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Photo Gallery • The Jesus Lizard in Chicago
The Jesus Lizard The Salt Shed Chicago, IL September 28, 2024 Recap and photos by Curt Baran The mic cord sat coiled at the edge of the stage, resting like a coal-colored pasta nest. Fifty-something feet of foreshadowing. The Jesus Lizard, arguably one of this city’s most significant exports (sorry, Hog Butchers), returned home, and […]
Photo Gallery Day One: Riot Fest at Douglass Park • Chicago
Riot Fest Recap: Day One Recap by Justice Petersen; Photos by Ed Spinelli Despite the scorching heat, thousands of punks, metalheads, and goths joined forces to raid Douglass Park for music’s most renowned punk rock music festival. Riot Fest took place in Douglass Park this year as per tradition, despite a close call of moving […]
Photo Gallery Day Two: Riot Fest at Douglass Park • Chicago
Riot Fest Recap: Day Two Recap by Justice Petersen; Photos by Ed Spinelli Riot Fest Day Two – the heat raged on, and so did the music. The renowned music festival continued to showcase this year’s diverse lineup, with the second day featuring highlight acts that leaned more towards techno and alt-pop, as well as […]
Photo Gallery Day Three: Riot Fest at Douglass Park • Chicago
Riot Fest Recap: Day Three Recap by Justice Petersen; Photos by Ed Spinelli After two days of blistering heat, alternative music heads were no longer covered in sweat and melting corpse paint but, instead, rain. Riot Fest’s final day took a turn for heavy downpour and even heavier music, as day three’s headliner was thrash […]
Stage Buzz: Enuff Z’Nuff, Cold Waves, Heart By Heart, Charli XCX, Catfish Keith
Heart was (and is) a rock staple on classic rock radio in the 70s and 80s, and it remains so 40+ years later. Hit singles “Barracuda,” Magic Man,” and “Crazy On You” were groundbreaking, featuring Seattle’s Wilson sisters (Ann and Nancy) and their bandmates. While the original band has gone their separate ways, Founding […]
Live Review and Photo Gallery: Hoodoo Gurus at Thalia Hall • Chicago
Hoodoo Gurus Thalia Hall Chicago, IL Wednesday, September 18, 2024 Review and photos by Jeff Elbel. Australian rockers the Hoodoo Gurus, and their fans have plenty to celebrate in 2024. Built upon raging guitars, thundering drums, catchy melodies, and campy storytelling, the band’s debut album, Stoneage Romeos, still sounds death-defyingly ageless. The Gurus celebrate the […]
Photo Gallery: St. Vincent at Metro • Chicago
St. Vincent Metro Chicago, IL September 18th, 2024 Recap and photos by Curt Baran Chicago’s most venerable music venue, Metro, has hosted countless bands who have delivered legendary performances. Last night, it felt like they’d added another chapter to their history book. Before her performance at Riot Fest this weekend, St. Vincent (Annie Clark) delivered […]
Live Review and Photo Gallery: Crowded House at Ravinia Festival • Highland Park
Crowded House at Ravinia Festival Highland Park, IL Wednesday, September 11, 2024 Review by Jeff Elbel. Photos courtesy of Ravinia Festival/Patrick Gipson. Melodic pop fans who managed a weeknight getaway were treated to a sublime performance by Crowded House on a gorgeous summer night outdoors at Ravinia. Traveling during winter in the southern hemisphere, the […]
Stage Buzz: Riot Fest, Sum 41, Beabadoobee, Prognosis
Indie rockers Joywave have always stayed true to themselves. Never one to pigeonhole their sound, they invite listeners to join them on yet another sonic journey for their fifth album, Permanent Pleasure. See what the band has in store this time when they perform with Hunny at Thalia Hall on Tuesday, September 17th. Find tickets […]
Photo Gallery: Kacey Musgraves • Allstate Arena • Rosemont
Kacey Musgraves Allstate Arena Rosemont, IL September 12th, 2024 Recap and photos by Curt Baran The crossover between the Pop and Country genres of music is certainly not new, but it’s hard not to be impressed when someone like Kacey Musgraves executes it so effortlessly. Her performance this past week at Rosemont, Illinois’ Allstate Arena […]
Photo Gallery: Avril Lavigne • American Family Insurance Amphitheater • Milwaukee WI
Avril Lavigne American Family Insurance Amphitheater Milwaukee, WI September 9th, 2024 Recap and photos by Curt Baran Avril Lavigne is giving the people what they want…all the hits! Back in the early 2000s, the then 16-year-old Canadian unleashed her brand of pop-punk on her debut album, Let Go. She has since gone on to sell […]
Advertiser Message: Dream Theater • March 8, 2005 • Chicago Theatre
It’s on. Heavy progressive rock legends Dream Theater are returning to the Chicago Theatre on March 8, 2025, on their 40th Anniversary Tour. Legendary drummer Mike Portnoy is back in the fold, joined by (vocalist) James LaBrie, (bassist) John Myung, (guitarist) John Petrucci, plus (keyboardist) Jordan Rudess. “This tour is going to be incredibly special for all of us! […]
Stage Buzz: Pendulum, Magdalena Bay, Avril Lavigne
Avril Lavigne is a pop-punk royalty. The Canadian singer/songwriter shook up the scene with hit singles like “Sk8er Boi” and “Complicated,” along with her punk rock style that rekindled the return of loose ties. Hear these hits and other favorites live when Avril Lavigne brings “The Greatest Hits” tour to Huntington Bank Pavilion at Northerly […]
Photo Gallery: Pulp • Aragon Ballroom • Chicago
Pulp Aragon Ballroom Chicago, IL September 8th, 2024 Recap and photos by Curt Baran They gained success during the Brit Pop era with Blur, The Charlatans, Oasis, and dozens of others. By the mid-90s, they had carved out an expansive international audience, spurred by a reputation as an explosive live act. So when the band […]
Stage Buzz: Crowded House at Ravinia • Highland Park
Neil Finn is justifiably recognized as one of his generation’s finest purveyors of tuneful pop. He’s had his biggest impact with adoring audiences alongside founding bandmate Nick Seymour in Crowded House. Hailing from Australia and New Zealand, the group made its major international splash with the mesmerizing crooner and singalong juggernaut “Don’t Dream It’s Over” in […]
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