Recent Articles
Spins: Miles Davis ⢠The Complete Live at the Plugged Nickel 1965
Miles Davis The Complete Live at the Plugged Nickel 1965 (Columbia/Legacy) This impressive and immersive 10xLP set allows listeners to travel 60 years into the past to spend two midweek nights cozily ensconced indoors at the Plugged Nickel in Chicago, just before Christmas of 1965. These recordings capture three sets on Wednesday, December 22, and […]
Spins: Various Artists ⢠Pretty in Pink 40th anniversary original motion picture soundtrack LP
Various Artists Pretty in Pink 40th anniversary original motion picture soundtrack LP (A&M/UMe) John Hughes’ 1986 teen dramedy film Pretty in Pink is one of the emblematic coming-of-age films of the ’80s, perhaps surpassed only by Hughes’ own The Breakfast Club. Simple Minds’ “Don’t You (Forget About Me) notwithstanding, the soundtrack trophy goes to Pretty in Pink. The […]
Spins: Supertramp ⢠Reissues
Supertramp Even in the Quietest Moments ⌠half-speed LP remaster Breakfast in America half-speed LP remaster“ ⌠famous last words ⌔ half-speed LP remaster (A&M/UMe) These three simultaneous reissues complete the campaign to return high-quality pressings of the studio output by Supertramp’s pivotal five-man lineup to circulation. The albums were restored via half-speed mastering at […]
Spins: Paul McCartney ⢠Man On the Run
Paul McCartney Man on the Run (Music from the Motion Picture Soundtrack) (Capitol/UMe/MPL) Morgan Nevilleâs documentary Man on the Run examines Paul McCartney in the 1970s, covering his early solo career in the tumultuous wake of the Beatlesâ breakup and his drive to bring his subsequent band, Wings, to global success. The accompanying soundtrack album features […]
Stage Buzz: Lords of Acid, MATTE BLVCK, Disclosure, Flea
Industrial dance legends Lords of Acid have changed over the years, especially their lineup, but the core of the outfit remains: delivering infectious, provocative songs that get you on the floor. Featuring new lead vocalist Carla Harvey, the band will bring their âCheeky Freaky Tourâ with Dead on a Sunday, Princess Superstar, MZ Neon, and […]
Photo Gallery: Bruce Springsteen at United Center ⢠Chicago
Bruce Springsteen United Center April 29, 2026 Chicago, IL Recap and gallery by Curt Baran Usually, when Bruce Springsteen lands in town, itâs an immediate cause for celebration. Such was not the case this time. He and his famed E Street Band have hit the road this time because the shredded fabric of democracy in […]
Advertiser Message: See SatchVai at Chicago Theatre Sunday, May 3rd
Itâs almost time for SatchVai Band’s Surfing With The Hydra 2026 Tour with special guests Animals as Leaders! Grab your tickets now for a once-in-a-lifetime show with Joe Satriani and Steve Vai, along with their all-star band – Kenny Aronoff, Marco Mendoza & Pete Thorn! ??? Joe Satriani and Steve Vai, along with special guests […]
Stage Buzz: They Might Be Giants, Bruce Springsteen, Damaged Justice, Chris Duarte Group, Clan of Xymox
Prepare yourselves because The Boss is coming to town, and he wants you to know heâs mad as hell. Bruce Springsteen has never shied away from political commentary, and heâs doubled down on his stance on his latest outing, âLand of Hopes and Dreams American Tour.â Itâll be a night of great music, protest, and […]
Live Review & Photo Gallery: Brigette Calls Me Baby
Brigitte Calls Baby Thalia Hall Chicago, IL April 18, 2026 Live Review by Ashley Perez-Hollingsworth; Photos by Curt Baran There was something special about Brigitte Calls Babyâs second sold-out show at Thalia Hall (April 18). Maybe it was the anticipation of the crowd enthusing about past shows and their favorite songs. Maybe it was notices […]
Live Review: Pat Metheny Side-Eye III+ at Symphony Center ⢠Chicago
Pat Metheny Side-Eye III+ Symphony Center Chicago, IL April 17, 2026 Review by Steven Kikoen, photos by Jim Snyder and Steven Kikoen Pat Metheny first caught my attention back in the spring of 1978, when his self-titled album, Pat Metheny Group, was released on the ECM label and flew into the album bins of our beloved […]
Photo Gallery: Dance Hall Crashers with Fishbone ⢠House of Blues ⢠Chicago
Dance Hall Crashers with Fishboone House of Blues April 18, 2026 Chicago, IL Recap and photos by Curt Baran The Ska genre has seen itself move through several different stages, or âwaves.â Originally, the ska style was derived from reggae or rocksteady in the 1950s. It was popular in Jamaica, but stateside remained mostly unknown. […]
Stage Buzz: Model/Actriz, Biffy Clyro, 2K, Dethlok
Need a healthy dose of nostalgia to forget whatâs happening in the world for a little while? Take a journey back to the mid-2000s with the newly reunited B2K on âThe Boys 4 Life Tour.â The tour also features special guests Bow Wow, Wacka Flocka Flame, Pretty Ricky, and Amerie. It all goes down at […]
Feature: Volores ⢠Deeper Level
The unassuming package arrived, sans celebratory hoopla, a few weeks ago, sandwiched in between bills, various oversized advertisement cards, and several daysâ worth of a mail-delivered New York Times subscription. A small, CD-sized, puffy envelope tumbled out of the delivery stack like a relic from the distant past that could no longer fit inside the […]
Stage Buzz: Screeching Weasel, Abbey Road, BoDeans
If there were a Mount Rushmore of Chicago punk bands, Screeching Weasel would be on it, along with Naked Raygun and The Effigies. Founder Ben Weasel (it’s one constant member) rocketed out of Prospect Heights in the mid -80s with a few early youthful stumbles that eventually led to 14 albums and a long list […]
Live Review: Robyn Hitchcock at Athenaeum Center ⢠Chicago
Robyn Hitchcock Athenaeum Center Chicago, IL April 10, 2026 Review and photos by Jeff Elbel Pop surrealist Robyn Hitchcock has been good to his devotees in Chicago, making regular visits to town with his engaging one-man shows. On Friday, fans got a special treat when the English musician and former Soft Boys frontman stopped […]
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