Tom Lynch

An always pleasing affair altogether, Hideout’s yearly block party often boasts the best festival line-up of the summer—2006’s Touch & Go joint-party was for the books—and this year’s batch of bands shouldn’t be missed either. Friday night kicks off with raw popsters The Clientele, followed by a triple threat of Chicago indie pop in Scotland Yard Gospel Choir (the new record, self-titled on Bloodshot, is brilliant), The Changes and The 1900s. Headlining is the angular and streaming Bloc Party. Saturday crams more in, with Cass McCombs, Golden Horse Ranch Square Dance Band, Chicago’s Head of Femur, O’Death, Dan Deacon (see Feature), Mucca Pazza, the enchanting Blue Ribbon Glee Club and more. Bigger acts include the witty brats Art Brut and Irishmen The Frames, plus headliner Andrew Bird, local genius whose "Armchair Apocrypha," which came out this spring, is his finest, most earnest study.

The 11th Annual Hideout Block Party takes place September 7-8 at Hideout, 1354 West Wabansia, (773)227-4433. $20 one-day passes and $35 two-day passes are available at hideoutchicago.com. (2007-09-04)

Also by Tom Lynch

Tip of the Week
Shadowy, lush and nearly medieval, Nadler’s echo-laden work is capable of shifting the mood at a staggering speed
(2007-08-28)

Echo Effect
Chicago's smart, seamless instrumental four-piece opened eyes wide with 2003’s "Australasia," as the group ingeniously brought instrumental doom back to attention. That record’s follow-up, 2005’s "The Fire in Our Throats Will Beckon the Thaw," is a masterpiece of glacial destruction, the profound melody and thick, nearly impenetrable guitar work by Laurent Lebec and Trevor de Brauw inciting a slow-burning, aggressive riot. The instrumental post-metal spoke at volumes most bands with vocalists could never reach
(2007-08-21)

Tip of the Wee
One of the country’s most pleasing acts, California’s The Ditty Bops—led by Abby DeWald and Amanda Barrett—mix and match elements of folk, bluegrass, swing and blues, driven by perfect vocal harmonies, for a sound that’s nothing short of heavenly
(2007-08-21)

Tip of the Week
Drag City presents an evening of hilarity as it pits together three National Lampoon writers from the 1970s—Chris Miller, Brian McConnachie and Anne Beatts—for a panel discussion
(2007-08-21)

Comparable Comps
(2007-08-17)

Soundcheck
(2007-08-14)

Wright & Wrong
(2007-08-14)

Tip of the Week
(2007-08-14)

Tip of the Week
(2007-08-07)

Not Another Music Festival
(2007-07-31)

Tip of the Week
(2007-07-31)

Widespread Euphony
(2007-07-24)

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