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.