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 Spindles have a new single on Spotify that features the Chicago power pop band capturing the high energy and seductive tone of The Raspberries’1973 hit “Tonight.” Side B “I Don’t Know Why” is an original tune that pays homage to The Raspberries with a piano and strings arrangement and harmony vocals.

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.

Incoming

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 go on sale this Thursday, and can be purchased as single tickets or 2-night passes.

Tickets will go on sale this Friday 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.

Local singer-songwriter Phil Angotti has a video release/live music event coming up this Thursday night at the G-Man Tavern on Chicago’s north side. In addition to unveiling a Blair Holmes filmed/Lou Hinkhouse produced video for “Eye For An Eye” from his Once Around Again album, Angotti will present a 14-minute video mix of promo clips and out-takes. There will be two sets of original songs performed by Angotti, Casey McDonough, Tom Ryan, Blair Holmes, Todd Rusin and Charlie Piper; along with a DJ set by Lou Hinkhouse.

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.

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.

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 Unswept, a Chicago band whose members hail from Sheffield, England, have released a new EP on Bandcamp titled Bittersweet On Repeat, featuring the single “Almost Always Better.” As they’ve often done on previous releases, The Unswept take an offbeat approach to describing a romantic relationships. They’re among the many acts that will perform at this year’s International Pop Overthrow taking place April 17 – 25 at Montrose Saloon on Chicago’s north side.

Slumgullion

Mary McCartney photo of Paul from official Paul McCartney Facebook page.

 “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.

Gary Klebe from Shoes has given us another preview of his upcoming solo album Out Loud. Like the previously released “Not Tough Enough,” the catchy “Room To Breathe” has the feel of classic Shoes material. Both songs are available for listening on YouTube. Out Loud is due out April 10 on Black Vinyl Records.

Hoodoo Gurus, the most fun power pop/garage rock band in Australia and possibly the world, will perform “a handful of shows in Spain this coming September.” Before returning home, Hoodoo Gurus will play at The Electric Ballroom in Camden in the UK.

Police vocalist-bassist Sting’s 3.0 Tour comes to the Hard Rock Live in Rockford, IL on October 16. Meanwhile, Stewart Copeland Have I Said Too Much? The Police, Hollywood And Other Adventures - An Evening Of Conversation With The Hall Of Fame Rock Star is scheduled at the North Shore Center in Skokie, IL on July 31.

The Spindles have a new single on Spotify that features the Chicago power pop band capturing the high energy and seductive tone of The Raspberries’1973 hit “Tonight.” Side B “I Don’t Know Why” is an original tune that pays homage to The Raspberries with a piano and strings arrangement and harmony vocals.

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.

Critically acclaimed producer and performer Todd Rundgren, known for hits such as “Hello, It’s Me”and “Can We Still Be Friends?,” has two stops scheduled for 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 on June 12. Other cities on the tour include Dallas, Atlanta, Fort Lauderdale, and Washington, D.C.

Coming up on September 19, FitzGerald’s in Berwyn will present Mold Fest. For anyone who thinks their house is just as worthy for such an event, ‘Mold’ in this case refers to those Mold-A-Rama machines used to churn out plastic toys. They’re most often found in museums. FitzGerald’s will join forces with Mold-A-Mania for this bash, and admission “includes a specially marked MoldFest 2026 mold!”

“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.

Tony Richards, whose solo jazz guitar performances have gained a loyal following around Chicago, will start a new series at Basil Leaf Cafe on April 8. The venue is located at 2465 N. Clark Street.

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.

The BoDeans’ 40th Anniversary Tour will make a stop at the Paramount Theatre in Aurora, IL on April 11. The Wisconsin alt rock/Americana band has given us gems such as “Closer To Free,” “Fadeaway,” and “Good Things.”

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.

Scott Ligon’s All Stars will perform on April 3 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.

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. In today’s Chicago Tribune, critic Chris Jones gave Theater Of The Mind three and a half stars in a review titled “Byrne will make you see your mind anew.”

The Robyn Hitchcock Live And Electric - Full Band Show is coming to the Athenaeum Center For Thought And Culture in Chicago on April 10. Hitchcock, an eccentric and forever young English performer/songwriter has influenced countless musicians since his days with The Soft Boys in the mid-1970s. He certainly has a lot of material to choose from for his concerts.

Graham Nash and Emmylou Harris will perform three concerts together this summer. The dates are July 23 at Kresge Auditorium in Interlochen, MI; July 24 at Meadow Brook Amphitheater in Rochester Hills, MI; and July 26 at Ravinia in Highland Park, IL. Nash also has a full schedule of shows with his band this year.

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.

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.

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 Imperial Sound, a Chicago-based band that combines neo-soul, jazz, blues, and rock, with a dash of vintage supper club ambience, has a show coming up on May 30 at Hey Nonny in Arlington Heights, IL.

XTC: I Am The Audience, a new book from author David Marx about the critically acclaimed English band led by Andy Partridge and Colin Moulding, is now available to pre-order on the Sorrento Books UK website. It features multiple interviews with fans and famous musicians, as well as rare photographs.

