The music ads in the Reader’s very first issues add context—and curiosities—that the stories alone can’t provide.
Tag: anniversary
Building on the pillars of Blue Groove Lounge
An oral history of DJ Jesse de la Peña’s foundational Blue Groove Lounge hip-hop night, on the occasion of its belated 25th birthday parties
Cult emo darlings the Anniversary celebrate 20 years since their sudden rise and fall
In January 2000, as the likes of Sunny Day Real Estate and the Get Up Kids led emo’s second wave, a group of five young adults from Lawrence, Kansas, calling themselves the Anniversary released a striking debut. Built around the dueling guitars and vocals of Josh Berwanger and Justin Roelofs and backed by the infectious […]
Celebrating homegrown music infrastructure on the gig poster of the week
This week’s featured gig poster was created by local artist and musician Ethan D’Ercole.
The Maypole Folk Festival builds a big tent
The Maypole Folk Festival builds a big tent, the Goldstars lead a crowded tribute to R&B icon Andre Williams, and more.
Zanies comedy club has lasted 40 years with an old-school stand-up model
The club continues to draw audiences and motivate local comics to obtain a paid slot.
The Blue Ribbon Glee Club turns ten with a reunion party for fans, friends, and alums
The Blue Ribbon Glee Club turns ten with a reunion party, old-school beat party Boombastic comes back to Wicker Park, and more.
Tim Heidecker and Eric Wareheim still keep each other weird
With the comedians on tour celebrating the tenth anniversary of Tim and Eric Awesome Show, Great Job!, CAN TV variety show host Steve Gadlin talks to his Adult Swim heroes about public-access television, absurdist comedy, and much more.
Harmonica master Billy Branch celebrates 40 years leading the Sons of Blues
As a bandleader and an educator, harmonica master Billy Branch links blues tradition to the genre’s evolving future.
Supervillains chill out on the gig poster of the week
This week’s featured gig poster was designed by local artist Ryan Duggan.
The Green Music Fest catches Dave Mata’s Royal Hands
The Green Music Fest catches Dave Mata’s Royal Hands, Bric-a-Brac Records celebrates four years, and more.
Logan Bay loses half a leg to a driver, keeps programming WLPN from his hospital bed
A badly injured Logan Bay keeps running WLPN from the hospital, Seth Vanek moves throws The Therapy Sessions a birthday party, and more.
This year’s Winter Block Party celebrates women in Chicago hip-hop
This year’s Winter Block Party celebrates women in Chicago hip-hop, the eighth Chicago Psych Fest fogs up the Hideout, and more.
A day of pro-choice activism culminates in a #ShoutYourAbortion fund-raiser at Gman Tavern
A day of pro-choice activism culminates in a #ShoutYourAbortion fund-raiser at Gman Tavern, the Vinyl Emergency podcast celebrates its first birthday, and more.
Glitter Creeps throws itself a second-birthday party headlined by Nobunny
On Wednesday at the Empty Bottle, local punk-rock LGBTQ night Glitter Creeps celebrates two years of being weird and proud.