Recent Articles
Feature Story: Jay O’Rourke
If the Chicago music scene had a spine, Jay OâRourke would one of its vertebrae. Heâs been around a while, worked with some great artists as producer and engineer, and tasted some brief major-label success. But it wasnât until now, 40 years into his story, that he says heâs found his voice. Last month […]
Stage Buzz: Chicago Open Air 2019
The first volley of Chicago’s rock festivals scheduled for 2019 was announced this morning as Chicago Open Air unveiled their 2019 line-up at SeatGeek Stadium (formerly Toyota Park) in Bridgeview. The 2-Day festival returns next May after taking a sabbatical in 2018. Headliners announced include California hard-rockers System Of A Down, L.A.’s acclaimed heavy rockers […]
Photo Gallery: Thom Yorke at Chicago Theatre
When Radioheadâs extensive tour for their 2016 release A Moon Shaped Pool came to a triumphant end this past summer, apparently one of its members still had some fuel left in his tank. Lead singer Thom Yorke immersed himself in recording the soundtrack to the motion picture Suspiria and almost immediately headed back out onto […]
Photo Gallery: Ministry at The Forge of Joliet
It was a homecoming of sorts at The Forge last Thursday as Ministry returned to the Chicago area where their careers got started on Wax Trax Records. As expected Al Jourgensen dominated the night, backed by his dynamic 2018 version of the band. Ed Spinelli captured all the action.
Live Review: Nathaniel Rateliff and the Night Sweats
Nathaniel Rateliff and the Night Sweats Aragon Ballroom Thursday, November 29, 2018 On Thursday, radio station WKQX closed the first of five nights of its âThe Nights We Stole Christmasâ series at the Aragon Ballroom with a sold-out headlining set by Denverâs Nathaniel Rateliff and the Night Sweats. The sweat-soaked performance began with the deep […]
Media: December 2018
As 2018 comes to an end and a new year begins, itâs time once again to pay tribute to the people who passed away this year. Once again, we lost some of the all-time Chicago greats. Among them, the long-time anchor and reporter Warner Saunders. Saundersâ award-winning 29-year stint at NBC-5 in Chicago touched countless […]
Cover Story: Old 97s
Rhett Miller tried incredibly hard not to let it bother him. He really did. But then he made the unfortunate mistake of looking up the numbers, and the usually calm, cool, and collected Old 97s bandleader went ballistic because the numbers didnât lie. âLast Christmasâ by frickinâ George Michael â God rest his soul â […]
Stage Buzz Q&A: Nonpoint at The Forge of Joliet
Recent transplants from Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, alt-groove metal band Nonpoint now call Chicago their second home. Vocalist Elias Soriano, drummer Robb Rivera, guitarists Rasheed Thomas and B.C. Kochmit, and bassist Adam Woloszyn make a quick return to Chi-Town on their latest tour, playing The Forge in Joliet on Nov. 28. On the band’s 10th […]
Live Review: Echo and The Bunnymen at the Vic Theatre
Echo & the Bunnymen The Vic Theatre November 24, 2018 Liverpool may have been put on the map by the Beatles, but Echo and the Bunnymen continue to prove that the town in Northwest England has other musical gifts to offer the world. On Saturday, the Bunnymen returned to Chicago with a six-piece lineup […]
Photo Gallery: Tenacious D at The Riviera Theatre
Uptown Chicago was graced with the presence of the self-proclaimed âgreatest and bestâ band in the world Tuesday and Wednesday night. Tenacious D, the comedic folk-metal duo, descended on a sold out Riviera Theatre for two nights of bathroom humor delivered with the contradictory assault of acoustic heaviness. Actors Jack Black and partner Kyle Gass […]
Cover Story and Gallery: The Struts
It was a popular, yet perhaps far-fetched concept that was titillating impressionable society a few years back. And it was relatively simple, all told, and loosely based on comic Danny Wallaceâs book Yes Man, which was later satirized to a zanier degree in Jim Carreyâs film version of the same name: If you simply responded […]
Stage Buzz Q&A: Brian Wilson at Horseshoe Casino
Legendary Beach Boys vocalist and songwriter Brian Wilson is touring this fall behind the Christmas version of his live show (“The Christmas Album Live”) to the Horseshoe Casino, November 30th, bringing along Beach Boy sidekick Al Jardine to join in on his holiday performance. IE’s Andy Argyrakis spoke to Wilson last week, and though he’s a […]
Photo Gallery: Keller Williams’ Duo at City Winery
IE’s Ed Spinelli caught the uber-talented acoustic guitar pioneer Keller Williams, who is touring with big bass sidekick Danton Boller in a super intimate acoustic show at City Winery last Thursday.
Spins: The Beatles – The White Album at 50
The Beatles The Beatles (aka The White Album) anniversary editions (Apple/Universal) Following 2017âs 50th anniversary retooling of Sgt. Pepperâs Lonely Hearts Club Band, producer George Martinâs son Giles Martin takes a deep dive into the original White Album reels for a revelatory remix. Pepperâs remix incited heated debate. On one side were fans (and even […]
Photo Gallery: Good Charlotte at the Riviera Theatre
Although theyâre not exactly applying for AARP cards just yet, Waldorf, Marylandâs Good Charlotte is now entering its third decade as a band. Back in the mid-’90s, the Madden brothers, Benji and Joel, rode the initial punk-pop wave that today is influencing bands like 5 Seconds of Summer. Their 2018 release is titled Generation Rx […]
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