Recent Articles
Cover Story: Alison Moyet • Legacy is Overrated
She may not have descended to the cynical, humanity-doubting depths of Moliere’s “The Misanthrope.” But synth-pop diva turned Neo-soul stylist Alison Moyet could be getting awfully close. The French-descended, English-bred artist first conquered worldwide charts via Yazoo (or just Yaz Stateside), her memorable duo with ex-Depeche Mode keyboardist Vince Clarke, and […]
Media: January 2025 • Gone, But Not Forgotten
Every year, I write a piece about the people that we lost in the Chicago media world the previous year. We lost some great talent in 2024. Bob Newhart (July) If you’re my age or younger, you don’t remember a time when Bob Newhart was not famous. Bob was an ordinary Chicagoan when […]
Stage Buzz: NYE: Lake Street Dive, Local H, Laura Jane Grace, Mr. Blotto
Lake Street Dive will perform a pair of New Year’s Eve shows at Salt Shed. Even better, the performance will be featured on ABC’s Countdown Chicago with hosts Terrell Brown and Cheryl Scott. The celebration goes down at Salt Shed on Monday, December 30th, and Tuesday, December 31st, with support from Theo Katzman. Grab tickets […]
Advertiser Message: Drive Well Auto Spa • Mount Prospect
For multitaskers who value mental health as well as a gleaming ride, Mt. Prospect is now home to a facility that is ready to serve both needs. Drive Well Auto Spa elevates the strictly utilitarian purpose of a drive-through car wash with immersive sight and sound. Owners Sanjay and Gita Murthy promise “More than a […]
Stage Buzz: Daughtry, Suki Waterhouse, The Effigies, Trans-Siberian Orchestra
Grammy award-winning rockers Daughtry will treat fans to hit singles, acoustic renditions, and cover songs during the group’s “Adrenaline Gone Ballistic Tour.” The tour rolls into Chicago’s Radius this Tuesday, December 17th, at 6:30 PM with special guests Sleep Theory and Devour the Day. Treat yourself to an early gift and grab tickets here. Suki […]
Live Review and Gallery: Andrew Bird’s Gezelligheid • Fourth Presbyterian Church • Chicago
Andrew Bird’s Gezelligheid Fourth Presbyterian Church Chicago, IL December 13, 2024 Review and photos by Jeff Elbel Thanks to Andrew Bird, Chicagoans have known since 2009 that “gezelligheid” is a Dutch term that loosely translates to “coziness.” On Friday, Bird concluded a seven-night string of his Gezelligheid concerts celebrating the season in the beautiful […]
Stage Buzz: Twisted Xmas: Smashing Pumpkins, All American Rejects, plus Umphrey’s McGee
Q101’s holiday tradition, Twisted Xmas, kicks off this week with a series of can’t-miss shows that will get you in the holiday spirit or (hopefully) help you escape the reigns of the Christmas Queen (aka Mariah Carey). The series of concerts kicks off on Tuesday, December 10th, with performances from Cage the Elephant and Franz […]
Live Review: Lou Gramm All Stars • Arcada Theatre • St. Charles
Lou Gramm All-Stars Arcada Theatre St. Charles, IL December 5, 2024 Review by Jeff Elbel Singer and songwriter Lou Gramm returned to his regular haunt at the Arcada Theatre to warm up a cold Thursday night in December. The original voice of newly minted Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductees Foreigner delivered 80 […]
Spins: Buck Curran • One Evening and Other Folk Songs
Buck Curran One Evening and Other Folk Songs (ESP-Disk’/Obsolete Recordings) Singer-songwriter Buck Curran offers the aptly named One Evening and Other Folk Songs as a snapshot of creative evolution since 2020’s No Love is Sorrow. Learned quickly and captured mostly in intuitive live takes in an Italian studio, these psychedelic folk songs find Curran and […]
Spins: Thompson Twins • Into the Gap 40th Anniversary LP
Thompson Twins Into the Gap 40th anniversary LP (BMG) Thompson Twins’ fourth album, Into the Gap, is one of the emblematic New Wave albums of the ‘80s. The album was a creative, cultural, and commercial smash that saturated radio and then-influential MTV. The album’s indelible singles include a song of reconciliation, “Hold Me Now,” the moody and amorous […]
Spins: Neon Horse • Habit of Creature
Neon Horse Habit of Creature (Velvet Blue) The originally clandestine gothic rockers Neon Horse released a second full-length album called Haunted Horse: Songs of Love, Defiance, and Delusion in 2009. Already about as underground as they come, the band went further underground. Fifteen years later, the disbanded band has re-banded to lob this Molotov […]
Cover Story: The Effigies • The Spirit of the Scene
At its outset, 2023 looked to be an unexpected banner year for Chicago punk-scene legends The Effigies. COVID had finally waned, national concert attendance had rebounded, and the once-moribund music business itself was on a creative upswing — a perfect backdrop for Burned, the band’s latest (fifth) album, a surprise power-chorded treat for longtime fans […]
Media: December 2024 • Chicago “Hearts” Billy Gardell
Billy Gardell became a household name while co-starring with Melissa McCarthy in the (2010-2016) sitcom Mike & Molly, but he’s certainly not a one-hit-wonder. He followed that with another five-year sitcom hit, Bob (heart emoji) Abishola. If you’ve ever wondered how to pronounce that correctly, you’re not alone. “It’s not Bob loves,” Billy explains. […]
Stage Buzz: Deacon Blues at Des Plaines Theatre
Deacon Blues Friday, November 29 Des Plaines Theatre Des Plaines, IL The acclaimed Chicago-based Steely Dan tribute Deacon Blues celebrates the holidays annually with a post Thanksgiving show at Arcada Theatre. The band is giving northwest-siders a treat this year by bringing the show to the Des Plaines Theatre Friday, November 29 to treat fans […]
Spins: The Beatles • 1964 US Albums in Mono 8xLP Box Settings
The Beatles 1964 US Albums in Mono 8xLP box (Apple/Universal) The 2023 holiday season saw the release of the Beatles’ Red and Blue compilation albums, along with the band’s final single, “Now and Then.” This year’s deluxe offering returns to the Fab Four’s initial British Invasion to chronicle the music that swept America in 1964. […]
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