Incoming

Theater Of The Mind, a theatrical adventure crafted by David Byrne of Talking Heads fame and writer Mala Gaonkar, opens this Wednesday at the Reid Murdoch Building at 333 N. LaSalle Street in downtown Chicago. The website states the production “will involve moving throughout various spaces (a combination of walking, standing, and sitting), so we recommend wearing clothes and shoes that will allow you to engage in each of these activities comfortably.” Theater Of The Mind runs through May 31.

A recent official R.E.M. email states Michael Stipe has collaborated with producer/songwriter  Andrew Watt on the theme song for the HBO series Rooster. “I Played The Fool,” an easygoing and well-crafted song, is available to stream on various sites.

John Cowsill and Vicki Peterson were certainly impressive opening for The Smithereens last Friday night at The Des Plaines Theatre, and they’ll return to Illinois on April 25 for a concert at The Woodstock Opera House in Woodstock. Cowsill and Peterson will likely showcase songs from their debut album Long After The Fire, along with a few songs from The Bangles and The Cowsills.

Pravda Records recording artists The Handcuffs will have their first gig of 2026 this Saturday at Liar’s Club (1655 W. Fullerton ) on Chicago’s north side. They’ll be part of a triple bill with The Midnight Calls and The Kozmic Kids. The Handcuffs have been busy in the studio working on the follow-up to their impressive 2022 album Burn The Rails.

Tickets are now on sale for the John Fogerty and Steve Winwood Legacy Tour concert at the Credit Union1 Amphitheatre in Tinley Park, IL on September 3. Other dates on the tour include Boston, MA; Atlantic City, NJ; Vienna, VA; Charlotte, NC; and Hollywood, FL.

As noted by writer Tom Breihan on the Stereogum website, Gary Klebe from Shoes has a solo album titled Out Loud coming out April 10 on Black Vinyl Records. The catchy single “Not Tough Enough” can be heard on YouTube.

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. After a short time off, Cohen is back to performing regular gigs and will be at the Tuscan Market And Wine Shop in Arlington Heights, IL this Friday.

Prog rock band McLuhan and folk rock trio Esmerelda’s Boys have another double bill coming up this Thursday at Phyllis’ Musical Inn. Esmerelda’s Boys will kick things off at 8:00 pm and McLuhan performing at 9:00 pm. Both acts have been performing on the Chicago scene more and more lately; and McLuhan has two new singles to showcase. Phyllis’ Musical Inn is located at 1800 W. Division.

Congratulations to The Second Summer on recently signing with Hardstop Records. The power pop band hopes to have a new album (their second) coming out later this year. In the meantime, The Second Summer has gigs coming up at Gallery Cabaret in Chicago on March 14, and at The Village Club in Western Springs, IL on April 17.

Chicago’s self-described 21st Century Druid Music/Celtic Blues Band whitewolfsonicprincess has what they describe as “a late afternoon extravaganza”coming up on March 21 at Cary’s Lounge. The enchantment starts at 4:00 pm; the venue is located at 2251 W. Devon.

 An official screening of director Jonas Åkerlund’s documentary Billy Idol Should Be Dead will take place this Thursday at The Vic Theatre on Chicago’s north side. WDRV The DRIVE on-air personality Janda Lane will host the event.