UK legends Blur are back with their first song in eight years, and it’s terrific. Although no US dates have been announced for Blur’s reunion tour (that is set to start in the UK next week), we’re all waiting impatiently for a series of shows in Chicago.
Dave Matthews Band – Walk Around the Moon
For a certain sect of people, this is a big day. I am not one of those people, but congratulations to our Dave Matthews fans who can celebrate the release of their new album, “Walk Around the Moon”.
Hozier – Francesca
Days removed from his intimate Metro show, Hozier is back with a new single for his upcoming album, “Unreal Unearth”.
The Used – Toxic Positivity
The Used, a featured act at Riot Fest 2023, are back with their 11th studio album, “Toxic Positivity”. We can’t wait to see them in September!
The Walkmen, reuniting at the Metro (Wednesday-Saturday)
Acclaimed New York City rock band The Walkmen have reunited to play their first shows in Chicago in a decade. A band that rose up the ranks alongside bands like Interpol and The Strokes, they’re best known for their song “The Rat”, which was a hit, but should’ve been The Biggest Hit. They’re currently in the midst of a four-show run at the Metro, all of which have sold out.
The National at The Auditorium Theatre (Thursday-Sunday)
The National, a band that shares a lot of qualities with the aforementioned Walkmen, are on a four-show run themselves at the hidden gem of Chicago venues, the Auditorium Theatre. Indie rock legends at this point, they’re kicking off their nationwide tour for their new record, First Two Pages of Frankenstein, with this set of shows. A microscopic amount of tickets have been released for Friday’s show. The weekend gigs are sold out.
Anime Central at Donald E. Stephens Convention Center (Friday-Sunday): For fans of Japanese pop-culture (including anime, video games, musicians and strange snack foods), there’s no larger Midwest celebration of the Land of the Rising Sun than Anime Central. Tickets can be found here.
Margarita & Sangria Fest at Lincoln Park Zoo (Friday): Experience Lincoln Park Zoo like never before at this after-hours, 21+ only event. Guests will sample a variety of margaritas and sangrias while walking around and enjoying views of the blooming gardens and animals. There will also be live music, food offerings for purchase, interactive games and salsa and bachata dancing. More information can be found here.
Cursive at Bottom Lounge (Friday)
Iconic emo standouts Cursive head to the Bottom Lounge on Friday for a tour celebrating the release of 2000’s heartbreaking Domestica album. This event is sold out.
Natalie Merchant at Chicago Theater (Friday)
10,000 Maniacs frontwoman Natalie Merchant will be at the Chicago Theater on Friday. Merchant is currently on tour celebrating the release of her most recent record, Keep Your Courage. Limited tickets remain. If you can’t make it to the Chicago Theater this weekend, we still recommend bumping the 10,000 Maniacs album In My Tribe this weekend. It doesn’t get much better than that.
Narrow Head at Lincoln Hall (Friday)
Narrow Head are an up-and-coming band from Dallas, Texas who released the incredible album, Moments of Clarity, earlier this year. Incorporating a sound reminiscent of bands like Hum with a more punk edge, Narrow Head hit on familiar alt-rock leanings while also pushing the boundaries. Tickets still remain for what should be an epic show. We highly recommend snagging them.
the moss at Schubas (Friday)
the moss are yet another exciting new band on the scene, and they’ll be across town from another Lincoln Hall-owned venue, Schubas, on Friday. This band is surging in popularity and rightfully so. Their event at Schubas is sold out.
White Sox hosts the Royals (Friday-Sunday)
The SURGING White Sox host divisional rivals this weekend. Ever since I (Case the Producer) called them losers, they’ve been playing better…funny how that works.
Giovannie & the Hired Guns at Joe’s on Weed St (Saturday)
THEY’RE ON THE ROAD AGAIN!
PIQNIQ artists Giovannie & the Hired Guns will stop by Chicago on Saturday at Joe’s for their first gig since Q101’s epic Halloween Pop Up with them last year. Tickets are available here.