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.

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 recently added 9:30 pm concert that same night will feature The Wailers performing their 1977 album with Marley, Natural Mystic.

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.

Tickets are now on sale for Police vocalist-bassist Sting’s 3.0 Tour concert at Hard Rock Live in Rockford, IL on October 16. The show is for fans 21 and older.

Tickets are also on sale for Stewart Copeland Have I Said Too Much? The Police, Hollywood And Other Adventures - An Evening Of Conversation With The Hall Of Fame Rock Star at the North Shore Center in Skokie, IL on July 31.

Black Friars Social Club, a new band blessed with veteran musicians from the Chicago club scene such as Panick Mark and Ellis Clark, have a gig tomorrow night at Montrose Saloon on the north side. Federal Milk Records recording artists Pete Singer And The New Harmonies are the opening act. Looking further down the road, Black Friars Social Club will release a new album, and they have a gig at the 5 Spot in Nashville, TN on August 8.

Bob Dylan’s Rough And Rowdy Ways World Wide Tour recently began, and will come to the Coronado Theatre in Rockford, IL this Saturday and the Genesee Theatre in Waukeegan, IL on Monday, March 30.

The Half/Cubes, a Syracuse, NY duo, will release a version of the 1960s hit song “Bend Me Shape Me” via Jem Records tomorrow. Glenn Burtnick from The Weeklings is the guest lead vocalist on the track. He recently noted in a Facebook post that the late Gary Loizzo of Chicago-based band American Breed did a great job singing on the original version.

You be me for a while. Androgynous Mustache, a collective of Chicago area musicians known for ambitious tribute shows honoring famous recording artists, will perform as The Replacements on July 14 at Evanston SPACE in Evanston, IL.

Tickets are now on sale for the B-52’s return engagement at the Venetian Resort in Las Vegas, NV. They’ll be performing there April 22, 24, and 25.

Chicago-based funk specialists The Meadowlark Lemons aim to have everyone up and dancing at their album release party tomorrow night at the FitzGerald’s nightclub in Berwyn, IL. The quintet will have CDs of its self-titled debut for sale at the gig, plus a pre-order sign-up sheet for the vinyl edition. 

Decoy Prayer Meeting; Everly Hillbillies; Ian McKinley Band; Between Howls; and Rhythm And Twang will join together in a country and western/rockabilly flavored event this Saturday at Montrose Saloon on Chicago’s north side. The music starts at 6:30 pm.

The Lovin’ Spoonful have a 7-CD box set titled What A Day For A Daydream - The Complete Recordings 1965 - 1969 comes out ttomorrow via Strawberry Records.

As noted in the March issue of the Illinois Entertainer, other new albums coming out tomorrow include Creature Of Habit by Courtney Barnett and The Former Site Of by The New Pornographers.

Incoming

The Bowery Palace in New York, NY will celebrate the late Clem Burke with several performers this Wednesday and Thursday. Both nights are now sold out. Burke is best known for being Blondie’s drummer, and in recent years, he collaborated with several musicians on recordings and live performances. Guest performers at The Bowery Palace event will include Glen Matlock; Steve Wynn; Jesse Malin; Tommy Stinson; Kathy Valentine; Brix Smith; Linda Pitmon; Gail Greenwood; John Easdale; Brad Elvis, and Michael Giblin.

Chicago-based funk specialists The Meadowlark Lemons aim to have everyone up and dancing at their album release party this Friday at the FitzGerald’s nightclub in Berwyn, IL. The quintet will have CDs of its self-titled debut for sale at the gig, plus a pre-order sign-up sheet for the vinyl edition. 

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.

Bob Dylan’s Rough And Rowdy Ways World Wide Tour recently began, and will come to the Coronado Theatre in Rockford, IL this Saturday and the Genesee Theatre in Waukeegan, IL on Monday, March 30.

Ike Reilly & The Zimmermen have a DO DYLAN event coming up at FitzGerald’s in Berwyn, IL on April 24.T

The Bonnie Koloc Trio has an all-ages show at Hey Nonny in Arlington Heights, IL tomorrow. Koloc, a critically acclaimed singer-songwriter, was a driving force in Chicago’s emerging folk scene back in the 1970s. She was a Founders Choice inductee into the Illinois Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame.

Chicago-based singer-guitarist Terry White will host another Songwriter Circle tomorrow night at Fitzgerald’s Sidebar in Berwyn, IL This time out, White’s guests will be Dag Juhlin (The Slugs, Sunshine Boys, Poi Dog Pondering) and Tracey Dear (The Waco Brothers).

The BoDeans’ 40th Anniversary Tour will make a stop at the Paramount Theatre in Aurora, IL on April 11. The Wisconsin alt rock/Americana band has given us gems such as “Closer To Free,” “Fadeaway,” and “Good Things.” 

The Lovin’ Spoonful have a 7-CD box set titled What A Day For A Daydream - The Complete Recordings 1965 - 1969 comes out this Friday via Strawberry Records.

