A Double Dose Of IPO - Chicago This Saturday

The 23rd annual International Pop Overthrow - Chicago kicks off this Friday for a nine-day run at Montrose Saloon on the city’s north side. See yesterday's post for details. IPO Founder/CFO David Bash has two separate lineups scheduled for this Saturday; all acts are from the Chicago area unless stated otherwise.

This Saturday afternoon’s showcase starts with a 2:00 pm set by singer-guitarist Hannah Frank, an IPO - Chicago regular, as well as a frequent performer on the local club scene. Her repertoire includes original acoustic compositions such as “Mad Girl’s Diary” and “Is You Mine,” along with unexpected covers such as the 1939 tune “Comes Love.” Chicago music scene veterans Phil Yates and The Affiliates have four albums worth of catchy, guitar-driven pop to draw from for their IPO performance. The band moved here from Burlington, VT a while back, and its 2022 effort A Thin Thread is the first to feature the Chicago lineup. The Shake Ups utilized power pop arrangements to celebrate the fun of cartoon and pop culture on their Meddling Kids album, and these IPO - Chicago veterans take a similar approach in their live sets.

Speaking of kids, there are four elementary students in the band Sensational Gnus, along with two teachers. They’re back for their second year at IPO Chicago. Eight-member Chicago area band The Transference explored paranormal elements, along with themes of social justice and environmental preservation via indie rock arrangements on their 2024 debut EP 100 Mirrors. Vocalist-keyboards player Laura Hollingsworth and bass player MJ Johnson are the band’s chief songwriters. Otter Petter have been releasing music for 15 years, with their latest recording being the Cobwebs EP. They specialize in melodic and guitar-driven pop songs such as “The Rest Of The World” and “Surfer Girls.”

The Saturday evening showcase kicks off with Wynded, a six-piece band from Madison, WI that promises “unique covers and originals.” Their debut EP No One Else To Blame dropped last November and features a mix of classic and alternative rock. The Band Calderisi has been performing catchy originals with tight harmonies on the Chicago club scene for a while now. I heard a while back they’ve been recording material for an upcoming release, so maybe they’ll perform some new material at IPO Chicago. The Idea was one of Chicago singer-songwriter Phil Angotti’s earliest bands, and it put him on the path to crafting clever, catchy indie rock. His IPO - Chicago set will reunite the original trio, performing old tracks, along with one new song.

Van Go is currently celebrating its 30th anniversary of performing on the Chicago club scene. Their albums are packed with hard-hitting and often satiric gems such as “Your Three Minutes Are Up,” “Invisible Girls,” and “Tell Us How You Really Feel.” Night Baby has been developing a following on the Chicago clubs scene by performing songs they describe as “Old songs that sound new again and new songs that you think you’ve heard.” Rockford, IL quartet Half Catholic has released two singles and an EP in the past few years. Their hard-edged indie rock songs such as “It Takes A Lot Of Effort To Be Alone” showcase the band’s knack for clever lyrics about individual struggles in modern society.

Check the official International Pop Overthrow website for the full Chicago 2025 schedule. You’ll also find links for most of the acts who’ll be participating this year. Even if you can’t attend in person, it’s a great way to discover new music. Many of the acts have Bandcamp pages, so it’s possible to already have some favorite songs before you even see the band perform.

International Pop Overthrow 2026

Photo of The Bon Mots from the official Bon Mots Facebook page.

The 23rd annual International Pop Overthrow - Chicago kicks off this Friday for a nine-day run at Montrose Saloon on the city’s north side. This is the sixth straight year Montrose Saloon has hosted the event, creating a sort of home away from home for IPO CFO/Founder David Bash after his years of booking the fest at several local venues. As in the past, he has over 60 acts scheduled to perform, many of which fans have enjoyed at previous IPO - Chicago shows.

Named after the Chicago band Material Issue’s 1991 stellar debut album, International Pop Overthrow was born in Los Angeles back in 1997. Bash has added IPO festivals around the globe over the years, with mostly local talent showcased in each city. 2026 will find International Pop Overthrow visiting Chicago, Liverpool, Stockholm, Los Angeles, San Diego, Vancouver, New York, Boston, and Toronto.

