15 Second Show Review - Destroyer @ Lincoln Hall 3/29/11

It's been a damn long time since we've posted any reviews. Might as well pick it back up with this one. Dan Bejar brought his drunk/brooding Russell Brand-meets-Sideshow Bob routine back to Chicago last night, along with an 8-piece backing band including saxophone and trumpet. The pristine Lincoln Hall sound did wonders to boost their technical mastery as they focused almost exclusively on the new album. Dan, however, was not at his best. Not by a long shot. The previous times I've seen him perform (either as Destroyer or in New Pornographers), he's been drunk and happy - gleefully playing with the crowd. Last night, he was just drunk and moody. There was absolutely zero banter between songs, just uncomfortably long silences. Attempts by several audience members to elicit a response, any response were ignored. And Dan repeatedly had to refer to printed page to remember his own lyrics. He put more effort into mingling with patrons after the show out in the front bar and outside on the sidewalk than he put into his act. On this night at least, this was a technically proficient show that lacked any soul.  Buzz-Zzz

Lincoln Hall = Tons of New Shows!

Well well well! Chicago's newest music venue has just opened and is starting to book some shows. Some ass-kickingly kick-ass shows! Brothers Schuba of Schuba's fame just took the wraps off their lengthy remodel of the Three Penny Cinema, and changed its name to Lincoln Hall. To celebrate, they've booked a whole host of amazing indie acts. This is typically a busy period for live music in the city, these few months between the end of summer festival season and the holidays, and it's pretty exciting to have a new mid-size venue committed to booking great artists. So, best wishes to Lincoln Hall, and I can't wait to check it out. Speaking of holidays, the craptacular wallet-rape that is NYE isn't far off, and already a few big shows have been announced. Check out all of Lincoln Hall's coming shows, the continuously updated show calendar, and what's coming round for New Years over at SHOWcal .