Rock Different

By Scott Smith in Arts & Entertainment on Oct 28, 2004 11:46AM

Since iPods are threatening to reach critical mass (thanks in part to the minis), it’s time for Apple to crank up the exclusivity factor again. And that means new features, a new paint job, and a ringing endorsement from the biggest band in the world right now. The big announcements out of Cupertino this week that Apple would be selling a U2 signature version of the iPod as well as iPod Photo only confirmed a rumor that quickly evolved into a foregone conclusion within the Apple community. Which is cool and all but Chicagoist is pissed we’ve got to wait until November for the iPod Socks (iSocks?) pictured above.

One of four Apple stores in the Chicagoland area, the location at 679 N. Michigan has further cemented the relationship Steve Jobs has forged with musicians great and small. The place is usually crawling with up-and-coming musicians and big names alike. Tonight local favorites The M’s (also pictured above) will be gracing the place with their rotating lead vocal duties underneath the flattering lighting of all those CRT screens. If you’ve got iTunes already installed, you can check out some of The M’s tunes here otherwise peep their Brilliante Records site. Opening will be Mae from Virginia. The free show starts at 7 PM.

And if you’ve got a college ID, be sure to bring it with you. Apple will be holding several drawings (sorry but it’s just the college students, old man) for iTunes Music Store gift certificates, an iSight, a Powerbook as well as iPods in the mini, 20GB and 40 GB varieties.

And don’t forget to grab your white headphones so you can throw out the “iPod nod.”