There are no newcomers among the six acts performing at Montrose Saloon this Friday night. In fact, Alpine Subs will be IPO - Chicago’s opening act for at the fourth straight year. The six-member band has released four albums of easy-going melodic pop since 2019, with the double album Up With Geese being the latest. 45 Souls consistently deliver melodic songs with harmony vocals, whether it’s on an energetic pop tune such as “It’s All Right,” or a ballad such as “Lemoncholy Melondrop.” They’ve released six EPs over the years, all of which can be found on their website. The Unswept, a Chicago band whose members hail from Sheffield, England, recently released a new EP on Bandcamp titled Bittersweet On Repeat. As on previous releases, The Unswept take an offbeat and humorous approach to describing romantic relationships.

The Mark Watson Band has done well on the Chicago club scene with an energetic power pop approach that draws on Cheap Trick and Fountains Of Wayne. Their catchy single “When Two Still Feels Alone” was included on a 2021 Big Blast Records compilation. Melodies are a priority for songwriters singer-guitarist Mike Coy and singer-guitarist Eric Chial of The Bon Mots, who’ve been performing on the Chicago scene for several years. The band can tap into numerous well-crafted indie pop songs from recordings they’ve released over the years. The power pop/indie rock band Bishop’s Daredevil Stunt Club has released several impressive albums over the past 10 years, and frequently performs on the Chicago club scene.

I’m hoping to post a preview of each of the IPO Chicago lineups, and you can check the official International Pop Overthrow website for the full Chicago 2025 schedule. You’ll also find links for most of the acts who’ll be participating this year. Even if you can’t attend in person, it’s a great way to discover new music. Many of the acts have Bandcamp pages, so it’s possible to already have some favorite songs before you even see the band perform.

Slumgullion

A new music documentary titled Peter Asher Everywhere Man explores the multi-decade career of the English musician and producer. Several major stars are featured in the film, including James Taylor; Linda Ronstadt; Carole King; Paul McCartney; and Robin Williams. Those of us who’ve seen Asher’s live presentations at Fest For Beatles Fans and various venues can attest to his amazing career, as well as his often amusing descriptions of it. Peter Asher Everywhere Man will be shown in select theaters on June 19.

The Handcuffs recently announced a series of upcoming gigs via a Facebook post. The Chicago indie rock band will perform at the Metro Jam Festival in Manitowoc, WI on June 20; Summerfest (as Kim Gordon’s opening act) in Milwaukee, WI on June 25; Mary’s Place in Rockford, IL on June 27; and PravdaFest at FitzGerald's in Berwyn, IL on September 12. The Handcuffs plan to record a pair of new songs for a vinyl and download single release some time this summer.

Thomas Dolby, who had major hits with “She Blinded Me With Silence,” “Europa And The Pirates Twins,” and other new wave gems, will open his The Iconic 80s: My Personal Recollections tour on April 14 at the Spire Center in Plymouth, MA. He’ll be at House Of Blues in Chicago on April 20; other stops include New York, Indianapolis, and St Louis.

Upcoming shows at the Hey Nonny venue in Arlington Heights, IL this month include Mud Morganfield on April 25; Chris Greene Quartet on April 29; and Brett Newski And The Bad Inventions on April 30.

Graham Nash kicked off a major tour last Saturday in Lansdowne, PA, and it will run through September 19 in Fredericton, NB. The tour includes a July 26 stop at the Ravinia Festival in Highland Park, IL, with Emmylou Harris as his special guest. Earlier today, I received the “Our House” mug I ordered from the official Graham Nash website.

If you know a Mom with a gypsy spirit, consider treating her to City Winery Chicago for the Mother’s Day Brunch - The Songs Of Stevie Nicks. On May 31, City Winery Chicago will present Highway Dream: 50 Years Of Tom Petty Brunch. Both brunches are PureSoul events, and will start at noon.

