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Media ⢠April 2024 ⢠Me-TV FM’s Deep Cuts
After a 20+ year stretch on the air in Chicago (WCKG, WLUP, and the Drive), most music fans know Phil Manicki as a disc jockey. But before he became known on the air, Phil had a vibrant background in programming, and that history is helping him in his new role as the program director of […]
Cover Story: Elbow ⢠Love & Friendship
In Almost Famous, Cameron Croweâs semi-autobiographical film covering his early mid-â70s music-scribe years, Philip Seymour Hoffman â channeling legendary rock critic Lester Bangs â has some sage advice for Patrick Fugitâs earnest teen hopeful William Miller. In the cold, cutthroat new world heâs entering of publicists, exotic junkets, free booze, and possibly drugs, itâs all […]
Live Review & Photo Gallery: Mitski at Auditorium Theatre ⢠Chicago
Mitski Auditorium Theatre, Chicago, IL Review of Friday, March 22, 2024, show by Jeff Elbel Photos of Sunday, March 24, 2024, show by Curt Baran On Friday, Mitski performed the second in a series of four sold-out concerts at Chicagoâs storied Auditorium Theatre. The run of shows launched a new leg of touring in support […]
Photo Gallery: Olivia Rodrigo with Chappell Roan ⢠United Center ⢠Chicago
Olivia Rodrigo with Chappell Roan United Center Chicago, IL Tuesday, March 19 Recap by Riley Vernon. Gallery by Curt Baran. Pop-rock superstar Olivia Rodrigo arrived in Chicago on Tuesday night with much fanfare on Night One of two sold-out performances as part of her highly anticipated and critically acclaimed Guts World Tour. Rodrigo brought a […]
Photo Gallery: Alkaline Trio ⢠Aragon Ballroom ⢠Chicago
Alkaline Trio Aragon Ballroom Chicago, IL March 16, 2024 Recap and photos by Curt Baran Chicagoâs favorite coffin chasers (and February IE cover stars), Alkaline Trio, brought their Blood, Hair, and Eyeballs tour to Uptownâs Aragon Ballroom for a much-anticipated hometown show. Hours before even a single note was played, the line to enter the […]
K.K.’s Priest, KMFDM, Ministry, Alkaline Trio, Olivia Rodrigo
Industrial pioneer’s Ministry has been threatening to split up many times throughout their careers. Their latest album, HOPIUMFORTHEMASSES, is supposed to be their last, but as fans know, frontman Al Jourgensen isnât shy about changing his mind. Either way, you wonât want to miss Ministry in action when they play Aragon Ballroom this […]
Cover Story: Ministry ⢠Age of Disinformation + March 14 Aragon Ballroom Photo Gallery
My apologies, Dear Readers. And Iâm not joking here. I really believed that â after an adventurous, always enlightening, occasionally drug-blurred four-decade career in rock journalism that kicked off in the Midwest fresh out of high school back in halcyon 1977 â I had nothing left to offer, no moving words left to conjure, no […]
Live Review: The Chicago Philharmonic ⢠Blade Runner Live ⢠Auditorium Theatre ⢠Chicago
The Chicago Philharmonic Blade Runner Live Auditorium Theatre, Chicago, IL Saturday, February 17, 2024 Review by Jeff Elbel Saturday nightâs event at the Auditorium Theatre opened the Chicago Philharmonicâs 2024 âAuditorium Philmsâ series. The ensemble performed Vangelisâ retro-futuristic soundtrack for director Ridley Scottâs 1982 science fiction film Blade Runner, starring Harrison Ford as replicant hunter Rick Deckard. […]
Stage Buzz: Wilmette, Porno For Pyros, Big Suit, Static-X
Chicago five-piece Wilmette is returning to its hometown to help its friends Ghoul For a Goblin celebrate the release of its debut album, You Know Youâll Still Find Me There. Bottom Bracket and Supercorp join as support. The party starts on Friday, February 23, at Cobra Lounge at 7 PM. Itâs gonna be a night of great […]
Stage Buzz: Andre 3000, Laura Jane Grace, Veil of Maya
If you missed out on Andre 3000âs sold-out show at Thalia Hall, youâre in luck. The former Outkast member will perform three more shows this week: a sold-out show at Salt Shed on Tuesday, February 13 , and two performances at Garfield Park Conservatory on Thursday, February 15, at 7 PM and 9 PM. Tickets […]
Photo Gallery: Deap Vally with Sloppy Jane at Thalia Hall ⢠Chicago
Deap Vally Sloppy Jane  Thalia Hall Chicago, IL February 10, 2024 Recap and photos by Curt Baran Final tours in rock and roll are the equivalent of deaths in science fiction. Are they really dead? Well, Deap Vally seems pretty convincing that this is their last go-round. The L.A. duo consisting of Lindsey Troy (guitar, […]
Cover Story: Alkaline Trio ⢠Urgent Energy
Alkaline Trio is no stranger to the macabre. The Chicago punk outfit doesnât shy away from talking about heavy topics like loss, addiction, and depression. But even when theyâre talking about how everything sucks, they do it with a wink and nod. Their wry lyrical wit paired with punchy high energy music makes their […]
Media ⢠February 2024 ⢠Remembering the Early Loop
One of the great advantages of writing an oral history like I recently wrote about WLUP Radio (The Loop Files) is the opportunity to hear the stories right from the horseâs mouth. I interviewed over a hundred of those horses (Loop employees). Since the book came out a few months ago, Iâve heard from […]
Stage Buzz: Madonna, John 5, Meet Me @ the Altar
Madonna has rightfully earned her title as the Queen of Pop. For the 40 past years, she has remained a cultural icon from giving us hit singles like âVogue,â âHoliday,â âLike a Virgin,â and âRay of Lightâ to her unforgettable performances. Never one to shy away from a little controversy, she has shocked […]
Live Review and Photo Gallery: Black Pumas at Salt Shed ⢠Chicago
Black Pumas The Salt Shed, Chicago, IL Saturday, January 27, 2024 Review by Jeff Elbel. Photos by Philamonjaro. Austin, Texas-based psychedelic soul duo Black Pumas crowned a triumphant three-night run in Chicago with Saturday nightâs sold-out performance at the Salt Shed. Singer Eric Burton and former Grupo Fantasma guitarist Adrian Quesada led a sharp six-piece backing […]
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