Incoming

Photo from Official Dave Davies Facebook page.

Happy Birthday to Dave Davies of The Kinks, easily one of rock and roll’s most influential guitarists. Dave, Ray Davies, Pete Quaife, and Mick Avory consistently explored new directions in rock music that still resonate and influence today. Dave also has also succeeded as a solo artist.

Solo artist and New Pornographers band member Neko Case’s 2025 book tour for The Harder I Fight The More I Love You memoir will include a stop at the Studebaker Theater (in partnership with Exile In Bookville) in Chicago tomorrow. It’s an in-conversation event with South African journalist Lior Phillips.

Dot Dash, an inventive Washington, D.C. band that’s succeeded with a variety of indie rock styles across eight full-length albums since 2011, has an all-ages show coming up at the Quarry House Tavern in Silver Spring, MD on February 27. 

Chicago’s long-running free paper The Reader is sponsoring a The Decline of Western Civilization Parts 1 and 2 screening on February 23 at Thalia Hall. In addition to viewing those punk documentaries by Penelope Spheeris, attendees can watch music videos by local artists and have an opportunity to win admission to a Thalia Hall show of their choice. There will also be a pop-up market and free books by local authors, including journalist Jessica Hopper. Tickets for this 17 and older gathering are $20 and $30.

The WXRT Live From The XRT Concert Archives series this Friday night will feature a performance by The Cure at The Vic Theatre in Chicago back in the year 2000. The concert will be available at 93.1FM; 93XRT.com; and on the Audacy app.

Michael Shannon, Jason Narducy and friends will take their 40th Anniversary R.E.M.’s Fables Of The Reconstruction tribute tour across the pond for six concerts in the UK this summer. They’ll have two gigs in London, along with one each in Manchester, Glasgow, Nottingham, and Bristol. The band appeared on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon last month.

Jack White is in the midst of his massive No Name Tour and has sold out every date except for the five scheduled for Japan and one of the two in Nashville,TN. And most of those exceptions have a Low Ticket Warning. The new single “Archbishop Harold Holmes” is following in the successful path of the previously released “That’s How I’m Felling.” 

Still Harmonizing After All These Years

Happy Birthday to Graham Nash, who’s been performing nearly as long as he’s been breathing. I know this from reading his Wild Tales - A Rock And Roll Life autobiography, in which describes how much he loved singing in the church choir as a child. “Even at that age I learned how to put my voice above the melody, something that would serve me well the rest of my life.”

Nash performed with Allan Clarke as a teenage duo before they formed The Hollies in 1962, and he’s been a rock and roller with Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young and as a solo artist ever since. He continues to tour and record at the top of his game, and performed at the FireAid Benefit Concert in Los Angeles last Thursday.

His next major tour starts on March 29 in Easton, MD. He’s still outspoken about important issues, and frequently invites us to walk along with him in New York via his Instagram page. Cheers, Graham.

Slumgullion

See yesterday’s Weekend Reminders post for events taking place this weekend. 

Jennifer Otter Bickerdike’s Eternal Flame - The Authorized Biography of the Bangles, published by Hachette Book Group, is now available to pre-order on Amazon. 

The Spindles will release their next album in CD, download, and streaming formats on March 7. The Chicago-based band has extensive experience on the local club scene, so fans can expect another collection of well-crafted power pop songs. It’s likely The Spindles will perform some of that new material during their performance at the Indie Music Night at The Arcada in St. Charles, IL on March 18.

 

Hats off to the numerous well-known acts that performed at the FireAid Benefit Concert at the Intuit Dome and Kia Forum in Los Angeles last night. Among them were surviving Nirvana members Dave Grohl, Krist Novoselic, and Pat Smear, whose unscheduled performance included guests Joan Jett, Kim Gordon, St. Vincent, and Grohl’s daughter Violet. FireAid raised funds to help areas that were destroyed by the recent wildfires.

Solo artist and New Pornographers band member Neko Case’s 2025 book tour for The Harder I Fight The More I Love You memoir will include a stop at the Studebaker Theater (in partnership with Exile In Bookville) in Chicago on February 4. It’s an in-conversation event with South African journalist Lior Phillips.

