Live Reviews
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 […]
The Prairie Cartel live
The Prairie Cartel Debonair Social Club, Chicago Tuesday, February 27, 2007 When it comes to electro-clash, or any variation of elctro that even flirts with the rock genre, one of the most prevalent — and offsetting — aspects of the movement is the inescapable over-reliance on irony and flash over content or substance. And forget […]
Pete Yorn live
Pete Yorn Riveria, Chicago Saturday, March 3, 2007 Saturday’s Pete Yorn show at the Riveria was accomplished in a number of ways. The show was sold out, with the collar-popped faithful eating up every overly-modest lick. Yorn’s support band brought a surprising life to even his most midtempo numbers. And Yorn himself not only made […]
Fall Out Boy live!
Fall Out Boy Metro, Chicago Wednesday, February 14, 2007 Here’s the secret about Fall Out Boy: They’re better than you want them to be. Sure, it’s easy to hate on them because of the increased pop profile the band now attracts, or de facto bandleader Pete Wentz’s PerezHilton.Com-worthy publicity antics. But you know what they […]
Winger, Enuff Z’Nuff live
Winger, Enuff Z’nuff House Of Blues, Chicago Sunday, February 18, 2007 “We didn’t expect this many people,” said Kip Winger to a full House Of Blues. For his notorious, now-reformed hair metal band, the reunion concert succeeded in part due to coincidence: Across the Loop, the annual Chicago Auto Show was just letting out. So […]
Kenny Rogers Live!
Kenny Rogers Paramount Theatre, Aurora Saturday, February 10, 2007 Some know him as the singer from First Edition and others as a country-to-pop crossover solo artist, but no matter what the circle, Kenny Rogers will always be “The Gambler.†Though he has crested countless times on a ride that has sold more than 105 million […]
Buckcherry Live!
Buckcherry, The Exies Austin’s Saloon, Libertyville Tuesday, January 23, 2007 You could almost see the members of Buckcherry holding their breath when they released their third LP, 15, a year ago. It was clearly a labor of love — after much soul-searching they decided not to make their breakup permanent, but instead try a little […]
O.A.R. & Gomez live
O.A.R./Gomez U.I.C. Pavilion, Chicago Friday, January 19, 2007 Calling O.A.R. a Dave Matthews Band rip-off is both unfair and misleading, though it’s a frequent comparison from critics and casual fans alike. Sure, the guys have opened for Dave and company on numerous occasions, built their fan base with a similar grassroots approach, tour incessantly, and […]
The Chamber Strings live
The Chamber Strings Double Door, Chicago Saturday, January 20, 2007 Those wondering if The Chamber Strings have lost a step since their last gig are missing the point. Seeing how founder Kevin Junior was literally scrounging for heroin from a cardboard box in an L.A. slum quite recently, Saturday’s reunion wasn’t about gelling or marketing […]
The Ponys, Sano live!
The Ponys, Sano Schubas, Chicago Friday, January 12, 2006 The flagship showcase for this year’s Tomorrow Never Knows festival at Schubas featured the first performance by Chicago’s Ponys in several months. Fueled as the night was by an ad hoc, adventurous spirit, the real winner was a side project by The M’s Josh Chicoine, called […]
Beres Hammond, Marcia Griffiths live!
Beres Hammond, Marcia Griffiths House Of Blues Sunday, January 14, 2007 Dancehall reggae, with its rough riddims and often explicit lyrics continues to dominate Jamaica’s music scene but for evidence that singer-songwriters still command influence, one only needs to turn to Beres Hammond.
Anita Baker Live!
Anita Baker Chicago Theatre, Chicago Saturday, December 09, 2006 When Anita Baker released her comeback CD, My Everything, in 2004, she was slated to perform at the United Center with duet partner Babyface, but the concert was canceled due to undisclosed reasons. A royalty-related lawsuit from Babyface crept into the picture shortly thereafter, but the […]
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