Best of Chicago voting is live now. Vote for your favorites »

I’ve been bingeing on Sparks albums all day (Kimono My House, Introducing Sparks, Angst in My Pants, etc). This is entirely thanks to the charming (and preciously humble) performance by the Mael brothers last night at Lincoln Hall, the first of two shows they’re playing in Chicago as part of the “Two Hands, One Mouth” tour. In front of a crowd of mostly staunch devotees—some who have undoubtedly followed the art-pop duo throughout their four decades and 22 studio albums together—Ron and Russell performed alone on a stark stage, the former seated in front of his “Ronald” keyboard, stone-faced and brooding, and the latter working the small stage like a man whose been front and center the majority of his life, microphone in hand and theatrics in voice. The scene was awesome, and I’m lucky to have been able to witness it.

  • Bobby Talamine