Recent Articles
Stage Buzz: Kris Kristofferson at The Chicago Theatre
It’s like seeing Muddy Waters or Merle Haggard on the back forty of their final farewell tours (even Dylan, The Stones, and Paul McCartney are on those “what if” touring jaunts these days). Kris Kristofferson is a household name, but it may be as much for his film resume as for his music. True music […]
Live Review and Photo Gallery: Tool and Killing Joke at United Center
Tool has always conducted itself as an unconventional anomaly. From their cryptic videos and ambiguous album art, their image has always thrived in the dark spaces that leave almost every aspect of their aesthetic open to interpretation. Who else but this band could wait 13 years between (arguably non-mainstream) records, knock Taylor Swift of the […]
Photo Gallery: Widespread Panic at Riverside Theatre
Widespread Panic Riverside Theatre Milwaukee, WI October 26, 2019 Widespread Panic returned to the Cream City for three nights at the Riverside Theatre last week. These shows were the band’s 33rd, 34th and 35th performances at Milwaukee’s historic venue. In recent years, the band have held off on big tours but have kept Milwaukee weekend […]
Live Review & Photo Gallery: Swervedriver at Bottom Lounge
Swervedriver Bottom Lounge, Chicago, IL October 28, 2019 Following a ten-year absence, ‘90s alt-rock groundbreakers Swervedriver unparked in 2008. By the time of 2015’s I Wasn’t Born to Lose You – the Oxford quartet’s first album in 17 years – it was clear that frontman Adam Franklin and co-guitarist Jimmy Hartridge weren’t dabbling. The […]
Live Review: Bob Dylan at Credit Union 1 Arena
Bob Dylan Credit Union 1 Arena, Chicago, IL October 30, 2019 After several local visits promoting his excursions through standards from the Great American Songbook and Frank Sinatra’s repertoire, Bob Dylan returned to Chicago with a show focused on his own celebrated catalog of original material. Fans entered Credit Union 1 Arena (formerly UIC Pavilion) […]
Media: November 2019
For seven months, Jenniffer Weigel occupied a co-host chair in Mancow’s studio at WLS. She already knew him socially but was impressed by seeing Mancow work firsthand. “He works very hard on his show,” she says. “He’s the first one there every morning. Watching him run the board is like watching someone with ADD fly […]
Cover Story: Sam Fender
Ostensibly, this is an article about British rock newcomer Sam Fender and his brilliant, one-in-a-million debut disc, Hypersonic Missiles – easily the best album of the year. Nothing can touch it; it’s so far ahead of the pack. But it’s also a moment where we can’t help but break with a few staid journalistic traditions […]
Stage Buzz and Gallery: The Hu at House of Vans
The Hu Vans Chicago October 31, 2019 Nothing says “Happy Halloween” like a morin khuur solo, am I right? What the hell is a morin khuur you ask? Exactly! Anyone who attended the 2019 version of Riot Fest may have encountered such an instrument if they caught the much talked about set from The Hu. […]
Photo Gallery: Melanie Martinez at The Riviera Theatre
Melanie Martinez brought a bit of Broadway to Lawrence and Broadway Friday. The native New Yorker’s “K-12 Tour” landed at Chicago’s Riviera Theater with enough set and costume changes to rival both Madonna and Cher. Her blend of pop and hip-hop had a mostly female audience singing along from start to finish. But unlike most […]
Stage Buzz: Michael Franti at Concord Music Hall
In this era of building walls, unsettled government and strife at the border, Michael Franti continues his message of positive vibes and bringing people together. Franti made his mark a decade ago with his massive hit “Say Hey (I Love You).” Mixing rock steady beats, ska, reggae, rock, hip-hop and electronica – Franti has […]
Spins: The Beatles “Abbey Road” 50th Anniversary Super Deluxe Box Set Reviewed
The Beatles Abbey Road 50th Anniversary Super Deluxe box set (Apple/Universal) As with the 50th anniversary editions of Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band and The Beatles (aka The White Album), any fan could argue that this new mix of Abbey Road is unnecessary. Some may go as far as saying that tinkering with the […]
Live Review: Saga at Arcada Theatre
Saga Arcada Theatre, St. Charles, IL October 16, 2019 Review and photos by Jeff Elbel Wednesday night’s concert at the Arcada Theatre in St. Charles was impressive on multiple counts. Credit goes to promoter Ron Onesti for listening to patrons and taking the risk to book Saga’s first standalone US show in ages. Although the […]
Photo Gallery: Sleater-Kinney at The Rivera Theatre
Even if Olympia, Washington’s Sleater-Kinney had remained on hiatus after their 2006 break, their legacy would have already been secured. But they came storming back in 2014 with their eight long player No Cities To Love, seemingly without missing a beat. Even the recent departure of long time drummed Janet Weiss hasn’t diminished the remaining […]
Live Review: Madonna at The Chicago Theatre
Madame X Tour Chicago Theatre October 16, 2019 “Artists are here to disturb the peace.” One has to wonder if Madonna Louise Ciccone has accepted this James Baldwin quote as her life’s mantra. Let’s face it; the native Michigander has always had a reputation as a rabble-rouser. So, when it was announced that she would […]
Stage Buzz: Municipal Waste at Metro
Richmond, Virginia crossover party animals Municipal Waste return from a two-year recording hiatus with the raging four-track EP The Last Rager (released on Oct. 11 via Nuclear Blast). Featuring vocalist Tony Foresta, guitarists Ryan Waste and Nick Poulos, drummer Dave Witte and bassist LandPhil Hall, the retro-thrash quintet will be returning to Chicago on […]
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