The news that Marianne Faithful has passed away sparked many tributes to the British singer-songwriter across social media, including from Mick Jagger and other famous musicians who collaborated with her over the years. Rock In Paradise, Marianne.

Lorraine Hansberry’s award-winning play A Raisin In The Sun opened tonight at Chicago’s critically acclaimed Court Theatre and will run through March 2. Court Theatre is located at 5535 S. Ellis.

New Jersey-based indie rock act Slow Buildings (AKA Jason Legacy) has released a new album titled Crash Landings, Coincidences, Chaos. Considering that name and song titles such as “Every Day Is Just Like High School” and “Emotional Honesty Gets Me Nowhere,” the emotional lyrics are no surprise, but Legacy’s consistently catchy, inventive arrangements keep things entertaining.

Singer-guitarist Gary Louris, who’s well known for his work with The Jayhawks, as well as his solo efforts, has a gig coming up at The Old Town School Of Folk Music on March 28.

Simple Minds has a U.S. tour starting in mid-May that will include a performance at Chicago’s Huntington Bank Pavilion at Northerly Island on June 20. Simple Minds are marking the 40th anniversary their Once Upon A Time album—featuring “Don’t You Forget About Me”—by releasing a nine-track digital edition. A physical version will be out later this year.

Guitarist Tony Richards, who in addition to playing the Chicago music scene, often treats his Facebook followers to performance posts, has released a new album of jazz instrumentals. A Day in January, recorded with double bassist Joe Policastro, is available on Bandcamp. Richards has an album release show coming up on March 1, at a yet-to-be-announced venue.

Congratulations to long-time WXRT radio personality Frank E. Lee on his retirement. If the above comment gives you a sense of deja vu, it might be due to the fact that Lee retired a number of years ago. However, after that adieu, he still helped out at the rock station by filling in when a regular DJ was ill or on vacation. He was also part of the revolving cast of DJs who host Saturday Morning Flashback. But an official announcement from him yesterday noted he’s now fully retired. I still have fond memories of the nights when Lee was the guest DJ at the Erik The Red venue on Chicago’s southwest side back in the early days of punk and new wave. I talked to him when he and PR expert Kristin Kay paid a visit to the Borders book store in Schaumburg, and on a few other occasions. As with each of the WXRT personalities I’ve met over the years, he is genuinely friendly. Have a fun retirement, Frank. I know you’ll still be rocking.

Lauren Mayberry, lead vocalist for the Scottish techno rock trio Chvrches, has embarked on a solo tour and will perform next Wednesday night at Thalia Hall on Chicago’s north side. Her album Vicious Creature was released this past December.

Music On Stage will perform Fiddler On The Roof February 8 – 23 at Cutting Hall in Palatine, IL. The suburban theater company has presented several productions at Cutting Hall over the years.

Young Fresh Fellows recently recorded eleven songs in eight hours at Wilco’s Loft studio, giving them (Young Fresh Fellows) a Live In The Studio vinyl album they’ll be selling exclusively at their upcoming shows.

Tickets are now available for Alejandro Escovedo’s April 4 and 5 shows at City Winery Chicago. In addition to his roots rock solo career, Escovedo found success as a member of Rank And File and True Believers.

 

Billy Idol will be joined by Joan Jett on his It’s A Nice Day To . . . Tour Again! series of concerts starting April 30. That includes a stop at the Credit Union 1 Amphitheater in Tinley Park, IL on May 20.

Tickets are now on sale for the Stop Making Sense: A Film By Jonathan Demme And Talking Heads Live Event Hosted By Jerry Harrison event coming on May 1 to the North Shore Center For The Performing Arts in Skokie, IL. The re-release of Demme’s iconic 1984 concert flick has been restored in 4K, and Talking Heads guitarist Jerry Harrison will provide an introduction, as well comments and a Q&A session afterward. Limited meet and greet tickets are available.

