Slumgullion

For events taking place this weekend, check out my previous post titled Weekend Reminders.

As I mentioned yesterday, the very first CBGB Festival will take place on Sept. 27 in Brooklyn, NY. An email from Western Publicity states, “The CBGB Festival pays tribute to New York City’s gritty, sticker-covered past through a modern lens.” The scheduled performers include Iggy Pop, Jack White, The Damned, Johnny Marr, Lunachicks, Marky Ramone, Soul Glo, and The Linda Lindas. Tickets are now available on the official website.

The Reel Underground, which describes the films it screens as Forgotten, Overlooked, Off The Radar Music Documentaries, will host a showing of Elvis Costello and the Attractions - The Making of Almost Blue next Wednesday, Sept 24th, at Montrose Saloon. DJ Louie B will start spinning Elvis Costello records at 6:00 pm; the screening takes place at 7 pm; and local musician Phil Angotti will perform a solo set of Costello music at 8:30. Montrose Saloon is located on Chicago’s north side.

Congratulation to Irish rockers U2 on being chosen as the 2025 Woody Guthrie Prize honorees. Bono and The Edge will receive the award on the band’s behalf at a Harper House Music Foundation event at Cain’s Ballroom in Tulsa, OK on Oct. 21. The official Woody Guthrie Prize site states the annual award is presented to “an artist who best exemplifies Woody Guthrie’s spirit and work by speaking for the less fortunate through music, film, literature, dance or other art forms and serving as a positive force for social change.” Previous honorees include Bruce Springsteen, Joan Baez, Pete Seeger, and Mavis Staples. 

Pravda Records Presents, a showcase featuring three of the Chicago-based label’s acts, will take place at Martyrs’ on October 10. A recent Facebook post from The Handcuffs teases with the promise, “The ’Cuffs will be doing something a little different for this one show which should be fun for you and for us.” They’ll be joined by Brian Krumm And His Barfly Friends and Nathan Graham. Martyrs’ is located at 3855 N. Lincoln Avenue.

Just about two years ago on Broken Hearted Toy, I mentioned that legendary rock and roll photographer Henry Diltz had joined forces with Cindystock on a series of rock musician photo books that benefit the Yates Fund For Cancer Hope. Back then, the choices were Dan Fogelburg, Stephen Stills, David Crosby, and Micky Dolenz. Diltz has since added David Cassidy, Joni Mitchell, America, Graham Nash and Crosby, Stills, Nash And Young to the collection. Each book contains 40 photos and sells for $24.

Reeling2025 - The 43rd Chicago LGBTQ + International Film Festival opened today and will run through September 28 at Landmark’s Century Centre on the city’s north side.

The Psychedelic Furs With Special Guest Gary Numan Tour is coming to the Auditorium Theatre in Chicago on October 4. Other stops on the tour include Seattle; Sacramento; Los Angeles; Denver; Washington, D.C.; Boston; and Brooklyn.

Casey McDonough and Eric Howell have worked with several Chicago area musicians over the years, but I’m not sure if they’ve ever performed as a duo. That’s what it looks like they’ll be doing at Cary’s Lounge (2251 W. Devon) on Friday, September 26.

Canadian singer-songwriter Sarah McLachlan’s new album titled Better Broken came out today; with the title track being the first single. Her 2025 North American tour kicks off on October 15 in Victoria, BC, and will include a stop at the Auditorium Theatre in Chicago on November 22.

I recently received Issue 21 of Second Scene in the mail, and once again, it’s an appealing mix of indie rock journalism and colorful graphics. This issue features concert reviews of Iggy Pop, Patti Smith, and The English Beat, along with coverage of several up and coming bands. The Pittsburgh-based publication is available for $7 plus shipping on its Bandcamp page.

Aliza Hava’s new album Into The Light is now available exclusively on Bandcamp. The Ashland, Oregon folk rock singer-guitarist creates emotionally charged songs such as “Let It Roar” and “Fix My Fate” that convey how to navigate this troubled world.

Musician Jason Narducy and actor-musician Michael Shannon have another R.E.M. album tribute tour coming up. This time, they’ll be celebrating the 40th Anniversary of Lifes Rich Pageant, backed by Dag Juhlin, John Stirratt, Vijay Tellis-Nayak, and Jon Wurster. The tour kicks off in Denver on February 11, 2026, and will include stops in Seattle; Athens, GA; Los Angeles; Washington, DC; Chicago; Pittsburgh; and Minneapolis.

In related news, Drink The Sea, an exotic, experimental band of established musicians that includes R.E.M. founding member Peter Buck, has a U.S. Tour coming in 2026 that will visit Chicago, Boston, Cincinnati, Philadelphia and several other cities.

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.

Pink Floyd will release a 50th Anniversary Edition of Wish You Were Here on December 12 in 2CD, 3LP, and a deluxe box formats.

Radio Soul - Early Songs Of Elvis Costello, featuring Mr. Costello and The Imposters with Charlie Sexton, kicked off a month’s worth of concerts on yesterday in Bethlehem, PA. The tour will come to The Chicago Theatre on Oct 16.

Hot In The Dark, the debut album from Chicago’s unpredictable and always entertaining covers band EXPO ’76 with the Total Pro Horns, is now available to pre-order on Bandcamp. The 12 tracks reflect the mind-boggling variety of music EXPO ’76 performs at its live gigs. Hot In The Dark will be officially released on October 24.

As noted by writer Mike Duquette on The Second Disc website, 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.

Beatland Books is set to release the first volume of a “massively enhanced and fully rewritten” update of Doug Hinman’s 2004 book on The Kinks. The Kinks - All Day And All Of The Night - The Day-By-Day Story Pt. 1: 1940 - 1971, with Andrew Sandoval joining Hinman, is due out later this year.

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.

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.

Weekend Reminders

Party on, lads. Irish rockers Inhaler will perform at the Shaky Knees Festival in Atlanta, GA on Friday, and at Riot Fest in Chicago on Sunday.

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.

The Shaky Knees Festival runs tomorrow through Sunday at Piedmont Park in Atlanta, GA with Deftones, My Chemical Romance, and Blink-182 as the headliners. Other scheduled acts include Lenny Kravitz; Pixies; Spoon; Inhaler; Cage The Elephant; The Black Keys; Johnny Marr; The Beaches; Vampire Weekend; Devo; Wet Leg; Franz Ferdinand; Stereophonics; and Weird Al Yankovic.

Canadian singer-songwriter Sarah McLachlan has a new album titled Better Broken coming out tomorrow; with the title track being the first single. Her 2025 North American tour kicks off on October 15 in Victoria, BC, and will include a stop at the Auditorium Theatre in Chicago on November 22.

