The 30db / Van Ghost pairing was just one of the many inspired double (sometime triple & quadruple) bills that the Abbey Pub has been programming lately and certainly one of the most high profile, considering the national prominence of the artists involved, yet a strong sense of Chicago hung in the air all night.  [...]

Here’s some backstage footage of Kris at the 2012 version of the Mayan Holidaze music destination weekend in Mexico  The man is clearly a master — I wouldn’t be surprised to see this setup on stage sometime.

No doubt there was tons of great music this past New Year’s eve, but nothing quite gave me the warm fuzzies about 2012 quite like this take on Phish’s “Free” from the ageless folks in the Young At Heart Chorus. As one youtube commenter suggests, the only thing that could have been better is if [...]

Yonder Mountain welcomed good friend Brenday Bayliss of Umphrey’s McGee to the stage at their stop in Chicago last week.  Some video has surfaced, complete with enthusiastic crowd response.  Brendan sat in for the first set closing “One More”, followed by a jammed out version of Talking Heads’ “Girlfriend Is Better”.  Have a look.  See [...]

The first video of this old spiritual from Madison Square Garden 11/10/11 has arrived.

Another interesting mix of covers this year, spanning decades and genres with ease.  Kudos to WSP for uncompromising dedication to music they love and turning on their fans to some of their more obscure obsessions. Vic Chesnutt – “Degenerate” Howlin’ Wolf – “Tail Dragger” Blue Oyster Cult – “Godzilla” Black Sabbath – “Iron Man” (Paris [...]

Umphrey’s McGee welcomed special guest Bob Weir to the stage to open their second set last night at Brooklyn Bowl. They opened the set with a tune long associated with Weir and the Dead “Not Fade Away” and segued into the Umphrey’s original “Glory”. The show was the first of a four night stand with [...]

Guests galore, some great covers and some Temple Of The Dog mini-sets.  All you could ask for for a celebration of 20 years as a band. UPDATE: Listen to Saturday’s sets by Pearl Jam and The Strokes here. The Setlist 9-3-2011 Release, Arms Aloft*, Do the Evolution, Got Some, In My Tree, Faithfull, Who You [...]

A decent looking and sounding YouTube video of this Phish debut: Also check out the stream and download Paul Simon’s most recent Chicago gig at the Vic Theater.

Here’s the play list for Macca’s second of two shows and the Friendly confines.  Lots of highlights from the first night are still here, but managed to mix it up enough for the hardcores who came two nights in a row, including Magical Mystery Tour, Got To Get You Into My Life, and Birthday. Paul [...]