An ambivalent fan discusses why “Step” and “Hannah Hunt” are the high points of Vampire Weekend’s latest release.
Music
Trouble finds The National stripped down and on repeat
The band’s sixth studio album is “rife with thoughtful, brilliant lyrics” and boasts “a shining anthem.”
British darling Daughter plays to sedate crowd at Lincoln Hall
Performing with New York-based band Wilsen, the London trio played from their latest album, If You Leave, as well as from their much adored previous EPs.
With new album, Deerhunter bucks trend
In their sixth studio album, Deerhunter treads new territory while maintaining their trademark good game.
With latest mixtape, Chicago-born rapper’s stars are out
Chance the Rapper and the Save Money Crew “have the opportunity to lead a Chicago renaissance of sorts.”
Gatsby offers tunes to float in the pool to
The Great Gatsby soundtrack looks to stylistically infuse modern beats with jazz aesthetic.
Purity Ring fits Metro Chicago just right
Playing with Blue Hawaii, the indie darling shone in spite of its limited discography.
Old favorites, fresh tracks: Spring album roundup
Check out the springtime latest from a slew of bands you might’ve thought had gone extinct by now.
In Lolla land, ticket prices and music reach a high note
The annual music festival, once on shaky ground, returns with scary-fast ticket sellouts and the Nine Inch Nails.
USO concert to feature heavyweights of German romanticism
The University of Chicago Symphony Orchestra will perform Strauss, Mahler, and Brahms, among others, this coming Saturday.
Lazer-sharp lineup rolls through Congress Theater
Dragonette and Major Lazer performed a concert that featured Diplo in a hamster ball, shirtlessness, and no babies (18+ only).
Greg Brown cooks up homey show at City Winery
Folk singer and songwriting veteran Greg Brown performed Saturday night to a crowd of special-edition-wine-sipping fans.
Salonen and Wagner transcendent
Salonen leads the CSO in a rousing performance of a Wagner classic, with a flawless soprano to boot.
Idan Raichel “feels at home” at City Winery
An Israeli musician influenced by many cultures’ traditions travels to Chicago.
Rach 3? What Rach 3? Sibelius shines under Elder and CSO
The Chicago Symphony Orchestra performs “The Water Goblin,” Dvorak’s symphonic poem; in the same performance, pianist Garrick Ohlsson takes on Rachimaninoff’s “Third Piano Concerto.”
Kindling an old flame can’t keep mbv hot or heavy
My Bloody Valentine falters on the final three tracks of its new third album.
Lim and Foreman make jazz with a dream
From shaky beginnings, Minouk Lim and Chris Foreman craft an excellent mixed-media concert.
At the top of Reynolds, WHPK keeps its music underground
A Maroon contributor spends the night with the storied radio station, which has seen the likes of Kanye West and Common.
CSO’s debt to Dutch artistry continues
Illness forced Chicago Symphony Music Director Riccardo Muti to bow out of two weeks of concerts in which he was scheduled to lead the ensemble—two crucial weeks, since they will precede a tour of the Far East. In his place,…
On Knowles’s latest album, sincerity is the mark of success
Solange’s third studio album, True, showcases the singer’s talents and style, buoyed by her new Indie label.
Top 5 albums of the year
A bunch of rockin’ chicks lead the pack in this years best-of music round-up.
Interview: ON AN ON’s Nate Eiesland
The Maroon catches up with ON AN ON’s Nate Eiesland to discuss its upcoming Schubas concert and its new album.
Concert preview: Caravan of Thieves discusses fiery reputation
The Maroon catches up with Fuzz and Carrie Sangiovanni to discuss everything from freaks to organic cotton.
CSO Even Better at Beethoven’s Seventh
If last May’s performance of Beethoven’s Seventh Symphony fell short of the Chicago Symphony’s standard, last Thursday’s performance of the same work was a revelation: Charles Dutoit, who enjoys a rapport with the orchestra matched only by Muti and Haitink,…
In Philharmonia performance of Beethoven and Berlioz, conductor’s personality is manifest
Conductor Esa-Pekka Salonen’s excitement for the symphonies at hand elevated the night’s performances.
Sleigh Bells ring, Mandel’s listening
The joys of the holiday season came early with MAB’s sleigh-drawn show.
Asteroids Galaxy Tour was feelin’ electrogroovy at Bottom Lounge
Asteroids Galaxy Tour’s concert soars into the Chicago stratosphere.
Cat Power outage at Vic Theatre
Indie darling Cat Power struggled through sickness and more for an inconsistent performance at the Vic.
Logan’s a cabaret, old chum, come see the artists play
At Logan, an evening of student poetry and music worthy of Liza.
At CSO, riveting performance of obscure Beethoven mass
Bernard Haitink brilliantly conducts underplayed masterpiece Missa solemnis.
Red alert: Swift’s latest falters, emphasizing her ungainly ascent
Taylor Swift’s new album mixes her native tunes with big pop singles, to disenchanting results. Which sound will she choose?
At Congress Theater, The xx doesn’t skip a beat
Romy, Oliver and Jamie give hypnotic performance to hyped crowd.
Carrabba confessional: Early aughts pop star on life after Dashboard
The Maroon catches up Chris Carrabba to discuss his new album and the recent reconciliation of his band Further Seems Forever.
From the Schubas stage, the flip side of Nicki Bluhm
Nicki Bluhm goes vinyl and viral.
Beach House rides a surf of sound at the Riviera
Delicate, dreamy melodies pack a punch in the live.
After dark, Grizzly Bear is easy like Sunday morning
Grizzly Bear brings jazzy comfort to their Indie rock show at the Riviera.
O-Issue 2012: Campus a cappella
There’s more behind the clever names
O-Issue 2012: Campus music
From broadcasting to bands, there’s something for all musicians
Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros get to the point
The Maroon chats with Alex Ebert of Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros.
A Pitchfork in the road: four alternative festivals
Think outside of Lolla and Pitchfork this summer.
Canon Fodder | Hope I get old before I die
Rock music’s eternal adolescence has become too much for our wizened correspondent.
Rhyme and little reason: Ludacris spurs crowd to act a fool
A review of this year’s Summer Breeze concert.
No more California dreaming in Best Coast’s new album
New Best Coast album is a polished, more mature work.
Variety of bands play at WHPK
Independent bands get to play their songs at WHPK’s Summer Breeze soundstage.
Enthusiastic conductor leads CSO in speedy concert
Dutch conductor Jaap van Zweden guest-conducted the Chicago Symphony Orchestra this past Wednesday.
Love of the ‘Loveless’ reissue
An ode to My Bloody Valentine’s classic early ’90s album.
At Schubas Tavern, the perks of being a discerning hipster
Little-known indie pop band Allo Darlin’ marry ukelele skills with sensitive lyrics.
CSO shines with Ton Koopman and the mid-18th century
Ton Koopman conducted “Mozart & Beethoven” at the Chicago Symphony Orchestra this past Saturday.
Chicago Manual of Style | Dress your fest
What to wear at Summer Breeze this weekend. (Anything you want, really…)
At Reggie’s, half a hip hop crew make do
ScHoolboy Q and Ab-Soul of Los Angeles rap group Black Hippy performed at Reggie’s Music Joint last Tuesday.