Fashion-minded attendees at the 20th Annual Riot Fest, which runs in Chicago tomorrow through Sunday, might want to purchase a limited-edition CBGB And Riot Fest - Homes of Underground Rock t-shirt. According to a press release from Western Publicity, the “collaborative shirt marks [the] first step in future plans with the inaugural CBGB Fest set to take place Sept. 27 in Brooklyn and Riot Fest kicking-off this weekend in Chicago.” The t-shirt will only be available in limited quantities at Riot Fest, so keep an eye out for any vendors in Douglass Park that have them. Check out yesterday’s Broken Hearted Toy Incoming post for information on the scheduled acts at Riot Fest.

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 perform from 6:00 to 10:00 pm tomorrow night at the Chicago Prime Italian restraurant in Schaumburg, IL.

Reeling2025 - The 43rd Chicago LGBTQ + International Film Festival opens tomorrow at Landmark’s Century Centre on the city’s north side, and will run through September 28.

The Hoodoo Gurus will celebrate the 40th anniversary of their rollicking second album Mars Needs Guitars with an event tomorrow at The Barracks in North Head Manly in Sydney, Australia. They’ll perform the entire album in order, and then move on to a variety of garage rock selections from their illustrious and zany career.

Exsanguinated Roommate, an adventurous Chicago-based band led by Paul Foreman, will showcase songs from their new Healing Trends album this Saturday night at Montrose Saloon. They’ll be preceded that night by Another VU, the Chicago-based act that performs 1969-era Velvet Underground songs; sax-driven Morphine tribute band Honey Whites; and Made of Stone, which honors the work of  The Stone Roses. The music starts at 8:00 pm.

Surf instrumental rockers Los Straitjackets are celebrating 30 years of exuberant fun, and will release their latest album, Somos, tomorrow. A few songs are already available to preview on Bandcamp.

Uptown Live, which is being billed as Uptown Chicago’s Premier Street Festival, takes place this tomorrow through Sunday on Broadway between Lawrence and Leland. Entertainers will include Joywave; DJ Mark Farina; Dancing Queen: An ABBA Salute; Liquid Soul; The Western Elstons; Crocodile Rockstar: Tribute To Elton John; and Planet Claire: Tribute To The B-52’s.

Incoming

Photo of Jack White from official Riot Fest Facebook page.

But wait, there’s more. Additional entertainment news, unrelated to Monday’s Incoming post here.

Welcome to everyone who’s arrived in Chicago for the 20th Annual Riot Fest this Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. The scheduled performers range from punk pioneers such as The Sex Pistols; The Pogues; Marky Ramone; The Damned; The Effigies; and The Buzzcocks to more recently formed acts such as The Linda Lindas and Inhaler. Green Day; Jack White; The Beach Boys; Weezer; The Cribs; Dropkick Murphys; and Rilo Kiley are among the other acts coming to Douglass Park. The Friday-only “Weird Al” Yankovic’s Weird World Stage at Riot Fest will present Shonen Knife; Mac Sabbath; Puddles Pity Party; Camper Van Beethoven; Sparks; and “Weird Al” himself.

The Psychedelic Furs With Special Guest Gary Numan Tour is coming to the Auditorium Theatre in Chicago on October 4. Other stops on the tour include Seattle; Sacramento; Los Angeles; Denver; Washington, D.C.; Boston; and Brooklyn.

Pravda Records Presents, a showcase featuring three of the Chicago-based label’s acts, will take place at Martyrs’ on October 10. A Facebook post today from The Handcuffs teases with the promise, “The ’Cuffs will be doing something a little different for this one show which should be fun for you and for us.” They’ll be joined by Brian Krumm And His Barfly Friends and Nathan Graham. Martyrs’ is located at 3855 N. Lincoln Avenue.

As noted in a Facebook post yesterday from musician Jason Narducy, he and actor-musician Michael Shannon have another R.E.M. album tribute tour coming up. This time, they’ll be celebrating the 40th Anniversary of Lifes Rich Pageant, backed by Dag Juhlin, John Stirratt, Vijay Tellis-Nayak, and Jon Wurster. The tour kicks off in Denver on February 11, 2026, and will include stops in Seattle; Los Angeles; Washington, DC; Pittsburgh; and Minneapolis. There will be two shows in the R.E.M. birthplace of Athens, GA on February 26 and 27; as well as two shows in Narducy and Shannon’s hometown Chicago on March 12 and 13. Tickets go on sale this Friday. Years ago, a fellow proofreader at a company I worked at complained she would never forgive R.E.M. for the grammatical error of using ‘Lifes’ as a possessive without an apostrophe. I was willing to give them a pass.

In related news, Drink The Sea, an exotic, experimental band of established musicians that includes R.E.M. founding member Peter Buck, has a U.S. Tour coming in 2026 that will visit Chicago, Boston, Cincinnati, and Philadelphia and several other cities.

Incoming

Congratulations to The Hoodoo Gurus on the 40th anniversary of their rollicking second album Mars Needs Guitars!. That’s exactly how long I’ve owned my copy. The Aussie garage rockers will celebrate this Friday at The Barracks in North Head Manly in Sydney by performing the entire album in order, before moving on to a variety of garage rock selections from their illustrious and zany career. Here’s a link to “Bittersweet” from that album.

Depending on when you read this, you might be able to catch Chicago area musicians Phil Angotti and Tommi Zender paying tribute to Simon And Garfunkel at SPACE in Evanston at 7:00 pm tonight.  

Correction: The upcoming Material Issue show at north-side venue Schubas takes place on September 27, not September 17, as I have incorrectly stated here on Broken Hearted Toy. I apologize for the confusion.

Pink Floyd will release a 50th Anniversary Edition of Wish You Were Here on December 12 in 2CD, 3LP, and a deluxe box formats. Writer Mike Duquette at the always reliable website The Second Disc calls it “a considerable trove of audiovisual material chronicling the British band’s Herculean task of following up the commercial success of 1973’s The Dark Side of the Moon.” 

Uptown Live, which is being billed as Uptown Chicago’s Premier Street Festival, takes place this Friday through Sunday on Broadway between Lawrence and Leland. Entertainers will include Joywave; DJ Mark Farina; Dancing Queen: An ABBA Salute; Liquid Soul; The Western Elstons; Crocodile Rockstar: Tribute To Elton John; and Planet Claire: Tribute To The B-52’s.

The Shaky Knees Music Festival will take place this Friday through Sunday at Piedmont Park in Atlanta, GA with Deftones, My Chemical Romance, and Blink-182 as the headliners. Other scheduled acts include Lenny Kravitz; Pixies; Spoon; Inhaler; Cage The Elephant; The Black Key; Johnny Marr; The Beaches; Vampire Weekend; Devo; Wet Leg; Franz Ferdinand; Stereophonics; and Weird Al Yankovic.

Indie Rock Night at The Des Plaines Theatre in Des Plaines, IL continues tomorrow night with acoustic Americana music by Holden Garcia; rock band The Prowlers; and the punk rock of Medanos. The music starts at 7:00 pm.

