The Antlers @ Do Division -- 6/03/2012 (photo by Sarah Frankie Linder)

We covered over 200-concerts in the past year on BV Chicago(!). Most of that coverage included pictures from the show, shot by a slew of contributing photographers. Today, the last full day of 2012, we're listing our favorite live music photos of the year, snapped by names that frequently appear on the site. You may have met some of these folks at shows; they're all fantastic people and huge music fans, who do their best to discreetly document live performances. Our favorite live music photos of 2012 continue below.

Continue reading "BVChicago's favorite Live Music Photos of 2012 ------------------- (that we took)"

photos by Sara Pieper

Andrew Bird @ Fourth Presbyterian Church on 12.19.2012

On Wednesday night (12/19) Andrew Bird played his first of three "Gezelligheid" shows at the Fourth Presbyterian Church. Much like his two-night run at NYC's Riverside Church, Bird performed solo, but he's still got two more nights to flip the script. The Chicagoan leaned most heavily on his latest full-length effort Break it Yourself, though he also performed songs from Fingerlings, Fingerlings 2, Hands of Glory, Armchair Apocrypha, and more.

More pictures from Night 1 at the gorgeous church and Bird's full setlist are below...

Continue reading "Andrew Bird played the Fourth Presbyterian Church ---------- (Night 1 pics, setlist)"

Andrew Bird @ Riverside Church in NYC last week (more by Dominick Mastrangelo)

As discussed, Andrew Bird will be playing three nights at the Fourth Presbyterian Church starting this Wednesday (12/19). All three performances are sold out, so we hope you heeded our warnings and bought tickets while they were briefly available. Check out some pictures from his two-night stand at NYC's Riverside Church HERE. Andrew will also be playing a Rock for Kids benefit at the intimate Hideout this Saturday (12/22). He serves on the board of the organization and will be donating all proceeds to the Andrew Bird Scholarship Fund. That show is, you guessed it, also sold out. Which night are you catching the Chicagoan in his hometown?

All tour dates and a couple of videos are below...

Continue reading "Andrew Bird gearing up for Fourth Presbyterian Church run, playing the Hideout this weekend"

Kwaidan have been added to Zs' November 28 show at the Empty Bottle. Advance tickets are on sale.

Tickets for Maritime's December 14 show at the Empty Bottle go on sale this Friday (10/19) at 10AM CST.

Tickets for Andrew Bird's December 21 show at the Fourth Presbyterian Church go on sale this Saturday (10/20) at 10AM CST. A JAM presale will be active from 10AM to 10PM on Friday; the password is thirdbird.

Tickets for Femi Kuti & The Positive Force's January 21 show at Metro go on sale this Friday at noon CST.

Andrew Bird @ Auditorium Theatre in May (more by James Richards IV)

As mentioned, Andrew Bird is playing the Fourth Presbyterian Church on December 19th & 20th. He's also just added a third show at the venue, taking place on December 21st, to his schedule. Tickets for the 19th & 20th are still available now sold-out, and tickets for the 21st go on sale next Saturday (10/20) at 10AM CST. Stay tuned for both an Andrew Bird fanclub and JAM presale.

As mentioned, R. Kelly is playing the Arie Crown Theater on October 25th (tickets). He's since added a second show at the venue, which is set to take place on October 26. Tickets go on sale this Friday (10/5) at 10AM CST.

Tickets for The Joy Formidable's November 14th show at Metro's tiny Top Note Theater go on sale this Friday at 10AM CST.

Tickets for Turbo Fruits' November 24th show at the Hideout are on sale now.

Tickets for Andrew Bird's December 19th & 20th shows at the Forth Presbyterian Church go on sale this Saturday (10/6) at 10AM CST. A JAM presale for both performances will be active from 10AM to 10PM this Friday; the password is church.

Tickets for The Waco Brothers' December 28th & 29th shows at Schubas go on sale this Friday at noon CST.

Lady Lamb the Beekeeper has been added as main support for Kaki King's November 2nd show at City Winery Chicago. Advance tickets are still available.

