Live Reviews
John Vanderslice live
John Vanderslice Lakeshore Theater, Chicago Friday, April 13, 2007 To some, the idea of a stripped-down John Vanderslice concert would defeat the purpose. Vanderslice made his name as indie rock’s consummate studio maestro, churning out sonic adventures like a raconteur strings a yarn. While his deft songwriting and humanistic insights do tend to get underrated, […]
Son Volt, Jason Isbell Live!
Son Volt, Jason Isbell Vic Theatre, Chicago Tuesday, April 10, 2007 Jay Farrar, despite the country overtones on nearly everything he has recorded, gives the impression he’s all business. After Son Volt went on “hiatus” around 1999, he pursued his own goals as a solo artist, teeming with outside-the-box ideas. Bored, he reformed Son Volt […]
Lindsey Buckingham Live!
Lindsey Buckingham House Of Blues, Chicago Monday, April 9, 2007 There aren’t many folks in the music biz like Lindsey Buckingham. Nor are there as many as polarizing. To some, he’s a musical genius — an alchemist — who pushes the boundaries of studio technique and craft to new heights. To others, he’s a studio […]
Rocky Votolato Live!
Rocky Votolato Abbey Pub, Chicago Friday, April 6, 2007 During an ultra-abbreviated set Friday night, Rocky Votolato seemed out to prove he’s no self-destructive sally, despite what his records might say about him.
Stephen Marley live
Stephen Marley Vic Theatre, Chicago Saturday, March 31, 2007 As Bob’s second eldest son, Stephen Marley’s talents have often floated under the radar. He has always played a supporting role for his siblings, whether it was singing background with the Melody Makers or producing and writing hit albums for Julian and Damian. But if his […]
Neko Case live
Neko Case Park West, Chicago Thursday, March 29, 2007 The scheduled reemergence of The New Pornographers this fall will effectively yank Neko Case (the solo artist) off the concert circuit for at least the next year. Yet if this, the second of three, sold-out shows at the Park West, was supposed to be some seat-of-her-pants […]
Mute Math live
Mute Math House Of Blues, Chicago Wednesday, March 28, 2007 From the first moments Mute Math meandered onto the House Of Blues stage in their designer suits — drummer Darren King duct-taping his large headphones on, lead singer Paul Meany strapping on his keytar — the nearly sold-out crowd knew they were in for a […]
Ken Andrews live
Ken Andrews Double Door, Chicago Tuesday, March 27, 2007 Towards the end of the ’90s, the onslaught of one-hit wonders was overwhelming and in-exhaustive. So it was hardly surprising very few noticed ’90s almost-weres Failure. But for those who did find out about the band, they were both rewarded and made to suffer: rewarded because […]
Bloc Party Live!
Bloc Party Congress Theatre, Chicago Friday, March 23, 2007 If you only had a passing knowledge of the group Bloc Party, you might not necessarily assume them to be particularly dynamic. And even if you have some level of familiarity with the band, it would be understandable if you didn’t automatically label them bombastic.
William Elliott Whitmore Live!
William Elliott Whitmore Subterranean, Chicago Tuesday, March 14, 2007 William Elliott Whitmore has made Chicago a second home (his first is Montrose, Iowa) of sorts since the release of his third full-length, Song Of The Blackbird (Southern), playing our city three times in the last six months alone. Over exposure? Hardly. Not when you’re this […]
Justin Timberlake Live!
Justin Timberlake Allstate Arena, Rosemont Monday, March 12, 2007 As Justin Timberlake’s tour supporting his latest effort, Futuresex/Lovesounds, rolled into beautiful downtown Rosemont Monday night, the whole experience could be summed up in one word: perfunctory.
Scissor Sisters Live!
Scissor Sisters Riviera, Chicago Friday, March 9, 2007 “Don’t Feel Like Dancin’” has become an anthem for Scissor Sister fans, although it was frustratingly taken to heart by the band, too, during Friday’s performance. For awhile the lethargic gig didn’t feel like it would ever get off the ground, and when it did, only did […]
Slim Cessna’s Auto Club Live!
Slim Cessna’s Auto Club Abbey Pub, Chicago Saturday, March 11, 2007 Slim Cessna’s Auto Club might be powered by God. On the other hand, they very well could be possessed by the Devil. More than likely, both have a stake in this band’s souls.
Goo Goo Dolls live
Goo Goo Dolls, Augustana Friday, March 2, 2007 NIU Convocation Center, DeKalb Fortunately for Goo Goo Dolls, most Chicagoans are tough when it comes to winter weather. Friday night’s blizzard-like conditions didn’t keep the fans away as they nearly packed the Convocation Center (barely big enough to be called a true “arena”) on the campus […]
The Pogues live
The Pogues Congress Theatre, Chicago Tuesday, March 6, 2007 No matter what the genre, 2007 seems to be the year of reunions, from full figured versions of The Police, The Stooges, and Rage Against the Machine to the surviving members of Crowded House to the halfway complete Genesis to the almost-got-off-the-ground Van Halen. Though not […]
Recent Comments