Recent Articles
Cover Story: Butcher Babies • Double Trouble
From just a quick glance at each other while on stage, Butcher Babies’s duo bombshell vocalists—Heidi Shepherd and Carla Harvey—know exactly what each other is thinking… and they can’t help but to crack up or give each other a sly smile. As best friends performing in a band, Shepherd and Harvey have been slugging it […]
Media: August 2023 • Road to Rock’s New Class
The Illinois Rock and Roll Museum on Route 66 is going to induct a new class to the Hall of Fame on September 17. This year’s musical acts include Earth Wind & Fire, the Cryan Shames, the Shadows of Knight, Nat King Cole, and Miles Davis. John Prine is being inducted into the songwriting […]
Spins: Pete Townshend • Empty Glass (Vinyl Remaster)
The Who’s acclaimed, Rock Hall-of-Fame guitarist’s heralded second album (including breakout AOR single “Rough Boys”) gets a vinyl remaster.
Plus: Pete Townshend and Ronnie Lane’s “Rough Mix”
Stage Buzz: Avenged Sevenfold, Wicker Park Fest, Q101 Piqniq
Avenged Sevenfold became critical darlings of the metal scene with their breakthrough album City of Evil. In the nearly two decades since its release, the band has become heavy metal titans racking up a stream of accolades along the way. Though known for their heavy sound and iconic twin guitar solos, their latest release, Life is […]
Pitchfork Festival 2023 • Day One • Union Park, Chicago
Pitchfork Music Festival Union Park Chicago, IL July 21, 2023 Photos and Recap by Curt Baran A funny thing happened on the way to sundown at the Pitchfork Music Festival. As the sun that hovered over the 2023 incarnation of the fest dipped deeper into its western destination, the volume in Chicago’s Union Park gradually […]
Pitchfork Festival 2023 • Day Two • Union Park, Chicago
Pitchfork Music Festival Day Two Union Park Chicago, IL July 22, 2023 Recap and photos by Curt Baran Hey, it wouldn’t be Pitchfork without a weather evacuation, right?!? Day Two was unfortunately hampered by conditions that forced the park to be briefly closed, which resulted in the cancellation of musical sets from Snail Mail, Palm […]
Pitchfork Festival 2023 • Day Three • Union Park, Chicago
Pitchfork Music Festival Day Three Union Park Chicago, IL July 23, 2023 Recap and photos by Curt Baran Day Three of the Pitchfork Music Festival made its way for the exits in grand fashion. Arguably the most raucous and anticipated day of the extended weekend had performers and attendees alike sweating bullets. Palms, who had […]
Stage Buzz: Pitchfork Fest, Shawnimal, Sad Summer Fest, Snoop Dogg
Pitchfork Festival returns to Union Park this weekend with another stacked lineup. Catch performances from The Smile, Perfume Genius, Big Thief, King Krule, JPEGMAFIA, Hurray for the Riff Raff, Bon Iver, illuminati hotties, Killer Mike, Alvvays, and more. The fun kicks off Friday, July 21 and wraps up Sunday, July 23. Get tickets and […]
Live Review: Cheap Trick at Metro • Chicago
Cheap Trick with Brokeback Sunday, July 16, 2023 Metro, Chicago, IL Review by Jeff Elbel The 40th-anniversary celebration at Chicago’s venerable Metro continued on Sunday by welcoming Rockford’s finest rock and roll export, Cheap Trick, for a sold–out show. The Rock and Roll Hall of Famers maintain a regular presence in the area, but Sunday’s show […]
Photo Gallery: Le Tigre • July 15 • Chicago
Le Tigre The Salt Shed Chicago, IL July 15, 2023 Recap and photos by Curt Baran If the revolution isn’t going to be televised, at least Le Tigre has made certain its soundtrack will be danceable. Rising from the ashes of Bikini Kill, Kathleen Hanna left minimalist punk rock in her rearview mirror to find […]
Stage Buzz: Papa Roach, Kansas, Ed Bassmaster, Blood Red Shoes
Le Tigre, the electro-disco rock band fronted by the original Riot Grrrl Kathleen Hanna, are finally back for their first proper reunion tour in 18 years. Known for mixing punk’s unapologetic political views with high-energy electropop, the band released three studio albums before taking a hiatus in 2007. They’ve had some brief reunions […]
Photo Gallery: Jenny Lewis at The Salt Shed • Chicago
Jenny Lewis The Salt Shed Chicago, IL July 7, 2023 Recap and photos by Curt Baran It’s only the second night of the “Joy’All” tour, but you’d never guess it from the sounds emanating from the stage. Jenny Lewis is tearing through “Psychos,” the first single from her album that shares a name with her […]
Stage Buzz: Sparks, Savage Master, Traveler, Less Than Jake
When Drake made the bold move from acting to rapping, no one could’ve guessed he’d be one of the most prolific rappers of the 21st century. Not only is he among the world’s best-selling artists, but he’s also one of the most influential rappers, old and new, taking after him. Before he drops his […]
Cover Story: Hozier • Beautiful Language
It might not have swept over him like some Hokusai-impressive wave. But Irish folk-rocker Andrew Hozier-Byrne — who records and performs as simply Hozier — has been caught in the subtle currents of spiritual change since he turned 33 this March. It’s the fabled Christ age, when your proper career trajectory is clearly revealed to […]
Stage Buzz: Heavy Chicago Festival at Avondale Hall • Chicago
Chicago’s Avondale Music Hall will be hosting a brand-new metal festival, Heavy Chicago, over two weekends this fall. Beginning on Saturday, October 28, Chicago’s beloved Trouble will be kicking things off with its first local show in five years. “It has been far too long since our last Chicago show, but as we all know, […]
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