Several music critics have hailed The Beach Boys’ Pet Sounds as Brian Wilson’s finest moment, and there’s an event coming to to Park West in Chicago on March 7 that will celebrate that 1966 album. Pet Sounds LIVE is described as a “captivating show [that] combines live music, narration, and multimedia to bring the genius of Brian Wilson and [this] iconic masterpiece to life.”

PureSoul will present Bob Marley’s 80th Birthday Celebration at City Winery Chicago at 7:30 on February 6. The event will celebrate the memory of the legendary Jamaican musician by “pairing PureSoul musicians with some of the greatest reggae masters in Chicago.”

Sly Lives! (AKA The Burden Of Black Genius), a Sly Stone documentary directed by Questlove, was recently screened at the Sundance Film Festival and will be available via Disney+ and hulu on February 13.

Tickets are now on sale for the annual My Sweet George George Harrison birthday tribute taking place on February 22 at Martyrs’ on Lincoln Avenue. If previous years are any indication, the event’s organizers—Ellis Clark and Ary Paloma— will  recruit some of Chicago’s best musicians to join the celebration, and the selection of Harrison material performed will range from hit singles to deep tracks and rarities.

Open Wide, the third album from Inhaler, drops on February 7, which is right around the time the Irish band will embark on a world tour. All but two of the February U.K. dates (some with singer-songwriter Heidi Curtis as the opening act) are sold out, as is the opening show of the North America leg in Toronto. Inhaler has a dozen shows scheduled for the U.S., including St. Patrick’s Day at the Houston, TX House Of Blues. But nothing in Chicago so far.

The Experience Hendrix 2025 Tour starts on March 11 in Cincinnati; and will also include Toronto; Milwaukee; Chicago (Chicago Theatre, March 21); Detroit; Atlantic City; and Washington, DC. Performers will include Kenny Wayne Shepherd; Marcus King; Christone Kingfish Ingram; Zakk Wylde; Eric Johnson; Devon Allman; Samantha Fish; David Hildago and Cesar Rosas from Los Lobos; Dweezil Zappa; Ally Venable; and Dylan Triplett.

Hey Nonny in Arlington Heights will present its annual Blues Week February 4 – 8. This year’s performers are The Cold Stares; Brother John Band; Joanna Conner; Kevin Purcell; and John Primier.

The New Orleans Jazz And Heritage Festival will take place from April 24 through May 4, with well-known acts from several genres taking part. This year’s lineup includes Pearl Jam; Lenny Kravitz; Kacey Musgraves; Santana; John Fogerty; HAIM; Cage The Elephant; Patti LaBelle; Gladys Knight; Joan Jett and The Blackhearts; Cheap Trick; Diana Krall; Branford Marsalis; The Wailers Featuring Julian Marley; Taj Mahal And The Phantom Blues Band; Stanley Clarke; Rickie Lee Jones; Shemekia Copeland; and The Dirty Dozen Brass Band.

The Webstirs have a show coming up on March 8 at Phyllis’ Musical Inn on Chicago’s north side. The band has been setting clever and humorous lyrics to catchy arrangements for several years now, and has released six albums. Phyllis’ Musical Inn is located at 1800 W. Division.

The Zombies’ official biographer Robin Platts has written a book titled Times and Seasons - The Rise and Fall and Rise of The Zombies that’s now available from HoZac Books. Bangles singer-guitarist and long-time fan Susanna Hoffs wrote the Forward.

Scottish indie rockers Franz Ferdinand recently released Human Fear, their first album in a while, and will soon kick off a world tour. The American leg of that tour includes an April 5 concert at The Vic in Chicago. 

Weekend (But Mostly Tonight) Reminders

Graham and Stephen ready to rock.

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.

But first, a few events you could check out tonight, depending on what time you read this.

Several well-known acts from across various genres will perform at the FireAid Benefit Concert, which is taking place tonight at the Intuit Dome and Kia Forum in Los Angeles. The event will raise funds to help areas that were destroyed by the recent wildfires. In addition to the live event, FireAid will be broadcast by select AMC theatres, along with various streaming sites. Donations can also be made on the official website.

