Slumgullion

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

Radio Soul! The Early Songs Of Elvis Costello, featuring Mr. Costello and The Imposters with Charlie Sexton, will kick off a month’s worth of concerts on September 18 in Bethlehem, PA. The tour will come to The Chicago Theatre on Oct 16.

Happy Birthday to Marianne Galassini, lead vocalist and co-founder with her husband Mike for the Chicago-based indie rock band Magnaphonic. It’s always a kick to see them perform at International Pop Overthrow - Chicago.

Aimee Mann and Ted Leo successfully collaborate on indie rock songs from time to time, and they also enjoy spreading holiday cheer. Tickets are now on sale for their Aimee Mann and Ted Leo Christmas Show! with Paul F. Tompkins, Nellie McKay and Josh Gondelman. It kicks off on November 28 at City Winery New York, and will include shows in Chicago on December 11 and 12.

Decoy Prayer Meeting, a local band that specializes in rockabilly and vintage Country and Western music, will return to the north side venue Montrose Saloon on September 22.

The Hoodoo Gurus will celebrate the 40th anniversary of their rollicking second album Mars Needs Guitars with an event on September 19 at The Barracks in North Head Manly in Sydney, Australia. They will perform the entire album in order and then move on to a variety of garage rock selections from their illustrious and zany career.

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.

Henry Diltz, one of rock music’s most successful photographers, will present Once Upon A Troubadour - A Slideshow And Story-Telling Experience Of The Photographs That Made Music History By The Man Who Took Them at the Troubadour in Los Angeles on December 9. The one-night-only event invites fans to “Step inside the golden era of rock ’n’ roll as Henry unveils a stunning visual journey and shares his intimate stories from behind the lens.”

The Joe Policastro Trio has a release show for their new album Mending Wall coming up on September 22nd at the Jazz Showcase in Chicago. They recently posted an instrumental take on the Modern English song “Melt With You” on their YouTube page.

Beatland Books is set to release the first volume of a “massively enhanced and fully rewritten” update of Doug Hinman’s 2004 book on The Kinks. The Kinks - All Day And All Of The Night - The Day-By-Day Story Pt. 1: 1940 - 1971, with Andrew Sandoval joining Hinman, is due out later this year.

Two of the Chicago club scene’s better known musicians, Phil Angotti and Tommi Zender, will join forces to honor Simon And Garfunkel tonight at Cafe Carpe in Ft. Atkinson, WI; and at SPACE in Evanston this Monday.

Paul Weller recently released Find El Dorado, a collection of his reinterpretations of other artists’ material, and he has now launched an online merch store. The email announcement describes it as “Celebrating every era - from the energy of The Jam, the style and soul of The Style Council, through to Paul’s solo years - these new collections bring together designs that mark the journey so far.”

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

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.

Long-time entertainment writer Mark Caro (Chicago Sun-Times, Chicago Tribune, etc.) has talked with several indie rock musicians on his Caropop podcast, and just started making some of those interviews available on his YouTube channel. Caro has an easy-going, knowledgeable style that leads to fascinating conversations with his guests. The recently posted Caropop episode with Robbie Fulks is a prime example. Recent guests have included Chris Difford from Squeeze and singer songwriter Sam Phillips.

As noted by writer Mike Duquette on The Second Disc website, Patti Smith will release a Horses (50th Anniversary Edition) via Legacy Recordings on October 10. In addition to the original tracks, it will offer “nine alternate versions and outtakes from the album sessions.” Duquette also points out that Smith will release a memoir titled Bread Of Angels in November. 

Rhythm and blues singer Gerald McClendon, who’s impressed many audiences around the Chicago area, will perform with his band on the patio at Fitzgeralds in Berwyn, IL on September 26th. As McClendon noted in a Facebook post, that patio has heat lamps so there’s no need to worry about it being chilly outside.

Duets Special - Chrissie Hynde And Pals, an album featuring The Pretenders lead vocalist pairing up with Lucinda Williams; Julian Lennon; Shirley Manson; k.d. lang; David Gahan; Debbie Harry; Brandon Flowers; Rufus Wainwright and other well-known performers, is due out on October 17. It’s currently available to pre-order from various sites.

Soundtracks Of A Generation, which has staged several rock music tribute shows, will perform The Concert For George on November 29 at 7:30 pm at the Lyric Theater in Blue Island, IL.

