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Stage Buzz Q&A: The Darkness • Appearing at The Vic Theatre • Chicago
Stage Buzz: The Darkness Q&A with Frankie Poullain Written by Jeff Elbel British band The Darkness made an auspicious arrival in North America in 2003. The band’s bombastic lead single, “I Believe in a Thing Called Love,” was an explosive blast of hard rock replete with a soaring falsetto melody, rich harmonies, guitar heroics by […]
Stage Buzz: Asking Alexandria, Run The Jewels, Maneskin, Riot V
For the past 15 years, Asking Alexandria has been one of the most dominating forces in rock and metal. Having experienced many ups and downs throughout their career, the band is stronger than ever, as heard on their latest album, Where Do We Go From Here? The band will celebrate their latest and greatest […]
Spins: Bob Dylan • Shadow Kingdom • Appearing at Cadillac Theatre • Chicago
Bob Dylan Shadow Kingdom (Columbia/Legacy) The pandemic lockdown finally brought Bob Dylan’s Never Ending Tour to a halt in 2020 after 31 years on the road. A few short months before resuming band travel in late 2021, the Bard gathered a stripped-down ensemble of trusted players for a streamed concert in July as a […]
Stage Buzz: Royal Blood, Dethklok, Ben Gibbard
The world’s most popular, successful, and dangerous metal is finally back after a lengthy 11-year break. Dethklok made their grand return this year with their highly anticipated new album Dethalbum IV and new movie Metalocalypse: Army of the Doomstar. Prepare for face-melting riffs, spine-crushing drum fills, and blood-curdling screams when the band delivers the […]
Photo Gallery: Riot Fest 2023 • Day One • Douglass Park • Chicago
Riot Fest 2023 Day One Douglass Park September 17, 2023 Chicago, IL Recap and photos by Curt Baran As the 2023 festival season draws to a close and summer winds down, Riot Fest takes its annual shot at pushing the sun up into the sky one last time. The punk-centric gathering of the tribes may […]
Photo Gallery: Riot Fest 2023 • Day Two • Douglass Park • Chicago
Riot Fest 2023 Day Two Douglass Park September 16, 2023 Chicago, IL Douglass Park greeted attendees of the second day of Riot Fest with open arms. The open spaces on Chicago’s West side were eventually packed with bodies on another ideal late summer day. Fans queued up early at the Roots stage to watch Queens […]
Photo Gallery: Riot Fest 2023 • Day Three • Douglass Park • Chicago
Riot Fest 2023 Day One Douglass Park September 17, 2023 Chicago, IL Recap and photo gallery by Curt Baran Heavy rain in Chicago and its suburbs delayed Riot Fest’s opening for 2 hours on its final day bringing back memories of “Riot Fest weather” from its days when the festival was held in Humboldt Park […]
Live Review: Honeymoon Suite with Aldo Nova at Arcada Theatre • St. Charles
Honeymoon Suite, Aldo Nova The Arcada Theatre, St. Charles, IL Friday, September 15, 2023 Review by Jeff Elbel Fans of Canadian rock flocked to the Arcada Theatre on Friday for rare local appearances by ’80s hitmakers Honeymoon Suite and Aldo Nova. Hailing from Niagara Falls, Ontario, Honeymoon Suite arrived to play a 65-minute opening set […]
Spins: Repentance • The Process of Human Demise
Repentance The Process of Human Demise (Nobel Demon) Local metal journeyman Shaun Glass (Sindrome, Soil, The Bloodline, Dirge Within, Broken Hope) has been an integral and crucial part of the Chicago metal scene for decades. With his “new” band Repentance, Glass has been highly prolific since its 2018 formation by releasing an EP and two […]
Stage Buzz: Hozier, Supernatural, Time Zone, SWAK, Riot Fest, Smashing Pumpkins
Irish singer-songwriter Hozier, may be known for his groundbreaking single “Take Me to Church,” but that was just the beginning. He comes to Chicago’s Huntington Bank Pavilion on Tuesday, September 12, after a triumphant pop-up show at Metro in June. AKA Andrew Hozier-Byrne’s third album Unreal Unearth dropped in August – he proves himself to […]
Advertiser Message: Time Zone at City Winery Chicago • Monday, September 18
Time Zone Monday, September 18 City Winery Chicago, IL Listen to new TIME ZONE music – there are 3 tunes here in their original pre-mixed and pre-mastered status that will end up on the group’s debut album, with the working title “Stereopticon.” Time Zone makes its debut this month at City Winery Chicago on Monday, […]
Recap and Photo Gallery: Pearl Jam at United Center • Chicago
Pearl Jam United Center Chicago, IL September 5, 2023 Recap and photos by Curt Baran Pearl Jam came to play! The Seattle quintet (fleshed out to 7 players on this tour) has become increasingly more squeamish about touring post-COVID. Their album Gigaton was released nearly two and a half years ago, but the band has […]
Stage Buzz: Pearl Jam, Taste of Chicago, Cake
Pearl Jam is one of the most acclaimed and outspoken survivors from Seattle’s grunge rock era. With songs dealing with difficult topics, such as loss, self-harm, depression, and loneliness, their music continues to reach listeners far and wide. The iconic band will perform hits spanning their wide catalog during their two-night stint at the […]
Photo Gallery: Rob Zombie, Alice Cooper, Ministry, and Filter • Credit Union 1 Amphitheatre • Tinley Park
Rob Zombie, Alice Cooper, Ministry, and Filter Credit Union 1 Amphitheatre Tinley Park, IL September 1, 2023 Recap and photos by Curt Baran Multiple generations flocked to Tinley Park this weekend for all the Metal they could handle. The Freaks On Parade tour fulfilled its promise of evil clowns, an undead ring leader, video screen […]
Live Review & Photo Gallery: Duran Duran with Nile Rodgers and Chic and Bastille at Charter One Pavilion • Chicago
Duran Duran Charter One Pavilion at Northerly Island Chicago, IL Friday, September 1, 2023 Review by Jeff Elbel. Photos by Philamonjaro. With temperatures in the mid-70s and clear skies, it was a perfect Friday night in the fading summer for a concert outdoors along Lake Michigan. ‘80s alternative-pop survivors Duran Duran arrived at Northerly […]
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