on The Second City e.t.c. stage. It's called The Second City That Never Sleeps: Letters To Santa. Apparently it's a 24-hour event that will feature lots of improv and a few bands. Musical acts confirmed so far include Sally Timms and Jon Langford, Jeff Tweedy, Will Oldham, Robbie Fulks, Steve Albini, and... more ›

Whew! We made it through all the familial obligations of the holiday season. It’s a dead week at work and that means we need some stuff to do at night. This week offers a lot of possibilities for getting together for a pint or two before we even hit New Year’s Eve. If the Christmas hangover is gone, head over to the Hideout tonight for a Boxing Day Show with Kelly Hogan and Scott Ligon.... 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 ›

This week marks the return of Adventures in Modern Music at the Empty Bottle. Arriving on the heels of the World Music Festival, the five-day event celebrates experimental music like the mash-up dance rock of Brazil’s Tetine, blessed-out head trips of France’s Colleen and Trapist’s space rock. A full lineup is available at the Bottle’s website, but don’t forget to see You’re Gonna Miss Me, a documentary at the Siskel Film Center on the fall... more ›

Chicagoist is, in fact, indier than thou. So obviously we lurve the radio that is independent. This is why we cried last week when we learned WOXY was finally giving up the good fight. However, we cheered ourselves up with the news that KEXP would be doing a remote broadcast from our fair city. KEXP is in town for the next few days and there live on-air schedule is filled with Chicago favorites like (and... more ›

Bloodshot Records has been up to some fun stuff as of late. First, they dropped an advance copy of the Old Town School of Folk Music Songbook Vol. 1 in the Chicagoist mailbox and it's full of gems. We usually like more rock in our folk but damn if we aren't suckers for any version of "I Know You Rider." Linda Smith turns in a fine turn here as does Robbie Fulks on the following... more ›