Get your credit cards ready. Here are the best upcoming concerts to go on sale this week. more ›

Damon Albarn fronts a 19+ member band in the current live incarnation of his multimedia hop-pop art project Gorillaz, and believe us when we say not a single note is superfluous or wasted. As his vision for the band has grown from a simple animated group through which he could kick out playful tunes on Gorillaz debut to the darkly ambitious and sprawling engagement of this year's Plastic Beach. Albarn is creatively restless and one can see his many side projects -- soundtracks, world music collaborations, that little band he fronts named Blur -- all coming together in the Gorillaz stew-pot, and what he's serving up is absolutely delicious. more ›

Gorillaz, the animated pop "supergroup" driven by the vision of Blur's Damon Albarn and Tank Girl creator Jamie Hewlett, is headed to American shores this fall for a proper tour after a handful of appearances on either coast earlier this year. The band's latest release, Plastic Beach, is a knotty conceptual masterpiece that mixes dark themes with undeniable hooks, subtly crafted around a rogue's gallery of unlikely collaborators. more ›

It's been a hot minute since Wilco touched down in Chicago, despite a heavy touring 2009 touring schedule behind their self-titled seventh studio album. When they finally did descend upon the UIC Pavilion Sunday and Monday nights, their hometown was out en masse to support. If the guys are tired of globetrotting, they didn't show it - leader Jeff Tweedy was a witty, engaging host in leading his band through a career-spanning two-plus hours of music. The old schoolers got "It's Just That Simple," "Monday" and "Kingpin;" the middle schoolers bobbed to "Heavy Metal Drummer," "I'm The Man Who Loves You" and "Handshake Drugs;" the new schoolers sang along to "Impossible Germany," "Wilco (The Song)" and "You Never Know." Tweedy made sure everyone knew the "live Wilco" tricks like the handclaps in "Kingpin," which only solidified the lovey vibe between the six dudes on stage and the 9,000 people in the arena. more ›

A professional sports team is leaving its city digs for a spot in the suburbs. No, don't worry, the Bears aren't going to start playing at Ryan Field. Chicago's WNBA team, the Chicago Sky, is packing up and leaving the UIC Pavilion, their current home, and relocating to the Allstate Arena in Rosemont starting with the 2010 season. Why? The team itself says it's all about growing. Sky President and CEO Margaret Stender said in a statement, “The Sky has developed from an expansion team into one of the WNBA’s most formidable teams with fabulous young talent and a very bright future. The Allstate Arena is a great choice for our team and our fans as we enter our next stage of growth. The central location and benefits of our new home will help our Sky family continue to expand." more ›

A little miffed like us that Wilco has so far shunned their hometown on their 2009 tour schedule, which includes promotion of that new LP of theirs? We know they did that amazing five-night stand last year but...that was last year! What about 2009? Well, now we know what is up with 2009. This morning, XRT announced the show which is happening Sunday, October 18. The only thing that caught us off guard a bit was the venue: the UIC Pavilion. Not that they need to play somewhere bigger, but they probably could. Anyway, tickets for the show go on sale this Saturday and will cost $39.50 for reserved and general admission seating. So go those clicking fingers ready. more ›

Have we ever mentioned how much we love the ladies of the Windy City Rollers? Yes? We have? Well, indulge us once more. It's cold. You're getting cabin fever. You need something to let loose. We can't think of a better catharsis than hitting the UIC Pavilion (525 S. Racine) this weekend to check out the Rollers' 2009 home opener. In the first bout, the Manic Attackers will take on the Double Crossers and the second bout sees The Fury clash with Hell's Belles. more ›

Lots to rock about over the next few days, from Modest Mouse at the Congress, to Bob Pollard at the Metro, to our beloved Hall & Oates at the UIC Pavilion, but DDaN's gonna keep it live and local this week. more ›

This fall, Chicago will be the host city of the 2007 AIBA World Boxing Championships. The event, which will feature nearly 700 competitors from more than 120 countries, will be the biggest international sporting event in Chicago since the 1959 Pan American Games. more ›

If you haven't heard the news that Barack Obama is officially running for president yet, we'd have to wonder what hole you've been hiding in. After a rousing announcement speech in Springfield, where he laid out his reasons for running and outlined his vision for America, Obama headed to Iowa, where he made a whirlwind tour of one of the states that will be critical to securing the nomination. After talking tough about Iraq, energy... 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 ›

If you are into no-holds-barred fighting, then you will likely be heading to the UIC Pavilion this Saturday night to check out IMMAC's ATTACK Mixed Martial Arts event. more ›

Where can we spend, spend, spend that paycheck? Perhaps a few of these shows going on sale this weekend will empty out that wallet. Well, the presale is happening today at 10:00 a.m. for Wilco. Don’t be a “turkey” and miss out on this, or Jeff Tweedy just might punch you in the face. Wilco will be at the Auditorium Theatre once again for a pair of shows during the biggest party weekend of the... more ›

Yup, it’s another Friday, lots of shows go on sale tomorrow, and we know you want our hints as to which ones to plunk your hard-earned change in favor of and which you should avoid. As always, we aim to serve your interests and keep you ahead of the general unwashed masses. Or something like that. Duran Duran Oct. 26, Sears Centre, 8 p.m., $35-$75, All Ages The Sears Center will never replace Poplar Creek... more ›

On Sunday, March 26th the Chicago Storm take on the California Cougars at 4pm in a Major Indoor Soccer League (MISL) match-up. After the game, fans are invited to stick around to see a second match between the Chicago Police Department and the Chicago Fire Department. The second match will directly follow the Storm's game at the UIC Pavilion. The fire and police departments have played each other in different sports before, but this... more ›

A while back, a group of investors announced that they'd be bringing the WNBA to Chicago. On Tuesday, they unveiled the team's new name. While we were hoping for the Chicago Ists, they chose go with the Chicago Sky. Well, at least they kind of copied our logo. more ›

Some of you may know that way back in 1904, Chicago was supposed to host the Olympics... until St. Louis stole the games away! So Chicago has yet to host the Olympics. more ›

We mentioned this was a possibility a few weeks ago, but now it's official. The WNBA awarded an expansion team to Chicago, announced in a press conference held yesterday. The ownership group is headed up by real estate developer Michael Alter with minority investor Margaret Stender the team's president and CEO. The team will play their home games at the UIC Pavilion, beginning in May 2006. more ›

According to reports, the WNBA may be expanding to Chicago. The women's pro basketball league is negotiating with a private ownership group to bring a team to Chicago in time for the 2006 season. Currently, most teams are owned by the league and run by the NBA teams in their markets. The league previously looked into entering Chicago under its typical arrangement, but passed when the Bulls didn't express much interest in sponsoring a team.... more ›

Venus and Serena Williams will be in Chicago today kicking off their 3-city McDonald's Williams Sisters Tour to help raise funds for World Children's Day, a fundraiser benefiting the Ronald McDonald House. more ›

The Chicago Storm, our new indoor pro soccer team, introduced their inagural roster. The Storm, who kick off their season on October 23rd against the Milwaukee Wave, join the 4 year old MISL. The Storm's home games will be played at the UIC Pavilion. more ›

Today marks the start of the Killerspin U.S. Open, table tennis�s premier event, and lucky us, it�s at Navy Pier! The event runs through Sunday, and there are all sorts or exciting table tennis events throughout the day. Tonight, kick in for a good cause at the SPINvitational at UIC Pavilion. The world�s top table tennis players will be playing for charities including the Union League Boys and Girl Club, the Belle Center, America's Second... more ›