Singer, guitarist and quite witty English songwriter Nick Lowe will perform at The Old Town School Of Folk Music on July 13. It will be the first in a series of concerts that month that also feature Lowe’s buddies, the guitar-driven instrumental band Los Straitjackets. Other stops on the July tour include Minneapolis; Milwaukee; Cincinnati; Cleveland; Toronto; and Washington, DC.

Guitar-driven, local rockers Outronaut promise to deliver Psymphonic Surf-Noir Crime-Jazz during their May 8 show at the Side Bar at FitzGerald’s in Berwyn, IL. The adventure starts 8:30 pm.

Chris Stamey’s upcoming album Modernism finds the The dB’s member and solo artist performing cover versions of songs by some of his favorite bands, including “Hey Bulldog” by The Beatles; “Waterloo Sunset” by The Kinks; and “Ruby Tuesday” by The Rolling Stones. Guest musicians Jody Stephens; Pat Sansone; Jon Wurster; Mitch Easter; Probyn Gregory; Wes Lachot; and Emily Frantz; as well as Stamey’s fellow dB’s band members Will Rigby and Peter Holsapple, pitched in during the recording. Modernism is due out June 19 via Flatiron Recordings.

“Days We Left Behind,” the easygoing first single from Paul McCartney’s upcoming album The Boys Of Dungeon Lane, is now available on various streaming sites. Its introspective tone is likely to drift throughout the album, which is due out May 29. A Paul McCartney And Wings exhibit will open on May 15 at the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame in Cleveland, OH.

Issue #22 of Second Scene includes articles on The Godfathers, The Pandoras, Reckless Eric, and Big Stir Records. Led by editor-in-chief Tim Thomas, the Pittsburgh, PA indie rock music newspaper presents its reviews and articles within a colorful, eye-catching layout. Second Scene can be found in some records stores, and is available through its Bandcamp page.

Michael Stipe of R.E.M. has collaborated with producer/songwriter Andrew Watt on the theme song for the HBO series Rooster. “I Played The Fool,” an easygoing and well-crafted song, is available to stream on various sites.

The Black Ensemble Theater on Chicago’s north side is presenting The Jackie Wilson Story through April 26. Black Ensemble Theater is now celebrating its 50th season.

Del Amitri has a show coming up at the Vic Theatre in Chicago on June 15. It’s the third date on the Scottish band’s first U.S. tour since 2023, following shows on June 13 in Milwaukee and June14 in Minneapolis. The other stops on the tour are Providence; Boston; New York; Washington D.C. and Philadelphia.

“It’s Been Too Long,” the first single from Ringo Starr’s next album, is now available to stream on various sites. The album, titled Long Long Road, will feature collaborations with T Bone Burnett; Sheryl Crow; Billy Strings; Molly Tuttle; Sarah Jarosz; and St. Vincent. It’s due out April 24.

Revolutionary Women In Music is now open at The Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame in Cleveland, OH. The exhibit honors performers from the 1970s through today, with an emphasis on Punks, Rude Girls, Matriarchs, and Truth Tellers.

Theater Of The Mind, the imaginative adventure crafted by David Byrne from Talking Heads and writer Mala Gaonkar, has been extended through July 12 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.

John Cowsill and Vicki Peterson will likely showcase songs from their debut album Long After The Fire, along with a few songs from The Bangles and The Cowsills, when they perform at The Woodstock Opera House in Woodstock, IL on April 25. They recently opened for The Smithereens at the Des Plaines Theatre in Illinois, and were a blast. Their opening act at The Woodstock Opera House will be the multi-talented Chicagoan Dag Juhlin, who recently toured with Michael Shannon and Jason Narducy on their Celebrate The 40th Anniversary Of R.E.M.’s Lifes Rich Pageant Tour. He’s also known for his work with Sunshine Boys; The Slugs; and Sonic45.

The Wailers will celebrate the anniversary of the Rastaman Vibration album they released with Bob Marley 50 years ago, in a 7:00 pm concert at The Old Town School Of Folk Music in Chicago on April 24. The 9:30 pm concert that same night will feature The Wailers performing their 1977 album with Marley, Natural Mystic.

