Live Reviews
Live Review & Photo Gallery: Paul McCartney at United Center • Chicago
Paul McCartney United Center Chicago, IL November 25, 2025 Review by Jeff Elbel. Photos by Ed Spinelli. Can it really have been eight years since the last time Sir Paul McCartney performed in Chicago? The still-fab former Beatle was a relatively regular presence during the 2010s in the town he first visited with his old […]
Live Review: Pixel Grip at Metro • Chicago
Pixel Grip Metro Chicago, IL November 14, 2025 Review by Ashley Perez-Hollingsworth It’s been a big year for Chicago industrial-pop trio Pixel Grip. Releasing a successful new album. Fighting with Travis Scott over uncredited samples. Hanging out with Trent Reznor. Opening for Peaches on her highly anticipated 2026 tour. To cap off the year, their […]
Live Review: The Saints ‘73 -‘78 at Metro • Chicago
The Saints ‘73-‘78 Metro Chicago, IL November 11, 2025 Review and Live Photos by Jeff Elbel Fans of classic punk rock arrived at the Metro on Tuesday night for a rare opportunity to see originators of the form when founding guitarist Ed Kuepper and original drummer Ivor Hay brought The Saints ‘73-‘78 from Australia […]
Live Review & Gallery: David Byrne at Auditorium Theatre • Chicago
David Byrne Auditorium Theatre October 28, 2025 Chicago, IL Live review by Jeff Elbel, Live photos by Curt Baran. Tuesday’s concert by David Byrne began with a recorded welcome from the artist, informing patrons that the Auditorium Theatre management had agreed to allow dancing if the aisles were kept clear. “In the event of a […]
Live Review: Tommy Emmanuel at Cahn Auditorium • Evanston
Tommy Emmanuel Cahn Auditorium Evanston, IL October 15, 2025 Review by Steven Kikoen On a gray, rain-spattered day in mid-October, the campus of Northwestern University still seemed to maintain its quiet collegiate grandeur. Inside the 85-year-old Cahn Auditorium—a favorite among Northwestern students and the Evanston community—there are more than a thousand seats which would soon […]
Live Review: Elbow at The Riviera Theatre • Chicago
Elbow The Riviera Theatre Chicago, IL October 6, 2025 Review and photos by Jeff Elbel Elbow’s arrival on Monday night was beautifully timed. The general mood in Chicago is currently tense – a frame of mind that this band from Manchester, England, is uniquely gifted to counter. Elbow reliably spreads goodwill and encourages community through […]
Live Review: Supergrass at The Riviera Theatre • Chicago
Supergrass The Riviera Theatre Chicago, IL September 9, 2025 Review and photos by Jeff Elbel. Supergrass may not have scaled the same heights in North America as Britpop frontrunners, including the Verve, Blur, or touring hosts Radiohead during the ’90s and early ’00s, but the band from Oxford, England, made an indelible mark and […]
Live Review: The Who at United Center • Chicago
The Who United Center Chicago, IL September 7, 2025 Review by Jeff Elbel When the Who undertook their first farewell “Schlitz” tour in 1982, fans took them at their word and packed arenas. The British rockers even released a successful live album called Who’s Last in 1984. The following year, the band was strong-armed by […]
Live Review: Oasis • Soldier Field • Chicago
Oasis August 28, 2025 Soldier Field Chicago, IL Review by Jessi Roti For some people, the thought of being confined to a space amongst 70,000 people singing “Wonderwall” is their worst nightmare. Then there are Oasis fans. Some of whom have waited nearly 20 years to do it. Because you HAVE to sing along […]
Live Review: Nine Inch Nails at United Center • Chicago
Nine Inch Nails August 19, 2025 United Center Chicago, IL Reviewed by Ashley Perez-Hollingsworth When Trent Reznor appeared on stage at the United Center on Tuesday night (August 19), he was greeted by ear-shattering screams that quickly turned into silence. The crowd hushed as he sat at his piano. The opening notes of “A Minute […]
Photo Gallery: Lollapalooza 2025 – Day One (Part One)
Lollapalooza Grant Park Chicago, IL July 31 Recap and photos by Curt Baran In its past few incarnations, Lollapalooza seemed to have lost its luster. Competition in the form of festival oversaturation cut into the supply of talent needed to distinguish one of the county’s marquee events from countless others. Well, for the 2025 version, […]
Photo Gallery: Lollapalooza 2025 – Day One (Part Two)
Lollapalooza Grant Park Chicago, IL July 31 Recap and photos by Curt Baran In its past few incarnations, Lollapalooza seemed to have lost its luster. Competition in the form of festival oversaturation cut into the supply of talent needed to distinguish one of the county’s marquee events from countless others. Well, for the 2025 version, […]
Photo Gallery: Lollapalooza 2025 – Day Two (Part One)
Lollapalooza Grant Park Chicago, IL August 1 Recap and photos by Curt Baran Lolla’s second day in the park continued to treat attendees with what was arguably the best weather the festival has ever experienced. Highs in the upper 70s and not a raindrop in sight were the backdrop for a day filled with performances […]
Photo Gallery: Lollapalooza 2025 – Day Two (Part Two)
Lollapalooza Grant Park Chicago, IL August 1 Recap and photos by Curt Baran Lolla’s second day in the park continued to treat attendees with what was arguably the best weather the festival has ever experienced. Highs in the upper 70s and not a raindrop in sight were the backdrop for a day filled with performances […]
Photo Gallery: Lollapalooza 2025 – Day Three (Part Two)
Lollapalooza Grant Park Chicago, IL August 2 Recap and photos by Curt Baran Three days in, and fans were met with what felt like the most laid-back bookings of the long weekend. But still, there was plenty of variety to be in the park that included Landon Conrath, K-Popper’s Kickflip, Charlotte Lawrence, Boa, Ole 60, […]
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