Your Late Local News

I had a great weekend and I am "finally" settled in my new place. On Friday, I made the short trek to South Bend to catch Wilco, and they didn't disappoint as usual. On Saturday, I had a really great meal in Chinatown at a restaurant called Hing Kee. Yesterday, I went down to Wicker Park fest and checked out Jacob Fred Jazz Odyssey. I hadn't seen them before, but it's safe to say the next time they are in Chicago I will be there. I hope everyone had a great weekend!

• Farm Aid will celebrate the 25th anniversary at Miller Park in Milwaukee
• Forget Vegas! Get married at Ozzfest
• Brian Eno to release new album this fall
• U2 debut new song in Torino, Italy during tour rehearsals
• Pitchfork gives with Beck a call to see what he's been up to
• Weezer covered Lady Gaga & MGMT at Osheaga

The Avett Brothers - Head Full of Doubt/Road Full of Promise

Lollapalooza Aftershows Announced

The music in Grant Park may end at 10PM, but that won't stop it from filtering into various venues throughout Chicago. The organizers of Lollapalooza unveiled their aftershows, and boy are they impressive. The list of bands pulling double duty includes, MGMT, Devo, The New Pornographers, Cut Copy, The Black Keys, Blitzen Trapper, and The National, which is my must see show. For a full list and ticket information, click here.

Monday Morning Coffee Break

I had a pretty chill weekend, but managed to catch MGMT at The Riv this weekend. I enjoyed the show, but the owners of the Riv need to find a way to cool that place down. It was hot as shit! I must say that the crowd was really annoying. They stood for the older stuff and sat for the new material for the most part. I love it that they played "Siberian Breaks", the 12 minute opus from Congratulations. You can check out the reviews from the Chicago Tribune & Sun Times. Anyways.... less than one week until I hit the road for my Phish road trip! First stop, Merriweather Post Pavilion on Sunday! Here's some news and a video to get your Monday moving.

• Green Day played a massive show at London's Wembley Stadium
• Canadian legend Leonard Cohen will release a new album
• Local Natives announce North American fall tour
• My Morning Jacket to headline Voodoo Experience
• We might get a new Radiohead album "sometime this year"
• Jambase recalls Bonnaroo with Words & Photos

Primus - Wynona's Big Brown Beaver

Thank Boosh It's Friday!

This has been an absolutely crazy week for me! I really didn't have much time to post anything aside for some Phish setlists. Tonight, I am going to see MGMT, and other than that, I don't have anything planned for the weekend. I might head up to Ravinia with some peeps tomorrow and check out Buddy Guy and JJ Grey & Mofro, but am undecided. I hope everyone has a great weekend! In case you missed it, the US got screwed out of the game winning goal against Slovenia!

• Aaron & Bryce Dessner of The National turn multimedia project into album
• Deer Tick paid David Letterman a visit on Wednesday
• Simon & Garfunkel cancel their summer tour
• Elton John played to 50,000 strong in Israel
• Going to see Phish at SPAC? BE VERY SMART!!!!
• 2010 Polaris Prize nominees announced

Weezer - Represent

Video: MGMT - It's Working

Thank Boosh It's Friday!

It's going to be a great weekend! I am psyched about Beer Hoptacular! tonight. If you haven't got your tickets yet, there is still time. Tomorrow, I have a bachelor party for one of my best friends. No plans for Sunday, but it will probably be a rest day. I hope everyone has a great weekend!

• Snoop Dogg to join Gorillaz at Glastonbury?
• NPR pays tribute to The Mighty Uke
• Just how bad are record sales? Check it out
• MGMT unveils their open taping policy
• Aerosmith's Joe Perry has high hopes for their next record
• Check out the Band of Horses video for "For Annabelle"

Phish - Waste

Watch the Making of MGMT's "Flash Delirium" Music Video

Hump Day Happenings

I feel like I have been neglecting my blog recently, but I have been insanely busy. After this weekend, I hope to resume more frequent posts. I have been listening to High Violet nonstop since I picked it up yesterday. Here is some news and video of MGMT rocking "Brian Eno" on Letterman last night.

• The Rolling Stones may play whole studio albums live
• Hidden Track offers Phish 101 for your kids
• Lollapalooza to expand daily attendance to 95,000?
• 9th annual Forecastle Festival expands lineup
• Damon Albarn says Blur will record more new material
• Chemical Brothers add more US tour dates

MGMT - Brian Eno

Hump Day Happenings

Tonight, I am going to see Jonsi at the Vic Theatre. I am very excited as I have heard nothing but great things about his current tour. I heading out of town tomorrow, so I probably won't get around to my normal Friday posting. In the meantime, you can follow me on Facebook & on Twitter.

• Trent Reznor and his wife will teach you How to Destroy Angels
• Another one bites the dust: All Points West music festival
• MGMT continue to add dates to their busy touring schedule
• Adam Ant wants to fight Liam Gallagher
• Rush documentary to appear at Tribeca Film Festival
• Haymarket Pub & Brewery to open in Chicago this summer
  

Mavis Staples - We Shall Not Be Moved

Watch MGMT on 'Saturday Night Live'

Last night, MGMT graced the Saturday Night Live stage. You can watch both "Flash Delirium" & "Brian Eno" here.

