Lenny Kaye graphic from the Gman website.
Lenny Kaye, whose impressive resume includes being a member of The Patti Smith Band; a successful producer; and a connoisseur of garage rock, will drop by the Gman Tavern in Chicago on September 18. As noted by Gman Tavern boss Joe Shanahan in a recent Facebook post, Kaye will promote his debut album and will be joined by onstage by local singer-songwriter Nora O’Connor.
The August issue of the UK rock magazine MOJO (with the Rolling Stones on the cover) features journalist David Fricke’s extensive interview with Lenny Kaye, along with a lot of cool photos.
This one should have been included in yesterday’s Weekend Reminders post: Singer-songwriter Stephen Kohler, a long-time participant of the Chicago music scene, has an 11:00 am free brunch show tomorrow at Madame Zuzu's in Highland Park, IL. That’s the combination teahouse and record store run by Billy and Chloe Corgan. Kohler will likely perform his new single out titled “Paintbrush,”as well as songs from his 2025 album Anthem.
This year’s Lollapalooza festival takes place from July 30 to August 2 at Grant Park in downtown Chicago. The lineup includes Lorde; The Smashing Pumpkins; Sombr; Wet Leg; Suki Waterhouse; and Wolf Alice. On July 29, The Smashing Pumpkins have a Lollapalooza After Show at The Riviera Theatre; and Wet Leg has a Lollapalooza After Show at The Vic.
The 93XRT Winter Jam Presents: Ratboys With Special Guests Friko & Florry event is coming to The Salt Shed in Chicago on December 19.
They started out with Creedence Clearwater Revival and The Spencer Davis Group respectively, and have gone on to create classic rock and roll in various ways over several decades. The Celebrating 2 Legends John Fogerty and Steve Winwood The Legacy Tour kicks off in Tinley Park, IL on September 3 and will include stops in Boston, MA; Atlantic City, NJ; Vienna, VA; and Charlotte, NC.
Phil Angotti and Friends will be backed by a string section during their Beatles tribute brunch at FitzGerald’s in Berwyn, IL on August 2. The music starts at noon. These guys are masters at covering The Beatles, and a string section will make things even better.
An upcoming album titled David Bowie - The Shel Talmy Recordings will feature previously unreleased material produced by the legendary Talmy back in 1965. The album will be available on September 18 in CD, LP, digital, and limited-edition vinyl formats. The release will also feature extensive sleeve notes by musician/music historian Alec Palao.
Push Puppets will likely showcase songs from their 2025 album Tethered Together when they perform at Hey Nonny! in Arlington Heights, IL on August 7. The Chicago area band specializes in melodic, well-crafted indie rock.
U2 has released a video of a new single titled “Street Of Dreams” that’s now available for viewing on the Rock Cellar website. The song has a classic U2 arrangement along with an inspirational message about following your dreams. It’s an enticing preview of a full album the band promises will be released in the near future.
Congratulations to Chicago-based blues legend Buddy Guy on his sold-out show at the Chicago Theatre tomorrow night. The event is part of his Celebrate The Legend Tour, which recently kicked off in Toronto, ON, and will run through October 29 with a concert in Memphis, TN. Guy will celebrate his 90th birthday at Madison Square Garden on October 1.
The 9th Annual Chicago Blues Hall Of Fame Induction Ceremony will be held on August 16 at Buddy Guy’s Legends venue in the south end of downtown Chicago. A post on the official Chicago Blues Hall Of Fame notes that tickets will only be sold in advance.
Joe Algeri, the multifaceted Australian musician/indie label founder, recently produced a new single by Chicago musician Herb Eimerman titled “Designed By You.” Algeri and Eimerman are members of the international band The Britannicas, so it’s no surprise this new effort also evokes The Byrds with jangling guitars and a catchy melody. Eimerman’s grandson Gavin helps out on six-string guitar, while Algeri play drums and mellotron. “Designed By You” will be available to download on Algeri’s Bandcamp page starting July 31.
The Kinks: Brothers, a new exhibition created by Ray and Dave Davies with artist Christian Furr, opened today at London’s Gibson Garage.
As noted by its publisher Tim Thomas in a recent Facebook post, Issue 23 of the alt rock newspaper Second Scene is now at the printer, and will be available next week. Copies can be pre-ordered via Bandcamp starting tomorrow.
LaRue DeVille, an offshoot of long-time Chicago club band Red Wigglers, along with punk rock cover band Horse And Sparrow, will share a double bill at Double Clutch Brewery in Evanston on August 13. Both bands that night will feature vocalist Erica Loftus, whose impressive resume also includes The Right Tidys and The Collectors. There’s no cover charge.
Ivy has added November dates to its Traces Of You Tour, with concerts now scheduled for Berkeley, CA; Seattle, WA; Brooklyn, NY; Boston MA; and Philadelphia, PA. The tour is named after a 2025 album of previously unreleased Ivy songs recorded by band members Adam Schlesinger, Andy Chase, and Dominique Durand between 1995 and 2012. Sadly, we lost Adam Schlesinger to COVID-19 in 2020.
The schedule for International Pop Overthrow - Los Angeles, which will run from August 7 through August 16, is now available on the official IPO website. Several acts, including Plasticsoul; Lori Garrote And The Chaos; Kerosene Stars; The Jeremy Band; and Rick Hromadka, will perform at the Redwood Bar and Corbin Bowl venues. The IPO website is a good way to discover new music since many of the participating acts listed have links to their Bandcamp pages.
This year’s Hometown Celebration - A Benefit for The Lin Brehmer Scholars Fund at Metro will take place on August 16. The featured acts will be The Linburgers (Tributosaurus members Matt Spiegel & Curt Morrison); Dag Juhlin; Michael McDermott; and Heather Lynne Horton. Brehmer will always be remembered as one of Chicago’s best-friendliest and knowledgeable radio personalities, especially for those of us who met him in person. It’s great to see this benefit taking place again.
Temp Wishes, a new band led by the perpetually busy Josh Chicoine of The M’s, will open for veteran guitarist Cory Hanson at The Hideout in Chicago on August 2. Chicoine, along with fellow Temp Wishes members Edward Anderson; Colby Starck; and Glenn Rischke, recently recorded a single titled “Flash Fantasy.”
Speaking of Josh Chicoine being busy, one of his other bands, Cult Canyon, will perform at Montrose Saloon on July 31, with the experimental local band Nequail as the supporting act. And a day later, Cult Canyon will open for Outronaut at Robert’s West Side in Forest Park, IL.
Theater Of The Mind, the imaginative adventure crafted by David Byrne from Talking Heads and writer Mala Gaonkar, has been extended through August 30 at the Reid Murdoch Building at 333 N. LaSalle Street in downtown Chicago. Theater Of The Mind, a Goodman Theatre production, has been picking up rave reviews in Chicago newspapers.
A trio of UK acts comprising Colin Blunstone of The Zombies; new wave stars The Fixx; and musician/producer Peter Asher will tour America throughout the month of September. The 19 stops will include New York, NY; Washington, D.C.; Minneapolis, MN; and Waukegan, IL.
Upcoming concerts at the 2026 Summer Concert Series at the Riverside Park venue in Aurora, IL include UB40 Featuring Ali Campbell on August 9; The Beach Boys on August 14; and Poi Dog Pondering on August 15.
Custard Flux, AKA musician Gregory Curvey, will headline a Chicago Alternafest! event taking place on August 15 at the Underground Lounge. Piper No; Oh My Lover; and Mystic Mulberry will also be on the bill. Underground Lounge is located at 952 W. Newport Avenue in Chicago.
