The Magnetic Fields have made their way across the United States and Canada and back to the East Coast, where they began their tour two months ago, upon the release of their latest Nonesuch album, Realism. The North American tour closes with three consecutive nights at The Town Hall in New York City beginning tonight. Though all three nights are officially sold out, check in with Town Hall for potential last-minute ticket availability. The band heads to Europe next week for a two-week tour of the UK, Scandinavia, Germany, and the Netherlands. For more information, visit nonesuch.com/on-tour.

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Earlier this week, The Magnetic Fields played two shows at the Harris Theater in Chicago's Millennium Park, Sunday and Monday. Spinner's Anna Deem reports from the first, sold-out show that the band played "to thunderous applause." Chicago Reader's Whet Moser was there as well and exclaims afterward that he would "highly recommend going" to see the band live.

Moser notes the "outstanding lineup" of instruments on stage and the "thoughtful and inventive" arrangements putting them to good use, "particularly in the interplay between the extraordinary Sam Davol [on cello] ... and John Woo on guitar. Merritt's singular voice is in fine form, a warm baritone that makes the more bitter lyrics go down easy."

Read the concert review at chicagoreader.com.

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Prior to the Chicago shows, the tour took The Magnetic Fields to St. Louis, Missouri, where they played The Pageant. Writer Daniel Durchholz spoke with front man Stephin Merritt about Realism and the ensuing tour for the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. You'll find that at stltoday.com.