Andrew Bird @ Auditorium Theatre in May (more by James Richards IV)

Like he's done in the past, Andrew Bird will be playing a pair of shows at the Fourth Presbyterian Church on December 19 & 20. If you belong to his fan community, you can purchase presale tickets NOW (it's also quite easy to signup). All other ticketing info for the Chicago shows are forthcoming. UPDATE: Tickets for both shows go on sale this Saturday (10/6) at 10AM CST. Stay tuned for a possible presale.

As mentioned, Andrew's new album, Hands of Glory, hits stores on October 30 via Mom + Pop. The LP boasts alternate versions of Break It Yourself songs, as well as a number of traditional country cover songs. He recently shared the album opener "Three White Horses," which you can take a listen to at the bottom of this post.

All known Andrew Bird tour dates and a stream of his new single are below...

Continue reading "Andrew Bird playing two shows at Fourth Presbyterian Church (tix on presale now)"

Here We Go Magic @ Sasquatch Festival 2012 (more by Chris Graham)

Here We Go Magic released their most recent album, A Different Ship, in May via Secretly Canadian. They've already toured through Chicago in support of the LP, and are set to return to the city on September 25 for a performance at Subterranean. Tickets go on sale this Friday at noon CST.

That show happens exactly one day before they begin a tour with Andrew Bird in Madison, WI, which does not include a Chicago show. Andrew recently announced that he'll be releasing a companion piece to this year's Break It Yourself. It's called Hands of Glory and is due out on October 30 via Mom + Pop. The album will feature alternate versions of Break It Yourself tracks, as well as covers of the Handsome Family, the Carter Family, and other country staples.

All Here We Go Magic tour dates, and a video for A Different Ship's "How Do I Know" are below...

Continue reading "Here We Go Magic playing Sub-t before tour w/ Andrew Bird"

today in Chicago
* Fatty Acids, Faux Fir @ The Burlington
* Dark Fog, Smoking Spore, The Red Plastic Buddha @ Empty Bottle
* Unmanned Ship, Skinless Boneless, Mines, T'bone @ Nowheresville
* The Baby Magic, The Cell Phones, The Particulars @ The Double Door
* Magic Milk, The Bingers, Dead Mellotron, Slushy, Uh Bones @ Subterranean

Magic Milk headline Subterranean tonight with support from The Bingers, Baltimore's Dead Mellotron, Slushy, and Uh Bones.

Andrew Bird has a new video for "Give It Away." Check it out below.

Follow @bvChicago on Twitter, "Like" us on Facebook.

What else?

Continue reading "What's going on Tuesday?"

photos by Matt Zielger

Wilco @ Fifth Third Bank Ballpark on 7/08/2012

A lot justifiably has been said about Wilco's ensemble nature, the way in which the interplay between the Chicago band's six fine musicians determines the group's sound. The emphasis on collaboration reflects well on [Jeff] Tweedy, who may be the most unassuming star in rock, but it can work against the band when he steps too far back in his songs.

On Sunday [7/8], though, his voice and guitar playing stood out from the beginning of the first song, "Dawned on Me." The outdoor venue may have contributed to the striking clarity of his singing, but so did the way Wilco reworked songs to put Tweedy in the forefront. [Chicago Tribune]

More pictures and the full setlist from Wilco's headlining performance continue below...

Continue reading "Wilco, Andrew Bird & The Congregation played Fifth Third Bank Ballpark (pics, setlist)"

photos by James Richards IV

On Saturday night (May 12), Andrew Bird played a sold-out hometown show at the Auditorium Theatre with support from locals Mucca Pazza. A full set of pictures from the show and the headliner's setlist below...

Continue reading "Andrew Bird & Mucca Pazza played the Auditorium Theatre (pics, setlist)"

photos by Dana (distortion) Yavin

Andrew Bird @ Coachella 2012 (week one)

For a full set of pictures from Friday and Saturday at Coachella, head to BrooklynVegan. For more from Andrew Bird's Saturday set, along with some videos ripped from the webcast and his full setlist, continue below...

Continue reading "watch Andrew Bird perform "It's Not Easy Being Green" & other songs @ Coachella (videos, pics, setlist)"

Death Grips are making their Chicago debut at the Bottom Lounge on June 20.
Tickets were just posted and go on sale TODAY (April 6), at noon CST.

