The first major street fest of the summer is fast approaching. Some big name bands will be there on the edge of Wicker Park and East Village. Click for the details!

As has been the case the past few years, the Lollapalooza organizers have added additional artists to the initial roster. Some will make you say, "who are these guys?", while some ought to make you say, "Aw, sweet!". Click for the details...

*Phew!* Well, at least for now. Click for more...

Do you enjoy independent arts, theatre, and music? Do you like it when you go to a cafe and someone is up there singing some tunes? How about supporting a non-profit group by showing up at one of their events? Do you enjoy seeing live music in a venue that's smaller than a hockey arena or football stadium?? Exercise some rights and click to read more....time is of the essence!

This week our Neighborhood Tour was in the Back Of The Yards and New City part of town. You might have to go out of your way a bit to look...but a good deal of history and hidden gems can be uncovered in this area of the South Side. Click for the details on all the spots you saw on this week's segment:

The new single from Coldplay is called "Violet Hill". They're offering it for free...click for the details:

We ran down a list of the Top Five album covers of all time on the show. If you missed it, find it in the video section on the right, then click here for the rest of the Top Ten. Let the debate begin..

This week's new releases are at the same time kooky, Pixie, and airy...click for more!

Quite an eventful week for new music. 90's alterna-rockers return with their first new record in six years, and the godfather of Goth makes yet another mark. Click for more!

In case you missed our analysis of the 2008 Lollapalooza lineup on the show, you'll find it in the video section to your right. Or, for a more complete synopsis, click and read on!

Athens, GA's longtime stalwarts have returned with new music...and the audience seems to be split between those who are interested, and those who could care less. Click for more:

If you need a closer look at the spots we hit up on this week's Neighborhood Tour...just click!

The Raconteurs pull a first, and Athens, GA's favorite sons & daughters return this week. Click for more!

Quite the week for ear-pleasing new tunes...click to find out what they are!

In the 2nd half of our Western Ave. Neighborhood Tour, we focus on the stretch between 105th & 111th. Click for the finer points on the spots that we hit up...

I'm under the weather, but there's still new tunes to talk about. So, here's a few of the new things out this week...click for more.

A quiet music week, but among the new releases is a shift in direction for one of the world's premiere electro pop groups...

If you caught our Neighborhood Tour of Western Ave. (between Irving Park & Foster)...here's the particulars on each spot that was visited...

I had rare invested interest in this year's Oscars, simply because of the nomination (and subsequent win) of Glen Hansard of The Frames and Marketa Irglova, his partner on the "Once" soundtrack. I've dug up the feature we did with Ireland's The Frames last April, the most recent time they toured through town. It's funny because during our chat (not seen in the final edit), he was talking about some new film he was in and played some music for...being rather nonchalant about the whole thing. Funny how a small film project done seemingly on a whim has resulted in an Academy Award. By the way, the big song from "Once", and the one they performed during the Oscars, is also found on that lastest record from The Frames, 'The Cost'.

Glen would soon be right back in town though, to promote the opening of "Once" here in Chicago. You can check further down the blog to view the feature Marcus did at the time with him & Marketa, plus the director of the film.

cheers,
pogo

After doing our piece on pairing beers (from Dogfish Head) with cheeses (from The Cheese Stands Alone), my mind is cluttered with stouts, ales, cheddars and muensters. So here's a handy cheat sheet to help out...

The record that might go down as my 2008 favorite is out this week...click for more:

Another go-round for one of the UK's finest, as well as the biggest record of all time....

Metro is the place to be on Saturday, for the return of Wales' Super Furry Animals. Click to find out why it's a must-see:

Lots of goodies from across the pond this week....thanks Brits!

Cuban-raised, Canadian-dwelling Alex Cuba treated us to an impromtu rendition of his new song "Si Pero No".

We shot this in the lobby of the Conrad hotel downtown after interviewing him. Thanks to the bellhop for allowing us to invade his space! You'll find "Si Pero No" on his new record, 'Agua del Pozo'.

Enjoy!
cheers,
pogo

Glammy, thrashy, indie, country make up the new sounds this week..

Available this week: some bonus stuff for you go-getters, new music from Wales' finest, and more...

It's Tuesday, kids...go out and buy a record! Here's what's out this week:

If you haven't yet spent that 20 bucks that you got from your Great Aunt Irene for the holidays at the bar...head to the record store and spend it on one of these new releases out this week...

If you want to see the blues legend you have until the end of January to get tickets.
For more info head to Buddy Guy's home page

Pogo actually interviewed Buddy Guy last year, take a look at his interview.

There's two releases of note right off the bat in the new year...plus the '07 releases that I still can't get enough of.

Being closer to the end of the year, this week in music is even slower than the last couple...but there are a few releases of note...so click to see them:

Ok..I'm lucky enough to see so many shows, that it's a rare occurrence when one hits me so hard, it compels me to write about it the next morning....

So we’re still in that “it’s the end of the year, and the music industry is about to go into annual hibernation until mid-January” phase...But, there are still some new records of note, and a couple to clean up on that I haven’t yet talked about…click for ‘em.

Britain's The Pipettes were in town for a gig at the Double Door...and what do they do? Click to find out...

Not many new records this week, but here's a few that I just haven't yet gotten to, or that just came onto my radar screen...

If you caught our Pullman Neighborhood tour..here's the details on all of the spots that we hit in this historic little corner of Chicago...

Plenty of great new music to talk about this week...and this time it's both a religious and raunchy experience. Click for more...

Hey Metromixers,

It’s a light week in new music…well, unless you count Britney & Backstreet Boys. And, while her new record will likely go down as a smash hit in the clubs, do we really need to study it any further? I don’t think so.

More after the jump...