Islands – Landlocked in the Midwest

On the stage at Lincoln Hall in Chicago, the band Islands looked like a throwback to a simpler time, wearing all white suits and nearly outnumbered by their keyboards. Poised to host a killer episode of I Love the 80s, Islands opted instead to play a solid set for the somewhat lacking crowd. Brought to [...]

Mucca Pazza – the High School Reunion You’ll Want To Go To

Lincoln Hall, the revamped and awesome evolution of the old 3 Penny theater, provides ideal settings to watch Mucca Pazza, the Chicago-based marching band-cum-punk group. In the balcony, you can easily see all of the 30 members as they march around the stage, up on risers, speakers and whatever else is handy. For the encore, [...]

Nathaniel Rateliff at Lincoln Hall on 4/6

Nathaniel Rateliff is not too well known yet, but at Lincoln Hall on April 6th, you would never have known.  Dozens occupied the dimly lit venue waiting for Low Anthem, the headliners of the evening to perform.  While they waited, they had a special treat from opener Nathaniel Rateliff and his band The Wheel, a [...]

Tortoise – Words are Overrated

After my pal suggested I check out the Tortoise show at Lincoln Hall in Chicago, I listened to a few songs online and headed over to the newer venue, thinking I had a handle on what the band was about.
I could not have prepared for this. The frazzled employees working the door showed the wear [...]