The Replacements have a deluxe edition of their 1984 groundbreaking album Let It Be coming out in 4-LP, 3CD, and digital formats on October 24 via Rhino Records. A recent post on the band’s Facebook page states there will also be a “special bonus 10-inch vinyl, and T-Shirt mercy option.”

Cheap Kiss Records is currently offering a limited edition compilation titled A Blast From The Cellar! - Lost Gems From The 60s Chicago Garage Rock Explosion. Available on vinyl only, the album is inspired by the legendary Arlington Heights, IL teen club that booked several of that era’s world famous bands. As stated in its title, this collection focuses on Chicago-area acts that also performed at The Cellar, and includes songs by The Mauds; The Same; Boston Tea Party, and The Huns.

Singer-guitarist Terry White has a record release party with The Loaded Dice, Cannonball, and other special guests coming up on October 2 at Fitzgerald’s in Berywn, IL. The album is due out on September.

Cheap Trick’s new album All Washed Up is due out November 14, and the group has posted a video on YouTube for the first single from it. “Twelve Gates” finds an animated version of the guys rocking a mid-tempo arrangement powered by guitars and layered vocals. A promising start.

The Magnolia Pictures documentary It’s Never Over, Jeff Buckley is now available in digital format from Apple TV, Fandango, Prime Video, and other sources. In Chicago, the 28th Annual Jeff Buckley Tribute will be held on November 16 and 17 at Uncommon Ground Lakeview.

Weekend Reminders

Thursday posts focus on events that were previously mentioned on Broken Hearted Toy, and are taking place during the upcoming weekend. Plus, the occasional event taking place this weekend that has just come to my attention, or concert tickets going on sale.

Depending on when you read this, you might still be able to catch garage rock specialists The Woggles tonight at Reggie’s Chicago, just south of downtown. Hometown indie rockers The Handcuffs and the local punk trio Bum Rush will also be on the bill. Reggie’s Chicago is located at 2105 S. State Street.

Participating acts for the Sea Hear Now Festival taking place in Asbury Park, NJ this Saturday and Sunday include Inhaler; Hozier; LCD Soundsystem; Alabama Shakes; ZZ Top; De La Soul; UB40; Trombone Shorty and Orleans Avenue; Blink 182; Lenny Kravitz; Sublime; Public Enemy; Spoon; and 4 Non Blondes. The event, which sports a surfing theme, is now sold out for both days.

International Pop Overthrow regulars (in Chicago and elsewhere) Kerosene Stars will be part of a four-band, 8:00 pm showcase at the Scout Bar in Houston, TX tonight. Kerosene Stars have been releasing power pop albums since their 2014 self-titled effort, and released the catchy new song “Kerosine” on Bandcamp this past spring.

As noted in a recent Chicago Sun-Times/WBEZ article by Mike Davis, the Illinois Rock And Roll Museum will induct its 2025 inductees at a ceremony this Sunday at the Rialto Square Theatre in Joliet, IL. The honorees are Enuff Z’Nuff; Head East; Tim Drummond; Delmark Records; Mitch Michaels; and Q10l Chicago. Since last year’s ceremony was canceled due to a tornado, Sunday’s event will also celebrate the 2024 honorees Richard Marx; The Smashing Pumpkins; Howlin’ Wolf; Little Walter; Bo Diddley; Vee-Jay Records; Bob Stroud; and Big 10 WCFL.

The Chicago Immigrant Orchestra, which had an initial run from 1999 through 2004 and was revived in 2019 under the guidance of musicians Fareed Haque and Wanees Zarourd, has an album release event at 7:00 pm this Sunday at the Epiphany Center for the Arts. Both versions of the Orchestra were founded by the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events, with the goal of celebrating the city’s immigrant communities. The Epiphany Center for the Arts is located at 201 S. Ashland Avenue.

Three Chicago area recording artists with loyal followings on the club scene will join forces at QBar in Darien, IL this Saturday. Fans can expect an evening of live power pop and indie rock during separate sets by The Embryos, The Spindles, and Go Time! Doors will open at 7:30 pm.

McLuhan, the adventurous seven-piece Chicago band inspired by philosopher Marshall McLuhan, will be part of a triple bill at The Gallery Cabaret tomorrow with Esmeralda’s Boys and TIMOCO. The music starts at 9:00 pm; The Gallery Cabaret is located at 2020 N. Oakley Avenue.

