Incoming

Paul McCartney’s latest album The Boys Of Dungeon Lane, which judging from the first single “Days We Left Behind,” offers an introspective look at his earliest days with The Beatles, will be released this Friday. As noted on the official Paul McCartney Facebook page, record stores around the globe will stage listening events a day earlier. In related news, a Paul McCartney And Wings exhibit recently opened on at the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame in Cleveland, OH.

Happy Birthday to Ralph Covert, the versatile singer-guitarist who has led the Chicago-based band The Bad Examples for several years now. His clever and catchy songs often call to mind the music of Squeeze. Covert has also found extensive success as the creator of children’s rock music via Ralph’s World.

The Rory Gallagher International Tribute Festival kicks off this Thursday in Ballyshannon, Co. Donegal, Ireland and will run through this through Sunday. According to the official website, the event will feature “Big Top Concerts each night as well as 30 Hours of Open Air Free Gigs on the Rockin’ Streets of Ballyshannon Co.”

Rattleback Records, a definitely cool store on Chicago’s far north side, has a three-act showcase of garage rockers Tuff Sudz, power pop/rock quartet A.M. Slingers, and former The M’s leader Josh Chicoine’s new band Cult Canyon coming up this Friday at the Burlington Bar. A.M. Slingers will be celebrating the release of their second album To The Nines; and Cult Canyon recently released their Smoke Tricks album. Burlington Bar is located at 3425 W. Fullerton.

International Pop Overthrow - Liverpool 2026 kicked off yesterday and will run through through this Sunday at The Cavern Pub and The Cavern Club in The Beatles’ hometown. Dozens of acts are scheduled to perform, including long-time IPO world travelers Dave Rave and The Jeremy Band. The official International Pop Overthrow website has the entire Liverpool 2026 schedule; with links for most of the acts who’ll be performing. For a personal touch, check out the video clips of some of the participating acts on the IPO founder David Bash’s Facebook page.

A four-act showcase at Montrose Saloon this Friday will feature The 321’s; Bellevue Holiday; Means Of Production; and Ride The Lightning. The rocking starts at 7:30 pm. Montrose Saloon is located at 2933 W. Montrose on Chicago’s north side.

The Zombies’ lead vocalist Colin Blunstone still draws rave reviews 60+ years after the band emerged from the British Invasion scene. He’s likely finding more critical acclaim during his UK Believe In Miracles Tour, which will wrap up this week with shows in Wimborne tomorrow; Worthing on Wednesday; and London Thursday.

This Sunday, City Winery Chicago will present the Highway Dream: 50 Years Of Tom Petty Brunch. This is a PureSoul event, and will start at noon. PureSoul has staged many tributes to famous acts at venues in the Chicago area.

The Ivy - Traces Of You - 2026 Tour, named after a 2025 album of previously unreleased Ivy songs recorded by band members Adam Schlesinger, Andy Chase, and Dominique Durand between 1995 and 2012, comes to the Teragram Ballroom in Los Angeles this Wednesday; and the Schellraiser Humboldt Hideaway venue in Wells, NV on Saturday. Sadly, we lost Adam Schlesinger to COVID-19 in 2020.

Chicago-based singer-songwriter AJ Rosales has a performance coming up at the Friendly Bar in Berwyn, IL tomorrow. The show is part of the Friendly Community Songwriter Series, and will include Rosales introducing new material that wasn’t on his Phasedrift album or earlier releases. The music starts at 7:00 pm, and there is no cover charge.

Monty Python’s The Holy Grail will continue its run through this Sunday at the CIBC Theatre in downtown Chicago.

The Chicago-based, freewheeling covers band EXPO ’76 will perform this Friday at Fuller’s Pub. EXPO ’76 has released an official album, titled Hot In The Dark, that reflects the variety of styles this band covers, and it’s available to purchase on their website. Fuller’s Pub is located at 3205 W Irving Park Road on Chicago’s north side.