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Stage Buzz/Recap/Gallery (Updated): Wolf Alice at Schubas
North Londonâs Wolf Alice completely eviscerated Chicagoâs Schubas Tavern Wednesday. The intimate confines at Belmont and Southport proved to be the perfect setting for the quartet to preview songs from their forthcoming release (due this fall). They also tore through fan favorites that included âMoaning Lisa Smile,â âBros,â âGiant Peachâ and âLisbon.â Curt Baran managed […]
Media: July 2017
When Len OâKelly was working in Chicago as a music director and disc jockey for radio stations like WJMK (104.3), academia was the furthest thing from his mind. At the time he was a college dropout and working in one of the top markets in the country. He thought heâd be doing that the rest […]
Cover Story: Megadeth
Not too long ago, Dave Mustaine brought his pile driving thrash-metal outfit Megadeth on tour â backing its recent Grammy-winning return to form, Dystopia — to Jakarta, the bustling capital of Indonesia on the island of Java that boasts a population of over ten million people. And he has a heartwarming when-in-Rome philosophy that guides […]
Photo Gallery: Def Leppard/Poison/Tesla at HCA
Ed Spinelli captured the stalwarts of ’80s metal in Tinley Park on June 24.
Photo Gallery and Recap: Metallica with Avenged Sevenfold and Local H at Soldier Field
Metallica Soldier Field, Chicago Sunday, June 18, 2017 In their 36-year career, Metallica never previously played Soldier Field until Sunday night, and while the home of the Chicago Bears doesnât come equipped with a dome, James Hetfield, Kirk Hammett, Robert Trujillo and Lars Ulrich wouldâve surely blown the roof off the joint if it […]
Live Review and Gallery: Iron Maiden at Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre
Iron Maiden Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre Tinley Park, IL June 15, 2017 Photos by Curt Baran Review by Jeff Elbel The weekend began a day early for local headbangers of all ages, when legendary British metal band Iron Maiden made the final Chicago stop on its juggernaut The Book of Souls World Tour. The six members […]
Dave Matthews and Tim Reynolds: HBP at Northerly Island
Ed Spinelli captured Dave Matthews and Tim Reynolds acoustic tour at the former Meigs Field Setlist Lie in Our Graves Satellite Save Me What Would You Say Dive In Funny the Way It Is Warehouse Proudest Monkey Stay or Leave So Damn Lucky Bismarck Crush Che * Out of My Hands Worried Man Blues Samurai […]
Photo Gallery: Phoenix at Aragon Ballroom
French popsters Phoenix are just one of many bands to grace the pages of the June 2017 issue of Illinois Entertainer. They recently hit the road in support of their latest release Ti Amo. Curt Baran rolled into Chicagoâs Uptown neighborhood to snapped off some shots at the bandâs sold out show at the […]
Photo Gallery: Rise Against and Deftones with Thrice at Huntington Bank Pavilion
On a picture perfect evening adjacent to Lake Michigan, Rise Against chose to kick off the “Wolves” tour in their hometown of Chicago. The tour’s first date also coincided with the release of Wolves, the quartet’s ninth album. The current trek will keep the band on the road deep into the summer and fall. To […]
Live Review and Gallery: U2 at Soldier Field
The Joshua Tree Tour 2017 Soldier Field, Chicago, IL Saturday, June 3, 2017 Reviewed by Jeff Elbel Veteran Irish rockers U2 took a detour from the road to their upcoming Songs of Experience project in order to revisit the âdesert songsâ that put them firmly on the map. The bandâs first night at Soldier Field […]
Photo Gallery: Gov’t Mule at the Pabst Theater
IE’s Ed Spinelli captured the Allman’s Warren Hayes storied side project at the amazing Pabst Theater on a beautiful May evening.
Cover Story: Rise Against
More than any other time in the bandâs 18-year career, the cultural and political climate of 2017 is the perfect environment for Rise Against. Buoyed by singer-songwriter Tim McIlrath, bassist Joe Principe, drummer Brandon Barnes, and guitarist Zach Blair, itâs bittersweet for McIlrath, frontman and guitarist for the socio-political melodic punk act. The bandâs leader […]
Media: June 2017
When WXRT night jock Ryan Arnold says he grew up on WXRT, he doesnât just mean that he listened to the station. His mom Marge Arnold worked there when he was growing up, and he spent a lot of time in the hallways. âI literally grew up in the bowels of WXRT back when it […]
Live Review and Gallery: Neil Diamond at United Center
Neil Diamond United Center, Chicago Sunday, May 28, 2017 It didnât take a virtual âCarpool Karaokeâ ride with James Corden, Jennifer Lopez, Tim McGraw, Faith Hill, John Legend and many others clamoring to get next to Neil Diamond at this yearâs Grammy Awards to prove that he was cool again (at least somewhat). For […]
Photo Gallery: Eric Johnson at the Acorn Theater
If Eric Johnson isn’t your favorite guitar player, than odds are he is your “favorite guitar player’s guitar player.” He was especially impressive in the intimate confines of Three Oak’s (MI), Acorn Theater Thursday Night. Johnson’s two-hour set included an extended electric guitar performance, a short acoustic set, and a few tunes his from baby […]
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