Surf instrumental rockers Los Straitjackets are celebrating 30 years of exuberant fun, and will release their latest album, Somos, this Friday. A few songs are already available to preview on Bandcamp.

Exsanguinated Roommate, an adventurous Chicago-based band led by Paul Foreman, will showcase songs from their new Healing Trends album this Saturday night at Montrose Saloon. They’ll be preceded that night by Another VU, the Chicago-based act that performs 1969-era Velvet Underground songs; sax-driven Morphine tribute band Honey Whites; and Made of Stone, which honors the work of  The Stone Roses. The music starts at 8:00 pm.

Live music at the Hey Nonny venue in Arlington Heights, IL continues this week with the pop music of Pulsars on Wednesday; Folk and Americana music by Goldpine and The Burney Sisters on Thursday, and rockers Pino Farina Band on Friday and Saturday.

The Brooklyn Book Festival returned for its 20th year yesterday and will run through September 22 in downtown Brooklyn, NY. Several publishers are involved, and the numerous authors include Alison Bechdel, Marlon James, Joyce Carol Oates, and Viet Thanh Nguyen.

Slumgullion

For events taking place this weekend, check out my previous post titled Weekend Reminders.

Radio Soul! The Early Songs Of Elvis Costello, featuring Mr. Costello and The Imposters with Charlie Sexton, will kick off a month’s worth of concerts on September 18 in Bethlehem, PA. The tour will come to The Chicago Theatre on Oct 16.

Happy Birthday to Marianne Galassini, lead vocalist and co-founder with her husband Mike for the Chicago-based indie rock band Magnaphonic. It’s always a kick to see them perform at International Pop Overthrow - Chicago.

Aimee Mann and Ted Leo successfully collaborate on indie rock songs from time to time, and they also enjoy spreading holiday cheer. Tickets are now on sale for their Aimee Mann and Ted Leo Christmas Show! with Paul F. Tompkins, Nellie McKay and Josh Gondelman. It kicks off on November 28 at City Winery New York, and will include shows in Chicago on December 11 and 12.

Decoy Prayer Meeting, a local band that specializes in rockabilly and vintage Country and Western music, will return to the north side venue Montrose Saloon on September 22.

The Hoodoo Gurus will celebrate the 40th anniversary of their rollicking second album Mars Needs Guitars with an event on September 19 at The Barracks in North Head Manly in Sydney, Australia. They will perform the entire album in order and then move on to a variety of garage rock selections from their illustrious and zany career.

Aliza Hava’s new album Into The Light is now available exclusively on Bandcamp. The Ashland, Oregon folk rock singer-guitarist creates emotionally charged songs such as “Let It Roar” and “Fix My Fate” that convey how to navigate this troubled world.

Henry Diltz, one of rock music’s most successful photographers, will present Once Upon A Troubadour - A Slideshow And Story-Telling Experience Of The Photographs That Made Music History By The Man Who Took Them at the Troubadour in Los Angeles on December 9. The one-night-only event invites fans to “Step inside the golden era of rock ’n’ roll as Henry unveils a stunning visual journey and shares his intimate stories from behind the lens.”

The Joe Policastro Trio has a release show for their new album Mending Wall coming up on September 22nd at the Jazz Showcase in Chicago. They recently posted an instrumental take on the Modern English song “Melt With You” on their YouTube page.

Beatland Books is set to release the first volume of a “massively enhanced and fully rewritten” update of Doug Hinman’s 2004 book on The Kinks. The Kinks - All Day And All Of The Night - The Day-By-Day Story Pt. 1: 1940 - 1971, with Andrew Sandoval joining Hinman, is due out later this year.

Two of the Chicago club scene’s better known musicians, Phil Angotti and Tommi Zender, will join forces to honor Simon And Garfunkel tonight at Cafe Carpe in Ft. Atkinson, WI; and at SPACE in Evanston this Monday.

Paul Weller recently released Find El Dorado, a collection of his reinterpretations of other artists’ material, and he has now launched an online merch store. The email announcement describes it as “Celebrating every era - from the energy of The Jam, the style and soul of The Style Council, through to Paul’s solo years - these new collections bring together designs that mark the journey so far.”

Hot In The Dark, the debut album from Chicago’s unpredictable and always entertaining covers band EXPO ’76 with the Total Pro Horns, is now available to pre-order on Bandcamp. The 12 tracks reflect the mind-boggling variety of music EXPO ’76 performs at its live gigs. Hot In The Dark will be officially released on October 24.

The official website for the Rory Gallagher International Tribute Festival has announced the 22nd annual event will take place May 28 – 31, 2026 in Ballyshannon, Co. Donegal, Ireland. That’s the birthplace of the iconic Irish guitarist, and the site promises, “Big Top Concerts each night as well as 30 Hours of Open Air Free Gigs on the Rockin’ Streets of Ballyshannon.” Tickets for all three nights are €90.

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 Robbie Fulks is a prime example. Recent guests have included Chris Difford from Squeeze and singer songwriter Sam Phillips.

As noted by writer Mike Duquette on The Second Disc website, 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. 

Rhythm and blues singer Gerald McClendon, who’s impressed many audiences around the Chicago area, will perform with his band on the patio at Fitzgeralds in Berwyn, IL on September 26th. As McClendon noted in a Facebook post, that patio has heat lamps so there’s no need to worry about it being chilly outside.

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.

Soundtracks Of A Generation, which has staged several rock music tribute shows, will perform The Concert For George on November 29 at 7:30 pm at the Lyric Theater in Blue Island, IL.

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.”

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.

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.

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.

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.

Weekend Reminders

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 might still be able to catch garage rock specialists The Woggles tonight at Reggie’s Chicago, just south of downtown. Hometown indie rockers The Handcuffs and the local punk trio Bum Rush will also be on the bill. Reggie’s Chicago is located at 2105 S. State Street.

Participating acts for the Sea Hear Now Festival taking place in Asbury Park, NJ this Saturday and Sunday include Inhaler; Hozier; LCD Soundsystem; Alabama Shakes; ZZ Top; De La Soul; UB40; Trombone Shorty and Orleans Avenue; Blink 182; Lenny Kravitz; Sublime; Public Enemy; Spoon; and 4 Non Blondes. The event, which sports a surfing theme, is now sold out for both days.

International Pop Overthrow regulars (in Chicago and elsewhere) Kerosene Stars will be part of a four-band, 8:00 pm showcase at the Scout Bar in Houston, TX tonight. Kerosene Stars have been releasing power pop albums since their 2014 self-titled effort, and released the catchy new song “Kerosine” on Bandcamp this past spring.

