Music

If you guessed Braid, you guessed right. Many, many more inside.

Chris talks to Daytrotter founder Sean Moeller about Barnstormer’s second trip to the Kaylx Center.

Walt Martin talks about music festivals, vintage instruments and getting “accidentally drunk” on whiskey before a Barnstormer show last year.

It’s like there is some kind of indie-rock festival in town this week. Springmalion or some such.

A photo essay by Lisa Janes

Did Girl Talk live up to the hype Saturday night? Check out Laura’s review for the scoop.

Wisconsin’s Decibully depart with a stunning final album.

Carly takes a look at the roots of dubstep as well as its evolution in Champaign-Urbana.

New SP writer Laura Adamczyk previews Saturday’s sold-out Girl Talk show at Canopy Club, which promises to leave you “stunned.”

Once again, everything falls on the weekend.

New writer Chris D. Davies advocates making Record Store Day a federal holiday after thoroughly enjoying Saturday’s events.

Record Store Day gets all the hype, but there’s also a pretty awesome show going on tonight at the Union.

Mertz attempts to decipher the complicated art of crate digging. Those allergic to vinyl need not apply.

One of the most underrated bands in town drops a well-conceptualized full length that succeeds admirably.

Sometimes, shorter is sweeter.

This upcoming Saturday, Parasol Records, Exile on Main St. and record stores around the world invite you to celebrate the joy of actively listening to your music.

Get about as oiled as a diesel train. Gonna set this dance alight. ‘Cause Saturday night’s the night I like.

We speak to Josh Kolenik of the Brooklyn-based blog-darlings about Greek bookstores, their critically lauded debut New Chain, and vintage Illini sports memorabilia.

Boneyard Arts Fest is here. This is your chance to see a show in a law office, fair trade clothing shop, or bead store.

Suzanne Vega came to town last Friday night, and Rob McColley was impressed. That should be enough for you to click Read More alone…

Suzanne Vega has been producing rock-solid for going on thirty years now. Now, she comes to town for a Friday night show at Krannert.

The iconoclastic Henry Rollins is taking his spoken-word tour to Canopy on Friday, and Gillian spoke to him about Rolaids, Dylan, and being able to laugh at himself.

Rock and roll is sung, played, and written by cretinous goons. It manages to be the martial music of every sideburned delinquent on the face of the earth.

Former Kilroy et al frontman’s solo debut recalls a laundry list of indie touchstones while forging a niche of its own, aided by spot-on production that’s undeniably Urbana.

It’s spring break. This means less shows, but the ones that do go on get exponentially more awesome.

John’s take on Wednesday’s somewhat-divisive Bright Eyes show.

Roberta Sparrow and The Tossers were fantastic, but lessons were definitely learned.

St. Pat’s Day, Conor Oberst, and some terrific jazz.

Midwest Punk is doing just fine, so come see it.

The latest entry from the thriving DIY scene comes from a new band with a lot of promise.

SXSW is next week, and that means pretty much every band in the country is touring out to Texas right now.

… then you’re out of luck, but Gillian has the details on erstwhile indie heartthrob Pete Yorn’s struggles to balance cheesiness and pure pop at Canopy.

It’s Unofficial this Friday. Get the hell away from Green Street and over to one of these shows.

The three-plus-year wait has ended for Radiohead fans, yet The King of Limbs begs more questions than it answers. Jeff’s got the review.

Pete Yorn is touring his latest album, and he’ll be performing at the Canopy Club tomorrow tonight.

This Saturday a new indoor bluegrass festival offers you a chance to hear (and play) great music. Plus The Steel Wheels are coming.

Local sludge metal group drops an impressive debut EP, and on a cassette, no less. But don’t worry, they have a Bandcamp too.

Brazilian house, dubstep and L.A. downtempo. It’s a good week to be a fan of electronic music.

We talk with the L.A. electronic artist about his current tour, debut album Cerulean and what lies ahead.

We sit down with one of the newest bands to emerge on the scene about recording, making a video, and what it takes to make a dent in C-U.

Robyn blew the roof off the Canopy Club last night, complete with a full band. Solo opener Diamond Rings wasn’t half-bad either.

Robyn, Gregorian chants and funky butts. It’s a beatiful life.

Matt breaks down the end of one of our most beloved bands, and reflects on the inherently transient nature of a college town musical scene.

This Saturday marks the farewell show for World’s First Flying Machine.  Ben Campbell spoke at length with one half of bill-mate Common Loon about life in and after the machine.

Valentine’s Day blues? We recommend drinking them away at any of these lovely venues.

You guys, Braid are back. Also, lots of bands are releasing cassettes for no apparent reason.

We attempt to sort out the group’s vast number of side-projects, and what they mean in regards to Saturday’s show.

The renowned jazz trumpeter is the whole reason you can go to Krannert and see something other than classical music.