Graham Nash posted on social media today that he and Stephen Stills will perform together tonight at the FireAid Benefit.

Cover Roulette, a recurring event that features local musicians playing songs by famous acts, is being held tonight at Robert’s Westside in Forest Park, IL. Phil Angotti; Gerald Dowd; Rachel Drew; Casey McDonough; Rachel Swain; and Linda Weseman are the participants, with Rob Brookman serving as MC.

Americana singer-guitarist Mindy Smith will likely perform songs from Quiet Town—her first album in 10 years—at her City Winery Chicago concert tonight at 7:30.

The Ike Reilly And The Zimmermen Do Dylan event taking place at FitzGerald’s in Berwyn, IL tonight sounds like a good choice, especially if you’ve recently seen the A Complete Unknown Dylan biopic.

Now, on to the weekend:

The WXRT Live From The XRT Concert Archives series tomorrow night will will feature a performance by Squeeze at the 1992 Taste of Chicago event. I was at that 4th of July concert, and if I remember correctly, one of the band members had taken sick and was unable to perform. It was still a good concert though, so I’ll definitely be tuning in tomorrow at 9:00 pm. The concert will be available at 93.1FM; 93XRT.com; and on the Audacy app.

Harry Potter And The Cursed Child will have its last performance at the James M. Nederlander Theatre this Saturday.

Incoming

Simple Minds has U.S. tour starting in mid-May that will include a performance at Chicago’s Huntington Bank Pavilion at Northerly Island on June 20. Fans can watch them perform tonight on the Jimmy Kimmel Live! TV show, and the atmospheric new single “Your Name In Lights” came out in December. Simple Minds are marking the 40th anniversary their Once Upon A Time album—featuring “Don’t You Forget About Me”—by releasing a nine-track digital edition. A physical version will be out later this year.

Panick And The Friars (singer-songwriter Panick Mark with Marc Edelstein and Eddie Torrez) will perform original songs and Tom Waits covers at Montrose Saloon tomorrow night at 8:00 pm. Singer-guitarist James Gedda Music is also on the bill. Montrose Saloon is located at 2933 W. Montrose Avenue on Chicago’s north side.

Jennifer Otter Bickerdike’s Eternal Flame - The Authorized Biography of the Bangles, which will be available from Hachette Book Group in February, is now available to pre-order on Amazon. 

Singer-guitarist Gary Louris, who’s well known for his work with The Jayhawks, as well as his solo efforts, has a gig coming up at The Old Town School Of Folk Music on March 28. Tickets go on sale this Friday.

Incoming

It wasn’t so long ago that Chicago-based power pop band The Spindles were part of the first Indie Music Night at the Des Plaines Theater in Des Plaines, and now they’ve been invited to take part in an Indie Music Night at The Arcada in St. Charles on March 18. The Spindles have a new album coming out soon, and from what I’ve heard, it’s another winner.

Several well-known acts from across various genres will perform at the FireAid Benefit Concert taking place this Thursday at the Intuit Dome and Kia Forum in Los Angeles. The event will raise funds to help areas that were destroyed by the recent wildfires. The performers include Billie Eilish; Dave Matthews and John Mayer; Stevie Wonder; Graham Nash; Stephen Stills; Joni Mitchell; Green Day; Earth Wind And Fire; Lady Gaga; John Fogerty; Rod Stewart; Katy Perry; Sting; No Doubt; Red Hot Chili Peppers; Stevie Nicks; and The Black Crowes. In addition to the live event. FireAid will be broadcast by select AMC theatres, along with various streaming sites. Donations can also be made on the official website.

With the film A Complete Unknown gathering positive reviews, landing on several film critics’ best of 2024 lists, and nabbing Academy Award nominations, the timing is right to check out the Ike Reilly And The Zimmermen Do Dylan event at FitzGerald’s in Berwyn, IL this Thursday.

Aerosmith bassist/backup vocalist Tom Hamilton will perform with his new band Close Enemies, which includes other rock and roll veterans, at City Winery Chicago tomorrow. Hamilton was a co-writer on “Sweet Emotion” and other Aerosmith hits.

