A 42-year-old letter from Pete Townshend about playing with the Kinks in Chicago reveals a treasure trove about a long gone Chicago rock venue. more ›

This year, we're not going to rag on the Taste. We've decided to turn over a new leaf over the whole affair, and kick in the positive mental attitude. Sure, it'd be easy to take jabs at the obvious - the crowds, the fact that it can be somewhat pricey if you're looking to sample anything worth your time and the fact that the bands usually playing are just a stone's throw away from making... more ›

Sia and her backing band enter the stage and take their places. Sia is clad in skinny jeans, a black top, and pink suspenders which are attached to her pockets in the back. She proceeds to play with the suspenders while regaling an unhearing audience with something that appears to be a joke. She stands stunned that no one is responding and then realizes that the mic isn’t on. Now, on to the show. Sia... more ›

It's official - Ray Davies (Kinks) will be back to entertain the masses on the 4th of July during the Taste of Chicago. The others on the bill at the Petrillo Music Shell for Tuesday are Mike Doughty and My Morning Jacket. Still to be announced are the acts for July 6th and 8th, but we do know that if we brave the crowds we will get to see the following: June 30th - Chaka... more ›

Chicagoist often wears its rock snobbery on its virtual sleeve so you can imagine how excited we are to welcome Ray Davies to the Vic Theatre this weekend (while the first show is sold out, the April 2nd date still has tickets available). While never far from any decent list of Greatest Bands Ever, the influence of the Kinks is even more evident now. As the group's lead songwriter, Davies perfected the art of creating... more ›