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Stage Buzz: Tomorrow Never Knows Festival, Joy Oladokun, Myles Kennedy
Brace yourself against the January freeze to check out rising local indie artists with this yearâs Tomorrow Never Knows festival. Taking place across various venues throughout the city, this yearâs lineup features Half Waif, Airiel, Your Smith, Linda Sol, Maps & Atlases, Been Stellar, Manwolves, and more. Kick off your year by checking out […]
Stage Buzz: Knuckle Puck, CupcaKKe, G Love and Special Sauce
After a six-year wait, Chicago native CupcaKKe returned with her new album, Dauntless Manifesto, last year. And as youâd expect, itâs full of the brazen, unapologetic, and raunchy flows the rapper is known for. She returns to her hometown for a performance at Bottom Lounge this Thursday, January 9th, at 9 PM. If you want […]
Cover Story: Alison Moyet ⢠Legacy is Overrated
 She may not have descended to the cynical, humanity-doubting depths of Moliereâs âThe Misanthrope.â 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 youâre my age or younger, you donât 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 Yearâs Eve shows at Salt Shed. Even better, the performance will be featured on ABCâs 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 âMore 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 groupâs âAdrenaline Gone Ballistic Tour.â The tour rolls into Chicagoâs 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: 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: Thompson Twins ⢠Into the Gap 40th Anniversary LP
Thompson Twins Into the Gap 40th anniversary LP (BMG) Thompson Twinsâ fourth album, Into the Gap, is one of the emblematic New Wave albums of the â80s. The album was a creative, cultural, and commercial smash that saturated radio and then-influential MTV. The albumâs indelible singles include a song of reconciliation, âHold Me Now,â the moody and amorous […]
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 â a perfect backdrop for Burned, the bandâs 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 heâs certainly not a one-hit-wonder. He followed that with another five-year sitcom hit, Bob (heart emoji) Abishola. If youâve ever wondered how to pronounce that correctly, youâre not alone. âIt’s not Bob loves,â Billy explains. […]
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 Beatlesâ Red and Blue compilation albums, along with the bandâs final single, âNow and Then.â This yearâs deluxe offering returns to the Fab Fourâs initial British Invasion to chronicle the music that swept America in 1964. […]
Live Review: David Gilmour at Madison Square Garden ⢠New York, NY
David Gilmour Madison Square Garden New York, NY Sunday, November 10, 2024 Review by Jeff Elbel. Photos by Gavin Elder and Elena Bello. The September release of David Gilmourâs adventurous solo album Luck and Strange was a welcome surprise for fans. At 78 and known to be happy surrounded by family and tinkering in […]
Stage Buzz: Interpol, Modest Mouse Billie Eilish
From âBury a Friendâ to âWhat Was I Made For?â Billie Eilish continues to captivate listeners with her haunting vocals, unique music approach, and confessional lyrics. In support of her latest album, Hit Me Hard and Soft, the singer will play the United Center across two nights with Nat & Alex Wolf. The shows occur […]
Cover Story: Steel Panther ⢠Canât Stop The Rock
When it comes to Steel Panther, no subject matter is off-limits. The Los Angeles âhair metalâ revivalists donât hold back â or sugarcoat anything â when creating the bandâs humorous, tongue-in-cheek lyrics. Tracks such as âAsian Hooker,â âFat Girl (Thar She Blows),â âBig Boobs,â âWeenie Ride,â âGlory Hole,â and many more prove that the band […]
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