If you’d still like to be friends with Todd Rundgren—and who wouldn’t?—you have two opportunities to see him perform live in Illinois this summer. His Damned If I Do Tour kicks off at the Arcada Theatre in St. Charles on June 11 and moves to the Des Plaines Theatre in Des Plaines, IL the next day. Rundgren is known for hits such as “Hello, It’s Me”and “Can We Still Be Friends?.” Other cities on the tour include Dallas, Atlanta, Fort Lauderdale, and Washington, D.C.

Eric Clapton’s Crossroads Guitar Festival is being held September 26 and 27 at Moody Center in Austin TX. An impressive variety of well-known musicians will take part, including Clapton; Trey Anastasio; Joe Bonamassa; Billy Gibbons; Buddy Guy; Sonny Landreth; Taj Mahal; John McLaughlin; Robert Randolph; Tedeschi Trucks Band; and Pete Townshend. Eric Clapton’s Crossroads Guitar Festival will celebrate of the 28th anniversary of the founding of the Crossroads Centre Antigua, a substance-abuse rehabilitation center for drug and alcohol addiction.

The Smoking Popes have come up with an ambitious plan to celebrate their decades-long, critically acclaimed career. Their 35th Anniversary Tour will involve performing two nights in each location, with one show being completely different from the other. Depending on the location, The Smoking Popes will appear with special guests Alien Boy, Radiator Hospital, or Nerf Herder and Alien Boy.

Sons Of The Silent Age - The Cracked Actor Cabaret is coming to City Winery Chicago, located straight west of the downtown area, on April 23. These guys have been impressing audiences around town with their David Bowie tribute for years; this particular event will feature them performing stripped down arrangements of his songs.

The B-52’s have a return engagement at The Venetian Resort in Las Vegas, NV on April 22, 24, and 25.

Weekend Reminders

Photo of Nick Lowe from his official Facebook page. 

Weekend Reminders on Thursday posts focus on events that were previously mentioned on Broken Hearted Toy, and are taking place during the upcoming weekend. Plus, the occasional event taking place this weekend that has just come to my attention, or concert tickets going on sale.

Tickets go on sale tomorrow for singer, guitarist and quite witty English songwriter Nick Lowe at The Old Town School Of Folk Music on July 13. It will be the first in a series of concerts that month that also feature Lowe’s buddies, the guitar-driven instrumental band Los Straitjackets. Other stops on the July tour include Minneapolis; Milwaukee; Cincinnati; Cleveland; Toronto; and Washington, DC.

Singer-guitarist (and avid Nick Lowe fan) Michael Steven Cohen will perform selections from The Great American Songbook at the Tuscan Market And Wine Shop in Arlington Heights, IL tomorrow night at 7:00 pm.

Depending on when you read this, you could still catch an ambitious triple bill at Reggie’s Music Joynt in the south Loop area. The Chicago-based prog rock band McLuhan recently released the single “The Fireman and The Dragon,” and will likely perform it tonight. The other two acts are the always fun rockabilly/garage rockers The Jeebies and the recently formed but quickly building a following indie rock trio The 321s. The music starts at 8:00 pm.

Gary Klebe from the band Shoes has a solo album titled Out Loud coming out tomorrow. Judging by the preview singles he’s already released, it’s sure to please loyal Shoes fans. Klebe recently took part in a fascinating discussion about the album and Shoes in general with entertainment writer Mark Caro on Caro’s Caropop podcast. Caropop is available on YouTube, as well as on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

Lizard’s Liquid Lounge on Chicago’s north side (3058 W. Irving Park Road) has long been embraced by patrons as well as performers, but unfortunately is closing. Several local acts will give the venue an impressive sendoff starting tonight at 7:00 pm. The tributes continue tomorrow at 6:00 pm; Saturday at 1:30 pm; and Sunday at 3:00 pm. See the official Lizard’s Liquid Lounge Facebook page for the list of the participating acts.

Chicago radio station WXRT’s Live From The XRT Concert Archives continues tomorrow night at 9:00 pm with an October 26, 1998 performance by hometown hero Liz Phair at The Vic in Chicago. Live From The XRT Concert Archives can be heard on 93.1FM; 93XRT.com; and the Audacy app.

