Live Shows and....Lollapalooza sneak peek!

It's that time again music lovers.  Time to mark your calendars for upcoming concerts!!! I'm hoping to make it to at the least, one show a month. That's not too much to ask, right? I started last night at the House of Blues for the Underoath and Thursday show. Not usually the type of music I like, but those guys definitely know how to put on a great show.  Anyways, here are some upcoming shows!

February

11th- Robyn at The Riviera Theatre [sold out]

12th- Interpol at The Riviera Theatre

23rd- Pete Yorn at The Vic

March

2nd- Cage The Elephant at The Vic

4th- Iron and Wine with guest, Eleventh Dream Day at Riviera Theatre [$27]

9th- Janet Jackson at the Chicago Theatre [3^rd and final show. $50-$200]

11th- Cold War Kids at Riviera Theatre

12th- Sarah McLachlan and Friends at Chicago Theatre [$39-$75]

-       Crystal Castles at The Riviera Theatre

15th- Bright Eyes at The Riviera Theatre [sold out]

25th- Travie McCoy at Metro [$18-$21]

      - Miami Horror, Class Actress, Millionyoung at Lincoln Hall [$12]

26th- Amos Lee at the Vic

28th- Apex Manor at Schubas [$10]

April

2nd- Klaxons, Creep at Metro [$15]

6th- The Raveonettes, Tamaryn at Lincoln Hall [$18]

7th- Three Days Grace at the Riviera Theatre [$30]

     - Two Door Cinema Club at Park West [$18]

12th- Starfucker, Champagne Champagne at Lincoln Hall [$12-$14]

20th- The Submarines, Nik Freitas at Schubas [$12-$14]

22nd- Guggenheim Grotto at Space [$10-$14]

        - Chris Cornell at The Vic

        - The Boxer Rebellion at Double Door [$14]

25th- Arcade Fire, The National at UIC Pavilion [$51]

28th- James Blunt with guest, Christina Perri at Riviera Theatre [$35]

30th- Deftones at The Riviera Theatre

May

4th- The Kills at The Vic

5th- Of Montreal at The Vic

7th- Peter Bjorn and John at Lincoln Hall [$20-$25]

14th- Cake at The Riviera Theatre

24th- Adele at the Riviera Theatre [$35]

31st- Friendly Fires at Lincoln Hall [$20]

June

1st- The Script at the Aragon Ballroom [$32-$35]

3rd- Brett Dennen at The Vic [$22]

7th- Ray LaMontagne and the Pariah Dogs with special guests Brandi Carlile and The Secret Sisters at Jay Pritzker Pavilion [$20-$65]
18th- Florence + The Machine at the Aragon Ballroom

July

7th- The Flaming Lips at the Aragon Ballroom

8th- Katy Perry at the Allstate Arena [$35-$45]

And THIS JUST IN!!!!

LOLLAPALOOZA HEADLINER LEAKS!

According to the Chicago Tribune, at this year’s Grant Park music festival headliners are Eminem, Muse, and Foo Fighters.  Also expect to see Best Coast, Girl Talk, Crystal Castles and Lykke Li.  The entire lineup will be announced in April.

Lollapalooza- August 5th-7th in Chicago’s Grant Park

Riviera Theatre

Vic Theatre

Aragon Ballroom

House of Blues

Double Door

Schubas 

ticketmaster

Lollapalooza

Dan Black

Upandcoming electro-pop artist from the UK, Dan Black, is not shy about showing his quirky side.  Black was spotted photobombing fans at the Austin City Limits Music Festival. Not sure what photoboming is?  This was the most simple definition I found (thank you urban dictionary).

Dan Black gained attention when he sampled lyrics from "Hypnotize" by Notorious B.I.G. for his song "HYPNTZ" and stirred up some controversy with the late rapper's estate.  "HYPNTZ" was supposed to be Black's first single, but was unable to be released until he wrote his own lyrics (which became "Symphonies").

Dan Black's debut album, ((UN)), was released in July 2009 in the UK and February 2010 here in the states.  The album's first single "Symphonies" samples the drum riff of Rihanna's hit song from Good Girl Gone Bad, "Umbrella".  The video takes on a movie trailer theme with a wide array of film genres.  "Symphonies" was remixed later on with hip hop artist Kid Cudi and this track is available on the U.S. version of UN.  Hands down my favorite track has to be "Yours", an anthem to saying goodbye and breaking up with a simple hook, "I don't wanna be yours no more".  "U + Me =" is another standout track which I heard while investigating Lollapalooza's lineup this year.  "Pump My Pumps" is a song I hear at work all the time, but never made the connection that it was Dan Black until I picked up the cd about 2 weeks ago.  "Pump My Pumps" was also used in Lacoste's Momentum campaign.  Since I got the cd, ((UN)) is constantly playing on my iPod.

It's been a busy year for Dan Black.  He's been touring most of the year and had the opportunity to perform at some of the biggest music festivals of the year including SXSW in Austin, TX back in March, Lollapalooza in Chicago, IL during the first weekend in August, and Austin City Limits Music Festival in early October.  Dan returned to Chicago in late October to perform at the Lasalle Power Company.

Dan Black's latest single is "Alone". The video was featured the episode of the MTV reality show The Buried Life where Dave gets hitched in Vegas.  "Let Go", "Wonder", "Pump My Pumps" and "Symphonies" were also featured on Dave's wedding soundtrack.  Check out the video for "Alone"

((UN)) track listing:
1. Symphonies
2. U + Me =
3. Ecstasy
4. Alone
5. Cocoon
6. Yours
7. Pump My Pumps
8. Wonder
9. Cigarette Pack
10. Life Slash Dreams
11. I Love Life
12. Let Go
(U.S. bonus tracks)
13. Symphonies featuring Kid Cudi
14. Poet
15. Karate Kid

Visit Dan Black's official website

Random Song of the Day

The Black Keys preformed at Lollapalooza just a couple of weeks ago. I was at Lolla that Friday but sadly, I missed out on their set. I did see DJ Ana Sia, Matt & Kim, Hot Chip and Lady Gaga though. I was hot, sweaty, drunk, dehydrated and made some random friends. Ultimately, the day was a success.

The random song of the day is "Tighten Up" by The Black Keys. Plain and simple, this song rocks. And the video is pretty funny too.