Chicago area Harry Potter fans might wind up cursing themselves if they don’t buy their tickets for Harry Potter And The Cursed Child at the James M. Nederlander Theatre soon. The production will have its final performance this Saturday.

Americana singer-guitarist Mindy Smith will likely perform songs from Quiet Town—her first album in 10 years—at her City Winery Chicago concert on January 30.

There’s an interesting article in the Arts And Living section of today’s Chicago Tribune that’s based on a candid interview theater critic Chris Jones did with former Friends star David Schwimmer. The major takeaway is that Schwimmer, a founding member of the critically acclaimed Lookingglass Theatre Company is actively involved in revitalizing it. “I decided I’m going to lean in and double down on Lookingglass,” he’s quoted as saying. Jones noted that Schwimmer plans to be on hand for tonight’s performance of Circus Quixote at the theatre.

Saturday Slumgullion

Please see this past Thursday’s Weekend Reminders post for events taking place tonight and tomorrow. 

Billy Idol will be joined by Joan Jett on his It’s A Nice Day To . . . Tour Again! series of U.S. concerts starting on April 30. That includes a stop at the Credit Union 1 Amphitheater in Tinley Park, IL on May 20.

Aerosmith bassist/backup vocalist Tom Hamilton will perform with his new band Close Enemies, which includes other rock and roll veterans, at City Winery Chicago on January 28. Hamilton was a co-writer on “Sweet Emotion” and other Aerosmith hits.

Several well-known acts from across various genres will perform at the FireAid Benefit Concert taking place on January 30 at the Intuit Dome and Kia Forum in Los Angeles. The event will raise funds to help areas that were destroyed by the recent wildfires. The performers include Billie Eilish; Dave Matthews and John Mayer; Stevie Wonder; Graham Nash; Stephen Stills; Joni Mitchell; Green Day; Earth Wind And Fire; Lady Gaga; John Fogerty; Rod Stewart; Katy Perry; Sting; No Doubt; Red Hot Chili Peppers; Stevie Nicks; and The Black Crowes.

Tickets are now on sale for the Stop Making Sense: A Film By Jonathan Demme And Talking Heads Live Event Hosted By Jerry Harrison event coming on May 1 to the North Shore Center For The Performing Arts in Skokie, IL. The re-release of Demme’s iconic 1984 concert flick has been restored in 4K, and Talking Heads guitarist Jerry Harrison will provide an introduction, as well comments and a Q&A session afterward. Limited meet and greet tickets available.

Several music critics have hailed The Beach Boys’ Pet Sounds as Brian Wilson’s finest moment, and there’s an event coming to to Park West in Chicago on March 7 that will celebrate that 1966 album. Pet Sounds LIVE is described as a “captivating show [that] combines live music, narration, and multimedia to bring the genius of Brian Wilson and [this] iconic masterpiece to life.”

With the film A Complete Unknown gathering positive reviews, landing on several film critics’ best of 2024 lists, and nabbing Academy Award nominations, the timing is right to check out the Ike Reilly And The Zimmermen Do Dylan event at FitzGerald’s in Berwyn, IL on Jan 30.

Sly Lives! (AKA The Burden Of Black Genius), a Sly Stone documentary directed by Questlove, will be screened at the Sundance Film Festival this weekend and on January 29 and 31. It will also be available via Disney+ and hulu on February 13.

Open Wide, the third album from Inhaler, drops on February 7, which is right around the time the Irish band will embark on a world tour. All but two of the February U.K. as dates (some with singer-songwriter Heidi Curtis as the opening act) are sold out, as is the opening show of the North America leg in Toronto. Inhaler has a dozen shows scheduled for the U.S., including on St. Patrick’s Day at the Houston, TX House Of Blues. But nothing in Chicago so far.

Tickets are now available for a show by the David Bowie tribute band Sons Of The Silent Age at SPACE in Evanston, IL on March 14. Those tickets are likely to go fast.

