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Pitchfork Festival 2024 • Day Two (Part Two)
Pitchfork Music Festival Union Park Saturday, July 20 Chicago, IL Attendees for Day Two were greeted by perfect festival weather (80 degrees and sunny) and endless options from the day’s musical menu. Headliner Jamie xx took care of the techno crowd, but the afternoon and evening also featured performances from Lifeguard (Chicago’s own), L’Rain, Kara […]
Photo Gallery: Def Leppard, Journey and Steve Miller Band at Wrigley Field • Chicago
Def Leppard Journey The Steve Miller Band Wrigley Field Chicago, IL July 15, 2024 Recap and photos by Curt Baran The Northside’s shining diamond turned itself into a Wayback machine. To see the names Def Leppard, Journey, and The Steve Miller Band on the marquee would’ve had one believing it was a “World Series of […]
Stage Buzz: Pitchfork Music Fest, Model/Actriz, Halestorm, Limp Bizkit
Pitchfork Music Festival returns to Union Park this weekend for three days of great music, lots of dancing, and good vibes. This year’s lineup features headliners Black Pumas, Jamie xx, and Alanis Morissette. Other acts on the bill include 100 gecs Jai Paul, Carly Rae Jepsen, De La Soul, Bratmobile, Brittany Howard, Grandmaster Flash, […]
Stage Buzz: Windy City Smokeout, Square Roots Fest, Mother Mother, Pussy Riot
One of Chicago’s most beloved music fests that haven’t fled to the suburbs this year, Windy City Smokeout, is back in the United Center parking lot this weekend with an impressive country lineup, including Thomas Rhett, Parker McCollum, Cody Johnson, and Carrie Underwood. The event also features some of the country’s best BBQ and craft […]
Stage Buzz: EKKSTACY, NASCAR: The Chainsmokers, The Black Keys, Keith Urban, and Lauren Alaina, The Wallflowers
The Wallflowers, led by Jakob Dylan, are still going strong over 30 years since their debut. Though their most recent album, Exit Wounds, came out in 2021, they’ll forever be known for their ‘90s staples “One Headlight,” “6th Avenue Heartache,” “The Difference,” and “Three Marlenas.” Hear the latest and greatest from the band during […]
Live Review: The Church at Summerfest • Milwaukee, WI
The Church Summerfest, Milwaukee, WI Saturday, June 29, 2024 Review by Jeff Elbel After a damp and gloomy Friday in Chicago, Steve Kilbey recognized a good thing when The Church took the stage for the headlining slot at Summerfest’s Miller Lite Oasis on Saturday. He greeted the crowd and remarked upon the “perfect […]
Cover Story: Plain White T’s: The Timing is Right
It’s 2024, and somehow, “Hey There Delilah” is making headlines. Again. The iconic Plain White T’s song went viral when Drake and parody rapper Snowd4y shared their version entitled “Wah Gawn Deliah.” So, what did Plain White T’s singer/songwriter Tom Higgenson think? He’s flattered but still questions if it’s real. Yet, he’s in awe […]
Media: July 2024 • 45th Anniversary of Disco Demolition: A Loop Insider’s Story
In the heyday of the late ’70s and early ’80s, Loop (WLUP, 97.9 FM) was owned by Congressman Cecil Heftel of Heftel Broadcasting. The president of Heftel Broadcasting was Tom Hoyt. A few photos of Hoyt appear in my book The Loop Files, as do a few stories told by him during his Heftel […]
Photo Gallery: Santana with Counting Crows • Credit Union 1 Amphitheatre • Tinley Park
Santana with Counting Crows Credit Union 1 Amphitheatre Tinley Park Saturday, June 29, 2024 Recap and gallery by Curt Baran Two titans of the San Francisco Bay Music scene touched down in suburban Tinley Park this past weekend. ‘60’s legend Carlos Santana, who, at age 76, may have spent the majority of his set playing […]
Stage Buzz: Rolling Stones, Hawthorne Heights, Third Eye Blind
The Rolling Stones are defying the odds. The original bad boys of rock are still touring and making new music 62 years (!) in their career. Their 24th album, Hackney Diamonds, dropped last year. But it’s classics like “Start Me Up,” “Miss You,” “Paint It Black,” “Sympathy for the Devil,” “Jumpin’ Jack Flash,” and “(I […]
Stage Buzz: Brigitte Calls Me Baby, Big Suit
Actor, global superstar, dancer, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee. Janet Jackson has done it all. Even this far into her career, Ms. Jackson shows no signs of stopping. One of the most influential women in R&B/Pop, she still knows how to put on a killer show. See it for yourself when she performs […]
Live Review: Robert Plant & Alison Krauss • Ravinia Festival • Highland Park
Robert Plant & Alison Krauss Ravinia Festival Highland Park, IL Wednesday, June 12, 2024 Review by Jeff Elbel. Photos by Kyle Dunleavy/Ravinia Festival. Wednesday’s concert at Ravinia Festival celebrated the seemingly serendipitous pairing of rock legend Robert Plant and bluegrass torchbearer Alison Krauss. While emphasizing roots music and Americana, the bandleaders’ partnership testified to the […]
Photo Gallery: Sarah McLachlan • Huntington Bank Pavilion • Chicago
Sarah McLachlan Huntington Bank Pavilion Chicago, IL June 11, 2024 Recap and photos by Curt Baran If you closed your eyes, it was as if you’d been transported back to 1994. Sarah McLachlan began singing “Possession” from her Fumbling Toward Ecstasy album from that year and it sounded as if her voice had been cryogenically […]
Stage Buzz: The Dead Daisies with Enuff Z’Nuff, Lyrical Lemonade Summer Smash, PVRIS
Heavy rock supergroup The Dead Daisies, led by ex-Motley Crue vocalist John Corabi, arrive at Arcada Theatre on Wednesday, June 12. Touring in support of their new single “Light Em Up” (and new album in September), expect an evening of classic tracks (“Rise Up,” “Long Way to Go”) from their decade together. Local glam rockers […]
Photo Gallery: Khruangbin • June 7 • Chicago
Khruangbin The Salt Shed Chicago, IL June 7, 2024 Recap and photos by Curt Baran Few celebrate summer like Chicago. It seemingly takes forever to arrive and vanishes in an eye blink. So, when an evening presents itself as the perfect combination of weather and soundtrack, it feels like an absolute victory. Such was the […]
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