Weekly
Stage Buzz: Motionless in White, Bullet For My Valentine, Laufey with Adam Melchor
John Mayer has spent the past few years moonlighting as the leader of Dead & Company. Now, Mayer gets back to basics with his solo acoustic tour. The Grammy award-winning singer/songwriter will treat fans to the latest tracks from his recent album Sob Rock along with classics like “Daughters” and “Your Body is a Wonderland” […]
Live Review and Photo Gallery: The Darkness at The Vic Theatre • Chicago
The Darkness The Vic Theatre, Chicago, IL Friday, October 13, 2023 Review and photos by Jeff Elbel Bone-crunching guitar riffs, pop hooks, soaring falsetto melodies, cheeky lyrics, and dazzling solos were in ample supply on Friday as the Darkness visited the Vic Theatre to celebrate the 20th anniversary of their debut album Permission to Land. […]
Spins: The Empty Pockets • Gotta Find The Moon
The Empty Pockets Gotta Find The Moon (Self) Chicagoland-based, roots-rock quartet The Empty Pockets just released their latest studio effort Gotta Find The Moon. The follow-up to their 2022 Billboard #1 (blues album chart) Outside Spectrum. Members Josh Solomon (Guitar), Erika Brett (Keyboards), Nate Bellon (Bass), and Adam Balasco (drums) recorded the 14 tracks at the […]
Stage Buzz: Thundercat, The Darkness, Legends of Hip Hop, Low Cut Connie
Thundercat is the coolest and the funkiest bass player on the planet right now. It’s hard to resist his funky groove with its thick bass lines, smooth tone, and powerful sound. Starting his career as a session musician working with the likes of Snoop Dogg and Raphael Saadiq, Thundercat is now a bonafide rockstar. The […]
Stage Buzz: Slowdive, Chappell Roan, Violent Femmes, Tommy Lefroy
Shoegaze giants Slowdive returned this year with their acclaimed fifth album, Everything Is Alive. Originally forming in 1989, the British band continues to hypnotize listeners with their psychedelic soundscapes, ambient noise, and Rachel Goswell’s dreamy vocals. The band will perform tracks from their new album along with a slew of classics at the Riviera […]
Live Review and Photo Gallery: Peter Gabriel at United Center • Chicago
Peter Gabriel United Center Chicago, IL Saturday, September 30, 2023 Review by Jeff Elbel. Photos by Curt Baran. Peter Gabriel has publicly described a new album called i/o since the days soon following the release of 2002’s Up. The British singer/songwriter and activist even teased individual songs from the long-gestating project on prior trips to Chicago in 2012 […]
Stage Buzz Q&A: The Darkness • Appearing at The Vic Theatre • Chicago
Stage Buzz: The Darkness Q&A with Frankie Poullain Written by Jeff Elbel British band The Darkness made an auspicious arrival in North America in 2003. The band’s bombastic lead single, “I Believe in a Thing Called Love,” was an explosive blast of hard rock replete with a soaring falsetto melody, rich harmonies, guitar heroics by […]
Stage Buzz: Asking Alexandria, Run The Jewels, Maneskin, Riot V
For the past 15 years, Asking Alexandria has been one of the most dominating forces in rock and metal. Having experienced many ups and downs throughout their career, the band is stronger than ever, as heard on their latest album, Where Do We Go From Here? The band will celebrate their latest and greatest […]
Spins: Bob Dylan • Shadow Kingdom • Appearing at Cadillac Theatre • Chicago
Bob Dylan Shadow Kingdom (Columbia/Legacy) The pandemic lockdown finally brought Bob Dylan’s Never Ending Tour to a halt in 2020 after 31 years on the road. A few short months before resuming band travel in late 2021, the Bard gathered a stripped-down ensemble of trusted players for a streamed concert in July as a […]
Stage Buzz: Royal Blood, Dethklok, Ben Gibbard
The world’s most popular, successful, and dangerous metal is finally back after a lengthy 11-year break. Dethklok made their grand return this year with their highly anticipated new album Dethalbum IV and new movie Metalocalypse: Army of the Doomstar. Prepare for face-melting riffs, spine-crushing drum fills, and blood-curdling screams when the band delivers the […]
Live Review: Honeymoon Suite with Aldo Nova at Arcada Theatre • St. Charles
Honeymoon Suite, Aldo Nova The Arcada Theatre, St. Charles, IL Friday, September 15, 2023 Review by Jeff Elbel Fans of Canadian rock flocked to the Arcada Theatre on Friday for rare local appearances by ’80s hitmakers Honeymoon Suite and Aldo Nova. Hailing from Niagara Falls, Ontario, Honeymoon Suite arrived to play a 65-minute opening set […]
Spins: Repentance • The Process of Human Demise
Repentance The Process of Human Demise (Nobel Demon) Local metal journeyman Shaun Glass (Sindrome, Soil, The Bloodline, Dirge Within, Broken Hope) has been an integral and crucial part of the Chicago metal scene for decades. With his “new” band Repentance, Glass has been highly prolific since its 2018 formation by releasing an EP and two […]
Stage Buzz: Hozier, Supernatural, Time Zone, SWAK, Riot Fest, Smashing Pumpkins
Irish singer-songwriter Hozier, may be known for his groundbreaking single “Take Me to Church,” but that was just the beginning. He comes to Chicago’s Huntington Bank Pavilion on Tuesday, September 12, after a triumphant pop-up show at Metro in June. AKA Andrew Hozier-Byrne’s third album Unreal Unearth dropped in August – he proves himself to […]
Advertiser Message: Time Zone at City Winery Chicago • Monday, September 18
Time Zone Monday, September 18 City Winery Chicago, IL Listen to new TIME ZONE music – there are 3 tunes here in their original pre-mixed and pre-mastered status that will end up on the group’s debut album, with the working title “Stereopticon.” Time Zone makes its debut this month at City Winery Chicago on Monday, […]
Stage Buzz: Pearl Jam, Taste of Chicago, Cake
Pearl Jam is one of the most acclaimed and outspoken survivors from Seattle’s grunge rock era. With songs dealing with difficult topics, such as loss, self-harm, depression, and loneliness, their music continues to reach listeners far and wide. The iconic band will perform hits spanning their wide catalog during their two-night stint at the […]
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