Pack an umbrella, bring your galoshes, and dress in layers. It's been that kind of week. Here are some events to brave any extreme in weather. more ›

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We've been hearing about director Kevin McAlester's disturbingly intimate look at Roky Erickson's life for quite some time, anticipating the documentary's arrival in the Midwest. And tonight we don't have to wait any longer. "You're Gonna Miss Me," is a documentary that outlines the story of Erickson, who made his name as lead singer from the 13th Floor Elevators. As the story goes, Roky was arrested in 1969 for carrying one joint. He entered an... more ›

One of the most revealing things Wilco's leader Jeff Tweedy says on this week's Sound Opinions (airing on WBEZ 8 p.m. tonight, 11 a.m. tomorrow, and available as a podcast after that) is his answer to Greg Kot's question of what stood in the way of Wilco being truly collaborative in the past. Tweedy answers, "Well, I probably stood in the way of that a lot of times, to be completely honest." We've been following... more ›

Greg Kot drops two scoops in today's Tribune. The Pitchfork Music Festival will return to Chicago's Union Park July 14th and 15th. In addition, Girl Talk will be on the bill. As someone on the Sound Opinions message board said: "Finally, a Girl Talk show I can get into." Girl Talk last appeared in Chicago for a much-anticipated, much-talked about New Year's Eve show at Empty Bottle. Last year's Pitchfork Music Festival was a first... more ›

Chicago sure seems conducive to fostering public relationships between critically abrasive duos. We produced one of the most famous teams in movie criticism with Siskel and Ebert, and who can ever forget the headline-shattering team of Marin and Mancow? We think it’s time to add DeRogatis and Kot to that list as well. Greg Kot and Jim DeRogatis head up Sound Opinions, what they claim to be the world’s only rock 'n' roll talk show.... more ›

The advent of the New Year ought to bring with it joy and hope. But fans of live music know that January 1 often brings nothing but doldrums thanks to cold winter temps that discourage even the heartiest of bands from touring. So this week is as good as any to get caught up on some local “comfort food” that might get passed over in warmer weeks. Neither Lacona or Driftless Pony Club seems to... more ›

Usually we’re not big proponents of the whole, “hey, look, here’s a cool link!” mentality, but this is an exception to the rule. While everyone was (rightfully) going ga-ga over the whole kick-off to the Clusterfest Season 2006 (and no, we’re not talkin' 'bout MOBfest) Greg Kot and Jim DeRogatis snuck a hell of a score past the goalie. more ›

Though Chicago venues for genuinely soulful jazz and blues are dwindling, city denizens could always count on Chicago Public Radio’s WBEZ for their fix of these American art forms. But come 2007, none of the three CPR stations will carry blues, jazz, or any other music programming thanks to a switch to an all-talk format. more ›

The outdoor music space formerly known as the Tweeter Center (giggle) has changed its name to something even more ridiculous. The Tinley Park “shed” is now known as the First Midwest Bank Amphitheatre. You might also think the space has changed ownership, too. What was once clearly marketed as a Clear Channel property is now billed as a Live Nation venue. But a few clickthroughs at the Live Nation website will soon lead you to... more ›

The New York Times won’t do it. more ›

We just can’t get enough of our cigarette stories, eh? We get our half-assed smoking ban. We get the mayor’s cigarette tax hike. And now we get the Illinois Supreme Court overturning a verdict that was supposed to cost Philip Morris $10 billion. more ›

Greg Kot and Jim DeRogatis are unusual. They have been long-time Chicago critical stalwarts in the rock and pop vein. They have pioneered the idea of written rock criticism expanded into a talk-show format on both radio and television. Instead of merely being pasty music dorks hiding behind a keyboard they have both been brave enough to be pasty music dorks reflecting the white glare of the public eye. more ›

Chicagoist looks for any excuse to put off doing actual work. Unseasonal temps certainly fit the bill. So we're spending our day staring out the window and letting ourselves get distracted by: more ›

In our saturated local media landscape, it’s easy to forget the slender but succinct New City Chicago. This week’s edition turned us on to a new podcast covering the Chicago art scene: Bad At Sports. Michael Workman’s review dubs BAS the diamond in the rough of lunatic hackery too often abusing the mics. Chicagoist has listened to quite a few podcasts this summer and we share his skepticism. But the podcast doesn’t disappoint. With only... more ›

UPDATE: Scott Plagenhoef, Managing Editor of Pitchfork, wrote us with the following: "Here is the info on the water situation: The Chicago Park District is providing extra water stations throughout the site. If people wish to purchase water, it will be available at a cost of $1/half-liter." When asked about restrictions on water at this weekend’s Intonation Festival during WXRT’s Sound Opinions radio program, Intonation Music Festival organizer and Pitchfork Media head honcho Ryan Schreiber... more ›

Matt Spiegel, Radio Personality, Musician more ›

Last night, Chicagoist was one of the lucky few able to partake in the culinary experience that is Alinea and without getting into the whole disection of the evening and every detail of the restaurant (which we will), we want to first focus on the reason that we were there: the food. There are three menu choices: eight courses, twelve courses and the tour, a twenty-eight-course menu that reads almost as a dare to the diner. Chicagoist and our partners in epicurean debauchery are not shy about our love of food and so we went for the tour, with the wine pairing. more ›

When Chicagoist travels around this great country of ours, we brag about being from The City That Works. In response, people usually respond with “Oh! Michael Jordan!” or make that annoying rat-a-tat-tat machine gun sound. Gangsters, ha ha! It’s funny because it’s...actually, it’s not funny at all. Especially since the city’s got so much more to offer like, say, a kickass live music scene? Anyone? Seems we’re not the only ones tired of faux machine... more ›

The Roger Ebert of local pop music critics, Jim DeRogatis brings his love for unadulterated, three-chord rawk every week to the Sun-Times and Sound Opinions, "the world's only rock 'n' roll talk show" � on WXRT on the radio dial and WTTW on the tube. He's an opinionated free spirit in the tradition of his idol Lester "the uncool" Bangs (a.k.a. Philip Seymour Hoffman in Almost Famous), whom he immortalized in the biography Let It Blurt. more ›

Greg Kot is a busy man. Not only does he both serve as the Tribune�s rock critic and co-host of WXRT�s weekly Sound Opinions with the Sun-Times� Jim DeRogatis � a successful attempt to recreate Siskel and Ebert�s dynamic with pop music � he is also a full-time aficionado of Chicago�s own Wilco. (And with all the drama this band has produced of late, being an aficionado is a full-time job.) He�s written so... more ›