Weekly
Eddy “The Chief” Clearwater: 1935-2018
Blues legend Eddy “The Chief” Clearwater, who passed away on June 1 of heart failure, towered over the Chicago music scene both literally and figuratively. At six feet four, he cut a striking figure, slashing his left-handed guitar with his signature blues, rock and funk riffs. Born in a Mississippi cotton field and nurtured by […]
Live Review and Photo Gallery: David Byrne at Auditorium Theatre
In press statements, David Byrne promised that his current tour supporting new album American Utopia would present his most ambitious show since staging the 1983 concerts that became the Jonathan Demme-directed film Stop Making Sense with Talking Heads. On the first of three nights at Chicago’s elegant Auditorium Theatre, Byrne and his cohort of 11 […]
Photo Gallery: Courtney Barnett at Preston Bradley Hall at the Chicago Cultural Center
“Put me on a pedestal and I’ll only disappoint you.” Nothing could have been further from the truth when Courtney Barnett sang that line from her song “Pedestrian at Best.” The native Australian just released her second long player Tell Me How You Really Feel and is celebrating the occasion with a brief tour in […]
Live Review and Photo Gallery: U2 at United Center
U2 United Center, Chicago Tuesday, May 22, 2018 A mere three years ago, U2 set up shop at the United Center for five nights to unveil its ambitious “iNNOCENCE + eXPERIENCE” concept, accompanied by a boundary-breaking, technologically-innovative visual assault. Bono and the boys then pressed “pause” on the project to celebrate the 30thanniversary of *The […]
Stage Buzz Q&A: Utopia at Chicago Theatre May 22
The 32-year wait to coax Todd Rundgren’s Utopia back into touring America may have felt like forever, but it’s finally over and on its way to visiting the iconic Chicago Theatre. Not only will faithful score two comprehensive sets classified by cerebral progressive rock selections and straight-up power pop, but this particular stop will also […]
Stage Buzz: Record Store Day 2018
Record Store Day “goes to 11” in 2018 (eleven years and counting)! Though it has had its share of critics over the years – mainly because of overpriced “limited editions” for some titles, and “vinyl touts” flipping the good stuff online soon after the event is over – it’s hard to argue with the […]
Live Review and Photo Gallery: The Darkness at Park West
The Darkness Park West, Chicago, IL Wednesday, April 11, 2018 He’ll take your coat. He’ll share his water bottle if you appear to be parched. He’ll pull you onstage if you’re wearing his favorite shirt (the one bearing his own first name in lightning-strike font). Is there anything Justin Hawkins or his bandmates in the […]
Photo Gallery & Live Review: The Zombies at City Winery
The Zombies City Winery Monday, March 19, 2018 Review by Jeff Elbel Photos by Philamonjaro On Monday, March 19, British Invasion icons the Zombies returned to City Winery for the first of two nights. The band displayed its impressive range from the jump, beginning with the full-tilt blues rock of Bo Diddley’s “Road Runner” followed […]
Live Review: The Eagles at United Center
Eagles/ JD & The Straight Shot United Center, Chicago Wednesday, March 14, 2018 Rather than making some grand entrance or busting out the big lights (those would come a bit later), core Eagles members Don Henley, Joe Walsh and Timothy B. Schmit, alongside Deacon Frey and Vince Gill, quietly got into position at the United […]
Live Review and Gallery: P!nk at United Center
In today’s world of instant gratification, Pink gave her fans precisely what they wanted. A light show worthy of a U.F.O. landing, music played at deafening decibels, a gaggle of backup dancers and a headlining artist who flies through the air. Oh, and all of this occurred during the evening’s first song, “Get The Party […]
Stage Buzz: Rhye at Thalia Hall
Rhye Thalia Hall Thursday, March 8 Mike Milosh, who records under the moniker Rhye (along with a revolving door of collaborators), seems to be hopelessly in love with his sadness. The music on his debut Woman was so delicate and hushed, it sounded as if it would get crushed under the weight of emotional nakedness and […]
Review and Photo Gallery: Marillion at Arcada Theater
Marillion Arcada Theatre, St. Charles, IL Monday, February 19, 2018 Review by Jeff Elbel Chicago-area fans of Marillion’s timely concept album FEAR saw the English band perform a rare victory lap on Monday at the Arcada Theatre in St. Charles. The album had been introduced to local fans at the Vic in October 2016. The […]
Live Review and Gallery: Robert Plant at Riviera Theatre
Riviera Theatre, Chicago Tuesday, February 20, 2018 Leave it to Robert Plant, arguably rock n’ roll’s most famous and ferocious front man of all time, to keep his eyes focused primarily on recent interests rather than recycling his glories of yesteryear. The man who turned down more cash than could ever be counted to reunite […]
![File: The Smashing Pumpkins Reunion [Updated]](http://illinoisentertainer.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/pumpkins-88-150x150.jpg "File: The Smashing Pumpkins Reunion [Updated]")
File: The Smashing Pumpkins Reunion [Updated]
Longtime fans of The Smashing Pumpkins hopes of a full reunion were dashed last month when ex-bassist D’Arcy Wretzky revealed to website BlastEcho.com that she was not invited to participate in the band’s reunion tour with co-founders Billy Corgan, James Iha and Jimmy Chamberlin which will allegedly take place this summer. Speaking exclusively to BlastEcho […]
Stage Buzz – Liquid Soul at 210 Live
Highwood’s 210 Live sits on the former Minstrel’s Alley concert space that featured groundbreaking bands including Cheap Trick, Styx and the Ramones in their early years, so they already have a historic vibe in their bones. The venue has already built a good reputation with a variety of acts featuring top-tier jazz, blues, and rock […]
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