If you’re as allergic to crowds as I am, Chicago’s many neighborhood music festivals can be a mixed bag. But one event I unequivocally associate with a certain kind of chill is the Square Roots festival in Lincoln Square. And that low-stress atmosphere seems likely to be by design. Launched in 1998, the weekend-long festival, […]
Tag: Bob Mould
Evanston’s Jason Narducy wields a lifetime of rock power on Split Single’s new Amplificado
Split Single front man Jason Narducy can mold a bit of guitar distortion and a sweet melody into a lifeline. On “Bitten by the Sound,” a standout on Split Single’s new third album, Amplificado (Inside Outside), Narducy’s sheer but ironclad guitar embodies the white-hot energy of rock, which has mystified him since childhood. As a […]
Hamid Drake and Michael Zerang livestream their traditional solstice duo
Hamid Drake and Michael Zerang livestream their traditional solstice drum duo, Che Arthur of Pink Avalanche drops two instrumental solo EPs, and more.
What turns kids punk?
The new musical Verböten uses the story of Jason Narducy’s forgotten early-80s band to talk about the power of subculture.
Bob Mould hammers out more reasons to love him on Sunshine Rock
There are a couple of things you need to remember when listening to a new Bob Mould record. First off, Mould will never be able to meet the fervor and frenzy of his Husker Dü days or the heartfelt perfection of the Sugar records. And when an artist has a discography as vast as his, […]
Gifts that sing—are you listening?
The best best box sets of 2017 include 11 CDs from David Bowie’s Berlin period, 529 tracks of live vintage country from Louisiana Hayride, Roland Kayn’s 14-hour electronic masterwork, and the most complete portrait yet of Hüsker Dü’s early years.
Grant Hart of Hüsker Dü dead at 56
Remarkable singer, drummer, and songwriter Grant Hart has lost his battle with kidney cancer.
Unearthing influential Chicago proto-hardcore band Six Feet Under
Despite their influence on midwestern punk, Six Feet Under have fallen off the map—but Moniker Records is working on an archival release.
Sound man Che Arthur celebrates Prince—and his own birthday—onstage with Bob Mould
Sound man Che Arthur celebrates Prince onstage with Bob Mould, Chicago Singles Club throws a free show for its third anniversary, and more.
More summer concert news: City announces Downtown Sound lineup
The lineup for the wildly popular Millennium Park concert series is revealed.
Reader’s Agenda Tue 12/17: Kanye West, DKV Trio, and The Second City That Never Sleeps
What’s on the Reader‘s Agenda for Tuesday, December 17
Riot Fest recap: Rain, the Replacements, and wrestling with nostalgia
Riot Fest’s nostalgia party ended with lots of rain and a ripping Replacements set, but the weekend had its forward-looking moments too.
Artist on Artist: Brendan Canty of Deathfix talks to Jay Ryan of Dianogah
Deathfix’s Brendan Canty (who used to drum in Fugazi) talks to Dianogah’s Jay Ryan (who still runs the Bird Machine).
Fall Arts, Riot Fest, a Tortoise picker’s picks, and more on the B Side
A season’s worth of music to look out for—and more