Weekly
Stage Buzz Live Review: Thievery Corporation at Park West
Thievery Corporation Thursday, September 30, Park West, Chicago On Thursday night, a fully packed Park West had the vibe of a trance-dance party, with the love and unity of an Afrobeat ensemble. If strictly immersed on the dance floor, one would think it was DJ night. But it was so much more with five boundless […]
Spins: Vanishing Shores • “Maps”
Vanishing Shores Maps (independent) Vanishing Shores has made a swift ascent toward their summit of song. Kevin Bianchi established a compelling sonic identity for the group with 2018’s self-titled debut EP, but he strides forward with this full-length release. Maps finds Bianchi’s artistry expanding while offering a more focused and personal portrait. Elements of Laurel Canyon […]
Stage Buzz: Photo Gallery: Megadeth/Lamb of God/Trivium/Hatebreed • Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre
After their unplanned pandemic 2020 sabbatical, Megadeth and Lamb of God arrived healthy and intact in Tinley Park last night. Both bands were seemingly overjoyed; they were finally getting to tour even at the halfway point of their grueling 27-date North American jaunt. If you can find a band more at the top of their […]
Stage Buzz: Preview • Pitchfork Festival 2021 Undercard Picks
Canceled and delayed by the pandemic in 2020 and 2021, Pitchfork Fest returns to Union Park September 10. 11 and 12 on a crowded fall festival weekend. You’ve read about their celebrated headliners (St.Vincent, Phoebe Bridgers, Erykah Badu); now take a look at some of our favorite undercard performers. DEHD On their 2020 […]
Stage Buzz: Live Review and Photo Gallery • Colin Hay at Park West
Colin Hay Park West, Chicago, IL Sunday, August 29, 2021 Review by Jeff Elbel, photos by Philamonjaro Colin Hay has spent decades building his brand as one of popular music’s premier solo acoustic entertainers and all-around raconteurs. His performance benefits from a miraculously ageless voice, fluid and dexterous guitar playing, and stories that overflow […]
Stage Buzz: Review and Photo Gallery • Wilco, Sleater-Kinney at Pritzker Pavillion
Wilco, Sleater-Kinney, Nnamdï Jay Pritzker Pavilion, Millennium Park, Chicago, IL Saturday, August 28, 2021 Review by Jeff Elbel Photo Gallery by Curt Baran Saturday’s performance at Pritzker Pavilion was Wilco’s first hometown show since December 2019, when the band supported 2019’s Ode to Joy album at the Chicago Theatre. After 20 months of waiting, Jeff […]
Stage Buzz: Photo Gallery • Korn with Staind at Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre
Two titans of hard rock’s Nu Metal movement descended on Tinley Park’s Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre Friday. Korn and Staind, torchbearers that flat out owned the genre in the late 90’s, have hit the road together for a tour that’s bringing the down tuned heaviness to the late summer Shed’s across the country. The two acts […]
Spins: Jeff + Ping • The Threefinger Opera
Jeff Elbel + Ping The Threefinger Opera (Marathon Records) A few years ago, Chicago-area musician Jeff Elbel experienced a crushed nerve ending that denied him the use of two fingers on his left hand. This is bad news for someone who not only fronts his own band, the expansive Jeff Elbel + Ping but sits […]
Stage Buzz: Preview • Lindsey Stirling at Huntington Bank Pavilion
Lindsey Stirling August 10, 2021 Huntington Bank Pavilion, Chicago Like every other performer on the planet, Lindsey Stirling had to put all her touring plans on hold when COVID shut down live music. In the wake of vaccines and the window of opportunity that is still presenting itself as COVID vaccinations increase, the California […]
Stage Buzz: Lollapalooza 2021 • Day One Photo Gallery
Live music has returned! Lollapalooza celebrated its 30th Anniversary by returning to Chicago’s front yard. There was, however, a palpable mix of emotions that filled Grant Park with the specter of COVID still very much lurking. Proof of vaccination and/or negative test results were required for entry. Those who couldn’t provide either were required to […]
Stage Buzz: Lollapalooza 2021 • Day Two Photo Gallery
Day Two of Lollapalooza 2021 was greeted with what was, arguably, the greatest weather the festival has ever seen. Overnight storms not only tramped the dust down but also shoved the previous day’s suffocating humidity to places unknown. This blank meteorological canvass got splashed by aural brushstrokes from Oston, Rookie, Mob Rich, Tai Verdes, Black […]
Stage Buzz: Lollapalooza 2021 • Day Three Photo Gallery
It’s Day Three, and Lolla keeps rolling on. Tonight’s total head-scratcher has Post Malone and Journey headlining on separate ends of Grant Park. Yep…not a typo. Let’s also toss in a recently revived Limp Bizkit to really keep it weird. But hey, there was no shortage of contemporaries like Cannons, Jessia, Porches, Michigander, Rence, BIA, […]
Stage Buzz: Lollapalooza 2021 • Day Four Photo Gallery
The curtains are now drawn closed on yet another Lollapalooza. Don’t call it a comeback. The final day featured great sets from The Aquadolls, Brooke Alexx, Sir Chloe, Sofia Valdes, RMR, Princess Nokia, Sarah Barrios, MXMTOON, Brittany Howard, The Front Bottoms, Rico Nasty, Modest Mouse, and Band of Horses. Until next summer… -Curt Baran […]
Stage Buzz: Live Review and Photo Gallery – James Taylor and His All-Star Band and Jackson Browne • United Center
James Taylor and His All-Star Band, Jackson Browne Thursday, July 29, 2021 United Center, Chicago, IL The third time’s the charm. Originally scheduled for the summer of 2020, the long-anticipated tour by James Taylor and His All-Star Band featuring Jackson Browne’s opening set was bumped to June of this year by the pandemic. Opening […]
Stage Buzz: Photo Gallery • Sammy Hagar and The Circle • RiverEdge Park
Sammy Hagar and The Circle (featuring Sammy Hagar, Michael Anthony, Jason Bonham and Vic Johnson) July 18, 2021 RiverEdge Park Aurora, IL RiverEdge Park in Aurora hosted Hagar and friends on a near-perfect July summer evening. The set-list was stacked with Van Halen (Sammy era faves naturally), and Hagar’s solo hits. Van Halen’s “Right Now” […]
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