Incoming

Jeff Tweedy Twilight Overide Tour 2025 poster art taken from his official Facebook page.

First, let’s extend Happy Birthday wishes to Illinois musicians Herb Eimerman and Diane Christiansen. Eimerman’s resume dates back to the 1970s band Hot Mama Silver and over the years, he’s released solo efforts and recorded with the international power pop band The Britannicas. Artist/musician Christiansen is the co-leader (with Steve Dawson) of the critically acclaimed Americana band Dolly Varden, and has exhibited her art in various galleries. Best wishes to Herb and Diane.

Jeff Tweedy’s Twilight Overide Tour with guest Macie Stewart will come to The Salt Shed this Saturday. Named after Tweedy’s recently released triple solo album, the equally ambitious North American/European tour will run through February 2026.

Halloweekend, the annual event featuring local musicians performing as famous rock acts, takes place at Montrose Saloon this Thursday and Friday (Halloween). Twelve local acts will pay tribute to rock and roll stars over two nights—including Androgynous Mustache as Oingo Boingo; Amazing Heeby Jeebies as Gun Club; and Phil Angotti as Creedence Clearwater Revival on Thursday. Friday’s showcase includes The Well Respected Men as The Kinks; Rachel Drew as The Cure; and Dancing Horses as Echo And The Bunnymen. For the full lineup, check my October 18 post, or the Montrose Saloon website.

He just won’t stop imitating rock stars. Phil Angotti and The Damn Torpedoes will perform Tom Petty And The Heartbreakers songs at the Reclaimed Bar (3655 N. Western) in Chicago on Halloween. On Sunday, Phil Angotti and Friends have a Beatles Brunch scheduled at FitzGerald’s at noon. As with his Halloweekend performance, Angotti will be backed by a different cast of well-known Chicago musicians at each of these gigs.

Chicago-based band The Neighbors will perform alternative rock and indie Americana at Brudder’s on October 30. The music starts at 9:00 pm; the venue is located at 3600 N. Pulaski.

Chicago indie rockers The Handcuffs will take a break from recording their next album for a return visit to Mary’s Place in Rockford, IL on November 1. The Attitudes will be their guest opener.

The Other Art Fair, a global and inventive effort from online gallery Saatchi Art to create a place “where the experience exists outside of four white walls,” is coming to Artifact Events in Chicago on this weekend (October 31 - November 2). The price of admission ranges from $18 to $312.50, depending which day you choose. Artifact Events is located at 4325 N. Ravenswood Avenue.

Tickets are now on sale for Gladys Knight’s concert with special guest saxophone player Harold Dawson on November 13 at The Arcada Theatre in St. Charles, IL. Knight recorded several rhythm and blues classics, including “Midnight Train To Georgia,” “I Heard It Through The Grapevine,” and “If I Were Your Woman.”

Coming up on February 6, The Arcada Theatre in St. Charles will present the double bill of The Lovin’ Spoonful With The Hollies Greatest Hits Starring Terry Sylvester.  Long-time Hollies fans will recognize Sylvester as the musician who replaced Graham Nash in the late 1960s and stayed with them for a few decades.

Congratulations to my nephew, Chef Joe Flamm and his team at il Carciofo on being nominated for Best New Restaurant by Jean Banchet Awards. You can find il Carciofo at 1045 W. Fulton in Chicago’s trendy Fulton Market neighborhood just west of downtown. 

The Return Of The Flock show scheduled for November 1 at Park West on Chicago’s north side has been cancelled due to an injury to one of the band members. Hopefully, a make-up date for The Flock, a critically acclaimed jazz rock ensemble that was well ahead of its time in the 1960s, will be announced soon.

And now, let’s raise a magic potion toast to all the ambitious people around the world (and possibly the universe) planning their own Halloween parties this week. Drink safely; drive sensibly, decorate imaginatively, frighten carefully, and conjure up the best playlist of spooky songs you can. I’ve been posting Halloween song profiles for most of this month for party planners looking for suggestions.