Monthly
Review and Gallery: Regina Spektor at Chicago Theater
It’s a seemingly innocuous statement taken at face value. But color in Regina Spektor’s back story, and the words take on a considerate amount of heft. Fleeing the former Soviet Union when anti-semitism became “too much to bear.” Spektor reflected onstage at the Chicago Theatre, thousands of miles from her former homeland and a […]
Live Review and Gallery: Bon Jovi at United Center
Bon Jovi United Center, Chicago Sunday, March 26, 2017 As Bon Jovi kicked off its first concert in Chicago since Soldier Field in 2013 with “This House Is Not For Sale” (the title track from the band’s 13th standard studio album), original members Jon Bon Jovi, David Bryan (keyboards) and Tico Torres (drums) seemed to […]
Photo Gallery: Sleigh Bells at Metro
Brooklyn’s Sleigh Bells (vocalist Alexis Krauss and guitarist Derek Edward Miller) unleashed a torrent of sound and pummeling lights on a willing Metro audience Tuesday. On tour to support their latest release Jessica Rabbit, the band yolked volume and a pupil dilating light-show into a hurricane force performance. Curt Baran dropped himself into the eye […]
Photo Gallery: The Band Perry at Lincoln Hall
In advance of their forthcoming album, My Bad Imagination, The Band Perry has taken a unique promotional approach. The Grammy winning trio has embarked on what they’re calling a series of “Pop-Up Shows.” Specifically, seven concerts in seven cities, played in the round, in considerably more intimate spaces then the arenas they are accustomed to […]
Photo Gallery – Panic at the Disco at Allstate Arena
Rosemont’s Allstate Arena was packed from floor to the rafters, as Brendon’s Urie’s faithful came out in droves for the Death of a Bachelor Tour featuring Panic At The Disco. The merch lines snaked their way through every corridor, seemingly overlapping each swag-station in an oval around the building’s interior. Those in attendance squealed for […]
Photo Gallery: Kings of Leon at United Center
Nashville’s Kings Of Leon were forced to cancel their Chicago show in January when drummer Nathan Followill came down with pneumonia. The quartet assured their fans that when they were all healed, they would return. Being men of their word, the brothers Followill (Caleb, Nathan and Jared, along with cousin Matthew Followill) returned to United […]
Photo Gallery – Sting at Aragon Ballroom
Police bassist Sting returned to his roots Friday, supporting his new album 57th and 9th with a tour at the legendary Aragon Ballroom. Looking 20 years younger than his 65 years, the bellboy from Quadrophenia defied time visually and vocally – splitting his set between Police classics and music from his new album. We’ll have […]
Photo Gallery: Uli Jon Roth at Reggie’s and Arcada Theater
Legendary Scorpions guitarist and Sky Guitars founder Uli Jon Roth had Chicagoland covered this weekend, performing 2 shows – back to back at Reggie’s in the South Loop and St. Charles’ Arcada Theater. Ed Spinelli had IE covered with some assistance from Gene Ambo in the pit.
Media: March 2017
At the beginning of the 2016 season, WGN Cubs broadcaster Len Kasper got some excellent advice. “One of my best friends is a non-fiction author and we talk about writing all the time. We met for breakfast last year just before spring training and he said ‘You should keep a journal this year. It’ll be […]
Cover Story: Mastodon
That which doesn’t kill you will only make you stronger, goes the old maxim. But in the case of sludge-heavy prog-metal quartet Mastodon, mortality can occasionally offer a surprising new strength, as well. As in the recent honor bestowed upon the group by Dan Weiss, the executive producer of HBO’s hit series Game of Thrones, […]
Photo Gallery: Doyle Bramhall @ Shank Hall
IE’s Ed Spinelli captured acclaimed guitarist and producer (Eric Clapton, Buddy Guy, Tedeschi Trucks Band) Doyle Bramhall II at the legendary Shank Hall in the Cream City (Milwaukee) Wenesday. Here is his photo evidence.
Live Review and Gallery: Andrew Bird at Allstate Arena
Andrew Bird Friday, January 20, 2017 Allstate Arena A week after performing for A Prairie Home Companion at Symphony Center, Andrew Bird returned to open for the Lumineers at Allstate Arena. Showing his hometown roots, Andrew Bird marveled at finding himself onstage at the former “Rosemont Horizon.” He stopped short of naming shows he had […]
Recap and Gallery: Future Islands at House Of Vans Chicago
In a city filled with storied musical venues, the prevailing attitude seems to be that there’s always room for more. So this past weekend, the creative community welcomed House of Vans Chicago. Situated on the city’s near west side, the new venture is a bit of an anomaly. On its first official night, it was […]
Show Recap & Photo Gallery: Tesla at Arcada Theater
It was lights out at the Arcada Wednesday as Tesla hit the stage, kicking their set off with “MP3,” from their acclaimed album Simplicity. The enthusiastic sold-out crowd definitely got their money’s worth with a selection of tunes from Tesla’s 30 years. Fan favorites “What You Give,” steamrolled into “Save That Goodness,” “Ed’s Med,” and […]
Media: February 2017
Bill Cochran was drawn to music radio for the same reason most people are. “I just love music,” he admits. “I’m a music fan – almost a music geek. Since childhood discovering new music was always a joy for me. I grew up in Oklahoma, listening to a radio station with a format, as […]
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