by Parker Langvardt, photos by James Richards IV

The sun baked the lawns and wide streets of downtown Chicago's Grant Park as Lollapalooza 2012 started off on Friday with bands on all stages minus the two main stages at either end of the park. Aside from the stages, fences, booths, and some Lollapalooza signage, the park remained fairly untransformed for the festival.

I caught the very end of First Aid Kit's set, and at the time entirely forgot the duo's Swedish nationality due to the accent they sang with, closer to a mild Southern US drawl. The softness in their voices gave way to an excited and slightly jarring scream before one of the final choruses. I walked to the south end of the park for The Growlers. Vocalist Brooks Nielsen's nasally twang was the constant as they shifted through relaxed and eclectic styles of rock.

Chiptune quartet Anamanaguci played at the shaded Google Play stage, with a recorded keyboard backing their synthy guitars. Their instrumental electro-punk would make a great soundtrack for a pixelated arcade racing game.

Yellow Ostrich's upbeat indie rock was made slightly more diverse by drummer Michael Tapper's focus on clean drum sounds (no snare buzz) and rattling auxiliary percussion. Alex Schaaf began one song by creating a slightly off-putting guitar loop, which he managed to fit a pleasant vocal melody over before the instruments transitioned into their usual style.

Back at the north end of the park, The Black Angels vamped on heavy southern blues rock as vocalist Alex Maas shook a tambourine and sang with a slight Southern accent and a bit of vibrato. The guitars were dirty when loud, and psychedelic when soft or soloing. They touched on standard blues progressions with choppy, reverb-soaked guitar.

Tame Impala

Tame Impala's floating melodies are vaguely similar to a variety of classic rock and pop bands, but their choice of tone obscures it in a psychedelic haze. They performed their hard swinging new single "Elephant", which twists through strange transitions in what is definitely their most complex and heavy work yet, though it did not sound as thick as the recording. There were some minor technical difficulties - Kevin Parker's guitar seemed to short out and he mentioned that he thought one of his pedals was melting (presumably the electronics inside), though his tone remained similar to their recordings.

Perry's electronic stage, upgraded from it's previous tent status, was packed all day with mainstream electronic offerings. Considering the bass dropped every time I walked by, it was fitting that SBTRKT's set took place at the Google Play stage instead, with their chilled tones - largely created live on keyboards - and varied rhythms, which were often played on drums by producer Aaron Jerome. Sampha contributed vocals throughout the set.

Passion Pit

Though they cancelled a few shows, Passion Pit returned to Chicago to play a club show at House of Blues and a set at Lolla on Friday. Frontman Michael Angelakos appeared in good spirits as he greeted the crowd. They opened with the pulsing drums and bold synth of "Take a Walk," which sounded like a near-reproduction of the recording. I then traversed the festival grounds to catch The Shins, who were in fine form. They took some songs a slower pace than I anticipated. James Mercer embellished some of his vocals when he wasn't accompanied by lead guitarist Jessica Dobson's singing.

Five minutes prior to Black Sabbath's set, Ozzy Osbourne's laugh was heard over the PA, followed by sounds of rain. Unfortunately, what followed were only videos of the band and brief samples of their music. Ozzy was heard once again, and the curtain raised for three-fourths of the original Black Sabbath to play classic doom metal piece "Black Sabbath". It was slightly slower than Ozzy seemed to want to take it, hedging ahead at times. His cries of "Oh no, God, please help me" were convincing enough, though I'm not sure he could ever recreate the terror in his voice that was first heard over 40 years ago, especially in sobriety.

