Weekly
Live Review and Photo Gallery: Bruce Springsteen at Wrigley Field • Chicago
Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band Wrigley Field, Chicago, IL Friday, August 11, 2023 Review by Jeff Elbel. Photos by Curt Baran. After packing Wrigley Field on Wednesday, Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band ushered in the weekend with a second sold-out performance on Friday night in the Cubs’ outfield. At showtime, the members […]
Stage Buzz: Lollapalooza, Repentance, Voice of Baceprot, Mudvayne
Whether it’s his outrageous outfits or causing controversy, Boy George knows how to get attention. Though he has a prolific solo career, he’s best known as the androgynous singer of Culture Club. In a sea of endless new romantic acts and lots of hairspray, the band stood out not just for their look but […]
Spins: Pete Townshend • Empty Glass (Vinyl Remaster)
The Who’s acclaimed, Rock Hall-of-Fame guitarist’s heralded second album (including breakout AOR single “Rough Boys”) gets a vinyl remaster.
Plus: Pete Townshend and Ronnie Lane’s “Rough Mix”
Stage Buzz: Pitchfork Fest, Shawnimal, Sad Summer Fest, Snoop Dogg
Pitchfork Festival returns to Union Park this weekend with another stacked lineup. Catch performances from The Smile, Perfume Genius, Big Thief, King Krule, JPEGMAFIA, Hurray for the Riff Raff, Bon Iver, illuminati hotties, Killer Mike, Alvvays, and more. The fun kicks off Friday, July 21 and wraps up Sunday, July 23. Get tickets and […]
Live Review: Cheap Trick at Metro • Chicago
Cheap Trick with Brokeback Sunday, July 16, 2023 Metro, Chicago, IL Review by Jeff Elbel The 40th-anniversary celebration at Chicago’s venerable Metro continued on Sunday by welcoming Rockford’s finest rock and roll export, Cheap Trick, for a sold–out show. The Rock and Roll Hall of Famers maintain a regular presence in the area, but Sunday’s show […]
Stage Buzz: Sparks, Savage Master, Traveler, Less Than Jake
When Drake made the bold move from acting to rapping, no one could’ve guessed he’d be one of the most prolific rappers of the 21st century. Not only is he among the world’s best-selling artists, but he’s also one of the most influential rappers, old and new, taking after him. Before he drops his […]
Stage Buzz: Heavy Chicago Festival at Avondale Hall • Chicago
Chicago’s Avondale Music Hall will be hosting a brand-new metal festival, Heavy Chicago, over two weekends this fall. Beginning on Saturday, October 28, Chicago’s beloved Trouble will be kicking things off with its first local show in five years. “It has been far too long since our last Chicago show, but as we all know, […]
Live Review and Photo Gallery: American Music Festival – FitzGerald’s • Berwyn
American Music Festival FitzGerald’s June 30 – July 3 Berwyn, IL Reviewed by William Tokash Photos from Day One, Three, and Four by Curt Baran FitzGerald’s iconic American Music Festival in Berwyn, commenced on 4th of July weekend, celebrating its 40th year, making it one of the longest-running and storied music festivals in the country. […]
Spins: Cowboys in the Campfire • Wronger
Tommy Stinson’s Cowboys in the Campfire Wronger (Cobraside) The longstanding friendship and musical partnership between Philly guitar-slinger Chip Roberts and Replacements bassist Tommy Stinson (also a veteran of Bash & Pop, Perfect, Guns N’ Roses, and Soul Asylum) has yielded the pair’s debut album as Cowboys in the Campfire. Stinson in particular, has roots in […]
Photo Gallery: Shania Twain at Credit 1 Amphitheatre • Tinley Park
Shania Twain Credit Union 1 Amphitheatre Tinley Park, IL July 1, 2023 Recap and photos by Curt Baran Although she never technically went away, it really feels like Shania Twain is “back.” The Canadian import largely owned the pop-leaning tendencies of country music during her heyday in the ’90s and early aughts. Her sophomore release, […]
Anniversary Albums: Tears for Fears • The Hurting
Tears for Fears The Hurting (40th anniversary Abbey Road remaster LP) (Mercury/UMC) For a band with its staying power and following, Tears for Fears’ catalog is brief. By all reports, it isn’t a lack of work ethic that suppressed productivity – it’s the internal quality control exercised by principals Roland Orzabal and Curt Smith. The […]
Stage Buzz: Between the Buried and Me, Anita Baker, NASCAR Music
Between the Buried and Me are known for their high-concept albums that create thematic sagas within their discography. Their rich storytelling will be on full display when they perform their acclaimed 2012 album The Parallax II: Future Sequence in its entirety this Friday, June 30 at House of Blues. Thank You Scientist and Rivers of […]
Live Review: Stevie Nicks at United Center • Chicago
Stevie Nicks United Center Chicago, IL June 23, 2023 By Curt Baran No one sings like Stevie Nicks. She is at once singular and ubiquitous in both sound and influence (Courtney, Alanis, and Shirley…show of hands, please). It’s as if her voice continues to travel from some distant past to the present tense […]
Stage Buzz: H.E.R.; Blues on the Fox, Pansy Division, FEAR,
Multi-instrumentalist/singer/songwriter H.E.R. has numerous accolades to her name. 25 Grammy nominations with five wins, an Academy Award, and an Emmy. And she’s only 25 years old. Now, the singer brings her passion and heart-wrenching soul to the Chicago Theatre for a sold out show this Thursday, June 15 at 8 PM. Taste of Randolph returns […]
Spins: Flaming Lips: The EPs
The Flaming Lips Hypnotist vinyl EP Fight Test vinyl EP Ego Tripping at the Gates of Hell vinyl EP (Warner Records) Released in conjunction with the Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots 20th-anniversary campaign, these three EPs add to the picture of The Flaming Lips’ surging power during a period of peak creativity while simultaneously edging […]
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