The Robyn Hitchcock Live And Electric - Full Band Show is coming to the Athenaeum Center For Thought And Culture in Chicago tomorrow night. Hitchcock, an eccentric and forever young English performer/songwriter has influenced countless musicians since his days with The Soft Boys in the mid-1970s.

Long-time indie rock band Throwing Muses will perform at Evanston SPACE in Evanston, IL tomorrow night. Led by vocalist-guitarist and acclaimed songwriter Kristen Hersh, the band has years of material to chose from, but might concentrate on songs from their 2025 album Moonlight Concessions.

Joe Jackson’s new album Hope And Fury arrives due tomorrow. His extensive 2026 North America Tour kicks off on May 11 in Poughkeepsie, NY, and will include dates at Park West in Chicago on May 19 and 20.

The BoDeans’ 40th Anniversary Tour will make a stop at the Paramount Theatre in Aurora, IL this Saturday. The Wisconsin alt rock/Americana band has given us gems such as “Closer To Free,” “Fadeaway,” and “Good Things.”

OUT HERE, a musical celebrating a family’s journey to finding unity and happiness, opens April 10 at the Court Theatre. The venue is located at 5535 S. Ellis Avenue.

Incoming

Happy belated birthday (April 5) to Allan Clarke, who served as the lead vocalist for The Hollies from their birth in 1962 until his retirement in 2000. (There were a few times in the 1970s when he went AWOL to pursue a solo career.) His distinctive voice can be heard on several Top 40 Hits, including “Look Through Any Window,” “I Can’t Let Go,” “Long Cool Woman,” “He Ain’t Heavy, He’s My Brother,” and “The Air The I Breathe.”

He also composed several great songs, as part of the GRALTO songwriting team of Graham Nash, Allan Clarke, and Tony Hicks.  In addition to his tenure with The Hollies, Clarke also scored an FM radio hit by singing lead on “Breakdown” from The Alan Parsons Project’s I Robot album. Clarke has returned to the recording scene with two well-received albums; Resurgence is 2019 and I’ll Never Forget in 2023.

Graham Nash kicked off a major tour this past Saturday in Lansdowne, PA, and it will run through September 19 in Fredericton, NB. The tour includes a July 26 stop at the Ravinia Festival in Highland Park, IL, with Emmylou Harris as his special guest. Earlier today. I ordered a very very very fine “Our House” mug from the official Graham Nash website.

Chicago-based prog rock band McLuhan has been prolific since reuniting a few years back, and just released another single, this one titled “The Fireman and The Dragon.” McLuhan will likely perform that song this Thursday night as part of a triple bill at Reggies Music Joynt in the south Loop area. They’ll be joined by rockabilly/garage rockers The Jeebies (or Amazing Heeby Jeebies as they’re also known), and the indie rock trio The 321s.

The Robyn Hitchcock Live And Electric - Full Band Show is coming to the Athenaeum Center For Thought And Culture in Chicago this Friday night. Hitchcock, an eccentric and forever young English performer/songwriter has influenced countless musicians since his days with The Soft Boys in the mid-1970s.

As promised in a Facebook post last December, EXPO ’76 is returning to the Chicago club scene this month. Or as an announcement from the off-kilter but talented covers band stated romantically recently, “Returning To The Comfort Of Your Warm Embrace.” So, EXPO ’76 will perform at Simon’s Tavern on the city’s north side this Wednesday, and they’re “looking forward to seeing each of you, as well as everyone you've ever met, if they're not busy.” The fun starts at 8:30.

Joe Jackson’s new album Hope And Fury is due out this Friday. Jackson’s extensive 2026 North America Tour kicks off on May 11 in Poughkeepsie, NY, and will include dates at Park West in Chicago on May 19 and 20.

Guitar-driven, local rockers Outronaut promise to deliver Psymphonic Surf-Noir Crime-Jazz during their May 8 show at the Side Bar at FitzGerald’s in Berwyn, IL. The adventure starts 8:30 pm.