Ozzy played harmonica throughout "The Wizard", and urged the crowd to clap during the time-shifting "Behind the Wall of Sleep," saying, "Come on, you fuckers!" They wrapped up their Black Sabbath portion of the set with "NIB," beginning with Geezer Butler's wah'ed out bass. Tony Iommi played masterfully throughout, leading off the vaguely Latin sludge of "Into The Void" with precision. He used more modern sounding effects on "Electric Funeral", which were paired by Bill Ward replacement Tommy Clufetos' clicky drums. The former Alice Cooper, Ted Nugent, and Rob Zombie drummer was given a drum solo prior to "Iron Man," which he blasted through on his two bass drums. I felt this was kind of a slight to Ward, and totally unnecessary as many drum solos are, but it did hype up the crowd, who weren't loud enough for Ozzy. "I can't fucking hear you!", he screamed more than once. And that was the end of the first of three long, hot days in Chicago.

Check out Black Sabbath's setlist HERE. Check out more pictures from Day One, The Afghan Whigs, Metric, and M83 included, HERE. Pictures from Day Two are HERE. More about the fest, and day three pictures, coming soon.

Lollapalooza 2012 has revealed the full schedule for their 3-day festival, set to take place from August 3-5 in Grant Park. Check it out HERE.

A bunch of official aftershows have also been announced, happening from August 1-5. Here's a number of them (more TBA, including unofficial shows):

August 1
Alabama Shakes, First Aid Kit, Dry The River, Filligar @ Metro
Delta Spirit, FIDLAR @ Lincoln Hall

August 2
Passion Pit, GIVERS, Kishi Bashi @ House of Blues
Kids These Days, Overdoz @ Schubas
Dr. Dog, Kevin Devine, The Dunwells @ Lincoln Hall
Zedd, Gus K, DJ Gordo, DJ Torio @ The Mid

August 3
Bear in Heaven, YAWN @ the Empty Bottle
NERO (DJ Set), Die Antwoord, Anamanaguchi @ Congress Theater
Frank Ocean @ Metro
tUnE-yArDs, Washed Out @ House of Blues
The Black Angels, Night Beats @ Double Door
The War on Drugs, Milo Greene @ Schubas
Blind Pilot, Kopecky Family Band @ Lincoln Hall
Porter Robinson, Madeon @ The Mid
The Growlers, JEFF the Brotherhood @ Subterranean
Paper Diamond, Minnesota @ Bottom Lounge

August 4
White Rabbits, Dum Dum Girls, Oberhofer @ Cubby Bear
Doomtree, Naledge of Kidz In The Hall @ the Empty Bottle
Zeds Dead, Big Gigantic, Midnight Conspiracy, Big Chocolate @ Congress Theater
The Afghan Whigs @ Metro
Of Monsters & Men, Yellow Ostrich @ House of Blues
Trampled By Turtles, The Devil Makes Three @ Double Door
Childish Gambino @ the Vic
The Temper Trap, Poliça @ Park West
Gary Clark Jr., LP @ Schubas
Twin Shadow @ Lincoln Hall
Calvin Harris, Nathan Scott @ The Mid
The Big Pink @ Subterranean
Bombay Bicycle Club, Hey Rosetta! @ Bottom Lounge

August 5
Chairlift w/ Alt-J @ the Empty Bottle
The Walkmen @ Lincoln Hall

Los Campesinos! @ Metro in January (more by Grant MacAllister)

UK band Los Campesinos! are heading back to North America in June and have announced that they'll be playing at the Taste of Randolph 2012 on June 15 before joining up with Yellow Ostrich (who will be here for Lollapalooza) for a string of dates. You'll find their full tour schedule at the bottom of this post.

Though there are not many details to speak of yet, Taste of Randolph 2012 is set to take place from June 15-17 in Chicago's West Loop. Shilpa Ray & Her Happy Hookers, Here We Go Magic, Anamanaguchi, and The Heavy were just some of the bands on last year's lineup. Los Camp! are currently the only band that have been announced for this year's fest (and it was on their own accord too). Stay tuned for more details in the coming weeks.

All Los Camp! tour dates and a video from their show at Metro in January, below..

Continue reading "Los Campesinos! are playing Taste of Randolph (initial details)"

As seen on BrooklynVegan, this year's Lolla lineup includes everthing hinted on the #LOLLA ads, and much more....

