Recent Articles
Media: July 2025 • 40 Years of Steve Bertrand
A few weeks ago, WGN Newsman Steve Bertrand celebrated his 40th anniversary at WGN Radio. He was kind enough to sit down and chat with me about his tremendous career. IE: 40 years. I don’t want to say that’s a long time, but they were filming “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off” on your first […]
Stage Buzz: Less Than Jake, Mark Farner, Prairie Fest, Tyler The Creator
Florida’s Less Than Jake proves that ska punk isn’t dead. Though the band has dabbled in other genres, like pop punk and skate punk, they can’t shake their ska roots. This summer, they’ll be celebrating the beloved genre with veteran ska bands Fishbones and The Suicide Machines on their “Summer Circus” tour. The trek pulls […]
Photo Gallery: Queens Of The Stone Age Huntington Bank Pavilion at Northerly Island • Chicago
Queens Of The Stone Age Huntington Bank Pavilion at Northerly Island Chicago, IL June 21st, 2025 Recap and photos by Curt Baran Back in 2000, singer/guitarist Josh Homme probably had no idea that his Queens Of The Stone Age record, Rated R, would somehow build a bridge between metalheads and alternative rock kids. But its […]
Photo Gallery: Perfume Genius • The Vic Theatre • Chicago
Perfume Genius Vic Theatre Chicago, IL June 17th, 2025 Recaps and photos by Curt Baran Micheal Alden Hadreas is his own best stage prop. Performing under the moniker Perfume Genius, his wirey frame, accentuated by pronounced sinew, seems to completely inhabit the music he makes. All of these attributes where on display Tuesday night at […]
Hello My Name Is … Jim Kerr of Simple Minds + Photo Gallery • Friday, June 20: Huntington Bank Pavilion at Northerly Island • Chicago
Although Scottish art-rockers Simple Minds enjoyed massive support in Europe and elsewhere, mainstream success in the United States remained elusive through the early ‘80s. The band had gained a modest foothold with college radio airplay for songs like the shimmering “Promised You a Miracle” from 1982’s New Gold Dream (81-82-83-84) and the anthemic homage to […]
Stage Buzz: Queens of the Stone Age, Dispatch, Halsey, Chicago Pride Parade
Throughout her career, Halsey has pushed the boundaries of pop music and molded them into her own distinctive, undefinable sound. With her distinct singing style and no-holds-barred performances, she is an unapologetic pop rebel. See her in action when she brings the “For My Last Trick” tour to Huntington Bank Pavilion on Tuesday, June 17th, […]
Photo Gallery: Betty Who at The Vic Theatre • Chicago
Betty Who Vic Theatre Chicago, IL June 13th, 2025 Recap and photos by Curt Baran There was a hesitancy in the air that felt almost palpable. Betty Who was back in town, AND she was performing during Pride Month, so the mood inside Chicago’s Vic Theatre should have been ebullient. As a staunch, longtime supporter […]
Stage Buzz: Barenaked Ladies, Bonobo, Taste of Randolph
I’m It’s been more than one week since we’ve seen the Barenaked Ladies, but fear not! The beloved Canadian rock band is returning this year with their Last Summer On Earth Tour. Featuring special guests Guster and Fastball, it’s sure to be a night of groovy tunes, non-stop fun, and lots of dancing. Barenaked Ladies […]
Photo Gallery: Pierce The Veil with Sleeping With Sirens at Credit Union One Amphitheatre
Pierce The Veil with Sleeping with Sirens Credit Union One Amphitheatrep Tinley Park, IL June 7th, 2025 Recap and photos by Curt Baran The outdoor concert season got off to a rousing start in the southern suburbs on Saturday night. Pierce The Veil, the San Diego-based Emo rockers, took the stage and were greeted to […]
Cover Story: The Feelies • Be Kind, Rewind
The Feelies (photo by Doug Seymour) When most rock bands release a new album, it’s usually the hard-won result of weeks, months, sometimes even years of careful consideration and execution. But New Jersey quintet The Feelies recently stumbled on a new, more reckless method of adding a new volume to its […]
Media: June 2025 • Swany Leaves 101.9FM The Mix
WTMX (The Mix) recently announced that midday personality Lisa Allen was leaving the station. The announcement added “along with three other staffers.” When I read that, I had a bad feeling, so I called my old friend John “Swany” Swanson, my co-author of The Radio Producer’s Handbook, and asked him if he was one of […]
Stage Buzz: Push Puppets, Do Division Fest, The Weekend
The Weeknd may have built his career off hit songs like “I Can’t Feel My Face,” “Starboy,” “The Hills,” and “Save Your Tears,” but over the years, he’s proven himself to be a visual artist as well. With innovative technology, stunning light shows, high concepts, and striking costumes, The Weeknd’s performances are indeed a spectacle […]
Live Review and Photo Gallery: AC/DC with The Pretty Reckless at Soldier Field • Chicago
AC/DC with The Pretty Reckless Soldier Field Chicago, IL May 24, 2025 Live Review by Justice Petersen, Photo Gallery by Edward Spinelli Rock legends AC/DC made their return to Chicago’s Soldier Field Saturday, proving that they can still deliver their signature concoction of gritty yet anthemic rock ‘n’ roll with high energy after nearly 50 […]
Live Review: Paul Simon at Symphony Center • Chicago
Paul Simon Symphony Center Chicago Wednesday, May 22, 2025 Review by Jeff Elbel Paul Simon’s appearance in Chicago seven years ago at United Center wasn’t quite the farewell it was purported to be at the time. Those who arrived on Wednesday for the first of Simon’s three-night stand at the comparatively intimate Symphony Center, however, […]
Stage Buzz: AC/DC, Post Malone, Youth Code
Is Post Malone a rapper? Country superstar? A sensitive rocker? He’s all of the above. From hip hop to hard rock, Post Malone has spanned multiple genres and shows no sign of stopping. Refusing to be pigeonholed, he breaks the rules of genre to create music that’s soul-bearing, heartfelt, and provocative. Post Malone will perform […]
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