Wilco, Andrew Bird, and The Congregation are playing the Fifth Third Bank Ballpark in Geneva, IL on July 8. A presale will be active from 10AM-10PM TODAY (pass: cougars). Tickets go on sale to the general public tomorrow, at 10AM CST.

Wilco @ Civic Opera House in December (more by Matt Ziegler)

Remember when we said Wilco had a big announcement to share with fans? They've gone and booked a July 8 show at Fifth Third Bank Ballpark in Geneva, IL with openers Andrew Bird and soul outfit The Congregation. If you happen to be a "Wilco World" member, presale tickets are yours for the taking beginning on Wednesday (April 4), at 10AM CST. Though general sale information is forthcoming, tickets will be available this coming Saturday (April 7), at 10AM CST. Happy NOT April Fools Day. Maybe The Whole Love on piano roll would have been cool after all..

This past weekend, frontman Jeff Tweedy played two solo shows at the Vic Theatre. We already gave you the rundown of his Friday night performance and you can check out his Saturday night setlist at the bottom of this post. Covers included The Handsome Family's "So Much Wine" and The Kinks' "Strangers" (recently done by Wye Oak).

Full Saturday night setlist and all known 2012 tour dates, below..

Continue reading "Wilco book Geneva show w/ Andrew Bird, The Congregation; Jeff Tweedy played the Vic (Night 2 setlist)"

Jimmy Fallon w/ the Sock Monkey

Last night (Tuesday, March 27), Andrew Bird and band visited Late Night with Jimmy Fallon to play Break It Yourself's lead single "Eyeoneye." Check out the footage at the bottom of this post. Andrew and co. are currently on the road throughout North America and will play their next show in Seattle on April 9 with Laura Marling (who plays the Athenaeum Theater on June 19). As mentioned many times, Andrew will play a hometown show at the Auditorium Theatre on May 12 with Mucca Pazza. Tickets are still available.

Fallon footage of "Eyeoneye" and a song stream of the studio recording, below..

Continue reading "Andrew Bird played Fallon (video); tix are still available for his Auditorium Theatre gig w/ Mucca Pazza"

Andrew Bird @ Museum of Contemporary Art (more by Matt Ziegler)

Earlier this morning, Andrew Bird premiered "Eyeoneye," the lead single from his forthcoming LP Break It Yourself on WXRT radio. Stream the track below which sees a return to a less loop-y Bird, as found on 2007's Armchair Apocrypha.

As Pitchfork points out, a limited edition box set of Break It Yourself will hit the Chicagoan's webstore tomorrow. Tickets are still available for his May 12th performance at the Auditorium Theatre, where he'll finish off a 2012 tour with support from Mucca Pazza.

The song stream and all 2012 dates are below.

Continue reading "listen to a new Andrew Bird song; tix still available for the Auditorium Theatre"

by Parker Langvardt

Lasers and Fast and Shit

Known for their handcrafted light show controlled by vocalist Joe Carsello (who is also a talent buyer at Metro), Lasers and Fast and Shit deliver a serious and raw punk sound. Their lyrics are just humorous enough to lighten the mood, coming off as sarcastic rather than gaudily knee-slapping. Follows/Bloodiest bassist Colin Dekuiper replaced original L&F&S guitarist Jessie Ewan in 2009 after the recording of Introduction, bringing along his krautrock-influenced style. The band is then rounded out by bassist Eric Kratz and drummer Mike Mizzola.

Lasers and Fast and Shit were recently added as support for Mucca Pazza's previously announced, January 28th show at the Double Door. Tickets are still available. Tickets are also still available for Andrew Bird at the Auditorium Theatre on May 12th, which features an opening set from Mucca Pazza.

Some song streams, below..

Continue reading "Lasers and Fast and Shit to open for Mucca Pazza @ the Double Door (song streams)"

The Occidental Brothers Dance Band International (who kicked off World Music Fest 2011) have announced that they'll be playing their first hometown gig of 2012 at the Old Town School of Folk Music on February 24th.

