Weekly
Live Review and Photo Gallery: Poster Children at Bottom Lounge ⢠Chicago
Poster Children Saturday, May 27, 2023 Bottom Lounge, Chicago, IL Review and photos by Jeff Elbel âWe are Poster Children from Champaign, Illinoisâ has been bassist Rose Marshackâs salutation to audiences for decades. After extending a welcome to Saturdayâs audience at Bottom Lounge, Marshack took questions while brothers Jim and Rick Valentin tuned […]
Stage Buzz: Helloween, Seal, NKOTP Blockfest, Adelitas Way
German metal legends Helloween, recently inducted into the Heavy Metal Hall of Fame in New York, come to the Riviera Theatre on Friday, 5/26. Their debut album Walls of Jericho, has stood the test of time as one the greatest speed metal debuts ever.  Helloween is touring with metal stalwarts Hammerfall – making this tour one of […]
Live Review: Hozier at Metro ⢠Chicago
Hozier Metro Chicago, IL May 16, 2023 By Aubrey Vernon Irish singer/songwriter Hozier’s “pop-up show” at Metro was, as expected, a uniquely intimate moment for lucky fans who were able to score tickets at the iconic 1100-seat venue. 2023 promises to be a good year for Andrew Hozier-Byrne, who just announced his third album (with […]
Live Review: Glenn Kotche at Senior Hall ⢠Homewood
Glenn Kotche Senior Hall Cabin Homewood, IL May 6, 2023 By Craig Frank Bang a gong, play it with wooden spoons, or rattle it with paint scrapers, Wilcoâs Glenn Kotche recently treated listeners with his insights, tricks, and inspirational sources to both his methods and musicality. On a recent Homewood evening in a Depression-era forest […]
Stage Buzz: Enter Shakari, Cecy Santana, The Flaming Lips, Blink-182
Lotus Kings vocalist Cecy Santana and Deacon Productions’ Steven Kikoen (Deacon Blues, Abbey Road, and Prognosis) team up Thursday, May 4, at Adorn Chicago (with Luiz Ewerling, Brazilian percussion) and Friday, May 5th, (at Endiro Coffee in Aurora with guest Megan Thomas on percussion) serving up a heaping celebration of Cinco De Mayo music. To celebrate […]
Stage Buzz: The Interrupters, August Burns Red, The String Cheese Incident
The String Cheese Incident remains one of Americaâs most significant independent bands. Theyâve been making their own rules for the past 30 years and show no signs of stopping any time soon. Everything from their marketing to the eclectic sound is done on their own terms, and itâs paid off. Though they havenât released a […]
Stage Buzz: Waterparks, Bikini Kill, Joe Perry Project, Placebo
Some say the pop-punk revival is currently underway, but for Houston rockers Waterparks it never ended. Forming in 2011, the band has been leading the charge of the next wave of pop-punk groups. With their newest album, INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY, the band keeps their punk rock spirit but makes it fresh by continuing to play with their […]
Stage Buzz: John Mellencamp, R&B Music Experience, Black Flag, The Great Pretenders, Windy City Jazz Electric
When youâre a Rock and Roll Hall of Famer like John Mellencamp, itâs easy to rest on your laurels and coast off your biggest hits. Yet, Mellencamp has no interest in becoming a legacy act and is still pumping out new music. His latest album, 2022âs Strictly a One-Eyed Jack marked his 24th (!!) […]
Q&A: Susanna Hoffs at Chicago Humanities Festival ⢠Chicago
Susanna Hofffs Chicago Humanities Festival Chop Shop, Chicago April 13, 2023 By  Tom Lanham âIt was the best of times, it was the worst of times,â Charles Dickens once drily observed. And nobody could relate better to such innate situational irony than any contemporary artist â someone who traditionally creates to earn a […]
Stage Buzz: Paradoxx at Brauerhouse ⢠Lombard
Paradoxx Friday, April 7, 2023 Brauerhouse Lombard, IL After four decades, Paradoxx could be considered as esteemed senior statesmen in the Chicago metal scene. Brothers Glen (vocals) and John Dobbs (guitar), formed the band in their parent’s basement in Portage Park [Chiicago] in 1980. Along the way, they added bassist Frank Rotondo, Drummer Jerry […]
Stage Buzz: Depeche Mode, Model/Actriz, Lil Wayne, Deacon Blues
Depeche Mode suffered a devastating loss last year with the passing of co-founding member Andy Fletcher. Now a duo, with a supporting cast – the band is marching forward with their new album Memento Mori and a highly anticipated world tour. The Basildon lads will swing by the United Center for a sold-out show on […]
Live Review and Photo Gallery: Rise Against (Residency) at Metro ⢠Chicago
Rise Against March 30, 31 and April 1 Metro Chicago, IL Review by Jaime deâMedici; Photos by Curt Baran Over the past year, the Metro has welcomed a number of Chicago superstars as part of the venueâs ongoing 40th anniversary celebration. Among them have been The Smashing Pumpkins and Fall Out Boy, with Wilco even […]
Stage Buzz: Night Demon at Reggies ⢠Chicago
Night Demon Reggies, Chicago Thursday, March 30, 2023 Ventura, Californiaâs metal power trio Night Demon is finally returning to Chicago. Itâs been a long six years since they last appeared at Reggies opening for Anvil. Bassist Jarvis Leatherby, guitarist Armand, and drummer Dusty Squires are out in support of their new Century Media release Outsider which hit […]
Live Review: The Church at Thalia Hall ⢠Chicago
The Church Thalia Hall, Chicago, IL Sunday, March 26, 2023 Review by Jeff Elbel Australian psychedelic rockers The Church returned to Chicago following a five-year absence, playing to a full house at the Pilsen neighborhoodâs Thalia Hall on Sunday. A selection of captivating new songs honored the bandâs beloved sound while carrying it […]
Photo Gallery: Maya Hawke at Metro ⢠Chicago
Maya Hawke Metro Chicago, IL March 18, 2023 Recap and photos by Curt Baran Maya Hawke is well on her way to becoming multi-hyphenated. Sheâs best known for her acting roles, specifically her character Robin on the hugely successful  Netflix television series Stranger Things. As the daughter of actors Ethan Hawke and Uma Thurman, one […]
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