Continue reading "Lollapalooza 2012 lineup announced (Black Sabbath, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Shins, Passion Pit, JC Brooks, much more)"

Lower Dens @ South Street Seaport in 2011 (NYC) (more by Jessica Amaya)

today in Chicago
* Katie Herzig @ SPACE
* Jefferson Starship @ Reggie's
* Jon Langford, Sarah Vowell @ UP
* Howler, The Canoes, Mooner @ Schubas
* Lower Dens, Judson Claiborn @ Subterranean
* Yellow Ostrich, 1,2,3, Tin Tin Can @ Empty Bottle
* John Oats, Van Ghost, The Stay Smooth DJs @ Lincoln Hall
* Herra Terra, White Witches, Black Arrow, Leper @ Ultra Lounge
* Milksheet, Pathos Green, The Hooves, The Wild Finish @ Stage Bar
* Saint Motel, Speck Mountain, Miracles of Modern Science @ Hideout
* Tonstartsbandht, Mystreater, Lolita Poaching, Double Morris @ The Burlington
* The Head and the Heart, Drew Grow and the Pastors' Wives @ the Vic (Night 2)
* Creepy Band, The Bingers, An Aesthetic Anaesthetic, Ormen Lange @ Township

Yellow Ostrich put out their new record, Strange Land, earlier this week. They headline the bottle tonight.

Jon Langford performs at UP comedy club tonight. He's also on the lineup for the Woody Guthrie tribute taking place at Metro.

Sharon Van Etten has a new video for "Leonard." Check it out below.

What else?

Continue reading "What's going on Thursday?"

Yellow Ostrich @ MHoW in January (BKLYN) (more by Amanda Hatfield)

Yellow Ostrich, whose new album Strange Land hits stores tomorrow (March 6) via Barsuk, will tour through Chicago later this week tagging the Empty Bottle on Thursday, March 8 with tour mates 1,2,3. Advance tickets are on sale. After Chicago, the band will tour their way down to Austin, TX for SXSW, joining up with Howler for a West Coast run after the festival.

Check out their full 2012 tour schedule and stream Strange Land in its entirety, below..

Continue reading "Yellow Ostrich's 'Strange Land' out tomorrow (stream it here); playing the bottle w/ 1,2,3 on Thursday"

photos by Grant MacAllister

On Friday (11/18), Ra Ra Riot came through Chicago with Delicate Steve and Yellow Ostrich, selling out the Wrigleyville main-stay Metro.

Chicago Tunes' Eric Hughes was in attendance..

Ra Ra Riot puts on a good show. They're as high energy as you'd expect from their records. This is especially true of their violinist [Rebecca Zeller], who bops around and around with a full head of hair as she jerkily slices her instrument with her bow. She was a real delight to watch.

I don't know the band personally, nor do I really know much about them as people. But the friend who accompanied me made a quick comment that there's something distinctly Christian to their sound, how uplifted it makes you feel, from the slant of its messages to what comes out of using violins and cellos full time.

Anyway, I had to agree with her. And if anything at all, Ra Ra Riot sure makes me feel real good. There's a real power to their material.

More pictures from their show at Metro and the setlist below..

Continue reading "Ra Ra Riot, Delicate Steve, & Yellow Ostrich @ Metro (pics)"

