Andrew Bird is a modern-day renaissance man. Beyond his multi-instrumental prowess and penchant for quirky, orchestrated chamber pop, Bird has come to define the sort of bookish, detached cool that can't be bought, styled, or practiced in front of the mirror.

Chicago's weather may be barely warm enough for short sleeves, but Jamie Lidell still managed to set Chicago's Abbey Pub ablaze last night (June 4), singing like he was possessed by the soul of Ray Charles.

"I'm going to play some songs for you," Colin Meloy announced rather unnecessarily as he took the stage at Chicago's posh Park West venue last night (April 21).

Two major blizzards in the past week -- psssh -- won't stop a real Chicagoan from taking in a buzz-worthy show, and last night (Feb. 7) at Schubas was no exception as smoky-voiced Canadian sprite Basia Bulat brought her folk-tinged indie pop to the Windy City masses.

Even if you'd arrived late to the Vic Theatre last night (Nov.25), you could have shimmied all the way to the front and rested yourelbows on the stage.