Long-time indie rock band Throwing Muses will perform at Evanston SPACE in Evanston, IL this Friday. Led by vocalist-guitarist and acclaimed songwriter Kristen Hersh, the band has years of material to chose from, but might concentrate on songs from their 2025 album Moonlight Concessions.

The 42nd Latino Film Festival will present 51 features and 31 shorts at the Landmark Century Centre Cinema on Chicago’s north side from April 16 through April 27.

Lead vocalist and chief songwriter Scott Niekelski from Go Time! has a solo gig coming up this Wednesday at Buckledown Brewery in Lyons, IL. He’s been having success with these solo gigs. In related news, Go Time! will release its 11th album in the near future.

If your Mom has a gypsy spirit, consider treating her to City Winery Chicago for the Mother’s Day Brunch - The Songs Of Stevie Nicks. On May 31, City Winery Chicago will present Highway Dream: 50 Years Of Tom Petty Brunch. Both brunches are PureSoul events, and will start at noon.

Tony Richards, whose solo jazz guitar performances have gained a loyal following around Chicago, will start a new series at Basil Leaf Cafe this Wednesday night. The venue is located at 2465 N. Clark Street.

Singer-guitarist Michael Steven Cohen, a former member of the power pop bands The Abbeys and Pop Dollys, has embarked on a successful career playing selections from The Great American Songbook at dinner clubs. He’ll be at the Tuscan Market And Wine Shop in Arlington Heights, IL this Friday night at 7:00 pm.

The BoDeans’ 40th Anniversary Tour will make a stop at the Paramount Theatre in Aurora, IL this Saturday. The Wisconsin alt rock/Americana band has given us gems such as “Closer To Free,” “Fadeaway,” and “Good Things.”

OUT HERE, a musical celebrating a family’s journey to finding unity and happiness, opens April 10 at the Court Theatre. The venue is located at 5535 S. Ellis Avenue.

Slumgullion

Chris Stamey’s upcoming album Modernism finds the The dB’s member and solo artist performing cover versions of songs by some of his favorite bands, including “Hey Bulldog” by The Beatles; “Waterloo Sunset” by The Kinks; and “Ruby Tuesday” by The Rolling Stones. Guest musicians Jody Stephens; Pat Sansone; Jon Wurster; Mitch Easter; Probyn Gregory; Wes Lachot; and Emily Frantz; as well as Stamey’s fellow dB’s band members Will Rigby and Peter Holsapple, pitched in during the recording. Modernism is due out June 19 via Flatiron Recordings.

As promised in a Facebook post last December, EXPO ’76 is returning to the Chicago club scene this month. Or as an announcement from the off-kilter but talented covers band stated romantically today, “Returning To The Comfort Of Your Warm Embrace.” So, EXPO ’76 will perform at Simon’s Tavern on the city’s north side on April 8, and they’re “looking forward to seeing each of you, as well as everyone you've ever met, if they’re not busy.” The fun starts at 8:30 pm.

“Days We Left Behind,” the easygoing first single from Paul McCartney’s upcoming album The Boys Of Dungeon Lane, is now available on various streaming sites. Its introspective tone is likely to drift throughout the album, which is due out May 29. A Paul McCartney And Wings exhibit will open on May 15 at the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame in Cleveland, OH.

Radio station WXRT has a new weekly feature on the Marty Lennartz morning show as of today. It’s called Born In Chicago and will honor our city’s artists and musicians. The first edition focused on blues great Muddy Waters.

Michael Stipe of R.E.M. has collaborated with producer/songwriter Andrew Watt on the theme song for the HBO series Rooster. “I Played The Fool,” an easygoing and well-crafted song, is available to stream on various sites.

Long-time entertainment writer Mark Caro (Chicago Sun-Times, Chicago Tribune, etc.) has talked with several rock musicians on his Caropop podcast, and recently started making those interviews available on his YouTube channel, as well as on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. The latest edition offers an in-depth conversation with Gary Klebe that ranges from the earliest days of the band Shoes to his solo album Out Loud. Klebe originally intended his latest songs to be recorded by Shoes, but along the way, realized he would use them for his first solo album. Out Loud is due out April 10.

