YouTube acts live at the Riv, with no buffering

You’ve clicked on them, and now you can see them live. A gaggle of performers who are huge on YouTube (and next to anonymous in the analog world) will take the stage Thursday at the Riviera for Digitour 2103. Among them: singers Tiffany Alvord and …

Radiohead’s Thom Yorke, other musicians protest Spotify’s policies

Some performerss and independent record labels that say the popular digital streaming service is building its business model on their backs, paying them a pittance in royalties while luring customers with the promise of full access to their music.

Phoenix focusing on music, less on success

Frontman and singer Thomas Mars says Phoenix’s latest album, “Bankrupt!,” was born out of the negative influences going on after the unprecedented success of the band’s Grammy-winning 2009 album “Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix.” “At that time, we started talking about success and not music,” Mars said. …

Berwyn rocks with arrival of new club Wire

A suburban Music Row is taking shape with the arrival of a new concert hall (and future studio) down the road from FitzGerald’s.

The mix — Cool things to do this weekend and beyond

HAIL TO THE KINGS: The Kings of Leon headline the House of Blues, 329 N. Dearborn, 7 p.m. Oct. 2. Tickets, $50 (17and older). (312) 923-2000; houseofblues.com.

BOYS WILL BE BOYS: Hot on the heels of their new CD “Electric,” Pet Shop Boys play at …

Firefighters united for kiddie rock band, Poochamungas

Situated a mile west of Wrigley Field, just about on the corner of Damen and Grace, Chicago firefighter John Joyce spends his day waiting for the next call. And that uncertainty of just what the day will hold is something he still is not quite …

Detroit pianist Vienna Teng rediscovers her musical passion on “Aims”

Three years ago, Vienna Teng set aside music to attend graduate school at the University of Michigan where she pursued an interest in environmental studies and business at the Erb Institute for Global Sustainable Enterprise. It was a radical shift Teng had been thinking about for awhile.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Iron & Wine

The stronghold of Chicago-based support enjoyed by Iron and Wine was earned through frequent local shows. Visits in recent years by Texas resident Sam Beam have featured crowded Lollapalooza sets with his band as well as solo recitals — including one within the conservative halls …

Album reviews: Kings of Leon, Elton John, Drake

Kings of Leon, “Mechanical Bull”

The four Followill brothers of Kings of Leon successfully transitioned, over four albums, from grungy Southern rock revivalists to summer popmakers known for dating models and pitching soft drinks. This latest album is likely to please the band’s earliest fans, …

CSO opens season on promising note

Eschewing a big showpiece or a star soloist, music director Riccardo Muti and the Chicago Symphony Orchestra opened the 2013-14 subscription season Thursday evening in less ostentatious fashion with a rewarding one-off concert of both favorites and obscurities.

Herbert Groenemeyer hopes debut North American tour garners new following

With his rich, booming voice, pop singer Herbert Gronemeyer has been introduced in the United States as “the German Bruce Springsteen.” On home turf, Gronemeyer needs no such comparison. With a career spanning 35 years and 14 albums, he is the most successful musician in …

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Over the Rhine

‘I don’t want to waste your time with music you don’t need,” purrs Karin Bergquist on the lead track from Over the Rhine’s 2007 album “The Trumpet Child.” Since beginning in 1989 as a sophisticated but powerful pop quartet, the group has never demonstrated an …

Album reviews: Elvis Costello & the Roots, Jack Johnson, Avicii

Elvis Costello & the Roots, “Wise Up Ghost”

By the time he stops making music, there may not be a collaborator Elvis Costello hadn’t met. His latest album follows this trademark experimentation; a partnership with avant-funk collective The Roots, these new songs offer deep grooves …

Savages gets physical with its sound

Savages is on its second U.S. tour in less than a year, including a stop Monday at Metro. This impatient touring schedule also seemingly fits the music: always moving, never resting, and apparently on the prowl.

Bravo, Verdi! The CSO kicks off season of homage to the Italian opera genius

As a proud son of Italy—born in southern Italy, “Napoli,” as he invariably points out — Riccardo Muti makes no apologies for his emotional response to the world around him. And when it comes to music, the Chicago Symphony Orchestra’s music director has a passion …