The Everly Hillbillies will perform songs by The Everly Brothers this Saturday at the Tuscan Market And Wine Shop Steps in Arlington Heights, IL. It’s a quick walk from the Metra station.

Torpedo Los! will perform Beatles songs from 1966, along with other bands’ hits from the ‘60s and ‘80s tomorrow night at Montrose Saloon on Chicago’s north side. Local club scene veterans LaRue DeVille, who blend soul and Americana music, and Detroit melodic rockers The Needmores are also on the bill.

The Wheaton College Faculty Artists series will present fretless guitarist Kevin Brown as part of a Jazz Organ Trio tomorrow at the Armerding Center for Music and the Arts Hall. Brown will be joined by Isaiah Jones Jr. on organ ad Mason Lampa on drums. The concert starts at 7:30.

The Lakeview East Festival Of The Arts returns for its 20th year this Saturday and Sunday, on Broadway, between Belmont and Hawthorne. Over 120 artists will display their work, and performances on the two stages will include Steve Dawson and Diane Christiansen; Gerald Dowd; Gerald McClendon; The Band Calderisi; and Kent Rose And The Remedies.

Incoming

Photo from the official Ringo Starr Facebook page.

First, let’s welcome Ringo Starr And His All Starr Band, who’ll perform tomorrow night at the Chicago Theatre. The All Starr lineup features rock and roll veterans Steve Lukather, Colin Hay, Warren Ham, Hamish Stuart, Gregg Bissonette, and Buck Johnson. Ringo’s latest album, Look Up, finds him working in a Country and Western vein, but it’s likely he and his famous mates will be covering a variety of music, with an emphasis on Beatles tunes.

Pure Soul Presents, which serves up tribute shows at City Winery Chicago on a regular basis, has one titled Infinite 80s coming up tomorrow night at 7:30. Described as “your portal to the post-punk, new wave, and alt-pop legends who defined a generation and reshaped music forever,” Infinite 80s will showcase songs by The Cure, The Smiths, The Pixies, and other acts.

The Woggles, the garage rock specialists championed by Little Steven and his Wicked Cool record label, recently embarked on a world tour. One of those dates will bring them to Reggies in Chicago this Thursday, with hometown heroes The Handcuffs as their opening act.

Three Chicago area recording artists with loyal followings on the club scene will join forces at QBar in Darien, IL this Saturday. Fans can expect an evening of live power pop and indie rock during separate sets by The Embryos, The Spindles, and Go Time! Doors will open at 7:30 pm.

Roger McGuinn, whose guitar playing with The Byrds has inspired countless musicians for decades, will perform tomorrow night at The North Shore Center For The Performing Arts in Skokie, IL.

McLuhan, the adventurous seven-piece Chicago band inspired by philosopher Marshall McLuhan, will be part of a triple bill at The Gallery Cabaret this Friday with Esmeralda’s Boys and TIMOCO. The music starts at 9:00 pm; The Gallery Cabaret is located at 2020 N. Oakley Avenue.

Marshall Crenshaw’s 40+ Years In Showbiz! show with James Mastro comes to at City Winery Chicago this Sunday. Crenshaw has given us several irresistible songs, such as “Someday, Someway,” “Cynical Girl,” and “Whenever You’re On My Mind.” He recently released a new album titled From The Hell Hole.

Guaranteed to leave you feeling groovy. Local musicians Phil Angotti and Tommi Zender are each well known on the Chicago club scene for performing their own music as well as tribute shows. On September 15, they’ll join forces to honor Simon And Garfunkel at SPACE in Evanston.

When the UK indie rock band Wolf Alice kicks off a North American tour in support of its new album The Clearing tomorrow in Atlanta, founding member/guitarist Joff Oddie won’t be onboard. He’s made the wise decision to remain home for upcoming birth of his first child, and will be temporarily replaced by guitarist John Victor. Wolf Alice returns to Chicago with a sold-out show at The Vic on September 26. Songwriter Willy Mason will be the opening act throughout the tour. 

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.

The Everly Hillbillies will perform the best songs by The Everly Brothers this Saturday at the Tuscan Market And Wine Shop Steps in Arlington Heights. It’s a quick walk from the Metra station.

