Somewhere around the mid-point of Fitz and the Tantrums exhilarating, sold-out show Sunday night at the Metro, the band's emotionally-charged performance hit the audience with the intensity of a blast furnace. more ›

Button up your sweaters and pack a picnic, because Wilco is set to give the Pritzker Pavilion at Millennium Park a proper inauguration tonight. The skies don’t appear to hold the same nasty storms that plagued the Decemberists’ show there in July, so the full beauty and potential of the space should be on display this evening. Not to mention, it’s freakin’ Wilco. A beautiful Lollapalooza 2006 performance aside, it’s been a while since perhaps... more ›

We're not sure if you've managed to stay outside R. Kelly's Trapped in the Closet, or if you've managed to avoid the real-life "hip-hopera" of his ongoing saga surrounding a sex tape that surfaced several years ago featuring Kelly and an underage girl. If you have, kudos. Every time we think about Kelly peeing on anyone, much less a girl in her early teens, we just cringe. Golden showers are fine if that's your thing,... more ›

A short work week would usually get us super-excited for all sorts of live music goodness since it should, theoretically, give us more time to catch some kick-ass concerts. Unfortunately, when that four-day weekend is triggered by Thanksgiving that means not only do we generally lose Thursday, most of the week is given up for lost in face of the biggest amateur night of the year. However, if you look closely enough, there is plenty... more ›

Two Chicago pop-punk faves are ringing in the New Year* at The Metro. Swoon-worthy gods of the mall, Alkaline Trio will be headlining the evening, but they’ve enlisted the aid of legendary, and recently regrouped, locals The Smoking Popes to insure that everyone is happy, no matter which camp they belong to. We personally admit to enjoying both bands, even if we think neither is in their heyday any longer. Each group’s winning melodies, no... more ›

Earlier this week we told you not to miss Mojica tonight at Cobra. What we didn't tell you, because we actually didn't know at the time, is that Mojica is opening for a very special surprise mystery guest. more ›

Well, we’re halfway through Rocktober, and things show no sign of slowing down. Tonight’s much-hyped appearance by Lily Allen at Double Door is sold out, so if you don’t have tickets there’s no way you’re going to be able to weigh in with all the other bloggers tomorrow morning. Don’t worry, we’ll be there, and we’ll let you know how it went. If you didn’t get tickets for that, though, stop by Liar’s Club for... more ›

We were gonna start these Decent Days & Nights off Sunday with some dancing at Scissor Sisters, but instead we got our fix of "Desperate Housewives." We guess that everyone is trying to hit the Midwest before the snow starts flying, which may not be that far away, because there are an insane number of great shows happening this week. This week offers something for our ever-changing moods. On Monday, we may feel like being... more ›