Weekly
Stage Buzz: The Way Down Wanderers at City Winery
The Way Down Wanderers City Winery Chicago Sunday, September 9 Recalling the sounds of WLS’s vintage Barn Dances with more modern nu-grass like the Avett Brothers and The Ghost of Paul Revere, Chicago’s Way Down Wanderers live it and play it authentically as a modern folk band blessed with layered and rich harmonies and soul. […]
Stage Buzz Q & A: Ed Kowalczyk of Live
On the surface, it resembles any other cleverly-conceived summer shed tour â alt-rock powerhouse Live co-headlining a massive jaunt with folk-rocking combo Counting Crows, celebrating the 25th anniversaries of both. Great bang for your concert buck, all told. But to Live leader Ed Kowalczyk â who acrimoniously quit the band in 2009, then later rejoined […]
Live Review: Zebra at Arcada Theatre
Zebra The Arcada Theatre, St. Charles, IL Friday, August 31, 2018 Review by Jeff Elbel Photos by Luciano J. Bilotti The Arcada Theatre in St. Charles continues to reinforce its reputation as an essential musical hub in the greater Chicago area. On Friday, the Arcada welcomed â80s hitmakers and New Orleans hard rockers Zebra for […]
Live Review: Ariana Grande at The Vic Theatre
Towards the end of Ariana Grandeâs performance at the Vic Theater Wednesday, her manager, Scooter Braun, came onstage and interrupted the singerâs rendition of “God Is a Woman,” from Grandeâs just released Sweetener (Republic Records) album. Bragging like a proud parent, Braun informed Grande that she had the number one song (âWomanâ) from the number […]
Recap & Photo Gallery: Pearl Jam at Wrigley Field
When Pearl Jam last played Wrigley Field in the summer of 2016, something was missing. In fact, that something had an absence that was entering its second century. But when Eddie Vedder, the Seattle quintetâs lead singer, brought Tom Ricketts out midway through their Saturday night performance at the historic ballpark, the Chicago Cubs owner […]
Live Review & Photo Gallery: Jeff Lynne’s ELO at Allstate Arena
Jeff Lynneâs ELO Allstate Arena, Rosemont, IL Wednesday, August 15, 2018 The famous Electric Light Orchestra jukebox spaceship descended upon the Chicago area for the first time in 37 years on Wednesday, when Jeff Lynne brought his innovative fusion of rock, pop and classical elements to Rosemont. Generations of fans packed Allstate Arena to capacity, […]
Recap & Photo Gallery: The Smashing Pumpkins at United Center
Earlier this year, rumors began to swirl that Billy Corgan was “getting the band back together” to borrow a phrase from The Blues Brothers. Although the Smashing Pumpkins frontman had always continued to tour and record with different musical configurations under the same moniker, this loose talk concerned the four original members: Billy, drummer Jimmy […]
Stage Buzz : The Dead Daisies at The Forge
Blasting off like a screaming rocket in 2013, The Dead Daisies (TDD) have watched its fan base explode into a worldwide phenomenon. In just five short years, TDD has released four studio albums, two EPs, and a double live record. The band, featuring guitarist/co-founder David Lowy (Red Phoenix, Mink), John Corabi (ex-Mötley CrĂŒe, The Scream), […]
Live Review: Jay-Z and Beyoncé at Soldier Field
Jay-Z and BeyoncĂ© Soldier Field, Chicago Friday, August 10, 2018 âWhatâs better than one billionaire?â rapped Jay-Z during âFamily Feudâ at the first of two Soldier Field stops for the âOn The Run IIâ Tour (that continues Saturday, August 11), before answering with an emphatic âtwo!â He was, of course, referring to âthe most incredible […]
Photo Gallery and Recap: Radiohead at United Center
Earlier this year, Radiohead fans became ecstatic when seemingly without warning, the Oxfordshire six-piece announced a North American tour in support of their 2016 release, A Moon Shaped Pool. As arguably one of the finest live acts currently performing, the band has mostly relegated themselves to festival appearances in the hopes of minimizing the number […]
Live Review: Ry Cooder at Thalia Hall
Ry Cooderâs lengthy resume includes a pile of highlights. Among them are six Grammy awards, evocative soundtrack albums for films including Paris, Texas, collaboration with previously-hidden musical treasures of Cuba with Buena Vista Social Club, and profoundly influencing the signature sound of the Rolling Stones. Cooder also has a stack of great albums to his […]
Live Review and Photo Gallery: Ray LaMontagne with Neko Case at Huntington Bank Pavilion at Northerly Island
Ray LaMontagne with Neko Case Friday June 16th Huntington Bank Pavilion at Northerly Island Ray LaMontagne Ray LaMontagne was in a decidedly rocking mood as he hit the stage at Chicagoâs Huntington Bank Pavilion. The dayâs suffocating heat had finally been replaced with a dramatic drop in temperature and steady, cool breezes complements of Lake […]
Live Review and Photo Gallery: The Monkees Present: The Mike & Micky Show at Copernicus Center
The Monkees Present: The Mike & Micky Show Copernicus Center, Chicago, IL Thursday, June 14, 2018 Several generations of Monkees fans arrived at the Copernicus Center on Thursday knowing theyâd see only half of the beloved band. What they might not have expected was that The Mike & Micky Show would be twice the concert […]
Stage Buzz: Kraut Fest; Gabriel Sanchez presents The Prince Experience
Krautfest June 8-10: 3250 Nicholson Rd; Franksville, WI 53126 If you trek north over the border, Krautfest kicks off Wisconsin’s summer festival season, drawing from the Tri-State area to feature everything you’d expect from a classic Wisconsin festival: Beer, brats, fireworks and some amazing bands, including Hoobastank and Saving Abel. Throw in a sauerkraut […]
Stage Buzz: Riot Fest 2018 – Sept 14-16 Douglas Park, Chicago: First Wave
Riot Fest continues its tradition of solid, left of center bookings for the 2018 version of the hometown festival that returns to Douglas Park September 14-16. This year’s fest brings a bevy of artists across dozens of genres on five stages including “First Wave” headliners including Blink-182 and Beck (with a third to be revealed […]
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