As noted in a recent Chicago Sun-Times/WBEZ article by Mike Davis, the Illinois Rock And Roll Museum will induct its 2025 inductees at a ceremony this Sunday at the Rialto Square Theatre in Joliet, IL. The honorees are Enuff Z’Nuff; Head East; Tim Drummond; Delmark Records; Mitch Michaels; and Q10l Chicago. Since last year’s ceremony was canceled due to a tornado, Sunday’s event will also celebrate the 2024 honorees Richard Marx; The Smashing Pumpkins; Howlin’ Wolf; Little Walter; Bo Diddley; Vee-Jay Records; Bob Stroud; and Big 10 WCFL.

The Chicago Immigrant Orchestra, which had an initial run from 1999 through 2004 and was revived in 2019 under the guidance of musicians Fareed Haque and Wanees Zarourd, has an album release event at 7:00 pm this Sunday at the Epiphany Center for the Arts. Both versions of the Orchestra were founded by the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events, with the goal of celebrating the city’s immigrant communities. The Epiphany Center for the Arts is located at 201 S. Ashland Avenue.

Three Chicago area recording artists with loyal followings on the club scene will join forces at QBar in Darien, IL this Saturday. 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.

McLuhan, the adventurous seven-piece Chicago band inspired by philosopher Marshall McLuhan, will be part of a triple bill at The Gallery Cabaret tomorrow with Esmeralda’s Boys and TIMOCO. The music starts at 9:00 pm; The Gallery Cabaret is located at 2020 N. Oakley Avenue.

The Everly Hillbillies will perform songs by The Everly Brothers this Saturday at the Tuscan Market And Wine Shop Steps in Arlington Heights, IL. It’s a quick walk from the Metra station.

Torpedo Los! will perform Beatles songs from 1966, along with other bands’ hits from the ‘60s and ‘80s tomorrow night at Montrose Saloon on Chicago’s north side. Local club scene veterans LaRue DeVille, who blend soul and Americana music, and Detroit melodic rockers The Needmores are also on the bill.

The Wheaton College Faculty Artists series will present fretless guitarist Kevin Brown as part of a Jazz Organ Trio tomorrow at the Armerding Center for Music and the Arts Hall. Brown will be joined by Isaiah Jones Jr. on organ ad Mason Lampa on drums. The concert starts at 7:30.

The Lakeview East Festival Of The Arts returns for its 20th year this Saturday and Sunday, 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.

Incoming

Photo from the official Ringo Starr Facebook page.

First, let’s welcome Ringo Starr And His All Starr Band, who’ll perform tomorrow night at the Chicago Theatre. The All Starr lineup features rock and roll veterans Steve Lukather, Colin Hay, Warren Ham, Hamish Stuart, Gregg Bissonette, and Buck Johnson. Ringo’s latest album, Look Up, finds him working in a Country and Western vein, but it’s likely he and his famous mates will be covering a variety of music, with an emphasis on Beatles tunes.

Pure Soul Presents, which serves up tribute shows at City Winery Chicago on a regular basis, has one titled Infinite 80s coming up tomorrow night at 7:30. Described as “your portal to the post-punk, new wave, and alt-pop legends who defined a generation and reshaped music forever,” Infinite 80s will showcase songs by The Cure, The Smiths, The Pixies, and other acts.

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 this Thursday, with hometown heroes The Handcuffs as their opening act.

Three Chicago area recording artists with loyal followings on the club scene will join forces at QBar in Darien, IL this Saturday. 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.

Roger McGuinn, whose guitar playing with The Byrds has inspired countless musicians for decades, will perform tomorrow night at The North Shore Center For The Performing Arts in Skokie, IL.

McLuhan, the adventurous seven-piece Chicago band inspired by philosopher Marshall McLuhan, will be part of a triple bill at The Gallery Cabaret this Friday with Esmeralda’s Boys and TIMOCO. The music starts at 9:00 pm; The Gallery Cabaret is located at 2020 N. Oakley Avenue.

Marshall Crenshaw’s 40+ Years In Showbiz! show with James Mastro comes to at City Winery Chicago this Sunday. Crenshaw has given us several irresistible songs, such as “Someday, Someway,” “Cynical Girl,” and “Whenever You’re On My Mind.” He recently released a new album titled From The Hell Hole.

Guaranteed to leave you feeling groovy. Local musicians Phil Angotti and Tommi Zender are each well known on the Chicago club scene for performing their own music as well as tribute shows. On September 15, they’ll join forces to honor Simon And Garfunkel at SPACE in Evanston.

When the UK indie rock band Wolf Alice kicks off a North American tour in support of its new album The Clearing tomorrow in Atlanta, founding member/guitarist Joff Oddie won’t be onboard. He’s made the wise decision to remain home for upcoming birth of his first child, and will be temporarily replaced by guitarist John Victor. Wolf Alice returns to Chicago with a sold-out show at The Vic on September 26. Songwriter Willy Mason will be the opening act throughout the tour. 

Aliza Hava’s new album Into The Light is now available exclusively on Bandcamp. The Ashland, Oregon folk rock singer-guitarist creates emotionally charged songs such as “Let It Roar” and “Fix My Fate” that convey how to navigate this troubled world.

The Everly Hillbillies will perform the best songs by The Everly Brothers this Saturday at the Tuscan Market And Wine Shop Steps in Arlington Heights. It’s a quick walk from the Metra station.

Veteran country and western act Kent Rose And The Remedies will perform tomorrow night at the Broken Hearts Bar (no relation to this blog) on Chicago’s west side. They also have a 3:00 pm performance this Sunday at The Lakeview East Festival Of The Arts. 

The Lakeview East Festival Of The Arts returns for its 20th year this Saturday and Sunday, 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.

Hot In The Dark, the debut album from Chicago’s unpredictable but always enjoyable covers band EXPO ’76 with the Total Pro Horns, is now available to pre-order on Bandcamp. The 12 tracks reflect the mind-boggling variety of music EXPO ’76 performs at its live gigs. Hot In The Dark will be officially released on October 24.

Slumgullion

For events taking place this weekend, check out my previous post titled Weekend Reminders.

Henry Diltz, one of rock music’s most successful photographers, will present Once Upon A Troubadour - A Slideshow And Story-Telling Experience Of The Photographs That Made Music History By The Man Who Took Them at the Troubadour in Los Angeles on December 9. The one-night-only event invites fans to “Step inside the golden era of rock ’n’ roll as Henry unveils a stunning visual journey and shares his intimate stories from behind the lens.”

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 27.

Tickets go on sale this Monday for the Countdown Concert New Year’s Eve event at Dublin Castle in Ireland with headline act Inhaler. Other guests will be announced soon.

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 Chris Difford from Squeeze is a prime example.

Beatland Books is set to release the first volume of a “massively enhanced and fully rewritten” update of Doug Hinman’s 2004 book on The Kinks. The Kinks - All Day And All Of The Night - The Day-By-Day Story Pt. 1: 1940 - 1971, with Andrew Sandoval joining Hinman, is due out later this year.

