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Photo Gallery: Mark Farner at Des Plaines Theatre • Des Plaines
Mark Farner Des Plaines Theatre Des Plaines Saturday, November 11 Photos by Edward Spinelli Grand Funk (Railroad) co-founder Mark Farner brought his version (the best version, IMHO) of the storied band (Grand Funk) to the Des Plaines Theatre complete with a deep catalog of classics (“Were an American Band, “Your Captain” (Closer To Home)”) to […]
Photo Gallery: The Hives at Bottom Lounge • Chicago
The Hives Bottom Lounge Chicago, IL Sunday, November 5, 2023 Photos by Curt Baran IE November cover subjects The Hives sold-out show on Lake Street delivered all the energy and joy you’d expect on this tour supporting their long-awaited album The Death of Randy Fitzsimmons. The Swedish garage rockers delivered a night of unbridled energy, […]
Live Review and Photo Gallery: Marvelous 3 at House of Blues • Chicago
Marvelous 3 House of Blues Chicago, IL Friday, November 3, 2023 Review and photos by Jeff Elbel The energy, musicianship, and production of Friday’s concert at House of Blues by the Marvelous 3 did not seem like the work of a band playing a mere five gigs after 22 years apart (aside from a […]
Photo Gallery: Steve Hackett at Pabst Theater • Milwaukee
Steve Hackett Pabst Theater, Milwaukee, WI Friday, November 3, 2023 Recap and photos by Ed Spinelli Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Steve Hackett brought the groundbreaking Genesis 1972 album Foxtrot to the Pabst Theater in Milwaukee Friday. Let’s say it’s probably the closest any member, past or present, will ever achieve recreating the classic […]
Photo Gallery: Queen + Adam Lambert • United Center • Chicago
Queen + Adam Lambert United Center, Chicago, IL Monday, October 30, 2023 Recap and photos by Ed Spinelli “The Rhapsody” Tour keeps rolling for Queen + Adam Lambert, who stopped by the United Center on Halloween Eve before its encore on the official holiday. It was the perfect season to see a band that was […]
Photo Gallery: deadMau5 at Radius • Chicago
deadmau5 Radius Chicago Saturday, October 28 Gallery by Edward Spinelli Ed Spinelli captured storied DJ deadmau5 at Radius Chicago, waiting through a near monsoon on the West Side and a late/early Sunday start (1:30 a.m.) for the master of ceremonies powered by a sold-out crowd dressed to the nines in Halloween gear. His signature deadmau […]
Media: November 2023: The Loop Files: An Oral History
I’ve written a new book called The Loop Files: An Oral History of the Most Outrageous Radio Station Ever. The book comes out officially at the end of this month, but this month’s media column is a free preview.  All the biggest stars who helped make the Loop (FM 98) so memorable tell the […]
Photo Gallery: Farm Aid 2023 • Ruoff Music Center • Noblesville, Indiana
Farm Aid Ruoff Music Center Noblesville, IN September 23, 2023 Photos by Edward Spinelli IE’s Ed Spinelli spent the day at Farm Aid 2023 perched in the photo pit on a beautiful Saturday afternoon in Noblesville, Indiana. The sold-out crowd of more than 22,000 people showed great enthusiasm for the event; the all-star cast was […]
Live Review and Photo Gallery: Peter Gabriel at United Center • Chicago
Peter Gabriel United Center Chicago, IL Saturday, September 30, 2023 Review by Jeff Elbel. Photos by Curt Baran. Peter Gabriel has publicly described a new album called i/o since the days soon following the release of 2002’s Up. The British singer/songwriter and activist even teased individual songs from the long-gestating project on prior trips to Chicago in 2012 […]
Photo Gallery: Nick Cave at Auditorium Theatre • Chicago
Nick Cave Auditorium Theatre Chicago, IL September 29th, 2023 Recap and photos by Curt Baran Perhaps it was the influence of the harvest moon that hung like low-hanging fruit above the surface of Lake Michigan or some other unseen, celestial force. Whatever was lurking about, its presence seemingly helped to provide some additional voodoo when […]
Media: October 2023 • Listening in on Internet FM
Steve Leventhal is no stranger to terrestrial radio. He spent quite a few years as a broadcaster on stations like WVVX and the Bear (WCBR), doing his Sports Radio Nightly show with people like late sportscasters Les Grobstein, Jerry Kuc, and Bob Greenberg. “In 2012,” Leventhal says, “I started working with Bart Shore […]
Photo Gallery: Riot Fest 2023 • Day One • Douglass Park • Chicago
Riot Fest 2023 Day One Douglass Park September 17, 2023 Chicago, ILÂ Recap and photos by Curt Baran As the 2023 festival season draws to a close and summer winds down, Riot Fest takes its annual shot at pushing the sun up into the sky one last time. The punk-centric gathering of the tribes may […]
Photo Gallery: Riot Fest 2023 • Day Two • Douglass Park • Chicago
Riot Fest 2023 Day Two Douglass Park September 16, 2023 Chicago, IL Douglass Park greeted attendees of the second day of Riot Fest with open arms. The open spaces on Chicago’s West side were eventually packed with bodies on another ideal late summer day. Fans queued up early at the Roots stage to watch Queens […]
Photo Gallery: Riot Fest 2023 • Day Three • Douglass Park • Chicago
Riot Fest 2023 Day One Douglass Park September 17, 2023 Chicago, ILÂ Recap and photo gallery by Curt Baran Heavy rain in Chicago and its suburbs delayed Riot Fest’s opening for 2 hours on its final day bringing back memories of “Riot Fest weather” from its days when the festival was held in Humboldt Park […]
Recap and Photo Gallery: Pearl Jam at United Center • Chicago
Pearl Jam United Center Chicago, IL September 5, 2023 Recap and photos by Curt Baran Pearl Jam came to play! The Seattle quintet (fleshed out to 7 players on this tour) has become increasingly more squeamish about touring post-COVID. Their album Gigaton was released nearly two and a half years ago, but the band has […]
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