Will Ferrell is the frontrunner to play legendary NFL coach, television broadcaster and video game pioneer John Madden in a new film. The film will focus on Madden’s post-coaching career, during which he created his legacy as a larger-than-life broadcaster and co-creator of EA Sports’ groundbreaking NFL video game series, which launched in 1988. Madden continued to lend his name and creative input to the franchise even after retiring from the broadcast booth in 2009
WATCH: Illinois man steals backhoe, drives to airport
An Illinois man in Williamson County has been charged with allegedly stealing a backhoe and driving it about 10 miles to catch a flight at an airport.
Officers were alerted to the scene after a call about a “suspicious” backhoe parked in the lot at the Veterans Airport of Southern Illinois.
After reviewing the security footage from the airport, which showed the suspect arriving in the backhoe, parking, and walking across the lot to the airport lobby while carrying a guitar case, the suspect was later identified as Timothy Baggott of Carbondale. He has been charged with a felony count of theft in excess of $10,000.
New music out today featuring Dominic Fike, Foo Fighters, The Voidz and more!
The Dirty Nil: Free Rein to Passions
Toronto rock trio The Dirty Nil are back with their fifth full-length album, Free Rein to Passions. An aggressive touring act, the band has honed their sound on the road and as a result, the new record feels explosive. They will be playing Do Division Fest in early June.
Dominic Fike: Ant Pile
Dominic Fike, a star on HBO’s Euphoria, is back with a new single, Ant Pile. Fike will be featured on the upcoming “BARBIE” soundtrack. His next album comes out on July 7.
Foo Fighters: Show Me How
Dave Grohl has teamed up with his daughter Violet for the latest single from their upcoming album, But Here We Are, which drops on June 2. The band heads to Riot Fest on Friday, September 15.
Incendiary: Change the Way You Think About Pain
It’s not fair to make a 1:1 comparison between Incendiary and Rage Against the Machine, but Incendiary is undoubtedly the spiritual successor to Rage Against the Machine. The iconic hardcore band’s fourth album, Change the Way You Think About Pain, is a 10-song album full of unrelenting breakdowns and raw intensity.
Jeff Rosenstock: LIKED U BETTER
Pop-punk legend Jeff Rosenstock is back with an infectious new single. A veteran of Riot Fest, Chicago street fests, and the underground Chicago scene, Rosenstock’s new single is possibly the catchiest thing he’s ever released. Earlier this week, Rosenstock announced a show at The Salt Shed on September 19.
Militarie Gun: Will Logic
Ahead of their highly-anticipated debut album, Life Under the Gun, the band is back with a new single. Next time you have a grudge, turn this one up to 10.
The Voidz: Prophecy of the Dragon
Julian Casablancas (The Strokes) is back with his side-project, The Voidz, for the first time in a few years.
The Weekend Q101
No Pressure at Bottom Lounge (Friday): Parker Cannon of pop-punk royalty The Story So Far brings his hardcore side project, No Pressure, to the Bottom Lounge on Friday night with a slew of other bands including Koyo and Riot Fest 2023 band Fleshwater. This show sold out very quickly, but we still highly recommend giving these bands a listen.
Laura Stevenson at Lincoln Hall (Friday)
Laura Stevenson has been a prominent voice in the underground punk scene for the better-half of two decades. A frequent collaborate with Jeff Rosenstock (who just announced a show at The Salt Shed), Stevenson brings her sultry singer-songwriter songs to Lincoln Hall on Friday. Tickets can be purchased here.
Tigercub at Gman Tavern (Friday)
Q101 welcomes Tigercub to the Gman Tavern, which is located next door to the Metro, on Friday night. After nearly a decade across the pond, Tigercub are embarking on what should be a tone-setting US tour. The same record industry titans that discovered Queens of the Stone Age have backed Tigercub, making them a band that needs to be paid attention to. Tickets can be purchased here.
Cubs host the Reds (Friday-Sunday)
The struggling Chicago Cubs bring the Reds to town for a three-game divisional series this weekend.