Veteran country and western act Kent Rose And The Remedies will perform tomorrow night at the Broken Hearts Bar (no relation to this blog) on Chicago’s west side. They also have a 3:00 pm performance this Sunday at The Lakeview East Festival Of The Arts. 

The Lakeview East Festival Of The Arts returns for its 20th year this Saturday and Sunday, on Broadway, between Belmont and Hawthorne. Over 120 artists will display their work, and performances on the two stages will include Steve Dawson and Diane Christiansen; Gerald Dowd; Gerald McClendon; The Band Calderisi; and Kent Rose And The Remedies.

Hot In The Dark, the debut album from Chicago’s unpredictable but always enjoyable covers band EXPO ’76 with the Total Pro Horns, is now available to pre-order on Bandcamp. The 12 tracks reflect the mind-boggling variety of music EXPO ’76 performs at its live gigs. Hot In The Dark will be officially released on October 24.

Slumgullion

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

Henry Diltz, one of rock music’s most successful photographers, will present Once Upon A Troubadour - A Slideshow And Story-Telling Experience Of The Photographs That Made Music History By The Man Who Took Them at the Troubadour in Los Angeles on December 9. The one-night-only event invites fans to “Step inside the golden era of rock ’n’ roll as Henry unveils a stunning visual journey and shares his intimate stories from behind the lens.”

Material Issue, the Chicago power pop trio that scored MTV hits such as “Valerie Loves Me” and “Diane” back in the early 1990s, and later returned with new vocalist-guitarist Phil Angotti, have a show coming up at the north-side venue Schubas on September 27.

Tickets go on sale this Monday for the Countdown Concert New Year’s Eve event at Dublin Castle in Ireland with headline act Inhaler. Other guests will be announced soon.

Long-time entertainment writer Mark Caro (Chicago Sun-Times, Chicago Tribune, etc.) has talked with several indie rock musicians on his Caropop podcast, and just started making some of those interviews available on his YouTube channel. Caro has an easy-going, knowledgeable style that leads to fascinating conversations with his guests. The recently posted Caropop episode with Chris Difford from Squeeze is a prime example.

Beatland Books is set to release the first volume of a “massively enhanced and fully rewritten” update of Doug Hinman’s 2004 book on The Kinks. The Kinks - All Day And All Of The Night - The Day-By-Day Story Pt. 1: 1940 - 1971, with Andrew Sandoval joining Hinman, is due out later this year.

The Wheaton College Faculty Artists series will present fretless guitarist Kevin Brown as part of a Jazz Organ Trio on September 12 at the Armerding Center for Music and the Arts Hall. Brown will be joined by Isaiah Jones Jr. on organ ad Mason Lampa on drums. The concert starts at 7:30.

Paul Weller recently released Find El Dorado, a collection of his reinterpretations of other artists’ material, and he has now launched an online merch store. The email announcement describes it as “Celebrating every era - from the energy of The Jam, the style and soul of The Style Council, through to Paul’s solo years - these new collections bring together designs that mark the journey so far.”

Nasty, Brutish & Short, who describe themselves as “a late night cabaret packed with contemporary short-form puppet and object based theater,” will host a multi-act showcase this Monday at 3111 N. Western Avenue on Chicago’s north side. Curated by Myra Su and Caitlin McLeod, and hosted by Noah Ginex Puppet Co., the event will feature Laurel Johnson; Charlie Bendtsen-Schumann; Famous in the Future; Robbie Lynn Hunsinger; Rabbitfoot Puppetry; The Stinks; and Theatre Nobody.

Soundtracks Of A Generation, which has staged several rock music tribute shows, will perform The Concert For George on November 29 at 7:30 pm at the Lyric Theater in Blue Island, IL.

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.

Happy Birthday to Tammi Sonnen, a knowledgeable and avid supporter of Chicago’s vibrant music scene, and someone I’ve enjoyed speaking with a few times at International Pop Overthrow showcases. Have fun celebrating.

As recently noted by writer Mike Duquette on The Second Disc website, Patti Smith will release a Horses (50th Anniversary Edition) via Legacy Recordings on October 10. In addition to the original tracks, it will offer “nine alternate versions and outtakes from the album sessions.” Duquette also points out that Smith will release a memoir titled Bread Of Angels in November. As I’ve mentioned in the past, The Second Disc is an extremely informative source regarding upcoming album releases.