The Wheaton College Faculty Artists series will present fretless guitarist Kevin Brown as part of a Jazz Organ Trio on September 12 at the Armerding Center for Music and the Arts Hall. Brown will be joined by Isaiah Jones Jr. on organ ad Mason Lampa on drums. The concert starts at 7:30.

Paul Weller recently released Find El Dorado, a collection of his reinterpretations of other artists’ material, and he has now launched an online merch store. The email announcement describes it as “Celebrating every era - from the energy of The Jam, the style and soul of The Style Council, through to Paul’s solo years - these new collections bring together designs that mark the journey so far.”

Nasty, Brutish & Short, who describe themselves as “a late night cabaret packed with contemporary short-form puppet and object based theater,” will host a multi-act showcase this Monday at 3111 N. Western Avenue on Chicago’s north side. Curated by Myra Su and Caitlin McLeod, and hosted by Noah Ginex Puppet Co., the event will feature Laurel Johnson; Charlie Bendtsen-Schumann; Famous in the Future; Robbie Lynn Hunsinger; Rabbitfoot Puppetry; The Stinks; and Theatre Nobody.

Soundtracks Of A Generation, which has staged several rock music tribute shows, will perform The Concert For George on November 29 at 7:30 pm at the Lyric Theater in Blue Island, IL.

The official website for the Rory Gallagher International Tribute Festival has announced the 22nd annual event will take place May 28 – 31, 2026 in Ballyshannon, Co. Donegal, Ireland. That’s the birthplace of the iconic Irish guitarist, and the site promises, “Big Top Concerts each night as well as 30 Hours of Open Air Free Gigs on the Rockin’ Streets of Ballyshannon.” Tickets for all three nights are €90.

Happy Birthday to Tammi Sonnen, a knowledgeable and avid supporter of Chicago’s vibrant music scene, and someone I’ve enjoyed speaking with a few times at International Pop Overthrow showcases. Have fun celebrating.

As recently noted by writer Mike Duquette on The Second Disc website, 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 Everly Hillbillies will return to the Tuscan Market And Wine Shop in Arlington Heights on September 13 to perform an extended selection of songs by The Everly Brothers. The venue is located in the downtown area, just a short walk from the Metra station.

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. 

Longtime writer, filmmaker and director Ron Lazzeretti will host a Songwriter Circle this coming Tuesday at FitzGerald’s in Berwyn, IL. Andon Davis and Rachel Drew will be special guests, and Lazzeretti will showcase songs from his own debut album Battle Of The Planets. Although it’s his first recording, he has several years of performing original music in Chicago venues.

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.

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.

The Who - The Song Is Over - The North American Farewell Tour is underway, and will make a stop at the United Center in Chicago this Sunday. Other upcoming dates include Los Angeles, Vancouver, Seattle, and Las Vegas. 

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.”

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.

A number of social media posts today brought the sad news that Mark Volman, who performed with The Turtles, Flo And Eddy (with Howard Kaylan) and Mothers Of Invention, has passed away at the age of 78. Rock In Paradise, Mark.

Weekend Reminders

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.

Correction: International Pop Overthrow - New York will run November 6 – 9 at The Parkside Lounge, not this weekend, as erroneously stated in this past Monday’s Incoming post here on BHT. I apologize for the error. I must have been a bit tipsy from celebrating IPO founder David Bash’s birthday.

Traces Of You, the 10-track album of previously unreleased Ivy songs recorded by band members Adam Schlesinger, Andy Chase, and Dominique Durand between 1995 and 2012, is coming out tomorrow. The sophisticated techno pop trio has been releasing singles and videos from Traces Of You for a few months. Back in 1994 when I reviewed Ivy’s realistic album for the Illinois Entertainer, I described their music as being like a bicycle ride through Paris. Sadly, we lost Adam Schlesinger to COVID-19 in 2020.

Depending on when you read this, you could catch Pravda Records artists The Imperial Sound, with special guests the Total Pro Horns and singer-songwriter Rachel Drew, performing their original soulful rock at The Hideout in Chicago tonight. The music starts at 8:00 pm.

There’s a low-ticket warning for tonight’s NRBQ show at Lincoln Hall on the north side, but they have two more shows scheduled this weekend in the Chicago area. The critically acclaimed band will perform at SPACE in Evanston tomorrow night, and at FitzGerald’s in Berwyn on Saturday.

Chicago’s always clever and impressive EXPO ’76 have a just-added show tonight at The Hideout on Chicago’s north side. Two nights from now, the band has a gig at Fuller’s Pub on the north side. EXPO ’76’s debut album Hot In The Dark with The Total Pro Horns comes out via Pravda Records on October 24.

The Rogers Park Business Association on Chicago’s north side is presenting a First Friday Music City event tomorrow from 6:00 to 8:00 pm that will include a performance by the Chicago-based band Baby No Name and some musician friends at the Loyola Red Line Station Plaza. Other venues involved along Sheridan Road between Devon and Pratt include Cafe Nova, Great Wall, and Giordano’s.

The 40th Annual Printers Row Lit Fest will take place this weekend on South Dearborn Street, from Ida B. Wells to Polk Street. The outdoor event always exudes a friendly, creative vibe and will feature over 150 exhibitors, as well as authors and presenters. Admission is free.

Vicki Peterson and John Cowsill will likely showcase songs from their recently released album Long After The Fire when they perform with special guest Michael Moulder at the Brown County Playhouse in Nashville, IN tomorrow night.

Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame inductee Chaka Khan will headline the 20th Annual 79th Street Renaissance Festival, which takes place from 10:00 am to 8:00 pm this Saturday in the Auburn Gresham area on Chicago’s far south side. Other acts at the festival include Isaiah Collier, DJ Farley “Jackmaster” Funk, Damon Williams and Walt Whitman.

Tomorrow is Bandcamp Friday, when Bandcamp waives its revenue on the first Friday of the month. Or, as stated in an official email, “More of what you spend goes straight to the artists and labels you care about.”

Local bands Bratz and New Dogs Old Tricks will perform live this Sunday at 2:00 pm at The Music Room music lessons and instructions school in Palatine, IL. Each group will showcase four songs they've been working on for the past ten weeks.

Tickets are now on sale for two upcoming shows at The Old Town School Of Folk Music on Chicago’s north side. Bob Mould from the punk/alt rock bands Hüsker Dü and Sugar will appear in conversation with Sound Opinions co-host and former Chicago Tribune rock critic Greg Kot, and perform a solo electric set on October 5. The other show is on October 25 and will feature The dB’s founding member/solo artist/producer Chris Stamey.

Former Talking Heads frontman David Byrne’s new album Who Is The Sky? is coming out tomorrow. He’ll kick off his massive Who Is The Sky? Tour with a show in Providence, RI on September 14.

Blues vocalist Shemekia Copeland will perform at The Old Town School of Folk Music in Chicago tomorrow night at 8:00 pm.

