Weekly
Live Review & Photo Gallery: Duran Duran with Nile Rodgers and Chic and Bastille at Charter One Pavilion ⢠Chicago
Duran Duran Charter One Pavilion at Northerly Island Chicago, IL Friday, September 1, 2023 Review by Jeff Elbel. Photos by Philamonjaro. With temperatures in the mid-70s and clear skies, it was a perfect Friday night in the fading summer for a concert outdoors along Lake Michigan. ā80s alternative-pop survivors Duran Duran arrived at Northerly […]
Stage Buzz: Corey Taylor, Duran Duran, North Coast Fest, Last Fling
Corey Taylor is best known as the crazed masked leader of Slipknot, but lately, heās been pulling double duty, performing with the Masked Nine, and breaking out on his own for a new solo career. Taylor returns this year with his second album, CMF2. Hear cuts from his upcoming album and from his previous […]
Stage Buzz: Guns N’ Roses, The Offspring, Haunt, Arctic Monkeys
Guns Nā Roses is one of the most successful and notorious rock bands out there. Their rebelliousness, unapologetic hedonism, and penchant for drawing up controversy earned them the title of āthe most dangerous band in the world.ā Nearly 40 years after its formation, the band is still going strong and can still pack stadiums […]
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 andĀ the E Street Band ushered in the weekend with a second sold-out performance on Friday night in the Cubsā 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, heās 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 Chicagoās venerable Metro continued on Sunday by welcoming Rockfordās finest rock and roll export,Ā Cheap Trick, for a sold–out show. The Rock and Roll Hall of Famers maintain a regular presence in the area, but Sundayās show […]
Stage Buzz: Sparks, Savage Master, Traveler, Less Than Jake
When Drake made the bold move from acting to rapping, no one couldāve guessed heād be one of the most prolific rappers of the 21st century. Not only is he among the worldās best-selling artists, but heās 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
Chicagoās Avondale Music Hall will be hosting a brand-new metal festival, Heavy Chicago, over two weekends this fall. Beginning on Saturday, October 28, Chicagoās beloved Trouble will be kicking things off with its first local show in five years. āIt has been far too long since our last Chicago show, but as we all know, […]
Live Review and Photo Gallery: American Music Festival – FitzGeraldās ⢠Berwyn
American Music Festival FitzGeraldās June 30 – July 3 Berwyn, IL Reviewed by William Tokash Photos from Day One, Three, and Four by Curt Baran FitzGeraldās 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 Stinsonās 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 Nā Roses, and Soul Asylum) has yielded the pairās 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 Fearsā catalog is brief. By all reports, it isnāt a lack of work ethic that suppressed productivity ā itās 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 […]










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