Recent Articles
Live Review: Chris Knight at The Venue ⢠Aurora
Chris Knight The Venue Aurora, IL October 6, 2022 Review by William Tokash Chris Knightâs heartfelt set at The Venue on Thursday night highlighted a key aspect that serves as a benchmark to assess the depth of songwriting brilliance: over 90% of all singer-songwriters never write a single song as good as a Chris Knight […]
Photo Gallery: Wolf Alice at The Vic Theatre ⢠Chicago
Wolf Alice Vic Theatre Chicago, IL October 6, 2022 Recap and photos by Curt Baran Time spent with Wolf Alice is always time well spent. Over the cycle of three records, the band has honed their skills to become one of the preeminent live bands out there doing it right now. The London quartet (expanded […]
Live Review and Photo Gallery : Iron Maiden at United Center ⢠Chicago
Iron Maiden: Legacy of the Beast tour United Center, Chicago, IL Wednesday, October 5, 2022 Review by Jeff Elbel; (Photo Gallery by Curt Baran) With Halloween fast approaching, what better time could there be to catch Iron Maidenâs literally incendiary heavy metal show and its creepy accouterments? The bandâs Legacy of the Beast tour returned to Chicago […]
Stage Buzz: Palaye Royal, Harry Styles, B-52s, Michael Schenker
Take a dash of The Rolling Stones, add a pinch of David Bowie, mix in a dash of Small Faces and a hint of My Chemical Romance and youâve got Palaye Royale. They fuse their love of brit-pop, glam rock, and art rock to create a style they dub as âfashion-art rock.â Their infectious […]
Live Review and Photo Gallery: Gorillaz at United Center ⢠Chicago
Gorillaz United Center, Chicago, IL Monday, October 3, 2022 Review by Jeff Elbel. Photo Gallery by Curt Baran. Four years to the month after bringing The Now Now Tour to Chicago, Gorillaz ringleader Damon Albarn brought his live bandmates, guest performers, and cartoon avatars for a return visit to the United Center on Monday. […]
Stage Buzz: Joe Satriani at Chicago Theatre October 12 ⢠Chicago
Joe Satriani Wednesday, October 12 Chicago Theatre Chicago, IL Guitar great Joe Satriani made a splash with Surfing With The Alien in 1987, redefining the modern era of guitar heroes. After 18 albums and 15 Grammy nominations later, he continues to break ground on his instrument. Touring this Fall supporting his latest album, The Elephants of […]
October 2022: Media ⢠Svengoolie Spooktacular
Did Rich Koz think heâd be doing the character of Svengoolie this long? âNot at all. That wasnât even in my mind when I got the show at WFLD in 1979,â he says. âI just thought, âwow, this is really cool, I got a job, and Iâm on TV.â I never thought, âyeah, Iâll still […]
Cover Story: Lamb of God ⢠Revitalize The Soil
Itâs never a good battle strategy to telegraph your punches, swears Lamb of God growler L. Randall Blythe. Several years ago, he foresaw a possible post-EMP, Road Warrior atavistic future when banks have all failed and suggested, matter-of-factly, that when the grid went down, it would just be âme and my guns.â Did the Virginian have […]
Stage Buzz: Megadeth, New Order and Pet Shop Boys, Gorillaz, Iron Maiden
Megadeth, one of the big four in metal, continues holding their title as absolute legends of the genre. Rising from the ashes of Dave Mustaineâs short stint in Metallica, the band has firmly stood on its own for nearly 40 years. Clearly, they have no plans on becoming a legacy act as they just released […]
Live Review and Photo Gallery: Porcupine Tree at Auditorium ⢠Chicago
Porcupine Tree Tuesday, September 20, 2022 Auditorium Theatre, Chicago, IL Review by Jeff Elbel. Photos by Andy Argyrakis, courtesy of Auditorium Theatre. Given Steven Wilsonâs prolific nature and the strength of his solo activity, many fans received a welcome shock upon the reignition of progressive rock torchbearers Porcupine Tree. The bandâs eleventh full-length album, Closure/Continuationarrived in […]
Live Review and Photo Gallery: The Killers with Johnny Marr at United Center ⢠Chicago
The Killers/Johnny Marr Wednesday, Sept 21 United Center Chicago, IL Review by Andy Argyrakis and photos by Chris Phelps For nearly two decades, The Killers have consistently crafted dependable hits with one foot moving feverishly on the dance floor and the other planted firmly in the heartland. That juxtaposition couldnât be more apparent on the […]
Photo Gallery: Smashing Pumpkins at Metro ⢠Chicago
Smashing Pumpkins Tuesday, September 20 Metro Chicago Chicago, IL Review by Jaime deâMedici; Photos by Curt Baran Thereâs no concert hall more meaningful for The Smashing Pumpkins, and by extension, the bandâs fanbase, than Metro Chicago. Any true fan, and even many casual fans, are almost certainly aware of the bandâs extensive history with the northside […]
Live Review: Roxy Music at United Center ⢠Chicago
Roxy Music United Center, Chicago Tuesday, September 19, 2022 Review by Jeff Elbel. Photos by Curt Baran. Can it really be 50 years since the release of Roxy Musicâs self-titled debut album? The English bandâs music documented across seven albums spanning 1972 to 1982, still seems modern and forward-looking, even considering the longstanding acclaim that […]
Stage Buzz: Heaven 17, Prognosis, Ivy Ford Band, Damaged Justice
Some of the best ânewâ blues players in the city are now women. You can add Ivy Ford and her band near the top of that list. Her soulful voice matches her abilities on the guitar. Raised in Waukegan, Fordâs self-released albums  (Harvesting My Roots is an in-office favorite) show sheâs become one of […]
Photo Gallery: Riot Fest 2022 ⢠Day One ⢠Douglass Park ⢠Chicago
Riot Fest Day One Douglass Park Chicago, IL September 16, 2022 Words and photos by Curt Baran They waited. They waited again. They waited some more. But this past weekend, their patience finally paid off. Way back in the pre-pandemic days, word went out that My Chemical Romance would reunite and play Riot Fest. Given […]
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