FitzGerald’s in Berwyn, IL will host a Beatles Brunch w/ String Session at noon this Sunday. Phil Angotti and Friends, whom I’ve often lauded on this blog for their musical expertise, will be performing, along with Emily Nash and Chris Ferrer on violin and cello.

Several well-known acts will perform at the Evanston Folk Festival this Saturday and Sunday at Dawes Park in Evanston, IL. Iron And Wine; Tune-Yards; Margo Price; Loudon Wainwright III; Steve Dawson and Diane Christiansen; The Milk Carton Kids; and Ezra Furman are among the scheduled acts. The festival will also include three evening shows in nearby locations: Ani DiFranco with special guest Hurray for the Riff Raff at Cahn Auditorium on September 5; Songs Of Bob Dylan featuring Nora O’Connor, Nathan Graham, Steve Dawson, Gerald Dowd, and others at SPACE on September 6; and Roseanne Cash at Cahn Auditorium on Sunday.

Incoming

The official website for the Rory Gallagher International Tribute Festival has announced the 22nd annual event will take place May 28 – 31, 2026 in Ballyshannon, Co. Donegal, Ireland. That’s the birthplace of the iconic Irish guitarist, and the site promises, “Big Top Concerts each night as well as 30 Hours of Open Air Free Gigs on the Rockin’ Streets of Ballyshannon.” Tickets for all three nights are €90.

Tickets go on sale tomorrow for two upcoming shows at The Old Town School Of Folk Music on Chicago’s north side. Bob Mould from the punk/alt rock bands Hüsker Dü and Sugar will appear in conversation with Sound Opinions co-host and former Chicago Tribune rock critic Greg Kot, and perform a solo electric set on October 5. The other show is on October 25 and will feature The dB’s founding member/solo artist/producer Chris Stamey.

Happy Birthday to International Pop Overthrow founder David Bash. He’s been busy this year; having already brought multi-act showcases to Chicago, Liverpool, Los Angeles, and other cities. Coming up next is IPO New York, which will run November 6 – 9 at The Parkside Lounge.

Longtime Chicago area favorites Lil’ Ed And The Blues Imperials will perform this Wednesday night at the Hey Nonny venue in Arlington Heights.

Traces Of You, the 10-track album of previously unreleased Ivy songs recorded by band members Adam Schlesinger, Andy Chase, and Dominique Durand between 1995 and 2012, is coming out this Friday. The sophisticated techno pop trio has been releasing singles from the album for a few months. Sadly, we lost Schlesinger due to COVID-19 in 2020.

Chicago’s always clever and impressive EXPO ’76 has just added a show at The Hideout on Chicago’s north side this Thursday. Two nights later, the band has a gig at Fuller’s Pub on the north side. EXPO ’76’s debut album Hot In The Dark with The Total Pro Horns comes out via Pravda Records on October 24.

Vicki Peterson and John Cowsill will perform songs from their Long After The Fire album when they perform with special guest Michael Moulder at the Brown County Playhouse in Nashville, IN this Friday. September 5.

Blues vocalist Shemekia Copeland has an 8:00 pm concert coming up this Friday at The Old Town School of Folk Music in Chicago.

Former Talking Heads frontman David Byrne’s new album Who Is The Sky? is coming out this Friday. He’s hosting a listening party tonight at Rough Trade Below in New York City. There’s as wait list for this free event, and it’s likely to be pretty long.

FitzGerald’s in Berwyn, IL will host a Beatles Brunch w/ String Session at noon this Sunday. Phil Angotti and Friends, whom I’ve often lauded on this blog for their musical expertise, will be performing, along with the string session.

Pravda Records artists The Imperial Sound, with special guests the Total Pro Horns and singer-songwriter Rachel Drew, will bring their original soulful rock to The Hideout in Chicago this Thursday The music starts at 8:00 pm.

The first of three upcoming shows by alt rockers NRBQ in the Chicago area will take place at Lincoln Hall this Thursday. 

The 40th Annual Printers Row Lit Fest will take place this Saturday and Sunday on South Dearborn Street, from Ida B. Wells to Polk Street. The outdoor event always exudes a friendly, creative vibe and will feature over 150 exhibitors, as well as authors and presenters. Admission is free.

Several well-known acts will perform at the Evanston Folk Festival when it’s held this Saturday and Sunday at Dawes Park in Evanston, IL. Iron And Wine; Tune-Yards; Margo Price; Loudon Wainwright III; Steve Dawson and Diane Christiansen; The Milk Carton Kids; and Ezra Furman are among the scheduled acts. The festival will also include three evening shows in nearby locations: Ani DiFranco with special guest Hurray for the Riff Raff at Cahn Auditorium on September 5; Songs Of Bob Dylan featuring Nora O’Connor, Nathan Graham, Steve Dawson, Gerald Dowd, and others at SPACE on September 6; and Roseanne Cash at Cahn Auditorium on Sunday.

Slumgullion

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 27.

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.

Weekend Reminders

Sorry for the late arrival. The wifi in our house was out for several hours last night.

Weekend Reminders 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.

First, a champagne toast to Oasis, who rocked Soldier Field on Chicago’s lakefront last night. We were one of the three U.S. cities included on the reunion tour. There was an inspiring Oasis photo in Wednesday’s Chicago Sun-Times (taken by Sammy Kogan of The Canadian Press) of Liam and Noel Gallagher arriving onstage together last Sunday in Toronto.

The Chicago Jazz Festival, a longtime favorite event in this city, returned to Millennium Park yesterday and will run through Sunday. The headliners are Esperanza Spalding, Monty Alexander, Kermit Ruffins, and Eliades Ochoa. Admission to the festival is free; other performers scheduled include Sarah Marie Young, Silvia Marque, Ari Brown, and Patricia Barber.

Northside venue Martyrs’ on Lincoln Avenue has an eclectic triple bill coming up this Saturday. McLuhan, the adventurous seven-piece Chicago band inspired by philosopher Marshall McLuhan, will showcase music from its critically acclaimed and recently re-released album Anomaly. This might also be a good time to watch McLuhan perform their new “King Bizzzarroo” single, a cautionary tale set to an ominous arrangement. Chicago club scene veterans The Hurtin’ Kind can tap into the Americana songs on their 2023 debut It Won’t Happen That Way; and the Americana/garage rock band Hitchcock Brunettes will likely offer material from their upcoming debut.

Nowhere Else Festival, the annual concert event staged by Karin Bergquist and Linford Detweiler from the critically acclaimed Americana band Over The Rhine, will take place this weekend in Martinsville, OH. In addition to Over The Rhine, the performers will include Amy Helm, John Paul White, Joy Clark, and The Newbees.

