Have you ever wanted to see Benny the Bull crowd-surf? Well, here's your chance. more ›

The fourth annual Chicago Bluegrass and Blues Fest concluded Saturday with performances by headliners Joe Pug, Dawes, and Drive-By Truckers, though not without some setbacks. more ›

Were you planning on seeing Morrissey at The Congress this Thursday as he opened his U.S. tour right here in Chicago? Well, now you're not! Due to a "visa administration error" Moz's guitarist won't make it to the States in time so the Chicago date has been postponed until Saturday, December 17. Sorry kids. I'm sure you can't be nearly as bummed as our favorite goths Alderman Joe Moreno and Commissioner John Fritchey though... more ›

Weezer closed out the Riot Fest festivities at The Congress last night with two sets; one focused on a mixture of hits and a second comprised of a run through of the band's classic debut, The Blue Album. The show opened with a dedication to one of the band's previous bassists Mikey Welsh, who passed away in Chicago the day before (and who, we're told, was originally supposed to join the band onstage). As sad as that opening sentiment was, the band soldiered on to play a hugely rewarding set. more ›

The hip-hop hydra, The Wu Tang Clan, is hitting the road. They'll be hitting The Congress on January 8. We're not even going to attempt a history lesson here but we're reasonably sure that even if you've never heard of The Wu Tang Clan you can thank them for pretty much every predominant meme in hip-hop today. From samurai warriors to dark side of the moon flows to innovative basement digging underwater beats, this crew was a lone bright spot in the days hip-hop was beginning to sag under its own bling. Solo shows by the memebers can be hit or miss, but when you get them all on one stage the sheer numbers provide the odds that you are about to see a blazing live show. more ›

Dance music posterchild of the moment, Deadmau5, played a set of sold out shows this weekend at Congress Theatre. When he was last here a few months ago, we found it to be a great show despite the crowd, complete with a light show that was nothing short of awe-inspiring. Friday's show was more of the same, Deadmau5's trance-techno igniting a full-on dance party presumably aided by a considerable amount of mind-altering substances. more ›

Last Friday, the now-traveling HARD Fest rolled into Chicago for its fifth stop and took over Congress Theatre. Headlined by Crystal Castles, the mini-festival included DJ sets from Rusko, Sinden, The Twelves and others. While Congress Theatre isn't a very good place to see an electro show, mostly due to bad acoustics, it is one of the few venues in Chicago that can support a bill like HARD Fest's. Unfortunately, our thoughts on the venue's sound issues were reaffirmed throughout the night, as it was consistently mediocre to bad. And when a band like Crystal Castles is playing, the sound better well be on point. more ›

Things are likely going to get wild when the Gogol Bordello brings their wild gypsy-tinged rock and/or roll into town this Friday to play The Congress Theatre, and chances are they'll create a spectacle both memorable and shocking. When you add Devotchka, Jesse Malin and St. Mark's Social to the bill you know you're in for an evening that will do its best to stun the senses and leave you exiting with a glazed smile on your face. Tickets are still available but we have a pair to give away to one lucky Chicagoist reader! more ›

Several thousand eager hip-hop fans gathered at Congress Theater Saturday night for the sold out, rescheduled January 29 DOOM/Mos Def show. Attendees waited in multiple hour-long will call lines to claim their tickets into what can only be described as organizational and crowd chaos. Fans bided their time for over 5 hours post-doors before the main acts took stage, irritated and putting the opening performers through the ringer with boos and airborne objects. more ›

What's a DOOM show without controversy? Pleasing, for one. more ›

There were plenty of concert options last week to celebrate Halloween, but none may have been quite as raucous as the Freaky Deaky show held Friday night at Congress Theatre. Featuring Chromeo, Crystal Castles and Boys Noize, the night was filled with sweaty bodies, inebriation, surely some illegal substances and, of course, copious amounts of fancy footwork. There are dance parties and then there are proper dance parties--this had drinking tea with the Queen beat. more ›

Jay Reatard at The Empty Bottle more ›

We've loved Explosions in the Sky and their panoramic rock for a long time. We think Chuck Klosterman said it best: "if you play Explosions in the Sky loud enough, the process of hanging drywall can be a life-altering experience." After listening to our favorite album of theirs (The Earth is Not a Cold Dead Place) while painting a few weekends ago, we tend to agree. Unfortunately, the band had, for a time, been known more for an alleged (and incorrectly so) 9-11 related record cover than for their outstanding artistic output. more ›

Last week had us blind with excitement, but this week’s slate – aside from some sure things - has us cautiously optimistic. After emptying out our wallet this weekend, we’re grateful for tonight’s free Mixel Pixel show at Empty Bottle. We’re still on the fence about the band’s album Music For Plants, which swirls industrial dance grooves around shoegazer-y vocals and Nintendo-inspired keyboards. But it’s the kind of music that gives white kids permission to... more ›

We knew it was coming. The sophomore slump. The uninspiring live tour. Who is it this time? It’s the Killers. more ›

TGIF! Here are a few of the reasons why we're saying, "Hangover, be damned!" and getting up early tomorrow to feed the monster that is Ticketmaster. 30 Seconds to Mars Head Automatica Oct. 20, Congress Theatre, 6:00 p.m., $21, All Ages After a theatrics-filled set at Lollapalooza this summer, we need more of the Leto brothers. Luckily, they are returning with a slew of openers for an MTV $2 Bill show. Of course, we'll need... more ›

It’s a constant battle: you want to see more live music and yet when it comes time to get your butt out of the house and queue up at the Metro, Empty Bottle, etc. you find yourself punking out to stay home and watch Cops. Chicagoist knows how you feel. We don’t see enough live music either and probably use the same excuses you do to talk ourselves out of it but this weekend you have no argument: more ›