Decoy Prayer Meeting; Everly Hillbillies; Ian McKinley Band; Between Howls; and Rhythm And Twang will join together in a country and western/rockabilly flavored event this Saturday at Montrose Saloon on Chicago’s north side. The music starts at 6:30 pm.

Slumgullion

The Robyn Hitchcock Live And Electric - Full Band Show is coming to the Athenaeum Center For Thought And Culture in Chicago on April 10. Hitchcock, an eccentric and forever young English performer/songwriter has influenced countless musicians since his days with The Soft Boys in the mid-1970s. He certainly has a lot of material to choose from for his concerts.

Gary Klebe from Shoes has given us another preview of his upcoming solo album Out Loud. Like the previously released “Not Tough Enough,” the catchy “Room To Breathe” has the feel of classic Shoes material. Both songs are available for listening on YouTube. Out Loud is due out April 10 on Black Vinyl Records.

PureSoul Presents has a Soul Brunch: Aretha and the Women of Soul event coming this Sunday at noon at City Winery Chicago. The venue is located at 1200 W. Randolph Street, just west of downtown. PureSoul Presents has staged several tributes to famous music acts there over the past few years.

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 fans of Chicago’s splendid music scene will no doubt be saddened to hear the news that Helen and Michael Cameron, owners of the north Clark Street restaurant/entertainment venue Uncommon Ground have decided to retire after 35 years. I have fond memories of seeing a Susanna Hoffs solo gig, as well as a media event for local alt rockers The Twigs there. Best wishes and a big thank you to Helen and Michael.

In related but better news, Hideout Inn, another well-respected music venue on Chicago’s north side, is getting a new owner. Original owners Tim and Katie Tuten, and Jim and Mike Hinchsliff, have sold the venue to musician and former employee Teri O’Brien. A post on the official Hideout Inn Facebook page states, “So you’ll still see your favorite bartenders and staff, hear great music and share real conversations with your friends.” Thanks and best wishes to Tim, Katie, Jim and Mike. For a full story on the sale, check out Christopher Borrelli’s article in today’s Chicago Tribune.

 “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.

A Paul McCartney And Wings exhibit will open on May 15 at the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame in Cleveland, OH. The memorabilia on display will be centered on McCartney’s days of recording and performing with his wife Linda and Denny Laine, along with his first solo album. In the meantime, fans can stream the Paul McCartney and Wings - Man On The Run documentary on Amazon Prime.

Chicago-based singer-guitarist Terry White will host another Songwriter Circle at Fitzgerald’s Sidebar in Berwyn, IL next Tuesday, March 24. This time out, White’s guests will be Dag Juhlin (The Slugs, Sunshine Boys, Poi Dog Pondering) and Tracey Dear (The Waco Brothers).

Graham Nash and Emmylou Harris will perform three concerts together this summer. The dates are July 23 at Kresge Auditorium in Interlochen, MI; July 24 at Meadow Brook Amphitheater in Rochester Hills, MI; and July 26 at Ravinia in Highland Park, IL. Nash also has a full schedule of shows with his band this year.

The Cynz, New York City’s high-speed indie rockers, will hit Chicago on March 28 for a show at Reggie’s just south of the Loop. Led by Cyndi Dawson and Henry Seiz, the JEM Records recording artists have been getting a lot of airplay for their latest single “You Wreck Me.” Chicago-based psychedelic garage rockers Vinto Van Go will be the opening act.

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.

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.

The Unswept, a Chicago band whose members hail from Sheffield, England, have released a new single on Bandcamp titled “Almost Always Better.” As they’ve often done on previous releases, The Unswept take an offbeat approach to describing a romantic relationship. The song will be included on the upcoming EP Bittersweet On Repeat, which will be available on March 31. The Unswept will return to International Pop Overthrow - Chicago at Montrose Saloon in Chicago on April 17.

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.

The Bonnie Koloc Trio has an all-ages show at Hey Nonny in Arlington Heights, IL on March 24. Koloc, a critically acclaimed singer-songwriter, was a driving force in Chicago’s emerging folk scene back in the 1970s. She was a Founders Choice inductee into the Illinois Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame.

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.

Scott Ligon’s All Stars will perform on April 3 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.

XTC: I Am The Audience, a new book from author David Marx about the critically acclaimed English band led by Andy Partridge and Colin Moulding, is now available to pre-order on the Sorrento Books UK website. It features multiple interviews with fans and famous musicians, as well as rare photographs.

In related news, this year’s Record Store Day event on April 18 will include the XTC - Live Boots - Live At Emerald City 1981 double album. The songs performed at Emerald City include “Life Begins At The Hop,” “Respectable Street,” “Making Plans For Nigel,” and “Generals and Majors.”

Decoy Prayer Meeting; Everly Hillbillies; Ian McKinley Band; Between Howls; and Rhythm And Twang will join together in a country and western/rockabilly flavored event on March 28 at Montrose Saloon on Chicago’s north side. The music starts at 6:30 pm.

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.

Singer-songwriter Phil Angotti will showcase a video for the song “Eye For An Eye” from his Once Around Again album on April 2 at the G-Man Tavern. It will be part of a video release party/show with two sets of live music.

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.