Archive for 2025
Photo Gallery: The Pixies and Spoon at Salt Shed • Chicago
The Pixies and Spoon Salt Shed Chicago, IL September 15, 2025 Recap and Gallery by Curt Baran Even by ’90s alt-rock standards, Pixies were weird. They sang songs about Surrealism, existential dread, drug dealers, art films, and fringe artists. For their trouble, they were met with critical acclaim and some minor commercial success. By 1993, […]
Photo Galley: Rilo Kelly at Frederik Meijer Gardens • Grand Rapids, MI
Rilo Kelly Frederik Meijer Gardens Grand Rapids, MI September 14, 2025 Recap and photo by Curt Baran “I think it’s going to be a special night. We’re playing in the Garden of Eden!” It turns out that Jenny Lewis is a pretty good prognosticator. The Frederik Meijer Garden Amphitheater is a 2000-capacity music shell dropped […]
Stage Buzz: Riot Fest, Tacos and Tequila Festival, Tomorrow X Together, Rhapsody of Fire with Witherfall
Cancel your dinner plans for Thursday night, the Forge in Joliet will be serving a smorgasbord of Heavy Metal. Headliners are Italian symphonic power metal stalwarts Rhapsody of Fire, who are touring in support of 2024’s Challenge the Wind, as well as celebrating the 25th anniversary of their classic Dawn of Victory album. LA’s Witherfall also […]
Live Review: Supergrass at The Riviera Theatre • Chicago
Supergrass The Riviera Theatre Chicago, IL September 9, 2025 Review and photos by Jeff Elbel. Supergrass may not have scaled the same heights in North America as Britpop frontrunners, including the Verve, Blur, or touring hosts Radiohead during the ’90s and early ’00s, but the band from Oxford, England, made an indelible mark and […]
Live Review: The Who at United Center • Chicago
The Who United Center Chicago, IL September 7, 2025 Review by Jeff Elbel When the Who undertook their first farewell “Schlitz” tour in 1982, fans took them at their word and packed arenas. The British rockers even released a successful live album called Who’s Last in 1984. The following year, the band was strong-armed by […]
Stage Buzz: Mudvayne, Lady Gaga, YUNGBLUD
Dominic Richard Harrison, better known as YUNGBLUD, fuses his love of hip-hop, post punk, punk rock, and pop punk for a sound that can only be defined as “YUNGBLUD.” He continues to evolve on his newest album, Idols, which may be his most ambitious record yet. Hear cuts from the new album along with fan […]
Photo Gallery: System of a Down at Soldier Field • Chicago
System of a Down with Avenged Sevenfold August 31, 2025 Soldier Field Chicago, IL Recap and photos by Edward Spinelli; additional photo by Clemente Ruiz After three sold-out shows at the historic lakefront venue (Oasis, My Chemical Romance, The Lumineers), System of a Down arrived at Soldier Field (with Avenged Sevenfold) for their penultimate debut […]
Stage Buzz: Finn Wolfhard, PUP, Clipse
Finn Wolfhard is best known for playing Mike Wheeler on Netflix’s hit Stranger Things, but in recent years, he’s set his sights on his other passion: music. After spending time in bands Calpurnia and The Aubreys, Wolfhard released his debut solo album, Happy Birthday, this past June. Hear Wolfhard’s jangly, indie pop sound when he […]
Cover Story: The Barbarians of California • From L.A. to Riot Fest
At first glance, the Barbarians of California seemingly appeared out of nowhere. For Aaron Bruno and Eric Stenman, this has been decades in the making. The hardcore scene is one of Bruno’s first loves. He discovered the music during a pivotal time in his life as a 14-year-old punk skater. He was not only […]
Media: September 2025 • John Owens’ Passion Project
You may not realize it, but you have either read or watched the work of John Owens if you lived in Chicago any time over the past 35 years. He wrote for The Chicago Reader (including a front page piece at the young age of 21) and the Chicago Tribune (for 28 years). But […]
Stage Buzz: Billy Bob Thornton & The Boxmasters at Joe’s Live September 16 • Rosemont
The Boxmasters — featuring musician/actor Billy Bob Thornton and guitarist J.D. Andrew – plays an amalgam of twangy country music, jangling rockabilly, and infectious pop, with large doses of Americana and British Invasion influences. Although most people are primarily familiar with Thornton as an actor, music was his first love. Thornton initially started out as […]
Photo Gallery: The Lumineers at Soldier Field • Chicago
The Lumineers August 30, 2025 Soldier Field Chicago, IL Recap and photos by Curt Baran The Lumineers perform music that wouldn’t feel out of place being performed on a dilapidated front porch adjacent to a gravel road. Yet there they were on a perfect Chicago summer evening, taking the stage inside a massive football stadium. […]
Live Review: Oasis • Soldier Field • Chicago
Oasis August 28, 2025 Soldier Field Chicago, IL Review by Jessi Roti For some people, the thought of being confined to a space amongst 70,000 people singing “Wonderwall” is their worst nightmare. Then there are Oasis fans. Some of whom have waited nearly 20 years to do it. Because you HAVE to sing along […]
Photo Gallery: My Chemical Romance at Soldier Field • Chicago
My Chemical Romance Soldier Field Chicago, IL August 28, 2025 Recap and photos by Curt Baran Is Classic Rock getting younger? Over the past week or so, the city has welcomed visits from rock radio staples such as Oasis and Nine Inch Nails. But unlike those Gen X-leaning acts, My Chemical Romance has not so […]
Stage Buzz: Oasis, System of a Down, The Black Parade
Oasis shocked everyone when they reunited earlier this year. The Gallagher brothers achieved legendary status thanks to iconic songs like “Wonderwall” and their constant bickering. With their deadpan style, poignant lyrics, and retro-tinged sound, they became the Kings of Britpop – a title they retain to this day. Oasis brings their highly anticipated reunion tour […]
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