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Cover Story: John Paul White
It’s a morsel of time-tested wisdom — initially put forward by Mahatma Gandhi — that just becomes more relevant with each passing day: “Be the change that you want to see in the world.” As in, stop kvetching about Donald Trump and all his horrific misdeeds and get involved with the grassroots groundswell of fighting […]
Media: June 2019
No one in this town has been a part of the Chicago media scene longer than WGN-Radio’s (and The Chicago Tribune’s) Rick Kogan. He was literally born into it. His parents, Herman and Marilew, were both fixtures in the heyday of Chicago’s print media. They lived the life. They hung out with Chicago’s glitterati. […]
Photo Gallery: Open Air Chicago 2019 at SeatGeek Stadium
Chicago Open Air Presents May 18th and 19th SeatGeek Stadium Bridgeview, IL Chicago Open Air Presents had it’s share of obstacles in 2019 thanks to the wettest May in Chicago history. Both days were hit with severe thunderstorms right before gates opened. Day One took the bigger hit when promoters had to cancel Vein, […]
Photo Gallery: The Distillers and Starcrawler at Metro
In 2000, The Distillers released their self-titled debut album on indie label Hellcat. It was a decimating blast of hardcore punk delivered with throaty urgency by Australian lead singer Brody Dalle. Their sophomore effort Sing Sing Death House also saw the light of day that same year. Dalle quickly achieved iconic status as one of […]
Live Review and Photo Gallery: The Who at Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre
The Who Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre Tinley Park, IL Tuesday, May 21, 2019 When the Who booked an outdoor show at Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre in Tinley Park as part of their Moving On! Tour, fans and band alike anticipated a great night of classic rock in fine spring weather. Ticketholders on the lawn encountered soggy seats, […]
Live Review and Photo Gallery: Johnny Marr at The Vic Theatre
Johnny Marr The Vic Theatre, Chicago, IL Monday, May 13, 2019 Former Smiths guitarist Johnny Marr’s last appearance in Chicago was a short-but-sweet set under the afternoon sun in Douglas Park at Riot Fest. This brief blast of Eurocentric alt-pop was timed to help introduce new material from 2018’s Call the Comet, the third in […]
Photo Gallery: The Lemonheads at Thalia Hall
Evan Dando brought the ’90s back to Thalia Hall to begin the weekend. Still using his three-decades old Lemonheads moniker, Dando is out supporting his 2019 covers album Varshons 2. He delivered a taut, career spanning set that included instant ear worms like “It’s About Time,” “The Great Big No,” “Drug Buddy” and the title […]
Photo Gallery: Lizzo at Riviera Theatre
Lizzo threw a two day party in Uptown this past weekend. Okay, that may be a bit of an exaggeration, but the first her two sold out shows at that neighborhood’s Riviera Theatre sure felt celebratory. The rising star is out touring behind this year’s excellent Cuz I Love You and is inspiring her diverse […]
Recap and Photo Gallery: PUP at Metro
Toronto punks PUP have quickly grown out of the small venues they frequented only a few years ago. Whereas their last Chicago visit saw them playing Empty Bottle, this time they brought their high-octane energy for the first of two sold-out nights at the Metro with fellow Canadians Casper Skull and Chicago punk rockers Ratboys […]
Photo Gallery: Chvrches at Aragon Ballroom
A strange, invisible pall hung over Chicago’s Aragon Ballroom on Thursday night. The Scottish band Chvrches recently called out, on line, their former collaborator Marshmello for working with the infamous rapper and felon Chris Brown, whom the band rightfully called a “predator and abuser.” Since then, escalation in the beef has resulted in lead singer […]
Media: May 2019
Jim O’Donnell has been off and on the media beat for Chicago area newspapers for four decades. As of a few months ago, he’s back on, and he’s landed at a familiar place, The Daily Herald. “That’s where my career started,” he says, “and now I’m doing a sports and media column thanks to a […]
Cover Story: Steve Earle
It’s a puzzlement, a Sphinx-like riddle for the ages. How in holy hell has resident alt-country iconoclast Steve Earle managed to keep his mouth shut over the past three Trump-and-Brexit bedeviled years? Make no mistake, what he’s offered instead has been stunning —2017’s picture-perfect loper So You Wannabe an Outlaw — polished still brighter by […]
Photo Gallery and Recap: Wax Trax! Records Industrial Accident Screening and Launch Party at House of Vans Chicago
Could there have been a more brilliant way to end Record Store Day than with an Industrial Accident? The Wax Trax! documentary distills the history of Chicago’s seminal record label and store into an entertaining yarn about love, family, music, sex, drugs, rock & roll and how not to run a business, if you wish […]
Photo Gallery: Amanda Palmer at The Chicago Theatre
It’s not often that a concert supplies those in attendance with an escape hatch. Of course, not all performers approach a night out like Amanda Palmer. Before she took the stage at the exquisitely ornate Chicago Theater, a (paraphrased) announcement was made that the evening’s content would contain subject matter that included-but certainly wasn’t limited […]
Photo Gallery: Remembering Shawn Smith of Brad
IE’s Ed Spinelli befriended the late Shawn Smith of Brad (who passed away tragically April 6th) during his days photographing Seattle’s emerging grunge scene in the ’90s, which included Pearl Jam and Soundgarden. In the following gallery, Spinelli captured one of the band’s greatest gigs, including a headlining performance from Brad, a reunited Mother Love […]
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