OBDBI is lead by Nathaniel Braddock (who is also an instructor at Old Town) and includes Greg Ward on alto saxophone, Joshua Ramos on bass, Makaya McCraven on drums, and Congolese singer Samba Mapangala. Their most recent record, Odo Sanbra, was self-released in 2009 and can now be purchased in both CD and digital formats via Thrill Jockey. Fellow Chicagoan Andrew Bird guests on their track "Masanga," which is an instrumental duet with Ward.

The Old Town gig is the group's only announced 2012 date, thus far. Tickets are still available.

Some videos, below..

Continue reading "Occidental Brothers Dance Band International are playing @ the Old Town School of Folk"

Night 1 photos by Joshua Mellin, Night 2 photos by Matt Ziegler

Andrew Bird @ MCA on 12/22/2011

On both Wednesday (12/21) and Thursday night (12/22), Andrew Bird played two sold out shows at the Museum of Contemporary Art as part of his Sonic Arboretum installation with Ian Schneller. Like he did at the Guggenheim Museum in NYC, in 2010, Bird used Schneller's handmade speakers to help amplify his instruments and voice.

The Sonic Arboretum exhibit is open for the remainder of the year.

Some pictures from both nights (including ones of his setlists), below..

Continue reading "Andrew Bird played 2 nights @ MCA (Night 1 & 2 pics, setlists)"

Ximena Sarinana @ The Parish in November (AUS) (more by Tim Griffin)

today in Chicago
* Daniel Smith @ The Whistler
* Ximena Sarinana, Graffiti 6 @ Schubas
* Scott Lucas & The Married Men, Purple Apple @ Hideout
* Andrew Bird, Ian Schneller @ Museum of Contemporary Art
* Fred the Godson, Vic Mensa, Dave Coresh @ Subterranean
* Big Dog Mercer, Kitchen Blues Survival, Jenny Franck @ Stage Bar
* The Buddies, Dirty Pigeons, The Canoes, Ed Jurken @ Empty Bottle
* Matt Biskie, Chris Flood, Workhorse Kings, Vaudevillians @ Reggie's
* Canadian Pavers, The Bomb Sawyers, Spells, Garret Santora @ Panchos
* The Thin Man, Prichard, The Hildegard Knef, Shot Of Therapy @ Ultra Lounge
* Santah, In Tall Buildings, Elephant Gun, The Island of Misfit Toys @ Lincoln Hall
* Gunner's Daughter, Reckless At Best, Marshfield, So Many Ways @ Beat Kitchen

Daniel Smith is the co-creator of the Neon Marshmallow Festival. He DJs The Whister tonight (where shows are ALWAYS FREE, though 21+).

Andrew Bird plays his second of two shows at the MCA tonight.

Ximena Sarinana plays a sold out show at Schubas tonight, with support from Graffiti 6.

What else?

Andrew Bird @ Tarrytown Music Hall in October (NY) (more by Dominick Mastrangelo)

today in Chicago
* Eastern Blok @ Schubas
* Heavy... Weekly @ Ultra Lounge
* Windbreaker, The North @ The Whistler
* Sun Rooms, Jeff Parker (DJ Set) @ Hideout
* Shaun Hague, Bascom Hill, JIP @ Double Door
* The P.Y.T.S, Del Mas Alla @ Panchos (Free Show)
* Andrew Bird, Ian Schneller @ Museum of Contemporary Art
* Magical, Beautiful, Golden Birthday, Xina Xurner @ Empty Bottle
* Juniper Mays, The Dirty Rooks, Exit Ghost, Grand And Noble @ Beat Kitchen
* Aaron Lee Tasjan, Taurus, Malefactors of Great Wealth, Sons of the West @ Martyrs
* National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation & Scrooged @ Lincoln Hall (Free Screening(s))

Andrew Bird plays the MCA tomorrow night, too.

Windbreaker (aka Nick Read of Lazer Crystal) headlines The Whister tonight.

Carter Tanton has a new video for "Fake Pretend" (feat. Marissa Nadler). View it below.

What else?

Continue reading "What's going on Wednesday?"