The Zombies plan to release their first album Begin Here as a remastered in the original 1965 mono mix version on April 17. Available in LP, CD, and digital formats, it will combine all the tracks from the English and American original versions and be released on their own Beechwood Park Records label. The first single “The Way I Feel Inside” is already out, and the album can be pre-ordered in various  options.

Del Amitri has a show coming up at the Vic Theatre in Chicago on June 15. It’s the third date on the Scottish band’s first U.S. tour since 2023, following shows on June 13 in Milwaukee and June14 in Minneapolis. The other stops on the tour are Providence; Boston; New York; Washington D.C. and Philadelphia.

Singer-guitarist Michael Steven Cohen, a former member of the power pop bands The Abbeys and Pop Dollys, has embarked on a successful career playing selections from The Great American Songbook at dinner clubs. He’ll be at the Tuscan Market And Wine Shop in Arlington Heights, IL on April 10 at 7:00 pm.

Issue #22 of Second Scene includes articles on The Godfathers, The Pandoras, Reckless Eric, and Big Stir Records. Led by editor-in-chief Tim Thomas, the Pittsburgh, PA indie rock music newspaper presents its reviews and articles within a colorful, eye-catching layout. Second Scene can be found in some records stores, and is available through its Bandcamp page.

Congratulations to Chicago alt rock band Ratboys on the four-star review of their new album Singin’ To An Empty Chair in England’s top-notch music magazine Mojo. Reviewer Stephen Thomas Erlewine praises singer Julia Steiner’s emotionally charged songwriting, and describes “Anywhere” as a “brilliant bit of propulsive pop.” Here in Chicago, “Anywhere” has been getting frequent airplay on radio station WXRT.

That April issue of MOJO also includes a five-star review of the recent Trixies release by Squeeze. As noted by critic Pat Gilbert, the album has its origins in an abandoned song cycle/musical written by band member Chris Difford in 1974. Gilbert concludes his extensive review by noting Trixies sits comfortably beside Squeeze’s finest works of the ‘70s.

The Venetian Resort in Las Vegas, NV has some fun events coming up next month. Cheap Trick will perform the entire At Budokan album, along with a hearty selection of greatest hits on April 17 and 18; and The B-52’s have a return engagement there on April 22, 24, and 25.

The Black Ensemble Theater on Chicago’s north side is presenting The Jackie Wilson Story through April 26. Black Ensemble Theater is now celebrating its 50th season.

“It’s Been Too Long,” the first single from Ringo Starr’s next album, is now available to stream on various sites. The album, titled Long Long Road, will feature collaborations with T Bone Burnett; Sheryl Crow; Billy Strings; Molly Tuttle; Sarah Jarosz; and St. Vincent. It’s due out April 24.

Revolutionary Women In Music is now open at The Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame in Cleveland, OH. The exhibit honors performers from the 1970s through today, with an emphasis on Punks, Rude Girls, Matriarchs, and Truth Tellers.

Theater Of The Mind, an imaginative adventure crafted by David Byrne from Talking Heads and writer Mala Gaonkar, will run through May 31 at the Reid Murdoch Building at 333 N. LaSalle Street in downtown Chicago. Theater Of The Mind is a Goodman Theatre production. Chicago Tribune critic Chris Jones gave Theater Of The Mind three and a half stars in a re4cent review.

International Pop Overthrow has been bringing indie rock/power pop festivals to cities around the world for quite a few years, and will begin its 2026 season with a nine-day visit to Chicago from April 17 to 25. Founder/CEO David Bash has posted the full schedule on Facebook, and it includes several long-time favorites. IPO will also make stops in Liverpool, Stockholm, Glasgow, Los Angeles, and New York this year.

Sons Of The Silent Age - The Cracked Actor Cabaret is coming to City Winery Chicago, located straight west of the downtown area, on April 23. These guys have been impressing audiences around town with their David Bowie tribute for years; this particular event will feature them performing stripped down arrangements of his songs.

John Cowsill and Vicki Peterson will perform at The Woodstock Opera House in Woodstock, IL on April 25. Cowsill and Peterson will likely showcase songs from their debut album Long After The Fire, along with a few songs from The Bangles and The Cowsills.

