For events taking place this weekend, check out my previous post titled Weekend Reminders.
As noted by writer Mike Duquette on The Second Disc website this past Wednesday, Patti Smith will release a Horses (50th Anniversary Edition) via Legacy Recordings on October 10. In addition to the original tracks, it will offer “nine alternate versions and outtakes from the album sessions.” Duquette also points out that Smith will release a memoir titled Bread Of Angels in November. As I’ve mentioned in the past, The Second Disc is an extremely informative source regarding upcoming album releases.
The Lakeview East Festival Of The Arts returns for its 20th year on September 13 and 14, taking place on Broadway, between Belmont and Hawthorne. Over 120 artists will display their work, and performances on the two stages will include Steve Dawson and Diane Christiansen; Gerald Dowd; Gerald McClendon; The Band Calderisi; and Kent Rose And The Remedies.
The Who - The Song Is Over - The North American Farewell Tour is underway, including recent stops in Wantagh, NY and Boston, MA. The band has concerts scheduled at the United Center in Chicago on September 7 and 9. Other upcoming dates include Los Angeles, Vancouver, Seattle, and Las Vegas.
The latest edition of Second Scene, the Pittsburgh-based print publication that covers indie rock, is now available for $7 plus shipping on its Bandcamp page. Issue #21 features articles on Jah Wobble, Heavenly, The Laissez Fairs, Philip Parfitt, and several acts. If past issues are an indication, there will be colorful graphics to go with the copy.
Roger McGuinn, whose guitar playing with The Byrds has inspired countless musicians for decades, will perform on September 10 at The North Shore Center in Skokie, IL.
Wolf Alice will kick off its North American tour in support of its recently released album The Clearing on September 10 in Atlanta. The London-based indie rock band will return to Chicago with a sold-out show at The Vic on September 26; other stops include Washington, DC; Philadelphia; Boston; Montreal; Toronto; Dallas; Denver; and Los Angeles.
The Woggles, the garage rock specialists championed by Little Steven and his Wicked Cool record label, recently embarked on a world tour. One of those dates will bring them to Reggies in Chicago on September 11, with hometown heroes The Handcuffs serving as the opening act.
Tickets are now available for Marshall Crenshaw’s 40+ Years In Showbiz! show with James Mastro at City Winery Chicago on September 14. Crenshaw has given us several irresistible songs, such as “Someday, Someway,” “Cynical Girl,” and “Whenever You’re On My Mind.”
Long-time entertainment writer Mark Caro (Chicago Sun-Times, Chicago Tribune, etc.) has talked with several indie rock musicians on his Caropop podcast, and just started making some of those interviews available on his YouTube channel. Caro has an easy-going, knowledgeable style that leads to fascinating conversations with his guests. The recently posted Caropop episode with singer-songwriter Sam Phillips is a prime example.
Cheap Kiss Records is currently offering a limited edition compilation titled A Blast From The Cellar! - Lost Gems From The 60s Chicago Garage Rock Explosion. Available on vinyl only, the album is inspired by the legendary Arlington Heights, IL teen club that booked several of that era’s world famous bands. As stated in its title, this collection focuses on Chicago-area acts that also performed at The Cellar, and includes songs by The Mauds; The Same; Boston Tea Party, and The Huns.
Duets Special - Chrissie Hynde And Pals, an album featuring The Pretenders lead vocalist pairing up with Lucinda Williams; Julian Lennon; Shirley Manson; k.d. lang; David Gahan; Debbie Harry; Brandon Flowers; Rufus Wainwright and other well-known performers, is due out on October 17. It’s currently available to pre-order from various sites.
Three Chicago area recording artists with loyal followings on the club scene will join forces at QBar in Darien, IL on September 13. Fans can expect an evening of live power pop and indie rock during separate sets by The Embryos, The Spindles, and Go Time! Doors will open at 7:30 pm.
Cheap Trick’s new album All Washed Up is due out November 14, and the group has posted a video on YouTube for the first single from it. “Twelve Gates” finds an animated version of the guys rocking a mid-tempo arrangement powered by guitars and layered vocals. A promising start.
Singer-guitarist Terry White has a record release party with The Loaded Dice, Cannonball, and other special guests coming up on October 2 at Fitzgerald’s in Berywn, IL. The album is due out on September.
The Replacements have a deluxe edition of their 1984 groundbreaking album Let It Be coming out in 4-LP, 3CD, and digital formats on October 24 via Rhino Records. A recent post on the band’s Facebook page states there will also be a “special bonus 10-inch vinyl, and T-Shirt mercy option.”
Ringo Starr And His All Starr Band’s 2025 Tour will include a show at the Chicago Theatre on September 10. Starr’s latest album, Look Up, finds him working in a Country and Western vein, but it’s likely he and his mates will be covering all kinds of music, including Beatles tunes.
Autographed copies of Vicki Peterson and John Cowsill’s album Long After The Fire can now be ordered via the TalkShopLive website. The duo will be joined by special guest Michael Moulder for a concert at the Brown County Playhouse in Nashville, IN on September 5.
Chicago-based blues legend Buddy Guy recently released the new album Ain’t Done With The Blues, and it’s now available in CD, vinyl, and digital formats on Amazon and other sites.
The Magnolia Pictures documentary It’s Never Over, Jeff Buckley is now available in digital format from Apple TV, Fandango, Prime Video, and other sources. In Chicago, the 28th Annual Jeff Buckley Tribute will be held on November 16 and 17 at Uncommon Ground Lakeview.
Material Issue, the Chicago power pop trio that scored MTV hits such as “Valerie Loves Me” and “Diane” back in the early 1990s, and later returned with new vocalist-guitarist Phil Angotti, have a show coming up at the north-side venue Schubas on September 17.
The Carla Olson and Tall Poppy Syndrome single “Is It True,” which was released in digital format in 2024, is now available as a Deluxe CD + download on Bandcamp. The song offers a 1960s arrangement with a harder edge, and features Olson, Clem Burke, Vince Melouney and Jonathan Lea.
High Moon Records, which is known for its adventurous series of reissues, has released Sly And The Family Stone - The First Family: Live At Winchester Cathedral 1967. Available in CD or LP format, it includes a deluxe booklet, interviews with Stone and original band members, rare photos, and memorabilia.
Parody Of Pleasure, the debut solo album from Lydia Night
is now available, and finds the former leader of The Regrettes
exploring a variety of musical approaches. Night describes her new music
as “a window into my weird little brain” and promises to be out on tour
soon.