Pilsen Cantina Crawl (Saturday): Explore everything Pilsen has to offer by going on a cantina crawl through the neighborhood. You’ll get to sample craft cocktails from eight different restaurants and bars plus enjoy live music and drink specials. The fundraising event supports Pilsen Fest. Tickets can be purchased here.
Renegade Craft Fair in Andersonville (Saturday-Sunday): Renegade Craft’s flagship event takes over a stretch of Clark Street spanning from Bryn Mawr to Edgewater Avenue. Attendees will be able to shop the handmade wares of more than 225 vendor booths, selling everything from candles and screenprints to jewelry and pottery. Information can be found here.
Chicago Spring Half Marathon & 10K (Sunday): Say hello to spring with a half marathon or 10K on the Lakefront Trail. Why anyone would do this, I don’t know. Details are here.
Hard to believe it has been six years since we lost Chris Cornell. One of the most talented beings on this planet. Almost, otherworldly. Maybe he is. Please join me at 12:30p central today for a very special tribute to Chris, listen anywhere at Q101.com or ask your smart speaker to play Q101. <3 Lauren
First time meeting Chris back in 2005
I was lucky enough to spend some time with Chris whether on the phone, in person or in the audience watching him do what he was put here to do.
Amazing intimate session in 2015
I’d like to share a sit down I had with Chris that was never posted publicly at the time due to mic and sound issues, and hope you will see past that to feel the intimacy and warmth that was in the 101WKQX Studio 7 on October 7, 2015:
And a clip from the night before at the Chicago Theatre:
The first time I spoke with Chris was over the phone in September of 2012 when he called in to chat about Soundgarden coming back after 15 years gone guns blazing with a new album and tour, this is a clip about wanting fans to have the full album experience:
And about Soundgarden’s brand new fans:
this is a clip about how he grateful he is to do what he does:
Where ever you are, I hope you are at peace. We sure do miss you. No one sings like you anymore.
Your fast food sauce game is just about to take a level up.
This is a move that Heinz wants to do to encourage spiciness and exploration with their customers. The machine, called the Heinz Remix, is the latest example of Kraft Heinz trying something new. The company has expanded distribution in airports, launched a deluxe version of its mayonnaise for chefs and reformulated its Lunchables so they can be served in schools.
The company is still working through the specific business model for the Heinz Remix.
he Oscar Mayer Wienermobile, the single funniest creation ever, is getting a new name for the first time since its debut in 1936. Going forward, the sausage-shaped vehicle will be known as the”Frankmobiles”. According to the company, “Debuting this week, the fleet of six vehicles feature bun-derful new elements, including saucy exterior decals, Frank Whistles (formerly Wiener Whistles) and a newly renamed class of Hotdoggers behind the wheel — now known as Frankfurters,” the company wrote in a press release.”
This is now the wiener-equivalent of the Sears Tower.
U.S. officials are considering banning chocolate milk in elementary and middle school cafeterias, according to The Wall Street Journal. This comes after the high sugar content in the milk has been questioned.
Another plan would stop short of a complete ban and instead allow options with no more than 10 grams of added sugars in each 8-ounce portions.
A decision should be made by the 2025-2026 school year.
Chonk, short for Chonkosaurus is a resident of the Chicago River, who happens to be a huuuggggeee snapping turtle that the internet is falling in love with thanks to kayaker and prime video narrator Joey Santore
Chicago River Snapper aka Chonkosaurus. Great to see this beast thriving here on what was once such a toxic river, but is slowly getting cleaned up & restored. Somebody planted a bunch of native plants up the river from here, too. I can only wonder this things been eating. pic.twitter.com/u6bhlpo4p5
Brian & Kenzie world-premiered “Under You” this morning on Q101, the latest track from Dave Grohl and company. The song is directly inspired by Hawkins and trying to figure out how to process the loss of someone close to you.
Last Friday in St. Charles, a dozen students and a staff member unknowingly ingested a marijuana-laced substance at Wredling Middle School. Allegedly, one student passed out the chocolate-coated drugs, and it was only when a teacher confiscated the items and “tested” them that they realized something was wrong.
In total, 12 students and one staff member were identified as having consumed the substance. Each student received medical attention from the school nurse and their parents were contacted to pick them up.
