Recent Articles
Cover Story: Peter Murphy • Return of the Lion
As an Artist matures, amasses a tangible catalog of work, and inches — or even hurtles — toward their career’s coda, many arrive at moments of insightful, illuminating wisdom that effectively encapsulate their achievements for posterity. For example, Picasso noted that “Inspiration does exist, but it must find you working,” while Thoreau insisted that “It’s […]
Media: April 2025 • Road to Rock Class of ’24 and ’25
If you were wondering what happened to the 2024 Class of the Illinois Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, which was supposed to be inducted on March 30th, the answers were revealed last month. The Illinois Rock & Roll Museum on Route 66 has rescheduled its annual Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony to Sunday, […]
CinemaScopes: April 2025 • 20 Years of The Revenge of the Sith
If you somehow lived under a rock or were not old enough (or born enough) to see this in theaters, Disney is re-releasing Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith, the final film in the prequel trilogy, in celebration of the 20th Anniversary. Starting April 25th, the film will be shown in select theaters […]
IE 2025 Record Store Day Guide
Record Store Day was conceived in 2007 at a gathering of independent record store owners and employees as a way to celebrate and spread the word about the unique culture surrounding nearly 1400 independently owned record stores in the US and thousands of similar stores internationally. The first Record Store Day took place on April […]
Stage Buzz: Franz Ferdinand, Ultra Q, The Used
The Used are celebrating their 25th anniversary by performing their first three albums in full. Rounding out their first run of Chicago shows, the band will perform their 2007 album Lies for the Liars at the House of Blues this Wednesday, April 2nd, with Origami Button as support. Doors open at 6 PM. You can […]
Stage Buzz: Kraftwerk, Deftones, Baths, Refused
Refused are fucking dead. This time, they mean it. After 34 years of raging and screaming, the seminal punk band is calling it quits. But of course, they need to go out with a band. Before you mourn the loss of Refused, join them for one last hurrah at the Salt Shed with Quicksand this […]
Live Review: Elvis Costello and Steve Nieve • Park West • Chicago
Elvis Costello and Steve Nieve Park West, Chicago, IL Saturday, March 15, 2025 Review and live photo by Jeff Elbel, profile photo by Mark Seliger While the streets of Chicago teemed with revelers getting an early start on St. Patrick’s Day, a full house celebrated the holiday with Elvis Costello and Steve Nieve on […]
Stage Buzz: Bishop Briggs, Iggy Pop, Poppy, j-hope
BTS member j-hope debuted as a solo artist back in 2022. Now, he’s finally embarking on his first-ever solo tour. The “Hope on the Stage” tour sees the rapper/singer performing songs from his 2022 album along with BTS favorites. j-hope brings the tour to Rosemont’s Allstate Arena for two nights on March 17th and March […]
Photo Gallery: Morgan Wade with The Lone Bellow • Salt Shed • Chlcago
Morgan Wade The Lone Bellow The Salt Shed Chicago, IL March 9, 2025 Recap and photos by Curt Baran Sunday evening’s Salt Shed show felt rooted in the past with a sharp eye to the future. Although you could say the evening’s official headliner was Morgan Wade, it certainly seemed like the evening belonged to […]
Stage Buzz: Hanabie, Gost, Mary J. Blige
Rising metalcore group HANABIE. (pronounced Ha-na-bee-eh) are known for their bright visual aesthetic, love of video games and anime, and their loud and heavy sound. The self-described “Harajuku-core” band blends elements of metalcore, hardcore punk, hip hop, electronica, and nu-metal for a sound that’s both chaotic and catchy. See HANABIE. in action when they […]
Advertiser Message: Experience Hendrix • March 21 at Chicago Theatre • Chicago – Tickets start at $39
Experience Hendrix is back Friday, March 21, at Chicago Theatre featuring Kenny Wayne Shepard, Marcus King, Eric Johnson & more! On sale now, https://www.ticketmaster.com/experience-hendrix-chicago-illinois-03-21-2025/event/07006155AE1E1CA0?utm_campaign=Adv-3032242&utm_source=illinois+entertainer&utm_medium=other_med_ln_digital The Experience Hendrix Tour evokes the era when artists treated each performance as a unique interaction with their audience. Jimi Hendrix called this his ‘Electric Church.’ The Experience Hendrix Tour fully […]
Cover Story: Smoking Popes • For The Love of the Game
When Smoking Popes entered Solid Sound Studios in Hoffman Estates in 1994 to record the follow-up to their debut album Get Fired, there were no expectations. There was no pressure from the label to deliver a “hit record.” They just had a bunch of songs they wanted to record. So, they made a record […]
Media: March 2025 • Flipside Records Remembered
Flip Side owners Carl and Larry Rosenbaum had three choices they were considering at the beginning of their careers. “Hot dog stand, a dry cleaner, or a record store,” Larry confirms. “And fortunately, we chose record store.” That record store became an empire in Chicago (1970s—1990s), a string of stores throughout Chicagoland, soon to […]
March 2025: CinemaScopes • March Films in Like A Lion
We start the month with the 97th Academy Awards airing on March 2. If you love festivals, the 12th Annual JCC Chicago Jewish Film Festival, running March 1-23, showcases culturally diverse, Jewishly-inspired films that will entertain, educate, and inspire audiences of all generations. A selection of 19 carefully curated films honor Jewish filmmakers, writers, […]
Live Review: Cy Curnin • Belly Up Tavern • San Diego, CA
Cy Curnin Belly Up Tavern, San Diego, CA Tuesday, February 18, 2025 Review and photos by Jeff Elbel “Fixxtures” on the West Coast and American Southwest had a rare opportunity on Tuesday to see Fixx frontman Cy Curnin dig into his solo catalog during a brief sprint that included the Belly Up Tavern in […]
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