Indian Jewelry @ Fun Fun Fun Fest in 2010 (more by Tim Griffin)

today in Chicago
* Saint Anyway @ Hideout
* Guns N' Roses @ Allstate Arena
* The Lumineers, Jennifer Hall @ Villain's
* Sigur Ros' INNI @ Lincoln Hall (Late Show)
* Sigur Ros' INNI @ Lincoln Hall (Early Show)
* Wake Of Aces, Darmata, Pattern @ Stage Bar
* Puscifer, Carina Round @ Cadillac Palace Theatre
* The Features, Volcanoes Make Islands @ Schubas
* Tommy Stinson @ Reckless Records (Free; In-store)
* Cool Devices, Pearls, We Repel Each Other @ Empty Bottle
* Victorian Halls, Glass Lux, Shake it for Grandma @ Cobra Lounge
* Hot Rod Circuit, Cartel, Bob Nanna, Smoke Signals, Hidden Hospitals @ Bottom Lounge
* Indian Jewelry, Prince Rama, Jimmy Whispers, Piss Piss Piss Moan Moan Moan @ Subterranean
* Exotic Animal Petting Zoo, Loom, Standing On the Shoulders of Giants, Prettyyoungraves @ Beat Kitchen

Tommy Stinson (ex-Replacements, current Guns N' Roses member) will play a FREE 4PM in-store at Reckless Records' Wicker Park location.

Lincoln Hall are hosting both an early and late screening of Sigur Ros' INNI.

Yellow Ostrich have a new video for their song "Mary." Check it out below.

What else?

Continue reading "What's going on Tuesday?"

Vivian Girls @ Emo's in Austin, TX (more by Tim Griffin)

today in Chicago
* Marissa Nadler @ Saki
* Vivian Girls @ Permanent Records
* Vivian Girls, Widowspeak, Nones @ Empty Bottle
* James Vincent McMorrow, Marissa Nadler @ Hideout
* Paul Baribeau, Sarah Palin & The Mavericks @ The Juicer
* Nightdogs, Right on Dynamite @ The Whistler (Free Show)
* Ume, Elusive Parallelograms, Health & Beauty @ Beat Kitchen
* Local H, AM Taxi, The Last Vegas @ Double Door (Free Show)
* MC Chris, MC Lars, Mega Ran, Adam WarRock @ Subterranean
* Wizardcastle, Cask, Of Wolves, Sealed in Silence @ Ultra Lounge
* The Laureates, The Canoes, Blessed Feathers @ Bottom Lounge
* This Magazine Is Haunted, Eiffel Tower, The Webstirs @ Panchos
* Occidental Brothers Dance Band International @ Grant Park
* Tommy Keene, Doug Gillard, Sally Crew and The Sudden Moves @ Schubas
* Antony Ablan and The Tramps, The Soil and the Sun, Mike Golden, Jacob Bullard @ Lincoln Hall
* Qwel and Maker, The Highest Low, Drunken Monkeee, State Champs, The Whoevers @ Memories

Doug Gillard of Guided By Voices is in town with Tommy Keene tonight.

The World Music Festival begins today.

RSVP for Freelance Whales' free Eventbrite show, this Saturday (9/17) at Empty Bottle.

Follow @bvChicago on Twitter.

Enter to win a pair of the two sets of tickets we have to give away for Active Child this Friday (9/16).

Marissa Nadler plays an Epitonic Saki Session at 4PM. Her show at Hideout later tonight, opening for James Vincent McMorrow is sold out.

Today you also have two chances to see Vivian Girls. They've got a 5PM in-store at Permanent Records which is celebrating its 5th anniversary.

Yellow Ostrich have a new video for "Whale." Check it out below. They'll be in Chicago on November 18th supporting Ra Ra Riot at Metro.

What else?

Continue reading "What's going on Thursday?"

DOWNLOAD: Mathieu Santos - "I Can Hear the Trains Coming" (MP3)

Ra Ra Riot @ BAM in 2010 (more by Dominick Mastrangelo)

Ra Ra Riot have just announced a massive list of tour dates, that will carry the band through late-November.

Their own headlining leg will kick off in late-September, first featuring Dinosaur Bones, and then joining up with Delicate Steve and Yellow Ostrich.

Ra Ra Riot, Delicate Steve, and Yellow Ostrich will play Metro on November 18th.
Tickets go on sale this Saturday, at noon CST.

