Slumgullion

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

A Carnival Of Grey And White, the latest and long-awaited album from the Milwaukee-based power pop band Trolley is now available on Bandcamp. In addition to the catchy title track and Elvis Costello style “As Long As I Can Find You,” which were previously released as teasers, other energetic gems include “Leaving You Behind,” “Stepping Up,” and “Radio Silence.” I enjoyed talking to these guys a few times at International Pop Overthrow - Chicago some years ago, so it’s nice to hear them back in action.

The Webstirs, a Chicago-based band that’s been a reliable source for well-crafted and witty indie rock, has released an impressive single titled “When It’s Gone” from its upcoming new album. High Up In The Trees is due out on November 14, and The Webstirs will perform a free show at FitzGerald’s in Berwyn, IL that night.

Yoko Ono - Music Of The Mind, a retrospective of her career that reaches back to the 1950s and explores her art, films, and music, opens on October 18 at the Museum Of Contemporary Art Chicago and will run through February 22. According to the MCA website, this will be the only venue in the United States that Yoko Ono - Music Of The Mind will visit.

In related news, the John And Yoko/Plastic Ono Band with Elephant’s Memory and Special Guests Live At The One To One Concert boxset is available to pre-order at the online Official John Lennon Store.   Recorded live at Madison Square Garden in New York City on August 30, 1972, the concert is available in 9 CD + 3 Blu-Ray Boxset; 4 LP; 2 CD; 2 LP, and 1 CD formats.

The Bishop’s Daredevil Stunt Club, a Chicago-based power pop/indie rock band that has released several impressive albums over the past 10 years, will perform at Montrose Saloon on Chicago’s north side on October 18.

The Miki Berenyi Trio (led by the former Lush founder) kicks off its North America Tour 2025 today in Washington, DC, and will perform at Lincoln Hall in Chicago on October 17. The trio will likely showcase songs from its Tripla debut, and the opening act will be Gina Birch from the Brit band The Raincoats. Birch, whose second solo album Trouble came out on July 11, will be backed by musicians Marie Merlet and Jenny Green.

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 the weekend of 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 will go on sale soon for the Gram Fest - Cosmic American Music Festival taking place on November 22 at the Joshua Tree Cultural Center - Blak Box Theater in Joshua Tree, CA. Performers include Sin City All Stars with special guests Jonny Kaplan And Friends, plus numerous other acts.

Chicago-based melodic rockers Kevin Lee And The Kings have a gig coming up at the Goat Village venue in Norridge, IL on October 25. A Toys For Tots truck will be on the premises for those who wish to make a donation.

Paul McCartney’s Got Back North American Tour 2025 continues its run with a concert tomorrow night in Denver. Upcoming dates include Des Moines; Minneapolis; Tulsa; New Orleans; Atlanta; Nashville; Pittsburgh; Montreal; and San Antonio. The long and winding road ends with concerts at the United Center on November 24 and 25, which means Chicago area fans will have something fun to talk about with their families at Thanksgiving dinner.

Los Lobos fans in the Chicago area will also be grateful since the Los Angeles band has concerts scheduled for November 24 and 25 at SPACE in Evanston. Tickets are also available for Chicago folk legend Bonnie Koloc’s November 30 show at SPACE in Evanston.

Revolution(s), Zayd Ayers Dohrn’s play about a soldier who returns from Afghanistan only to find his south side Chicago neighborhood also in turmoil, has opened at The Goodman Theatre. Tom Morello of Rage Against The Machine fame created the music and lyrics; and Steve H. Broadnax III is the director. Revolution(s) runs through November 9.

The Saint Rocke venue in Hermosa Beach, CA has a fun double bill of Flamin Groovies and The Pandoras coming up on November 19.

Ring in the new with Old 97s at SPACE in Evanston. Tickets are now on sale for the Dallas, TX band’s December 29, 30, and 31 shows at the Illinois venue. Old 97s will likely perform selections from their 2024 album American Primitive, as well as favorites such as “Champagne, Illinois” and “Big Brown Eyes.”

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.

Canadian singer-songwriter Sarah McLachlan’s new album titled Better Broken is now available; 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.

Chicago has produced impressive music acts for decades, and the experimental, jazz rock ensemble The Flock first joined that legacy back in the mid-1960s. So there’s good reason to have high expectations for The Return Of The Flock, along with the Rick Biordi Band show coming on November 1 to Park West on the city’s north side.

Congratulations to Penn and Teller on 50 years of combining magic, humor, and audience participation in their entertaining shows. Their anniversary tour will make a stop at the Chicago Theatre on October 24.

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.

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

Henry Diltz has joined forces with Cindystock for a series of rock musician photo books that benefit the Yates Fund For Cancer Hope. The choices include Dan Fogelburg; Stephen Stills; David Crosby; Micky Dolenz; David Cassidy; Joni Mitchell; America; Graham Nash; and Crosby, Stills, Nash And Young. Each book contains 40 photos and sells for $24. I just received my copy of the Nash book and it’s really cool.