Mole de Mayo (Friday-Sunday)
Pilsen’s annual Mole de Mayo street festival, which honors the traditional Mexican sauce with a mole cook-off, plus a market full of vendors, returns to the neighborhood over Memorial Day weekend. More information can be found here.
Summer Camp Music Festival (Friday-Sunday)
Chillicothe’s premier music festival, Summer Camp, kicks off on Friday with camping, art, and over 100 acts, notably PIQNIQ artist Badflower. Tickets can be purchased here.
Memorial Day Parade (Saturday)
After a wreath is laid at the eternal flame in Daley Plaza at 11am in remembrance of those who died serving in the U.S. armed services, Chicago’s annual Memorial Day Parade marches down State Street (from Lake to Van Buren streets) beginning at noon. Crowds line the street waving flags and paying their respects as part of this Chicago tradition, which dates all the way back to 1870.
Navy Pier Fireworks Begin (Saturday)
The best place to see fireworks in America begins firework season this weekend.
Seal at Chicago Theater (Saturday)
Legendary soul singer Seal will be at the Chicago Theater on Saturday. If you are in the mood to make a baby, we highly recommend grabbing a ticket before they’re gone.
The Bollweevils at Chop Shop (Saturday)
Chicago punk legends The Bollweevils, recently removed from opening for Rise Against on the first night of their Metro residency, are back at The Chop Shop on Saturday night. You can grab a ticket for the show here.
Pet Symmetry at Sleeping Village (Saturday)
Chicago power-pop-punk legends are playing at Sleeping Village on Saturday night in celebration of their 2013 EP, “Two Songs About Cars. Two Songs With Long Titles.” turning 10. A veteran of Riot Fest and a prolific touring act for a decade, Sleeping Village will surely be a party on Saturday night when these boys take the stage. Grab a ticket here. Say AHOY to me (Case the Producer) if you spot me there.
Pedro the Lion at Thalia Hall (Saturday)
Indie legend Pedro the Lion heads to Thalia Hall on Saturday night for a night full of emotional tunes and heart-wrenching hooks. He’ll be playing both 1998’s “It’s Hard to Find a Friend” and 2002’s “Control” in full. Bring Kleenex. Tickets can be found here.
Vet Fest ft. Spin Doctors for the American Appreciation Concert Series at 115 Bourbon Street (Saturday)
Get ready to rock at Vet Fest’s American Appreciation Concert Series on May 27th, located at Bourbon Street! Enjoy a night filled with the unforgettable sounds of the ’90s with Spin Doctors headlining, and the dynamic duo Mike and Joe warming up the stage. This event will be a Buy One, Give One initiative meaning, that for every ticket you purchase, Vest Fest will donate one to a veteran, first responder, or local hero. Celebrate their service while immersing yourself a live music experience! Support our heroes with this amazing BOGO concert event! Buy tickets here.
Belmont-Sheffield Music Festival (Saturday-Sunday)
Head to Lakeview (right by the Belmont Red Line station) for two days of music, featuring local tribute acts like Dancing Queen: An ABBA Salute and Rod Tuffcurls & the Bench Press. You’ll find beer, wine and plenty of area vendors to browse while you hang out on the street. Get more information here.
Sueños Music Festival (Saturday-Sunday)
The two-day, Memorial Day weekend extravaganza returns to Grant Park in 2023. Taking place on a single stage in Grant Park’s Hutchinson Field, Sueños will feature headlining sets from Mexican band Grupo Firme and Puerto Rican reggaeton duo Wisin y Yandel. Other notable names on the lineup include Feid, Nicky Jam, Becky G, Arcangel and more. Get tickets here.
Mayfestiversary (Saturday-Sunday)
Ravenswood Corridor neighbors Dovetail and Begyle return this year for their annual Memorial Day weekend street fest on Malt Row, where attendees can sip beer from both breweries and grab bites from Beard and Belly, Donerman, Happy Lobster and more. Learn more here.
