This is a few hours old, but $5 billion merger between XM and Sirius Satellite Radio has been approved by the Department of Justice. The lengthy statement released today by the DoJ states that after a thorough investigation, it has been determined that the proposed merger would not hurt consumers. The merger still has one major hurdle to overcome, getting the approval of the FCC. If the FCC approves the merger, all systems will be go. Read the entire statement here.

Wes and Greg are busy getting their drink responsible sleeping on tonight, but wanted me to let ya’ll know that they’ll be slithering into WGN Radio late Saturday night to speak on our hot topic of the week — Lollapalooza.

If your ears weren’t fond of our articles upon articles about the event posted earlier this week, hopefully they’ll be more receptive of our comment and insight later this evening. Wes and Greg will break down all the important stuff Lolla looks to bring for a whole half hour: from 1-1:30 a.m. CST on Sunday, July 29…otherwise known as Saturday night.

You can listen online through WGN’s website (if you’re unfortunate enough to have RealPlayer installed on your computer), or Chicago folks can just tune their soundboxes to 720 on the AM dial.

Last night I (like everybody else in the lower 48 states) attended the Decemberists’ show at Millennium Park. I was hoping the rain was going to scare a few people away, but that wasn’t the case. I blame the picture of them with an umbrella.

The night left a pretty blah taste in my mouth. I wanted there to be a downpour while Crane Wife 3 was playing. Instead, there was a spit of rain while Crane Wife 1 and 2 played. The show overall was pretty disappointing to me. I LOVED the show - don’t get me wrong. I just didn’t love it as much as I wanted to.

BUT FEAR NOT! It can (will) be redeemed. According to sources there will be a Wilco show at Millennium Park on September 12. This show, however, will cost you some money.

I was okay with the Decemberists show not delivering exactly what I wanted - but if this Wilco show disappoints me? Consider The Bean dead to me.

Fans of independent music in the Chicago area know of 88.7 WLUW, an amazing community supported independent radio station. If it wasn’t for WLUW and WXRT here in Chicago, I wouldn’t even turn on my radio at all.

After seeing a tip over on Chicagoist this weekend that the station was being taken over again by Loyola University (who own the rights to the station signal, but let WLUW use it), I was devastated. I couldn’t find any other information, so I crossed my fingers and hoped it was just a rumor. But thanks to the excellent post by Jocelyn over at Chicagoist, the truth comes out, and it isn’t pretty.

Yes, there will still be a radio station, but Loyola (who is opening a broadcast school on their campus) will now have control of the format. Somehow I have a feeling that the format just won’t stay the same when the reigns are handed over to the faculty and students of Loyola University. WLUW has been an amazing and supportive station, shedding light on some great bands and bringing much of the Chicago independent community together. The WLUW record fair is always a blast, and helps out a lot of the smaller labels here in Chicago that showcase at the fair.

For me, the real conflict isn’t just about the format of the station changing, it’s about the loss of a passionate community-based medium for independent artist. Earlier this month, I found out that the next issue of magazine Punk Planet will also be the last, signifying the demise of another Chicago-affiliated independent giant. I was devastated, because I’d met the guys behind Punk Planet, and I knew of their incredible passion for what they do. Their writing, their zine, the bands and causes they covered, were near and dear to them. It wasn’t just someone covering a story that they researched and then wrote and cut down to their 1,000 word limit. They put their heart and soul into the community that surrounded them, and I feel the same for WLUW. The station is more than just the sound on their airwaves, they are part of the people that you see selling merch at Schubas or hanging out at Double Door. They are part of the people browsing through the 99 cent record bins at Reckless Records. They are part of the family that makes up the Chicago music scene.

I am tired of living in a community of fallen idols. Since moving to Chicago, I’ve seen publications, record stores, and bands fall apart. Since getting deeper into the music industry, I’ve seen labels, independent stations, and artist barely surviving, while large corporations continue to slide by unnoticed of the mediocrity they pimp to their target demographic. Trust me music fans, the major labels do not think of you or the music you love, they think of the product and numbers.

This is why I’ve spent my life thus far dealing with all things music. I want to help bands and labels that are started on a dream and on passion succeed. I’m tired of seeing worthy people and causes fall to the wayside in this business of independent music.

If you feel this way too, please read the post over at Chicagoist, and I too suggest you send a letter of support of WLUW to the office of the president of Loyola University.

Keep your fingers crossed kids, the music industry is going to continue to be a bumpy ride…