Photo Credit: Richard Giraldi

There are shows and then there are shows. You know what I’m taking about. Performances in which the band are just completely feeling it – the crowd, the room, their band mates. Everything in the universe aligns at that one precise moment and it’s perfect. There could be a natural disaster, earthquake, flood or, most likely in Chicago, blizzard, and it wouldn’t make you flinch for a second because the band on stage are absolutely killing it.

This was the scene last Saturday night at Lincoln Hall when Chicago’s influential post-rockers Tortoise offered an immaculate performance during which they were received as hometown heroes – and rightfully so.

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Photo Credit: Audrey Leon

Ted Leo and the Pharmacists played to a packed house at Lincoln Hall’s official Grand Opening celebration concert on Sunday, Oct. 25. The band took full advantage of its special one-off Chicago appearance to test new material for the Pharmacists’ forthcoming Matador Records debut.

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PHOTO CREDIT: Audrey Leon

Portland-based soul punks The Gossip brought sexy back to the Metro stage on Friday night. Outfitted in a slinky, glittery black dress with neon red hair Gossip vocalist Beth Ditto captivated the near-capacity audience with her dynamic stage presence and powerhouse vocals. Ditto never once let up, jumping and screaming along to each pulsing dance beat. Her enthusiasm so infectious, those in attendance could not help but go completely wild.

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Photo Credit: Audrey Leon

Folk-pop songstress Mirah played a stripped down set to a packed house at Schubas on Saturday, Oct. 3, 2009. The night belonged to Mirah’s latest release, (a)spera, which was played nearly in its entirety. Mirah sprinkled a few older songs into the set such as “Jerusalem” and “We’re Both So Sorry” from 2004’s C’mon Miracle and “Cold, Cold Water” from 2001’s Advisory Committee.

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