The Everly Hillbillies will return to the Tuscan Market And Wine Shop in Arlington Heights on September 13 to perform an extended selection of songs by The Everly Brothers. The venue is located in the downtown area, just a short walk from the Metra station.

The latest edition of Second Scene, the Pittsburgh-based print publication that covers indie rock, is now available for $7 plus shipping on its Bandcamp page. Issue #21 features articles on Jah Wobble, Heavenly, The Laissez Fairs, Philip Parfitt, and several acts. If past issues are an indication, there will be colorful graphics to go with the copy. 

Longtime writer, filmmaker and director Ron Lazzeretti will host a Songwriter Circle this coming Tuesday at FitzGerald’s in Berwyn, IL. Andon Davis and Rachel Drew will be special guests, and Lazzeretti will showcase songs from his own debut album Battle Of The Planets. Although it’s his first recording, he has several years of performing original music in Chicago venues.

Duets Special - Chrissie Hynde And Pals, an album featuring The Pretenders lead vocalist pairing up with Lucinda Williams; Julian Lennon; Shirley Manson; k.d. lang; David Gahan; Debbie Harry; Brandon Flowers; Rufus Wainwright and other well-known performers, is due out on October 17. It’s currently available to pre-order from various sites.

Cheap Kiss Records is currently offering a limited edition compilation titled A Blast From The Cellar! - Lost Gems From The 60s Chicago Garage Rock Explosion. Available on vinyl only, the album is inspired by the legendary Arlington Heights, IL teen club that booked several of that era’s world famous bands. As stated in its title, this collection focuses on Chicago-area acts that also performed at The Cellar, and includes songs by The Mauds; The Same; Boston Tea Party, and The Huns.

The Who - The Song Is Over - The North American Farewell Tour is underway, and will make a stop at the United Center in Chicago this Sunday. Other upcoming dates include Los Angeles, Vancouver, Seattle, and Las Vegas. 

Cheap Trick’s new album All Washed Up is due out November 14, and the group has posted a video on YouTube for the first single from it. “Twelve Gates” finds an animated version of the guys rocking a mid-tempo arrangement powered by guitars and layered vocals. A promising start. 

Singer-guitarist Terry White has a record release party with The Loaded Dice, Cannonball, and other special guests coming up on October 2 at Fitzgerald’s in Berywn, IL. The album is due out on September.

The Replacements have a deluxe edition of their 1984 groundbreaking album Let It Be coming out in 4-LP, 3CD, and digital formats on October 24 via Rhino Records. A recent post on the band’s Facebook page states there will also be a “special bonus 10-inch vinyl, and T-Shirt mercy option.”

The Magnolia Pictures documentary It’s Never Over, Jeff Buckley is now available in digital format from Apple TV, Fandango, Prime Video, and other sources. In Chicago, the 28th Annual Jeff Buckley Tribute will be held on November 16 and 17 at Uncommon Ground Lakeview.

A number of social media posts today brought the sad news that Mark Volman, who performed with The Turtles, Flo And Eddy (with Howard Kaylan) and Mothers Of Invention, has passed away at the age of 78. Rock In Paradise, Mark.

Weekend Reminders

Thursday posts focus on events that were previously mentioned on Broken Hearted Toy, and are taking place during the upcoming weekend. Plus, the occasional event taking place this weekend that has just come to my attention, or concert tickets going on sale.

Correction: International Pop Overthrow - New York will run November 6 – 9 at The Parkside Lounge, not this weekend, as erroneously stated in this past Monday’s Incoming post here on BHT. I apologize for the error. I must have been a bit tipsy from celebrating IPO founder David Bash’s birthday.

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 tomorrow. The sophisticated techno pop trio has been releasing singles and videos from Traces Of You for a few months. Back in 1994 when I reviewed Ivy’s realistic album for the Illinois Entertainer, I described their music as being like a bicycle ride through Paris. Sadly, we lost Adam Schlesinger to COVID-19 in 2020.

Depending on when you read this, you could catch Pravda Records artists The Imperial Sound, with special guests the Total Pro Horns and singer-songwriter Rachel Drew, performing their original soulful rock at The Hideout in Chicago tonight. The music starts at 8:00 pm.

There’s a low-ticket warning for tonight’s NRBQ show at Lincoln Hall on the north side, but they have two more shows scheduled this weekend in the Chicago area. The critically acclaimed band will perform at SPACE in Evanston tomorrow night, and at FitzGerald’s in Berwyn on Saturday.

