The Boston Phoenix is tackling an ambitious music project: naming each state's best bands with its 50 Bands, 50 States feature. The criteria: for Best Band, it must have been formed in the state; for solo artist, he/she must have been born in the state; and for best new band, they must count as "undiscovered" by the Phoenix. For Illinois, their choices were: more ›

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Ah, late February in Chicago. Cubs tickets go on sale today, there's a forecast for a high temperature above 35 degrees next week, and thousands of indie rock kids around Chicago will soon be shedding their parkas for high-priced hoodies bought from Wicker Park boutiques (tip: ours cost us $12 at Target!) for several worthwhile shows around the Chicago area. Lots of tickets go on sale this weekend. So, despite this crappy weather, there is, in the words of Spoon, "something to look forward to." more ›