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[RECAP + PHOTOS] Pitchfork Music Festival 2K19

ALL PHOTOS BY AMANDA KOELLNER Written by Amanda Koellner Would it be a music festival in Chicago without sweltering heat and/or torrential downpour? Of course not, and Pitchfork 2K19 sweetly offered up both, leaving many—particularly on Saturday—wondering: sweat, rain, or voluntary/desperate self-douse? Despite the less than ideal weather conditions (and wet hair), of course ample … Read more

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[RECAP] Lollapalooza 2019 in Photos

ALL PHOTOS BY JOSEPH MIKOS Lollapalooza is alive and well. The four-day festival in Chicago returned on 2019 with artists from Lil Wayne to Bishop Briggs, and Speakers in Code photographer Joseph Mikos was on hand to capture the action. This was our seventh year covering Lollapalooza, and we hope to return. 2020 dates have … Read more

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Jam of the Day | Willis Earl Beal – Babble On

Willis Earl Beal is the best lo-fi gospel folk singer-songwriter you’ve never heard of. The formerly homeless, Chicago-based artist first made a name for himself with the release of an arresting debut LP, Acousmatic Sorcery, in 2012. After last year’s distinctly more hi-fi No Body Knows, Beal has proven himself a force to be reckoned with. More recently, Beal had … Read more

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Preview | Lollapalooza, August 2-4 in Chicago

Lollapalooza 2012 | Photo by Jason Gonulsen Lollapalooza, we meet again.  Much has changed since last year. I’m single, twenty pounds lighter, and I’m gluten-free. That means no beer. And no pizza. Minus the bread and suds, we’re still going to have a good time. I have a plan again. I know it never works, … Read more

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Jam of the Day | Wild Belle – Backslider

Not much was known about Wild Belle when we first mentioned them back in January of last year, but we’ve learned a lot about them since then: After seeing them open for Toro Y Moi in January we learned that the dead of winter can feel like the Bahamas in July with the right soundtrack, but more importantly … Read more

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Jam of the Day | On An On – The Hunter

I am the hunter, I know how to find you  I’m taking your picture, I’m taking my time Give In, the debut album by Chicago-based experimental indie outfit On An On, is a celebration, a sumptuous aural cornucopia. It’s an invigorating, intoxicating collection of songs, like “The Hunter,” a driving story of pursuit, capture and slaughter. Death by … Read more

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[PHOTOS] Foals at the Riviera Theatre in Chicago

ALL PHOTOS BY AMANDA KOELLNER Foals performed last week — the day after the election — in Chicago at the Riviera Theatre, and during the show, offered this thought: ” “It was a bleak day, but this is going to make it better, if even just by 1%.” Please enjoy these photos by Amanda Koellner.

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[PHOTOS] Whitney at Thalia Hall in Chicago

ALL PHOTOS BY AMANDA KOELLNER Chicago’s Whitney played Thalia Hall in December, and Speakers in Code photographer Amanda Koellner was on hand to capture the action. Whitney will be playing Delmar Hall in St. Louis on May 9th, and tickets are available now.

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[PHOTOS] Blood Orange at The Vic Theatre in Chicago

ALL PHOTOS BY AMANDA KOELLNER  We love us some Dev Hynes. Of course, you probably know him as Blood Orange, the dude who released Freetown Sound earlier this year, one of our favorites from 2016. If you haven’t listened to that one yet, maybe fire it up while you enjoy these photos by Amanda Koellner.

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[PHOTOS] Mick Jenkins at Thalia Hall in Chicago

ALL PHOTOS BY AMANDA KOELLNER Mick Jenkins performed this past Thursday at Thalia Hall in Chicago, which was part of the Red Bull Sounds Select Tour. “Spread Love” is his new single; you can listen here. Please enjoy these photos by Amanda Koellner.      

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[PHOTOS] Jim James at The Riviera Theatre in Chicago

ALL PHOTOS BY AMANDA KOELLNER Jim James is at The Pageant TONIGHT in St. Louis (purchase tickets here), but over the weekend he thrilled a Chicago audience with songs from his current album, Eternally Even. Please enjoy these photos by Amanda Koellner.