Live Reviews
Live Review and Photo Gallery: Jeff Lynne’s ELO with Dhani Harrison at United Center
Jeff Lynneâs ELO United Center, Chicago, IL Saturday, July 27, 2019 After a 37-year gap as of 2018, many Chicago-based fans of the Electric Light Orchestra had resigned themselves to enjoying their favorite ELO music through their record collections â or perhaps by catching âMr. Blue Skyâ on repeated views of Guardians of the Galaxy […]
Live Review: Garth Brooks at Joe’s on Weed Street
Garth Brooks Joeâs Bar, Chicago Monday, July 15, 2019 As the best-selling solo artist of all-time in America, it was far from expected that Garth Brooks would step down from filling stadiums to play for less than 500 people in a spot as intimate as Joeâs Bar on Weed Street. But considering the man […]
Live Review and Photo Gallery: Paul McCartney at The TaxSlayer Center Moline, IL
Paul McCartney TaxSlayer Center Moline Tuesday, June 11, 2019 If thereâs anyone on earth who could kick up their feet and collect royalty checks until kingdom come, itâs Paul McCartney, who besides flying high with Wings and steadily cranking out solo material or duets with everyone from his late frenemy Michael Jackson to current conquerors […]
Live Review: David Crosby at Arcada Theatre
An Evening with David Crosby and Friends Monday, May 13, 2019 The Arcada Theatre There is something about being in the presence of David Crosby that is oddly reassuring. Itâs a bit ineffable to explain this irrefutable comfort the audience seems to be feeling as a result of the undeniably âhipâ vibe emanating […]
Photo Gallery: Billy Eilish at United Center
Billie Eilish is an old soul. There can be no other explanation as to how the 17 year-old phenomenon has so completely tapped into the human and emotional condition of her generation. Originally scheduled for the considerably smaller Aragon Ballroom (capacity 5000), tickets disappeared as quickly as they were made available, so a second show […]
Photo Gallery: Florence + The Machine at Huntington Bank Pavilion at Northerly Island
Even by Chicago standards, this Spring has been a series of whiplash inducing temperature swings. So it seemed almost compassionate that Ma Nature would save some of her finest work for the opening of the outdoor concert season. How appropriate then that this weather was the backdrop for Florence + The Machine. Considering sheâs always […]
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 Marrâs 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 2018âs Call the Comet, the third in […]
Live Review: Mike Stern at Jazz Showcase
Mike Stern Band Saturday, May 11, 2019 Jazz Showcase, Chicago Jazz guitar virtuoso Mike Stern and his band settled into the Jazz Showcase for their annual week of residency, and audiences were most definitely in for a treat. Upon entering the Showcase, I was immediately greeted by Ainsley, who was welcoming the faithful as […]
Photo Gallery: The 1975 at United Center
Manchester’s The 1975 were greeted with an expected rapturous ovation when they took the stage at United Center Thursday. Hand it to the band, they’ve diligently worked Sunday side stages at Lollapalooza, and “smaller” shows at Lincoln Hall and the Riviera to slowly build an audience to finally play the United Center. The band is […]
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 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 Chicagoâs 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 […]
Live Review and Photo Gallery: Nick Mason’s Saucerful of Secrets at Chicago Theatre
Nick Masonâs Saucerful of Secrets Chicago Theatre, Chicago April 4, 2019 Thursdayâs concert by Nick Masonâs Saucerful of Secrets was a dream come true for fans of early Pink Floyd and psychedelic rock. Focused exclusively on material released prior to 1973âs epic Dark Side of the Moon, Mason and his cohort of four musicians delved […]
Live Review and Photo Gallery: Andrew Bird at Green Mill
Andrew Bird Green Mill, Chicago April 2, 2019 On a brief introductory jaunt for his new album My Finest Work Yet, Andrew Bird returned to his old stomping grounds for the first of two intimate shows at Uptownâs 160-capacity Green Mill. Befitting his surroundings in the venerable jazz room, Bird began with the 1944 Jule […]
Live Review and Gallery: Michael Bublé at Allstate Arena
Michael BublĂ© Allstate Arena, Rosemont Sunday, March 17, 2019 A six-year gap in between tours for a post-2000s artist may as well be a lifetime, but in the case of Michael BublĂ©, it didnât come at the hands of a laborious creative pursuit or some self-indulgent exile. Instead, his infant son was dealt an extremely […]
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