The Experience Hendrix 2025 Tour starts on March 11 in Cincinnati; and will also include Toronto; Milwaukee; Chicago (Chicago Theatre, March 21); Detroit; Atlantic City; and Washington, DC. Performers will include Kenny Wayne Shepherd; Marcus King; Christone “Kingfish Ingram; Zakk Wylde; Eric Johnson; Devon Allman; Samantha Fish; David Hildago and Cesar Rosas from Los Lobos; Dweezil Zappa; Ally Venable; and Dylan Triplett.

Pure Soul will present Bob Marley’s 80th Birthday Celebration at City Winery Chicago at 7:30 on February 6. The event will celebrate the memory of the legendary Jamaican musician by “pairing PureSoul musicians with some of the greatest reggae masters in Chicago.”

Fans who miss the blend of atmosphere and melody so entertainingly crafted by the English band Lush should check out the upcoming album from founding member Miki Berenyi’s new band. Tripla by the Miki Berenyi Trio is due out April 4 and is available to pre-order in digital and vinyl formats. Lush aficionados will also find much to like on the two albums the band’s cofounder Emma Anderson released over the past two years.

Tickets are now available for Alejandro Escovedo’s April 4 and 5 shows at City Winery Chicago. In addition to his roots rock solo career,  found success as a member of Rank And File and True Believers.

 

The Consequence website is offering a special ALL FOR LA Wildfires Relief T-Shirt in various colors to raise funds for victims of the Los Angeles wildfires. 100% of the proceeds will benefit MusiCares, an organization that “provides a safety net of critical assistance forums people in times of need.”

Joel Paterson, a guitarist who’s been impressing audiences in Chicago area clubs for a while now, recently recorded an album of rock and country music covers titled Atta Boy Girl with L.A. singer-guitarist Annie Dolan.

This year’s New Orleans Jazz And Heritage Festival will take place from April 24 through May 4, with well-known acts from several genres taking part. This year’s lineup includes Pearl Jam; Lenny Kravitz; Kacey Musgraves; Santana; John Fogerty; HAIM; Cage The Elephant; Patti LaBelle; Gladys Knight; Joan Jett and The Blackhearts; Cheap Trick; Diana Krall; Branford Marsalis; The Wailers Featuring Julian Marley; Taj Mahal And The Phantom Blues Band; Stanley Clarke; Rickie Lee Jones; Shemekia Copeland; and The Dirty Dozen Brass Band.

The critically acclaimed Black Ensemble Theater is holding general auditions for its 2025 season on February 18 from 11:00 am to 6:00 pm at the venue’s 4450 N. Clark Street location in Chicago. A recent Facebook post provided info on what applicants will need to audition.

The Zombies’ official biographer Robin Platts has written a book titled Times and Seasons - The Rise and Fall and Rise of The Zombies that’s now available for pre-order from HoZac Books. Bangles singer-guitarist and long-time fan Susanna Hoffs wrote the Forward.

Chicago area Harry Potter fans might wind up cursing themselves if they don’t buy their tickets for Harry Potter And The Cursed Child at the James M. Nederlander Theatre soon. The production, which earned four stars from Chicago Tribune critic Chris Jones, will close on February 1.

Scottish indie rockers Franz Ferdinand Human Fear recently released their first album in a while last Friday, and will soon kick off a world tour. The American leg of that tour includes an April 5 concert at The Vic in Chicago.

The Webstirs have a show coming up on March 8 at Phyllis’ Musical Inn on Chicago’s north side. The band has been setting clever and humorous lyrics to catchy arrangements for several years now, and has released six albums. Phyllis’ Musical Inn is located at 1800 W. Division.

A Freddie Mercury Birthday Party 2025 bash will take place at the Casino Barriere Montreux in Paris on September 6th. Since the event will also celebrate 50 years of Queen’s “Bohemian Rhapsody” single, attendees are being asked to wear white to match the outfits worn by band members on the A Night At The Opera album cover. According to the official announcement, tickets, t-shirts, and posters will be available to purchase soon. The Freddie Mercury Birthday Party 2025 will benefit The Mercury Phoenix Trust. 