Most of the individuals who had consumed the substance experienced no more than mild levels of impairment.
In a recent interview with Apple Music’s Zane Lowe, the Smashing Pumpkins frontman opened up about a variety of topics that spanned his entire career, notably Kurt Cobain’s death and the impact that it had on Cobain’s death.
““I want the Pumpkins standing on the top of the heap of our generation,” Corgan said in the interview. “If that means I got to write 800 songs to do it, I’ll do it. I ain’t shy about that. I will go down always as saying, Kurt was the most talented guy of our generation. Kurt had so much talent. It’s like frightening. It was like a John Lennon level of talent, where you’re like, ‘how can you have all this talent?’ Or Prince, right? But Kurt’s not here, sadly. So I looked around, I was like, ‘All right, well, I could beat the rest of them for sure.’
He continued, “When Kurt died, I cried because I lost my greatest opponent. I want to beat the best. I don’t want to win the championship because it’s just me and a bunch of jabronis, to use a wrestling term. It’s like, Michael Jordan, arguably the greatest sports competitor I’ll ever see in my lifetime — I mean, you want to talk about an alpha. That guy wanted to win the valet tip. You know what I mean?”
Gianno Caldwell of Fox News was on the ground yesterday to talk to citizens about Chicago’s new mayor, Brandon Johnson. It just so happens that instead of going to Chicago, the third largest city in America, he wound up in DuPage County and Naperville, to be exact.
Caldwell spoke with “Big Dale”, who unfortunately lost his son to gun violence in 2021. The interview is uncomfortable, given the topic at hand, and awkward, given that they’re talking to a man sitting in Naperville about what’s happening in Chicago.
Breakfast with ‘Friends’: Gianno Caldwell talks new Chicago mayor with diners Gianno Caldwell asks diners their reaction to Brandon Johnson being sworn in as Chicago Mayor. Segment: https://t.co/SdXTNtrDfjpic.twitter.com/g3IrAAwdyh
Hi, Case the Producer here. You know me for answering the phones on the Q101 Morning Crew and for being the sole street team member for Turnstile (they’ve done quite well for themselves, haven’t they?) What you may not know about me is that I’m an expert with Bands At the Bottom of the Poster, and this year, more than any other year, Riot Fest has stacked the bottom of the bill with some incredible bands that you need to know about.
High Vis
I saw High Vis at the Cobra Lounge in April and it’s the best show I’ve been to this year, and quite frankly, the best show I’ve been to in a long time. These UK imports have created a ton of buzz for themselves over the last year since the release of their second record, “Blending”. They sound like Oasis, but heavier. Their blend of Brit-Pop with hardcore sensibilities is incredibly unique, and I fully expect for them to have one of the best sets of the entire weekend. These guys get it. They may not be the next Coldplay, I doubt stadium tours are in their future, but this is a band that is going to truly matter to a lot of people. Go see them.
Rival Schools
Rival Schools should’ve been huge, but the powers that be had other plans for them. Led by Walter Schreifels (your favorite band’s, favorite producer), this band reunited last year after a decade away from the spotlight with the reissue of 2001’s gem, “United By Fate”. Every time I listen to “Used for Glue”, I wonder how it wasn’t the biggest song on Q101 20 years ago. Alas, they’re back, and they’re playing Riot Fest this year.
Schreifels will be pulling double-duty with iconic punk band Gorilla Biscuits that weekend.
Oso Oso
Oso Oso has been an underground sensation for nearly a decade now. The New York-based group pumps out catchy hooks like no one’s business, notably on 2019’s “basking in the glow”, a lovely, melodic record that I listened to on repeat throughout that entire year. If you need a break from the grit and thrash that Riot Fest offers plenty of, look in the direction of Oso Oso.
Free Throw
Free Throw rips. I could stop writing right there and I think that description of the band would suffice. The Nashville-based four-piece is now carrying the torch that bands like Modern Baseball and Foxing lit a decade ago. They’re down on their luck, yet their vibes are immaculate. If you are wondering “where all the emo bands went”, Free Throw is ready to slam dunk their way into their playlist…or something. I didn’t totally stick the landing there.