Chicago’s always clever and impressive EXPO ’76 have a just-added show tonight at The Hideout on Chicago’s north side. Two nights from now, 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.

The Rogers Park Business Association on Chicago’s north side is presenting a First Friday Music City event tomorrow from 6:00 to 8:00 pm that will include a performance by the Chicago-based band Baby No Name and some musician friends at the Loyola Red Line Station Plaza. Other venues involved along Sheridan Road between Devon and Pratt include Cafe Nova, Great Wall, and Giordano’s.

The 40th Annual Printers Row Lit Fest will take place this weekend 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.

Vicki Peterson and John Cowsill will likely showcase songs from their recently released album Long After The Fire when they perform with special guest Michael Moulder at the Brown County Playhouse in Nashville, IN tomorrow night.

Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame inductee Chaka Khan will headline the 20th Annual 79th Street Renaissance Festival, which takes place from 10:00 am to 8:00 pm this Saturday in the Auburn Gresham area on Chicago’s far south side. Other acts at the festival include Isaiah Collier, DJ Farley “Jackmaster” Funk, Damon Williams and Walt Whitman.

Tomorrow is Bandcamp Friday, when Bandcamp waives its revenue on the first Friday of the month. Or, as stated in an official email, “More of what you spend goes straight to the artists and labels you care about.”

Local bands Bratz and New Dogs Old Tricks will perform live this Sunday at 2:00 pm at The Music Room music lessons and instructions school in Palatine, IL. Each group will showcase four songs they've been working on for the past ten weeks.

Tickets are now on sale 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.

Former Talking Heads frontman David Byrne’s new album Who Is The Sky? is coming out tomorrow. He’ll kick off his massive Who Is The Sky? Tour with a show in Providence, RI on September 14.

Blues vocalist Shemekia Copeland will perform at The Old Town School of Folk Music in Chicago tomorrow night at 8:00 pm.

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 Emily Nash and Chris Ferrer on violin and cello.

Several well-known acts will perform at the Evanston Folk Festival 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.

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.

Slumgullion

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

As noted by writer Mike Duquette on The Second Disc website this past Wednesday, Patti Smith will release a Horses (50th Anniversary Edition) via Legacy Recordings on October 10. In addition to the original tracks, it will offer “nine alternate versions and outtakes from the album sessions.” Duquette also points out that Smith will release a memoir titled Bread Of Angels in November. As I’ve mentioned in the past, The Second Disc is an extremely informative source regarding upcoming album releases.

The Lakeview East Festival Of The Arts returns for its 20th year on September 13 and 14, taking place on Broadway, between Belmont and Hawthorne. Over 120 artists will display their work, and performances on the two stages will include Steve Dawson and Diane Christiansen; Gerald Dowd; Gerald McClendon; The Band Calderisi; and Kent Rose And The Remedies.

The Who - The Song Is Over - The North American Farewell Tour is underway, including recent stops in Wantagh, NY and Boston, MA. The band has concerts scheduled at the United Center in Chicago on September 7 and 9. Other upcoming dates include Los Angeles, Vancouver, Seattle, and Las Vegas. 

The latest edition of Second Scene, the Pittsburgh-based print publication that covers indie rock, is now available for $7 plus shipping on its Bandcamp page. Issue #21 features articles on Jah Wobble, Heavenly, The Laissez Fairs, Philip Parfitt, and several acts. If past issues are an indication, there will be colorful graphics to go with the copy. 

Roger McGuinn, whose guitar playing with The Byrds has inspired countless musicians for decades, will perform on September 10 at The North Shore Center in Skokie, IL.

Wolf Alice will kick off its North American tour in support of its recently released album The Clearing on September 10 in Atlanta. The London-based indie rock band will return to Chicago with a sold-out show at The Vic on September 26; other stops include Washington, DC; Philadelphia; Boston; Montreal; Toronto; Dallas; Denver; and Los Angeles.

The Woggles, the garage rock specialists championed by Little Steven and his Wicked Cool record label, recently embarked on a world tour. One of those dates will bring them to Reggies in Chicago on September 11, with hometown heroes The Handcuffs serving as the opening act.