The annual My Sweet George George Harrison birthday tribute will take place on February 22 at Martyrs’ on Lincoln Avenue. If previous years are any indication, the event’s organizers—Ellis Clark and Ary Paloma— will  recruit some of Chicago’s best musicians to join the celebration, and the selection of Harrison material performed will range from hit singles to deep tracks and rarities.

Americana singer-guitarist Mindy Smith will likely be performing songs from Quiet Town—her first album in 10 years—at her City Winery Chicago concert on January 30.

Hey Nonny in Arlington Heights will present its annual Blues Week February 4 – 8. This year’s performers are The Cold Stares; Brother John Band; Joanna Conner; Kevin Purcell; and John Primier.

 

Tickets are now available for Beautiful Vision: The Songs Of Van Morrison with Steve Dawson, Chris Greene, Alton Smith, John Mead, John Abbey, Larry Brown, and Sophie Creutz on March 17 SPACE in Evanston. Robbie Fulks has concerts slated for SPACE on April 25 and 26.

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.

“A Thousand Times,” the first single from Vicki Peterson and John Cowsill’s upcoming Long After The Fire album, will be released tomorrow. The song, which is currently featured on the Americana UK website, features a twangy arrangement, along with Peterson and Cowsill’s impressive vocals.

There’ll be some serious kissing of the sky at the Tributosaurus Becomes Jimi Hendrix show at Martyrs’ this Saturday. Tributosaurus has built a loyal following around Chicago via its tributes to famous music acts. Martyrs’ is located at 3855 N. Lincoln Avenue.

Happy Birthday to Robin Zander of Cheap Trick, the world-famous band I first saw on the small stage of Harlow’s on Chicago’s southwest side. Zander’s emotional delivery on “Oh, Candy” was particularly impressive, and the entire show verified all the predictions that these guys were headed for the big time.

Looks like there are still some balcony seats available for this Saturday’s Poi Dog Pondering show at Chicago’s Athenaeum Center for the Arts. The multi-member band, led by Frank Orrall, sold out its Friday show. Both shows will feature special guests Chicago Poetry Slam founder Marc Kelly Smith, dancer/singer Sophia Sanchez, and The PDP Chamber Music ensemble.

Guster’s We Also Have Eras Tour 2025 will start tomorrow at The Fillmore Philadelphia in Philadelphia, PA. Tickets for the band’s show at the Riviera Theatre in Chicago on January 31 are selling fast. Along with performing hits such as “Satellite” and “Amsterdam,” the alternative rock band will present “a deep chronological journey through our music with skits, costume changes, and plenty of piss-poor acting.”

Chicagoans who want to help the victims of fires in California can check out the Wildfire Relief For The Victims Of The Greater Los Angeles Area show being held at Liar’s Club this Sunday. The event starts at 3:00 pm, and will feature The Handcuffs; Jon Langford; Torch The Hive; Death And Memphis; and Ricky Liontones.

Steve Dawson and Diane Christiansen have led the Chicago-based, critically acclaimed Americana band Dolly Varden for several years, while leaving time for each to pursue individual art and music projects. Dawson and Christiansen also occasionally perform as a duo, such as their show this Saturday at Jarvis Square Pottery on the city’s north side.

Chicago-based, guitar-powered instrumental band Outronaut will likely showcase its two latest songs, “The Final Beast” and “Riot Flower,” when it performs at at FitzGerald’s in Berwyn, IL this Saturday. Both tracks, as well as earlier released material, are available to download on the Outronaut  Bandcamp page.

This year’s Chicago International Puppet Theater Festival opened last Wednesday and will run through this Sunday at venues across the city. A quick scan of the official website suggests that once again, audiences for this event are in for some wildly imaginative experiences.

