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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 Pinkis 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 […]
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 McCartneyâs early solo career in the tumultuous wake of the Beatlesâ breakup and his drive to bring his ensuing band Wings to global success. The accompanying soundtrack album collects 50 […]
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 […]
Live Review: Florence + The Machine at Allstate Arena ⢠Rosemont
Florence + The Machine Allstate Arena Rosemont, IL April 10, 2026 Review By Curt Baran âEverybody scream!â Not only is it the name of her latest single, but it was also something that shares the name of Florence Welchâs current tour. But at the first of two sold-out shows at Rosemontâs Allstate Arena, it also […]
Stage Buzz: The Maine, Raye, Health
Singer/songwriter RAYE has been an unstoppable force with the release of her chart-topping single âWhere Is My Husband!â Drawing cues from Jazz, R&B, pop, and soul, her sound feels classic yet fresh. See what the buzz is about when RAYE brings her âTHIS TOUR MAY CONTAIN NEW MUSICâ show to The Auditorium this Friday, April […]
Photo Gallery: Nessa Barrett at Thalia Hall ⢠Chicago
Nessa Barrett Thalia Hall April 7, 2026 Chicago, ILÂ Recap and photos by Curt Baran On her Tuesday return to Chicago, Nessa Barrett chose to host a black-tie affair. As guests assembled for her performance at Thalia Hall, the Pilsen venue greeted arrivals with an air of sophistication. Gentlemen clad in black tuxedos and white […]
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