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The Chicago Reader

Feature Slideshow (Section)

When Christmas music passes beyond human comprehension

Video
When Christmas music passes beyond human comprehension 3

As Pepper Mill Rondo, Max Allison and Doug Kaplan find the horrifying and the sublime in holiday kitsch.

By Noah Berlatsky

Top Stories

Gossip Wolf

Video
Matt Jencik’s new guitar record blurs waking life and dreams

Matt Jencik’s new guitar record blurs waking life and dreams, ESS hosts an Experimental Holiday Market at Twisted Hippo, and more.

By J.R. Nelson and Leor Galil
Music Feature

Video
The 2020 Frequency Festival announces a lineup of world-class experimental music

Highlights of the 2020 Frequency Festival include a fusion of Carnatic music and jazz, a solo vocal piece for Diamond Reynolds, and programs of work by Eliane Radigue and Annea Lockwood.

By Bill Meyer
The Secret History of Chicago Music

Video
Eardance made polished, idiosyncratic prog rock that sank without a trace

Recorded in Chicago in 1982, Eardance’s sole album had tons of gorgeous conservatory-trained playing but got almost no distribution.

By Steve Krakow

Show Previews

Korean girl group Dreamcatcher catches on after their alt-metal makeover

Dreamcatcher Concord Music Hall December 8

By Joshua Minsoo Kim
Electronic math-rock masters Battles reinvent themselves as a duo on the playful, polyrhythmic Juice B Crypts

Battles, Guerilla Toss Lincoln Hall December 8

By Scott Morrow
As they head toward 50 years together, East LA icons Los Lobos continue to transform

Los Lobos City Winery December 8

By James Porter
Subversive guitar god James Blood Ulmer plays a rare Chicago show

James Blood Ulmer The Promontory December 8

By Steve Krakow
Whitney proves that the kids love the soft stuff

Whitney, Hoops Thalia Hall December 8

By Luca Cimarusti

More Show Previews »

Event Search

Early Warnings

12.08.19

Mt. Pocono, Jupiter Styles, Corolla

Music

Mt. Pocono, Jupiter Styles, Corolla Sleeping Village

December 17

Origami Angel, Short Fictions, Lettering, Mt. Pocono

Music

Origami Angel, Short Fictions, Lettering, Mt. Pocono Beat Kitchen

January 16

More Early Warnings »

From the Archive

Music Review

Cradle Of The Record Industry

Gennett Records

By Stuart Rosenberg | 05.01.97
Music Review

Keepin' It Really, Really Real

Kanye's cowriter on "Jesus Walks" wants to talk to you about regular folks.

By Bob Mehr | 12.15.05
Music Review

Who the Hell Is Vakill?

He may never be a household name, but he might be the best MC in town.

By Bob Mehr | 01.26.06

More From the Archive »

Search the Archive

Chicagoland foursome Mt. Pocono know what makes punk a life force

By Leor Galil | 12.06.19
Catherine Lamb and Rebecca Lane explore liminal musical experiences with precision

By Bill Meyer | 12.05.19
Philadelphia alt-country band Friendship feel right at home on Chicago indie-pop label Orindal

By Leor Galil | 12.05.19
Wicca Phase Springs Eternal creates an eclectic cluster of mope

By Noah Berlatsky | 12.05.19
Twenty One Pilots get conceptual on Trench

By Kirsten Lambert | 12.05.19
Legendary Detroit folk rocker Sixto Rodriguez brings his political and romantic music to City Winery

By Steve Krakow | 12.05.19
The 1975 infuse their ambitious, anxiety-riddled songs with hope

By Leor Galil | 12.05.19
Thurston Moore returns to his avant-garde roots on Spirit Counsel

By Monica Kendrick | 12.05.19
1
Collaborating on great Black music from the ancient to the future

By Bill Meyer | 12.05.19
After 20 years in the game, the Lawrence Arms are a full-on Chicago punk institution

By Luca Cimarusti | 12.05.19
1
Krampus 1,000,000 A.D. on the gig poster of the week

By Salem Collo-Julin | 12.04.19
Mount Eerie’s new Lost Wisdom Pt. 2 shows glimmers of joy and hope

By Luca Cimarusti | 11.29.19

Soundboard Teaser Box

Early Warnings Teaser Box

In Rotation Teaser Box

Agenda Teaser

12.08.19

Whitney, Hoops

Music

Whitney, Hoops Thalia Hall

December 08

Los Lobos

Music

Los Lobos City Winery

December 08

More Agenda Teaser »

Popular Stories

Music Feature

Video
When Christmas music passes beyond human comprehension 3

As Pepper Mill Rondo, Max Allison and Doug Kaplan find the horrifying and the sublime in holiday kitsch.

By Noah Berlatsky | 12.04.19
Gossip Wolf

Video
Matt Jencik’s new guitar record blurs waking life and dreams

Plus: ESS hosts an Experimental Holiday Market at Twisted Hippo, and Free Snacks celebrate their second album in 12 months.

By J.R. Nelson and Leor Galil | 12.03.19
The Block Beat

Video
Sheila Rashid makes possibilities you can wear

The Chicago designer’s unisex clothes give people the freedom to define themselves.

By The TRiiBE | 09.18.19
Concert Preview

Recommended
Chicagoland foursome Mt. Pocono know what makes punk a life force

By Leor Galil | 12.06.19
Music Feature

The gospel according to Mama Lou 3

Lou Della Evans-Reid spent nearly 40 years as minister of music for Fellowship Missionary Baptist Church, but even at age 89 this trailblazer isn’t done spreading the good news.

By F. Amanda Tugade | 10.09.19

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