Fleshwater
Fleshwater somehow sounds both deeply nostalgic and terrifyingly futuristic. The group made a name for themselves in 2018 with the release of their first record, but last year’s “We’re Not Here to Be Loved” is the album that truly made people’s head’s turn. Had this band been around 20 years ago, they would’ve dominated Ozzfest lineups and the heavy parts of MTV 2’s playlist. Luckily, they’re here right now, and we’ll get to witness them throwing down at Riot Fest. Do not skip this band!
Q101 listeners, get your tickets to Riot Fest here!
Two people were arrested in South Carolina and accused of trying to traffic cocaine under a false pregnancy belly, authorities said.
After nearly colliding with an 18-wheeler, the officers pulled over the couple in question. As they realized deputies were becoming more suspicious of her conflicting story, one of them took off running and very quickly drugs fell from the fake rubber stomach.
Deputies discovered more than 1,500 grams of cocaine during the stop, the sheriff’s office said.
81-year-old felon Martha Stewart has made history as the oldest lady to ever land the cover of the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit magazine. The businesswoman called this moment “historic” while commenting on her photos that were taken in the Dominican Republic.
At 81, Martha Stewart becomes the oldest model in history to cover Sports Illustrated Swimsuit. pic.twitter.com/TMzoiLPbno
An English cover band, Borderline Toxic, were playing at a London dive bar (Slim Jim’s Liquor Store on May 13) and as they were playing Green Day’s “Basket Case”, Billy Joe walked in and watch what happened here…
According to Vin Diesel, the movie series that will seemingly never end, will in fact, never end. “Going into making this movie, the studio asked if this could be a two-parter. After the studio saw Part 1, they said could you make Fast X: The Finale a trilogy? said the action hero said while hyping up the film.
I didn’t know it was possible that there was so much lore behind the ‘Fast’ franchise that the series needed to close with a trilogy.
Of course, Brian is the only person that could possibly care.
Outsider-turned-Mayor is scheduled to take office today as the 57th mayor of Chicago. Johnson will face several challenges on day one, including choosing a new police superintendent. He resigned as Cook County Commissioner on Saturday, saying,
“Today, I announced my resignation from the Cook County Board of Commissioners. As excited as I am about my future as mayor of Chicago, I am also sobered and humbled to be leaving my constituents and colleagues on the Board, because together, we have done so much important work to transform Cook County government.
“As I look back on these last four years, I am particularly proud that, under President Toni Preckwinkle’s steady leadership, we centered equity and justice in all of our work. Whether it was the Justice for Black Lives resolution, which helped frame our budget deliberations, or the Just Housing Ordinance, which protects individuals with arrest records from housing discrimination, we focused our energy on centering and uplifting our most vulnerable, most marginalized communities. Compassion, competency and collaboration propelled everything we accomplished.
“It has been a true honor to serve the residents of the 1st District – a diverse district including middle- and upper-class communities which offer residents a host of wonderful public accommodations. The 1st District is also made up of communities like my beloved Austin neighborhood, which, while rich in people, has suffered decades of disinvestment. I am proud that, during my time on the Board, we made unparalleled investments in communities like mine, funding violence prevention programs, affordable housing, health care and other critical needs.
“I leave this position enormous appreciation, respect and love for the work that each and every one of us has done to improve the quality of life for the people of Cook County. That begins with my staff, Ashlee Horton, Audrey Harding and Lisa Schrantz, who are truly the force behind many of our accomplishments. I give special thanks to President Preckwinkle, Secretary to the Board Lynne Turner and their staff, who keep this engine churning, to all the staff across every bureau and division of county government who work diligently and unseen to deliver services to county residents, and to my fellow commissioners who humbly and honorably represent and serve their constituents.
“As the largest municipality in Cook County, the fate of the City of Chicago and that of Cook County are intricately intertwined. A better, stronger, safer Chicago means a better, stronger, safer Cook County. Our best days are ahead of us, where together we will continue expanding equity, justice, and economic prosperity for all.”
We wish Brandon Johnson the best during his tenure as mayor.
