The Chicago Reader debuted October 1, 1971—almost two years before DJ Kool Herc threw the very first hip-hop party in the Bronx in August 1973, nearly three years before the Ramones made their first appearance onstage at CBGB in August 1974, and more than five years before Frankie Knuckles first spun at the Warehouse in […]
Tag: Jake Austen
Posted inMusic
Irresistibly absurd music zine Roctober returns after a six-year hiatus
Irresistibly absurd music zine Roctober returns after a six-year hiatus, rootsy rock collective Contorno drop their first album, and more.
Posted inMusic
Want live music back? Wear a mask and call Congress.
Staff from 22 Chicago music venues talk about how far they still are from normal—and what it’ll take to keep them around till we all get there.
Posted inBlogs
How Jake Austen found the lost Jackson Five demo
A great piece of detective work uncovered a great piece of Chicago music history.
Posted inBlogs
Helltrap Nightmare, Chic-A-Go-Go, and more of the best Halloween happenings in Chicago this weekend
Splatter Theater, Spektral Quartet’s Costumed Soiree, and more goings-on October 27-29
Posted inBlogs
The latest soul anthology from the Numero Group is a love letter to DJ, collector, and historian Bob Abrahamian
The newest Eccentric Soul compilation focuses on the Chicago vocal music that soul historian Bob Abrahamian devoted his life to.
Posted inBlogs
A Prince tribute mural has appeared over Logan Square
A mural of the Purple One, visible from the Blue Line, has gone up above Logan Square shop X-it European Clothing.
Posted inBlogs
A Prince fan club member on the Purple One’s most memorable Chicago moments
A private Prince sound check at the Chicago Theatre and more highlights from Prince’s 48 Chicago appearances
Posted inBest of Chicago
Best new south-side nightlife spot
The Promontory 5311 S. Lake Park 312-801-2100 promontorychicago.com Whatever your feelings are about the food and drink at Hyde Park’s the Promontory, you’d be hard-pressed to find much wrong with the venue’s performance space, a gorgeous room with atom-shaped chandeliers, a great bar, and clean acoustics. But what distinguishes the Promontory are the acts it […]
Posted inBlogs
Working vs. The House on Mango Street: Greatest Chicago Book Tournament, final four
Which of these two titles will advance to the final round?
Posted inBlogs
The Warmth of Other Suns vs. Chicago: City on the Make: Greatest Chicago Book tournament, final four
Which of these two titles will advance to the final round?
Posted inMusic
Cable-access dance party Chic-a-Go-Go celebrates its 1,000th episode
Cable-access dance party Chic-a-Go-Go celebrates its 1,000th episode, Al Jourgensen of Ministry appears on the next Ono album, and more.
Posted inBlogs
Building Stories vs. Working: Greatest Chicago Book Tournament, round one
In a battle between two heavyweights, is it the greatness or Chicago-ness that matters more?
Posted inBlogs
The Greatest Ever Chicago Book Tournament
Between now and April, the Reader and its readers will be choosing the greatest book ever written about Chicago.
Posted inBlogs
Win a new test pressing of the Jackson Five’s lost studio debut from the Reader and Secret Stash
Win a piece of Chicago soul history by answering five ridiculously difficult trivia questions!