Monthly
Cover Story: Michael McDermott • Making Up for Lost Time
Michael McDermott is without question one of his generation’s most prolific and consistent songwriters, and Chicago should be proud to call him our own. Fans who have been along for the whole ride could track their own timelines by his records (the ones they know about), which now span three and a half decades. […]
Media: October 2026 • Nick D’s Horror Favorites
Nick Digilio is best known for his 35-year stint at WGN Radio, but his resume includes much more. He’s been a film critic for over four decades, currently hosts three podcasts on the Radio Misfits Podcast Network, including the popular Nick D podcast, and last year added “author” to his business card (40 Years, 40 […]
Photo Gallery: Riot Fest 2026 • Day One • Douglass Park • Chicago
Riot Fest Douglass Park, Chicago, IL Day 1: Friday, September 18, 2026 Photos by Curt Baran Congratulations Riot Fest! You’re officially old enough to drink legally!!! That, of course, means that the 21st addition of the now annual event once again converged on Chicago’s Douglass Park, bringing with it w Punk Rock-leaning lineup that focused […]
Photo Gallery + Bonus Coverage: Riot Fest 2026 • Day Two • Douglass Park • Chicago
Riot Fest Douglass Park, Chicago, IL Day 2: Saturday, September 19, 2026 Review by Jeff Elbel. Photos by Curt Baran. Moderate temperatures and overcast skies were a boon for bands that played early on Saturday’s bill at Riot Fest. Gaslight Anthem frontman Brian Fallon and his band, the Painkillers, played to a respectable crowd on […]
Photo Gallery + Bonus Coverage: Riot Fest 2026 • Day Three • Douglass Park • Chicago
Riot Fest Douglass Park, Chicago, IL Day 3: Sunday, September 20, 2026 Review by Jeff Elbel. Recap and Photos by Curt Baran. Rain that altered parts of Saturday’s schedule persisted overnight. Doors shifted to 2 p.m., reshaping the timeline again. Puddles of mud—no pun intended—formed on the Douglass Park grounds, echoing moist Riot Fests from […]
Media: September 2026 • Champaign’s Indie Filmmaker
Robin Christian is an Indie-filmmaker, the writer of over a hundred film scripts, and the director of films for more than twenty years. Yes, that’s all very impressive. But what makes his accomplishments even more impressive is where he is doing it: right here in Illinois. Robin is based in Champaign. His journey into this […]
Photo Gallery: Lollapalooza 2026 – Day One (Part Two)
Lollapalooza Grant Park Chicago, IL July 30-August 2nd Recap and photos by Curt Baran Day One Lollapalooza, the massive annual four-day music festival, returned to its home in Chicago’s Grant Park for its 2026 edition. The festival featured dozens of bands spread across four days, all performing on the city’s front lawn. On the first […]
Photo Gallery: Lollapalooza 2026 – Day Two (Part Two)
Lollapalooza Grant Park Chicago, IL July 30-August 2nd Recap and photos by Curt Baran Day Two The second day of Lollapalooza provided no respite for those seeking diverse musical experiences. The afternoon commenced with a performance by The Army, The Navy, and continued to keep the crowd entertained with a series of performances from High […]
Photo Gallery: Lollapalooza 2026 – Day Three (Part One)
Lollapalooza Grant Park Chicago, IL July 30-August 2nd Recap and photos by Curt Baran Day Three Mother Nature attempted to thwart everyone’s plans for Saturday, and she managed to succeed momentarily. Severe overnight storms persisted into early morning, making it increasingly challenging for Chicago Park District officials to prepare the park for another day of […]
Photo Gallery: Lollapalooza 2026 – Day Three (Part Two)
Lollapalooza Grant Park Chicago, IL July 30-August 2nd Recap and photos by Curt Baran Day Three Mother Nature tried to ruin everyone’s plans for Saturday, and she briefly got her way. Severe overnight storms continued into early morning, making it increasingly difficult for Chicago Park District officials to ready the park for another day of […]
Photo Gallery: Lollapalooza 2026 – Day Four (Part One)
Lollapalooza Grant Park Chicago, IL July 30-August 2nd Recap and photos by Curt Baran Day Four On the final day of Lollapalooza, there was still a bevy of music to get lost to. Attendees got to see sets from Sunshine Benzi, Easy Honey, New Constellations, Destin Conrad, Adela, Amber Mark, Muna, Hot Muligan, Turnstile, […]
Photo Gallery: Lollapalooza 2026 – Day Four (Part Two)
Lollapalooza Grant Park Chicago, IL July 30-August 2nd Recap and photos by Curt Baran Day Four On the final day of Lollapalooza, there was still a bevy of music to get lost to. Attendees got to see sets from Sunshine Benzi, Easy Honey, New Constellations, Destin Conrad, Adela, Amber Mark, Muna, Hot Muligan, Turnstile, […]
Cover Story: Queensrÿche • Prog Metal Titans Return to Arcada Theatre
Power/prog metal innovators Queensrÿche are among the first bands to capture this style of metal before most of their peers eventually caught on. Queensrÿche’s 1983 self-titled EP remains one of metal’s most significant EPs ever recorded and still holds up well 43 years later. Throughout the late eighties and early nineties, Queensrÿche were unstoppable, largely […]
Feature: Arcada Theatre Celebrating 100 Years
The historic Arcada Theatre in St. Charles celebrates its 100th anniversary on September 6 this year. Owner Ron Onesti, who also owns the Des Plaines Theatre—which celebrated its 100th anniversary last year — couldn’t be happier to be celebrating the venue’s history. “The Arcada Theatre has become a nationally recognized iconic music venue, and […]
Media: August 2026 • Kev Meets the Pope
Kevin Matthews is still fondly remembered in Chicago for his days on the radio here, particularly his time at the Loop (AM 1000/FM 98). Those crazy days of improv radio are chronicled at the Museum of Broadcast Communications if you want to check it out. Kevin was just over there recently and signed the […]
Recent Comments