FitzGerald’s in Berwyn, IL is presenting a guitar-oriented event called Puttin’ On The Gretsch on its Patio Stage this Saturday afternoon from 4:00 to 6:00 pm. The event will feature musicians Tim Menard, Andon Davis, Chloe Orwell, Jim O’Donnell, Phil Angotti, Devin Nowakowski, Paul Divans, and Michael Krayniak. Attendees can enter a $10 ticket raffle for a chance to win a Gretsch guitar.

The alt rock band whitewolfsonicprincess, purveyors of what they call “21st Century Druid Music/Celtic Blues,” will perform with All Days and Victor Sanders this Saturday at Jarvis Square Pottery on Chicago’s far north side. The music starts at 8:00 pm.

Irish Days will offer a variety of Celtic music and fun in downtown Long Grove, IL this Saturday, Sunday, and Monday. Performers include Academy Of Irish Music; McNulty School Of Irish Dance; Shannon Rovers Pipe Band; The Larkin And Moran Brothers; and Trinity School Of Dance. There will be food and beverage vendors, or visitors can check out some of the various restaurants or cafes in downtown Long Grove. If you go to Blu Fig, tell them the ‘hot chai latte guy” sent you. 

Another VU, the Chicago-based band that performs 1969-era Velvet Underground songs, will perform at Montrose Saloon tomorrow night, along with Love Story In Blood Red; Nad Navillus Duo; and French Casino.

The International Pop Overthrow - Vancouver music festival is taking place through Sunday at the Lana Lou’s venue. Six acts performed on Thursday and Friday; seven will rock Lana Lou’s on Saturday. Check out the official IPO website for the full schedule.

Incoming

Depending on when you see this, you could catch Decoy Prayer Meeting (starting at 7:00 pm) tonight at Montrose Saloon on the city’s north side. If not tonight, the band—which that specializes in rockabilly and vintage Country and Western music—will return to that same venue on September 22.

The Chicago Jazz Festival, a longtime favorite event in this city, will be held in Millennium Park this Thursday through Sunday. The headliners are Esperanza Spalding, Monty Alexander, Kermit Ruffins, and Eliades Ochoa. Admission to the festival is free; other performers scheduled include Sarah Marie Young, Silvia Marque, Ari Brown, and Patricia Barber.

Space in Evanston will wind up its Singer-Songwriter Shows series in August with a performance by bilingual cellist/vocalist Helen Gillet tomorrow night.

Nowhere Else Festival, the annual concert event staged by Karin Bergquist and Linford Detweiler from the critically acclaimed Americana band Over The Rhine, will take place this weekend in Martinsville, OH. In addition to Over The Rhine, the performers will include Amy Helm, John Paul White, Joy Clark, and The Newbees.

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, Someday,” “Cynical Girl,” and “Whenever You’re On My Mind.”

The alt rock band whitewolfsonicprincess, purveyors of what they call “21st Century Druid Music/Cetic Blues,” will perform with All Days and Victor Sanders this Saturday at Jarvis Square Pottery on Chicago’s far north side. The music starts at 8:00 pm.

North side venue Martyrs’ on Lincoln Avenue has an eclectic triple bill coming up this Saturday. McLuhan, the adventurous seven-piece Chicago band inspired by philosopher Marshall McLuhan, will showcase music from its critically acclaimed and recently re-released album Anomaly. Chicago club scene veterans The Hurtin’ Kind can tap into the Americana songs on their 2023 debut It Won’t Happen That Way; and the Americana/garage rock band Hitchcock Brunettes will likely offer material from their upcoming debut.

Irish Days will offer a variety of Celtic music and fun in downtown Long Grove, IL this Saturday, Sunday, and Monday. Performers include Academy Of Irish Music; McNulty School Of Irish Dance; Shannon Rovers Pipe Band; The Larkin And Moran Brothers; and Trinity School Of Dance. There will be food and beverage vendors, or visitors can check out one of the various restaurants or cafes in Long Grove.

FitzGerald’s in Berwyn, IL will host a Beatles Brunch w/ String Session at noon on September 7. Phil Angotti and Friends, whom I’ve often lauded on this blog for their musical expertise, will be performing,  along with the string session.

Pravda Records artists The Imperial Sound, with special guests the Total Pro Horns and singer-songwriter Rachel Drew, will bring their original soulful rock to The Hideout in Chicago on September 4. The music starts at 8:00 pm.

The first of three upcoming shows by NRBQ in the Chicago area will take place at Lincoln Hall on September 4. The Facebook post from band members Scott Ligon and Casey McDonough quotes the lyrics from The Youngbloods’ hit single “Get Together” with the promise of “100% guaranteed to make you smile on your brother.”

Another VU, the Chicago-based band that performs 1969-era Velvet Underground songs, will perform at Montrose Saloon this Friday, along with Love Story In Blood Red; Nad Navillus Duo; and French Casino. 

The International Pop Overthrow - Vancouver music festival takes place up north this Thursday through Sunday at the Lana Lou’s venue. Six acts will perform on Thursday and Friday; seven will rock Lana Lou’s on that Saturday. Check out the official IPO website for the full schedule.

Slumgullion

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.

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.” 

McLuhan, the adventurous seven-piece Chicago band inspired by philosopher Marshall McLuhan, has added an August 30 performance at Martyrs’ on Lincoln Avenue to its busy schedule. CD copies of McLuhan’s ground-breaking, re-released album Anomaly is now available through the Think Like A Key Music site.

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.

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.

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.

Chicago’s beloved and frequently funny covers band EXPO ’76 will perform at Fuller’s Pub on the north side for the very first time on September 6. The venue is located at 3203 W. Irving Park Road. In related news, EXPO ’76 with the Total Pro Horns will release an album titled Hot In The Dark on October 24. 

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.

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.

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.

Autographed copies of the Vicki Peterson and John Cowsill’s album Long After The Fire can now be ordered via the TalkShopLive website.

Chicago’s beloved and frequently funny covers band EXPO ’76 will perform at Fuller’s Pub on the north side for the very first time on September 6. The venue is located at 3203 W. Irving Park Road. In related news, EXPO ’76 with the Total Pro Horns will release an album titled Hot In The Dark on October 24. 

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.

Chicagoans who enjoyed the Magnolia Pictures documentary It’s Never Over, Jeff Buckley will be happy to learn the 28th Annual Jeff Buckley Tribute will be held on November 16 and 17 at Uncommon Ground Lakeview. 

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.

The 40th Annual Printers Row Lit Fest has announced the full schedule of events that will take place on the weekend of September 6 and 7 on South Dearborn Street, from Ida B. Wells to Polk Street. The outdoor event always exudes a friendly, creative vibe and will feature over 150 exhibitors, as well as authors and presenters. Admission is free.

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.

The annual Doctor Who convention Chicago TARDIS recently announced that actor Christopher Eccleston will be among the celebrity guests when the event takes place at the Westin Lombard Yorktown in November. Eccleston was pivotal in the success of the British sci-fi program’s 2005 rebirth when he portrayed The Doctor in that first year.