Randolph Street Market (Saturday-Sunday)
The beloved Randolph Street Market Festival celebrates its 20th anniversary with two days of curated, European-style vintage and antique shopping. Browse wares from more than 200 vendors, including This Old Book (for rare novels and coffee table books), Tarkington Antiques (for MCM furniture) and Lottie Dottie Vintage (for fun and funky items), or grab a cocktail and bite to eat from restaurant vendors while tapping your toes to live music.
Maxwell Street Market (Sunday-Monday)
This market sets up on nearby Desplaines Street (between Roosevelt and Howard) every Sunday, where visitors will find vendors hawking their wares, an abundance of delicious Mexican food and occasional performances by local bands and dance troupes. Get more information here.
American Pickers is coming to Illinois
History Channel’s American Pickers are coming to Illinois this summer to dig through your junk. In July, they’re rolling through the midwest in hopes of finding valuables tucked away in garages, attics, and ditches.
If you have a collection or know someone with a collection that might qualify for the pickers, contact their main phone line at 646-493-2184 or email [email protected]. Prospective sellers will need to include their full name, city and state, contact information and a brief description of the collection.
Bouncy Castle owner orders employees to burn down his competitors
A party hire business owner who primarily deals Bouncy Castles is now under fire, almost literally, for encouraging his employees to burn down his competition. He’s now going to be behind bars for a decade.
James Balcombe was motivated by an obsessive desire to outdo his competitors when he paid his co-offenders to firebomb their businesses across industrial Melbourne in late 2016 and early 2017. Many of the fires, lit with fuel or Molotov cocktails, failed to take hold or incurred only minor damage.
Balcombe received an 11-year prison sentence after earlier pleading guilty to 11 charges of conspiracy to commit arson.
WATCH: Foo Fighters perform their first headline show with Josh Freese on drums
For the first time since March 20, 2022, the Foo Fighters are back as a full band, this time with Josh Freese behind the kit. They took the stage in New Hampshire last night to play in front of a raucous crowd, busting out a career-spanning, 21-song setlist.
The band notably busted out “Cold Day in the Sun” for the first time since 2018, performed as a solo, acoustic song by Grohl.
The full setlist is below:
- Rescued
- Walk
- No Son Of Mine
- Learn To Fly
- Times Like These
- Under You
- The Pretender
- But Here We Are
- Breakout
- The Sky Is A Neighborhood
- My Hero
- This Is a Call
- All My Life
- Nothing At All
- Shame Shame
- These Days
- Cold Day in the Sun
- Monkey Wrench
- Best of You
- Aurora
- Everlong
The band will be in Chicago for Riot Fest on September 15. Tickets can be purchased here.
Rancid release “Devil In Disguise”
Oasis lays groundwork for reunion shows in 2025
Per Hannah Hope at The Sun, Oasis is laying the groundwork for four shows at Knebworth, Herts in 2025. This would mark the first Oasis shows since 2009 and a return to the grounds that Oasis played in 1996 in front of 125,000 people each night.
In recent months, there has been a growing trend to get Oasis to reunite, notably from The 1975 frontman, Matty Healy. It can’t be ignored that the band’s greatest rival, Blur, reunited earlier this year.
Both Liam and Noel are currently gearing up for summer tours with their respective solo projects.
Kentucky man shoots roommate over eating the last Hot Pocket
A man was shot in Kentucky over the weekend over eating the last Hot Pocket.
Louisville Police arrested 64-year-old Clifton Williams on Sunday after they said he shot his roommate following an argument over what food was eaten. The shooter began throwing tiles at his roommate, before eventually pulling out a gun and shooting the other man in the butt.
Williams is being charged with assault and has been ordered not to have contact with the victim. His bond was set at $7,500.
Americans are wasting $218B in food each year
Officials in Congress are looking to improve food date labels to reduce food waste, after a new study revealed that Americans are wasting $218B on food each year. The changes that could come would be to push for changes in this expiration date system, as the U.S. has no federal standard for “sell-by,” “use-by” or “best by” dates.