Meanwhile, bassist Mathieu Santos is readying his debut solo LP Massachusetts 2010 for an August 2nd release via Barsuk Records. Download his single "I Can Hear the Trains Coming" at the top of this post.

You can view all 2011 tour dates, and Massachusetts 2010's tracklisting below..

Continue reading "Ra Ra Riot announce massive tour (playing Metro (again)), Mathieu Santos readies solo LP (MP3)"

Yellow Ostrich @ McCarren Park last weekend (more by Amanda Hatfield)

today in Chicago
* Boutros, Helicopters @ The Whistler
* Idiot Glee, Close Hits, Big Color @ Empty Bottle
* Tim Easton, Madison Square Gardeners @ Beat Kitchen
* Peter Wolf Crier, Yellow Ostrich @ Schubas (Free Show w/ RSVP)
* K.D. Lang and The Siss Boom Bang, The Belle Brigade @ Ravinia Park

What else?

DOWNLOAD: Peter Wolf Crier - "Right Away" (MP3)

Peter Wolf Crier (photo by Cameron Wittig)

Minneapolis, MN duo; Peter Wolf Crier are set to release their sophomore LP Garden of Arms on September 6th via Jagjaguwar.

It is not so much a sound as a spirit. You don't need to name it to know it or to trust it. Peter Wolf Crier's second album Garden of Arms is a document that paints a vivid portrait of all the pain and beauty of growth. Written with the at-home repose demanded by performing a hundred shows in six months, these eleven tracks were nurtured from their hushed origins with a new-found footing of confidence and experimentation. Adapting the tenets of the grinding live show, the duo of Peter Pisano and Brian Moen transformed the fuzzy distortion, rolling and crashing drums, and laser-focused purposefulness into an intensely dynamic yet supremely polished album. [Jagjaguwar]

At the top of this post you can download the LP's first single, "Right Away."

As previously mentioned, Peter Wolf Crier will be playing Do312's '1-Year Birthday Bash' on June 23rd at Schubas. Rounding out the bill will be Yellow Ostrich, who have just signed with Barsuk Records; congrats gentlemen!

More 2011 dates TBA shortly.
Head below to view the tracklisting, and LP cover for Garden of Arms.

Continue reading "Peter Wolf Crier to release 'Garden of Arms' +++ share new track (MP3)"

Yellow Ostrich @ Antone's during SXSW (more by Dominick Mastrangelo)

Peter Wolf Crier @ Bowery Ballroom in 2010 (more by Andrew St. Clair)

Show listing site; Do312 is celebrating its one year anniversary by naturally, putting on another show.

On June 23rd, Schubas, and 312 ale present a free (21+ w/ RSVP) concert featuring Peter Wolf Crier, and Yellow Ostrich.

From 8:00PM to 9:00PM 312 ale will be providing free alcohol.

RSVP now for free admission.

Yellow Ostrich @ Mercury Lounge 1/4/2011 (more by David Andrako)

Yellow Ostrich have been popping up a ton lately, and with great reason! I was able to catch the now trio's set, at the official SXSW showcase of their booking agency Billions. They powered through their set with the poise of a practiced musicians, and quickly won over the packed crowd at Antone's.

They'll open for Blair tonight at the Andrew Rafacz Gallery. This is their only announced Chicago show for awhile so don't miss out.

Tickets are still available at the meer price of $10.

The Mountain Goats @ Bowery Ballroom 3/30/2011 (more by Ryan Barkan)

today in Chicago
* Liam Finn, The Luyas @ Hideout
* The Mountain Goats, Megafaun @ the Vic
* Blair, Yellow Ostrich @ Andrew Rafacz Gallery
* Toro y Moi, Braids @ Empty Bottle (Late Show)
* Toro y Moi, Adventure @ Empty Bottle (Early Show)
* The Joy Formidable, Mona, The Lonely Forest @ Lincoln Hall
* The Builders and the Butchers, Damion Suomi and the Minor Prophets, Elliot Brood @ Schubas

What else?