[via Consequence of Sound]

Thank Boosh It's Friday!

Today, I am finally making my first trip to Hot Doug's. The "Game of the Week" is Ostrich Sausage with Cumin Mustard Cream, Tabasco Olives and Aged Piave Cheese. Sounds delicious and you can throw in some duck fat fries! Head over to the New York Times website and you can hear their new album High Violet streaming in it's entirety. I hope everyone has a great weekend.

• WTF? Joni Mitchell calls Bob Dylan a "fake"
• Glide Magazine reviews Phish 3D
• Joanna Newsom & Jim James on the new Roots album
• South Park creators Trey Parker & Matt Stone received death threats
• MGMT's Congratulations is #2 in on Billboards Top 200
  
• Prince to play three European festivals this summer

Guru w/Donald Byrd - Loungin'

MGMT Announce North American Tour Dates

Today, MGMT announced a fresh batch of North American shows. The band will be touring in support of their highly anticipated new album Congratulations. The album leaked a couple of weeks ago and the band responded by streaming the album free on their website. I was fortunate enough to have picked up tickets to their show at the Riviera Theatre in Chicago on June 18. The band will return to Chicago in August for an appearance at Lollapalooza.

MGMT North American Tour Dates
May 28 @ Avila Beach Resort - San Luis Obispo, CA
May 29 @ Santa Cruz Civic Auditorium - Santa Cruz, CA
May 31 @ Sasquatch! - George, WA
Jun. 1 @ Crystal Ballroom Portland, OR
Jun. 2 @ Crystal Ballroom Portland, OR
Jun. 4 @ In The Venue Salt Lake City, UT
Jun. 6 @ Stubbs Austin, TX
Jun. 7 @ House Of Blues Houston, TX
Jun. 8 @ House Of Blues Dallas, TX
Jun. 11 @ Red Rocks Morrison, CO
Jun. 13 @ Uptown Theatre Kansas City, MO
Jun. 14 @ The Vogue Indianpolis, IN
Jun. 15 @ LC Pavilion Columbus, OH
Jun. 16 @ Fillmore Detroit, MI
Jun. 18 @ Rivera Theatre Chicago, IL
Jun. 20 @ Riverside Theatre Milwaukee, WI

Monday Morning Coffee Break

Happy Opening Day! I am cautiously optimistic for my White Sox this season, but it's a long season so we will see. I had a pretty chill weekend, but I did get out and try a new beer on Friday night. The beer engine at Map Room had Thornbridge Brewery's Jaipur IPA pouring. Unfortunately, they ran out, but I enjoyed the the one glass that I had. Don't forget that they announce the Lollapalooza lineup tomorrow. Here is some news and a video to get your Monday moving.

• Bob Dylan cancels Asian tour after he is refused entry in China
• Pearl Jam donates $210,000 for 33 acres of plants & tree's
  
• Erykah Badu charged with disorderly conduct
• Stone Temple Pilots grace the cover of Billboard
• Check out these ten MGMT covers
• Radiohead drummer Phil Selway debuts new material
  
  
  
  Band of Horses - The Funeral

MGMT Debut Wacky "Flash Delirium" Video

I am a huge fan of MGMT's Congratulations. Yesterday, they released the video for the song "Flash Delirium" and let's say it's very very interesting, but in a good way. You can stream the new album and watch the video at MGMT's website.

Monday Morning Coffee Break

Winter tried to make a comeback in Chicago this weekend, but thankfully it didn't last long. I ran the Shamrock Shuffle on Sunday and did much better than I thought I would. In case you missed it, MGMT is streaming Congratulations on their website. You should really check it out! Here is some news and a video to get your Monday moving.

• Pete Doherty was arrested again.... yes, it has to do with drugs
• Alice in Chains rocked the Aragon Ballroom this weekend
  
• COS remembers Transmissions from the Satellite Heart
• The Black Keys released on new song via MySpace
• Gathering of the Vibes announced their 2010 lineup
• Is Slater-Kinney planning a reunion?

MGMT - Time to Pretend

MGMT Stream 'Congratulations'

Did I mention that it's free? You can listen to it here. Enjoy!

Monday Morning Coffee Break

I had a really good time at the Jeff Tweedy show on Saturday night. It's always a treat to see him perform solo on an acoustic guitar. It also helps when he plays some Bob Dylan, Radiohead and of course Wilco. Don't forget to set your DVR's tonight for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony. Tune into Fuse TV at 8:30 pm ET for all the festivities. Here is some news and a video to get your Monday going.

• Slash joined Black Eyed Peas in Chicago on Saturday
• Check out Pearl Jam on Saturday Night Live
• MGMT apologizes for "Flash Delirium"
• Phil Lesh celebrated his 70th birthday on Friday
• Things got a little rough at a Metallica show in Colombia
• Need a new workout mix? How about a Gospel mix?

Jimi Hendrix - Like a Rolling Stone