“Food manufacturers can pick a random date and game the system … some of them probably want you to buy their food more often, so they put a date that may not be the actual date it goes bad,” according to New Jersey Rep. Josh Gottheimer.
The congressman is leading a bipartisan effort to standardize expiration date terminology across the country.
Man killed moments after helping ducks cross the road
Being nice might be overrated.
In California last week, a man died after being hit by a car moments after helping some ducks cross the road. “He got out of the car and was shooing the ducks and everyone was clapping because he was being really nice,” said a nearby witness.
The ducks were all safe, but unfortunately, the man did not survive his injuries.
HBO Max is dead
The streaming service formerly known as HBO Max is now Max, rendering the HBO branding dead and gone. This now combines everything under the HBO banner with Discovery+ content.
Users should still be able to access the service using their existing passwords and logins on their devices. You won’t pay any more for Max than you did for HBO Max, at least for the time being.
To summarize, nothing has changed, except a meaningless name change that has made everything more confusing.
Man in Lake County gets blown up by a grenade in his home
A man in Northwest Indiana is dead after a grenade blew up his house.
According to the Lake County Sheriff’s Department, police responded sometime before 6:30 PM to a reported explosion in a home in the 3400 block of West Lake Shore Drive. According to the police, the family in the home had been going through a grandfather’s belongings when they found a hand grenade, and someone reportedly pulled the pin on the device and it detonated.
No other information is available at this time.
Kurt Cobain’s guitar sells for nearly $600K at auction
A Fender Stratocaster smashed onstage by Kurt Cobain has sold for $595,900 at auction. The guitar — a reassembled-yet-unplayable left-handed black Strat — went for around 10 times its original estimate of $60-80k at a Julien’s Auction. It was signed (in one way or another) by all three members of Nirvana (Cobain, Krist Novoselic and Dave Grohl.)
The guitar was gifted by Cobain to his friend and fellow Seattle musician, the late Screaming Trees singer Mark Lanegan. Kurt even inscribed the body of the guitar: “Hell-o mark! Love, Your Pal, Kurdt Kobain/ Washed up rockstar.”
Popeyes forced to shut down after reports of teenagers skipping school to work shifts
A Popeyes in Oakland is currently inactive after various reports surfaced that teens were asked to work during the school day and late shifts on the weekend.
Popeyes are not the only chain under fire, as McDonald’s recently got busted for the same thing.
Diamond Bradley, who vanished in Chicago more than 20 years ago, appears to resurface on TikTok
The FBI is conducting a DNA test to determine whether a woman in Texas is Diamond Bradley, who disappeared from her Chicago home along with her sister more than 20 years ago and hasn’t been seen since. A recent TikTok surfaced with a woman claiming to be Diamond Bradley, who disappeared alongside her sister, Tionda, from their family’s 2001 Bronzeville home.
The woman purporting to be Diamond visited an FBI office where she underwent fingerprinting along with a DNA test. At press time, it’s unclear if the FBI received the results, though the agency did agree to expedite the test.
Tinley Park police cancel carnival after ‘violent’ flash mob involving 400 teens
Tinley Park police canceled the final day of The Armed Forces Weekend Carnival due to safety concerns stemming from a flash mob incident on Saturday involving over 400 teens who stormed the area. According to police, teens were running through the parking lot at the 80th Avenue train station and getting into fights in an attempt to disrupt the event.
Tinley Park police said the decision was made to cancel Sunday’s event after they learned another flash mob was planned.
Foo Fighters announce new drummer ahead of 2023 tour
After months of speculation, the Foo Fighters have confirmed that Josh Freese will be behind the kit for the band’s upcoming shows.
During a livestream on May 21, Freese appeared behind the drumset after comedic appearances from Chad Smith, Tommy Lee, and Danny Carey of Tool.
Freese has handled drumming duties for bands like Guns N’ Roses, A Perfect Circle, The Offspring, and Nine Inch Nails.
Foo Fighters will headline Riot Fest on Friday, September 15.
5.21.2023 History Of Alternative