Ryan Adams

today in Chicago
* Tribes, We Barbarians @ Schubas
* Descarga!, Resistol 5000 @ Ultra Lounge
* Ludo, Treaty of Paris, Workout Music @ Metro
* Psychic TV, Rabid Rabbit, Claw Toe @ Reggie's
* Nyodene D, Sun Splitter, Consent @ Empty Bottle
* Youngest Son, Mooner, The Way It Is @ Panchos
* Ryan Adams, Jessica Lea Mayfield @ Cadillac Palace Theatre
* Winterbloom, Antje Duvekot @ Old Town School of Folk Music
* The Heat, Hopping Fences, Chasing Mars, Duller Colors @ Subterranean

Das Racist have a new video for "Brand New Dance." Check it out below.

We Barbarians play Schubas tonight. BrooklynVegan has a video of their singer David Quon performing a song for us, in our CMJ artist lounge.

Though cold (duh), it's actually pretty nice out today. Could be perfect for a trip to the Museum of Contemporary Art to check out Andrew Bird and Ian Schneller's Sonic Arboretum.

Wicker Park gallery Heaven is holding a vintage clothing sale today.

What else?

Continue reading "What's going on Sunday?"

Doomtree are playing the Bottom Lounge on February 23rd.
Tickets are on sale now.

Bombay Bicycle Club are playing Subterranean on February 27th.
Tickets go on sale this Saturday (12/10), at 10AM CST.

Gomez are playing the Vic on March 9th.
Tickets go on sale this Saturday, at 10AM CST.

Childish Gambino (aka Donald Glover) and Danny Brown are playing the Riv on March 30th. Tickets go on sale this Saturday, at 10AM CST.

As mentioned, Andrew Bird and Mucca Pazza are playing the Auditorium Theatre on May 12th. Tickets go on sale to the general public this Saturday, at 10AM CST. Presale tickets will be available from 10AM to 10PM CST. Password: break

Andrew Bird @ Tarrytown Music Hall (NY) in October (more by Dominick Mastrangelo)

Andrew Bird has just announced the release of his new album Break It Yourself, out March 6th in the US (5th internationally) via Mom + Pop Records. Produced and recorded entirely by Bird himself at his Western Illinois barn-turned-home-studio, the LP will serve as the highly anticipated follow up to 2009's Noble Beast.

Shortly after its release, he'll embark on a 3-month North American tour, which comes to a close at our own Auditorium Theatre on May 12th. Tickets go on sale this Saturday (12/10), at 10AM CST. Stay tuned for pre-sale information. If you're a member of Andrew's fan club, you can purchase tickets now.

All tickets (both pre-sale and general sale) come with a digital copy of Break It Yourself (link active at midnight on March 6th), a five-song live EP dubbed Fake Conversations from his October 2011 tour (inboxed to you within a few days), and the promise of a forthcoming live EP from this tour (delivered in the spring on 2012). Not a bad deal, huh?

Eugene Mirman, Laura Marling, Patrick Watson, Tift Merritt, and Mucca Pazza (who play the Chicago show) will serve as 2012 support.

Andrew Bird and Ian Schneller's Sonic Arboretum opens today at the Museum of Contemporary Art.

Head below for all upcoming tour dates, and a Break It Yourself teaser video..

Continue reading "Andrew Bird to release 'Break It Yourself,' finishing a 2012 tour @ the Auditorium Theatre (dates)"

"Here's a sneak peek of Andrew Bird and Ian Schneller's "Sonic Arboretum."" - MCA Chi.

Andrew Bird and Ian Schneller's Sonic Arboretum installation opens tomorrow, at Chicago's Museum of Contemporary Art.

A collection of horned speakers, made from compressed recycled newsprint and dryer lint, created by sculptor and instrument-maker Ian Schneller and composer/violinist Andrew Bird, are installed in the MCA's atrium to create a unique sound garden. Bird records the initial compositions on-site at the MCA and sends musical information to different groups of horns via multiple loops. He layers and changes the compositions throughout the remainder of the installation off-site via computer technology.

The MCA is open from 10AM - 8PM on Tuesdays, and 10AM - 5PM Wednesday - Sunday. Visit the exhibit at anytime during those hours, for no extra charge.

Check out a short clip of Schneller talking about the project, below..

Continue reading "Andrew Bird & Ian Schneller's Sonic Arboretum opens tomorrow"