Incoming

In yesterday’s post, I mentioned the FireAid Benefit Concert taking place on January 30 at the Intuit Dome and Kia Forum in Los Angeles. Chicagoans looking to help can check out the Wildfire Relief For The Victims Of The Greater Los Angeles Area benefit being held at Liar’s Club this Sunday. The event starts at 3:00 pm, and will feature The Handcuffs; Jon Langford; Torch The Hive; Death And Memphis; and Ricky Liontones. Here’s a nice quote from a Facebook post by The Handcuffs’ lead vocalist Chloe F. Orwell: “Please join us as the city of broad shoulders sends our love and support to the city of angels.”

Tickets are now available for Alejandro Escovedo’s April 4 and 5 shows at City Winery Chicago. In addition to his roots rock solo career, Escovedo found success as a member of Rank And File and True Believers. 

There are still some balcony seats available for the Poi Dog Pondering show this Saturday at Chicago’s Athenaeum Center for the Arts. The band, led by Frank Orrall has several albums to choose from, sold out its Friday show. Both shows will feature special guests Chicago Poetry Slam founder Marc Kelly Smith, dancer/singer Sophia Sanchez, and The PDP Chamber Music ensemble.

This year’s Chicago Theatre Week event, taking place February 6 – 16, will offer discount prices on comedies, dramas, musicals, improv, and concerts. Once again, several of the city’s best-known venues are participating, including Goodman Theatre; A Red Orchid Theatre; Lookingglass Theatre; Chicago Shakespeare Company; and Steppenwolf Theatre.  

Incoming

Several well-known acts across various genres will perform at the FireAid Benefit Concert taking place on January 30 at the Intuit Dome and Kia Forum in Los Angeles. The event will raise funds to help areas that were destroyed by the recent wildfires. The performers include Billie Eilish; Dave Matthews and John Mayer; Stevie Wonder; Graham Nash; Stephen Stills; Joni Mitchell; Green Day; Earth, Wind And Fire; Lady Gaga; John Fogerty; Rod Stewart; Katy Perry; Sting; No Doubt; Red Hot Chili Peppers; Stevie Nicks; and The Black Crowes. In addition to the live event. FireAid will be broadcast at select AMC theatres, along with various streaming sites. Donations can also be made on the official website.

The Consequence website is offering a special ALL FOR LA Wildfires Relief T-Shirt in various colors to raise funds for victims of the Los Angeles wildfires. 100% of the proceeds will benefit MusiCares,  an organization that “provides a safety net of critical assistance for music people in times of need.”

Fans who miss the blend of atmosphere and melody so entertainingly crafted by the English band Lush should check out the upcoming album from founding member Miki Berenyi’s new band. Tripla by the Miki Berenyi Trio is due out April 4 and is available to pre-order in digital and vinyl formats. Lush aficionados will also find much to like on the two albums the band’s cofounder Emma Anderson released over the past two years. 

Congratulations to Relix on its 50th anniversary. The New York-based rock and roll publication celebrated with a party earlier last week at the Brooklyn Bowl venue.

Excuse me while I describe a couple chances to kiss the sky in Chicago. The first will be Tributosaurus Becomes Jimi Hendrix at Martyrs’ on January 25. Tributosaurus has built a loyal following around Chicago via its tributes to famous music acts. Martyrs’ is located at 3855 N. Lincoln Avenue. Next up is the Experience Hendrix 2025 Tour, which will make a stop at the Chicago Theatre on March 21. Performers will include Kenny Wayne Shepherd; Marcus King; Christone “Kingfish Ingram; Zakk Wylde; Eric Johnson; Devon Allman; Samantha Fish; David Hildago and Cesar Rosas from Los Lobos; Dweezil Zappa; Ally Venable; and Dylan Triplett. The tour starts on March 11 in Cincinnati; and also includes Toronto; Milwaukee; Detroit; Atlantic City; and Washington, DC.

This year’s Chicago International Puppet Theater Festival opened last Wednesday and will run through this Sunday at venues across the city. A quick scan of the official website suggests that once again, audiences for this event are in for some wildly imaginative experiences.

Chicago’s self-described “twisted sunshine pop supergroup,” AKA The Flat Five, will begin a consecutive three-week Wednesday night residence at Hideout Inn this Wednesday night. Hideout Inn is located at 1354 W. Wabansia on the city’s north side.