Tickets are now available for Marshall Crenshaw’s 40+ Years In Showbiz! show with James Mastro at City Winery Chicago on September 14. Crenshaw has given us several irresistible songs, such as “Someday, Someway,” “Cynical Girl,” and “Whenever You’re On My Mind.”

Long-time entertainment writer Mark Caro (Chicago Sun-Times, Chicago Tribune, etc.) has talked with several indie rock musicians on his Caropop podcast, and just started making some of those interviews available on his YouTube channel. Caro has an easy-going, knowledgeable style that leads to fascinating conversations with his guests. The recently posted Caropop episode with singer-songwriter Sam Phillips is a prime example.

Cheap Kiss Records is currently offering a limited edition compilation titled A Blast From The Cellar! - Lost Gems From The 60s Chicago Garage Rock Explosion. Available on vinyl only, the album is inspired by the legendary Arlington Heights, IL teen club that booked several of that era’s world famous bands. As stated in its title, this collection focuses on Chicago-area acts that also performed at The Cellar, and includes songs by The Mauds; The Same; Boston Tea Party, and The Huns.

Duets Special - Chrissie Hynde And Pals, an album featuring The Pretenders lead vocalist pairing up with Lucinda Williams; Julian Lennon; Shirley Manson; k.d. lang; David Gahan; Debbie Harry; Brandon Flowers; Rufus Wainwright and other well-known performers, is due out on October 17. It’s currently available to pre-order from various sites.

Three Chicago area recording artists with loyal followings on the club scene will join forces at QBar in Darien, IL on September 13. Fans can expect an evening of live power pop and indie rock during separate sets by The Embryos, The Spindles, and Go Time! Doors will open at 7:30 pm.

Cheap Trick’s new album All Washed Up is due out November 14, and the group has posted a video on YouTube for the first single from it. “Twelve Gates” finds an animated version of the guys rocking a mid-tempo arrangement powered by guitars and layered vocals. A promising start. 

Singer-guitarist Terry White has a record release party with The Loaded Dice, Cannonball, and other special guests coming up on October 2 at Fitzgerald’s in Berywn, IL. The album is due out on September.

The Replacements have a deluxe edition of their 1984 groundbreaking album Let It Be coming out in 4-LP, 3CD, and digital formats on October 24 via Rhino Records. A recent post on the band’s Facebook page states there will also be a “special bonus 10-inch vinyl, and T-Shirt mercy option.”

Ringo Starr And His All Starr Band’s 2025 Tour will include a show at the Chicago Theatre on September 10. Starr’s latest album, Look Up, finds him working in a Country and Western vein, but it’s likely he and his mates will be covering all kinds of music, including Beatles tunes.

Autographed copies of Vicki Peterson and John Cowsill’s album Long After The Fire can now be ordered via the TalkShopLive website. The duo will be joined by special guest Michael Moulder for a concert at the Brown County Playhouse in Nashville, IN on September 5.

Chicago-based blues legend Buddy Guy recently released the new album Ain’t Done With The Blues, and it’s now available in CD, vinyl, and digital formats on Amazon and other sites. 

The Magnolia Pictures documentary It’s Never Over, Jeff Buckley is now available in digital format from Apple TV, Fandango, Prime Video, and other sources. In Chicago, the 28th Annual Jeff Buckley Tribute will be held on November 16 and 17 at Uncommon Ground Lakeview. 

Material Issue, the Chicago power pop trio that scored MTV hits such as “Valerie Loves Me” and “Diane” back in the early 1990s, and later returned with new vocalist-guitarist Phil Angotti, have a show coming up at the north-side venue Schubas on September 27.

The Carla Olson and Tall Poppy Syndrome single “Is It True,” which was released in digital format in 2024, is now available as a Deluxe CD + download on Bandcamp. The song offers a 1960s arrangement with a harder edge, and features Olson, Clem Burke, Vince Melouney and Jonathan Lea.

High Moon Records, which is known for its adventurous series of reissues, has released Sly And The Family Stone - The First Family: Live At Winchester Cathedral 1967. Available in CD or LP format, it includes a deluxe booklet, interviews with Stone and original band members, rare photos, and memorabilia.

Parody Of Pleasure, the debut solo album from Lydia Night is now available, and finds the former leader of The Regrettes exploring a variety of musical approaches. Night describes her new music as “a window into my weird little brain” and promises to be out on tour soon.