Tickets are now on sale for the Mark Guarino produced Old No. 1 at 50 – A Celebration of Guy Clark featuring Robbie Fulks, John Abbey, Janet Beveridge Bean, Steve Dawson, Josh Caterer, and Naomi Ashley. The event  takes place at Evanston SPACE on October 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 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.

Another VU, the Chicago-based band that performs 1969-era Velvet Underground songs, has gigs lined up at Montrose Saloon on August 29 and September 20; and on November 23 at Simon’s Tavern.

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.

Trolley will release A Carnival Of Black And White, its first new album in five years on October 3. In the meantime, the Milwaukee-based power pop band released the catchy title track, and more recently gave us “As Long As I Can Find You.” The latter mixes a hint of Elvis Costello with mid-1960s British rock.

Several well-known acts will perform at the Evanston Folk Festival when it’s held September 6 and 7 at Dawes Park in Evanston, IL. Iron And Wine; Tune-Yards; Margo Price; Loudon Wainwright III; Steve Dawson and Diane Christiansen; The Milk Carton Kids; and Ezra Furman are among the scheduled acts. The festival will include three aftershows in nearby locations: Ani DiFranco with special guest Hurray for the Riff Raff at Cahn Auditorium on September 5; Songs Of Bob Dylan featuring Nora O’Connor, Nathan Graham, Steve Dawson, Gerald Dowd, and others at SPACE on September 6; and Roseanne Cash at Cahn Auditorium on September 7.

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 27.

Weekend Reminders

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.

Chicago radio station WXRT’s Hometown Celebration: A Benefit for The Lin Brehmer Scholars Fund is being held tonight at Metro on north Clark Street. Various musicians will perform, and the station’s on-air personalities will also be join in the tribute. On the following night at 9:00 pm, the WXRT Live From The XRT Concert Archives series will broadcast the first Celebration For Lin Brehmer that took place at Metro in 2023. Whether you met him in person or only knew him from his years on the air, Lin will always be our Best Friend In The Whole World.

Wolf Alice will release its latest album, The Clearing, tomorrow. The UK band has been offering  impressive previews by posting videos of the singles “The Sofa,” “Wild Horses,” and “Bloom, Baby, Bloom”via social media.

The Chicago House Music Conference and Festival returned to Chicago today and will run through Sunday, with events scheduled at Chicago Cultural Center, Millennium Park, and the Riverwalk. As noted on the Chicago Latino Network Facebook page, the festival will include DJs, live music, dance lessons, and panel discussions. Admission is free.

Charlotte Caffey, Gina Schock, and Jane Wiedlin from The Go-Go’s will be among the special guests at the Musack Rock n’ Roll Carnival taking place this Saturday in Los Angeles. The exact address will only be revealed to those who purchase tickets. As stated on its official website, “Musack’s mission is to give kids and teens a voice through music by providing guitars, drums, and support for music teachers  wherever the need arises.”

CHIRP Radio 107 FM will present the Chicago Independents’ Day - A Celebration Of Chicago’s Independent Culture event at the Athenaeum Center this weekend. Attendees will find an Independent Label And Vinyl Market, a Craft And Vintage Market, Panel Discussions, Comedy, Film, and Food. The Athenaeum Center is located at 2936 N. Southport Avenue; the event opens at noon Saturday and Sunday, with admission starting a $10.38.

United Kingdom fans of The Hollies will be able to see the band’s lead vocalist Peter Howarth in concert this Saturday at The Exchange venue in Sturminster Newton, Dorset. In addition to Hollies songs, the show will include selections from Only The Lonely - The Roy Orbison Story, a recent stage production in which Howarth played the starring role.

Chicago power pop band The Spindles will perform songs from their two albums, along with other tunes, from 7:00 pm to 8:30 pm at Shannon’s Deli in Lombard tomorrow night. The headliners, Saddleman, will play original country music from 8:30 PM to 10:00 PM.

The Smithereens, with John Cowsill as guest lead vocalist, will continue their mini tour of the U.S. with a show at the Music Box venue in Cleveland tomorrow night.

Vinyl And Vittles, which describes itself as “A Record Fair And Food Market Collective,” will continue its series with an event this Sunday at the Charis Listening Bar. It takes place from 1:00 to 6:00 pm; Charis Listening Bar is located at 3317 S. Morgan Street in Chicago.

Acclaimed country singer-songwriter and actor Lyle Lovett, whose 2022 album 12th Of June, was his first in 10 years, has a concert coming up at The Old Town School Of Folk Music this Saturday.

The Empty Corner, at 214 E. Grove Street in Arlington Heights, IL, will host an AHML Vinyl Listening: The Amazing 80s event from 7:00 to 8:30 pm tomorrow night. Guests are encouraged to bring a record with an 1980s song to share, but need to register in advance at the venue’s website.

Congratulations to Maple Mars on its 25th Anniversary. The Los Angeles band, a favorite on the power pop/psychedelic scene, will celebrate with a 7:00 pm show this Saturday at SIR Studios in Hollywood. Maple Mars will release two new songs, “Couldn’t Have Been A Better Time” and “Tidal Wave” on Big Stir Records tomorrow.

Montrose Saloon on Chicago’s north side will be rocking tomorrow night with sets by Pierce Crask; Big Hair Big Trouble; Falling Martins; Jimmy Tin; and Amazing Heeby Jeebies. The music starts at 7:00 pm.

Dan Navarro will perform tonight, Friday, and Saturday at Hey Nonny in Arlington Heights, IL. The singer-songwriter, whose music has been covered by several big names, will be joined by Jesse Lynn Madera for the Friday and Saturday gigs.

Sydny August will perform at at Space in Evanston tomorrow night as part of the venue’s Singer-Songwriter Shows series in August.

The Chicago-based act Phil Angotti and Friends have staged a few Beatles tributes over the years, and they’ll be at it again this Saturday with their Ob-La-Di Beatles Night at the Venue in Aurora. The show goes on at 8:00 pm.

This year’s Bucktown Arts Fest will take place at Holstein Park (2200 N. Oakley Avenue in Chicago) this Saturday and Sunday. Admission is free, and as it has done for decades, the Fest will feature artists, photographers, and live music. The enchanting alt rock band whitewolfsonicprincess, whom I’ve mentioned here several times, will perform from 4:00 to 5:00 pm on August 23. Other live acts include Jared Rabin Band; The Midwest Young Artists Conservatory Jazz Combo; Hope Arthur: Ragtime Piano; Daisychain; and Caught Steelin.

Free spirits can bask in some genuine counter-culture vibes via the Tributosaurus Becomes Woodstock concert coming to FitzGerald’s Outdoors in Berwyn this Saturday. Utilizing a rotating roster of local musicians, Tributosaurus has been one of the Chicago area’s best known tribute acts for several years.