The Wailers will celebrate the anniversary of the Rastaman Vibration album they released with Bob Marley 50 years ago, in a 7:00 pm concert at The Old Town School Of Folk Music in Chicago on April 24. The 9:30 pm concert that same night will feature The Wailers performing their 1977 album with Marley, Natural Mystic.

Congratulations to The Second Summer on recently signing with Hardstop Records. The power pop band hopes to have a new album (their second) coming out later this year. In the meantime, The Second Summer has a gig coming up at The Village Club in Western Springs, IL on April 17.

Paul Weller’s upcoming release Weller At The BBC Vol. 2 is now available to pre-order in 3-LP or 3-CD formats from his official website. The album is due out on April 24.

Weekend Reminders

Weekend Reminders on Thursday posts focus on events that were previously mentioned on Broken Hearted Toy, and are taking place during the upcoming weekend. Plus, the occasional event taking place this weekend that has just come to my attention, or concert tickets going on sale.

Depending on when you read this, you can still catch local singer-songwriter Phil Angotti having loads of fun at the G-Man Tavern on Chicago’s north side. It’s a video release/live music event for the unveiling of a Blair Holmes filmed/Lou Hinkhouse produced video for “Eye For An Eye” from Angotti’s Once Around Again album. There will also be a 14-minute video mix of promo clips and out-takes. Angotti will perform two sets of original songs, backed by longtime mates Casey McDonough, Tom Ryan, Blair Holmes, Todd Rusin, and Charlie Piper. The fun begins with a DJ set by Lou Hinkhouse at 7:00 pm.

Phil Angotti And Friends will perform a noon Easter Brunch at FitzGerald’s in Berwyn, IL this Sunday.

Tickets will go on sale tomorrow for Del Amitri at the Vic Theatre in Chicago on June 15. It’s the third date on the Scottish band’s first U.S. tour since 2023, following shows on June 13 in Milwaukee and June 14 in Minneapolis. The other stops on the tour are Providence; Boston; New York; Washington D.C.; and Philadelphia.

Celebrating his birthday at Simon’s on Chicago’s north side has become a tradition for Americana/indie rock singer-songwriter Steve Dawson. That’s what he’ll be doing this Sunday night, along with fellow musicians/friends Gerald Dowd, Alton Smith, John Abbey, and special guest singer-artist Diane Christiansen. The free admission event starts at 8:30; Simon’s is located at 5210 N. Clark N. Street.

Tickets will go on sale tomorrow for Eric Clapton’s Crossroads Guitar Festival being held September 26 and 27 at Moody Center in Austin TX. An impressive variety of well-known musicians will take part, including Clapton; Trey Anastasio; Joe Bonamassa; Billy Gibbons; Buddy Guy; Sonny Landreth; Taj Mahal; John McLaughlin; Robert Randolph; Tedeschi Trucks Band; and Pete Townshend. Eric Clapton’s Crossroads Guitar Festival will celebrate of the 28th anniversary of the founding of the Crossroads Centre Antigua, a substance-abuse rehabilitation center for drug and alcohol addiction.

Scott Ligon’s All Stars will perform tomorrow night from 6:30 to 10:30 at Robert’s Westside in Forest Park IL. It’s not clear who those All Stars will be, but since Ligon often associates with top notch, Chicago-based musicians, this will definitely be interesting.

Sam Robinson, a well-known jazz musician on the Chicago club scene for over two decades, has an album release party this Saturday at Le Piano on the north side. Chasin’ The Dream is Robinson’s fourth release, and the first to feature all original material. Le Piano is located at 6970 N. Glenwood Avenue; the release party starts at 9:30 pm. 

The Smoking Popes have come up with an ambitious plan to celebrate their decades-long, critically acclaimed career. Their 35th Anniversary Tour will involve performing two nights in each location, with one show being completely different from the other. Depending on the location, The Smoking Popes will appear with special guests Alien Boy, Radiator Hospital, or Nerf Herder and Alien Boy. Tickets went on sale today, and can be purchased as single tickets or 2-night passes.