Weekly
Eddie Shaw (1937-2018)
A huge, gaping hole has been left in the foundation of the Chicago blues scene with the passing of Eddie Shaw, who died on January 29 at age 80. Beloved by all for his warmth and charisma, Eddie was also a walking encyclopedia of blues history. Born in Mississippi, he learned to play blues by […]
Live Review: The Killers at The United Center
The Killers United Center, Chicago Tuesday, January 16, 2018 Just six months after headlining Lollapalooza, The Killers swung back through Chicago in support of Wonderful Wonderful, its fifth studio album and first in five years. The group may have stuck to a somewhat similar set list outside of extra emphasis on the current collection, but […]
Stage Buzz: Todd Rundgren at Park West
As one of the most prolific and forward-thinking artists/producers of the last 50 years, itâs no surprise that Todd Rundgren would rather keep exploring than nestle into a comfort zone. In fact, that fierce commitment to his current artistic muse over commercialism and a regularly shifting set list is exactly what keeps the faithful coming […]
Stage Buzz : The Jesus Lizard at Metro [Updated with Photo Gallery]
Though they stopped just short of a “full monty” (as the gallery will atest), Chicagoâs Jesus Lizard showed everyone their goodies during a sold-out show at Metro, Friday. Performing in Wrigleyville on only one of only six tour dates, the powerful quartet pulled themselves out of the mothballs, playing with precision and aplomb, and sounded […]
Gallery: Jay-Z at United Center
At this point in his career, Jay-Z is all but an elder statesman in Hip-Hop. The East Coast rapper has always had some of the silkiest flow in the genre and certainly has the record sales as proof (100 million and counting). His â4:44 Tourâ touched down for a stop Tuesday at the United Center. […]
Photo Gallery: John McLaughlin & Jimmy Herring at The Vic Theater
Ed Spinelli captured two guitar giants at The Vic last week, adding these show notes: “Chicago was the only city on this tour lucky enough to get two shows. Both easy sellouts to what appeared to be a male dominated audience, and guessing they were all guitar players getting their last lessons from the master […]
Live Review/Gallery – Elton John at the Tax Slayer Center
Elton John TaxSlayer Center, Moline Friday, November 10, 2017 Nearly every season in Elton Johnâs illustrious career is filled with some sort of milestone, but perhaps more than any in recent memory, the last year prompted several reasons to celebrate. For starters, the international superstar released his 30th studio album Wonderful Crazy Night (the first […]
Recap/Gallery: Widespread Panic at Riverside Theater
Widespread Panic The Riverside Theater Milwaukee, WI Widespread Panic didn’t make it to the Windy City this year, so Ed Spinelli packed up the Plymouth Voyager min-van and went to one of the bands favorite hot spots – Milwaukee! Panic have been hosting their Fall, 3-day weekends in the Cream City for a decade. The […]
Reacap/Gallery: Flogging Molly at Limelight Metroplex
Flogging Molly, the Detroit based seven-piece, played an electric two-hour set at the Limelight Eventplex in Peoria, Saturday. It was the bandâs first visit to Whiskeytown in support of their latest studio album, Life Is Good. Their mix of traditional Irish music and punk rock hit the mark with a crowd spanning three generations. […]
Photo Gallery: Stephen Stills & Judy Collins at the Arcada Theatre
After 50 years of friendship and two dynamic musical journeys, Ed Spinelli caught these two singer/songwriter legends together at the Arcada in St. Charles.
Photo Gallery: UFO with Saxon at Star Plaza Theater
35 years after their legendary 1982 U.S. Tour (stopping in Chicago at the International Amphitheater) – UFO and Saxon showed they still have plenty of rock left in the tank at the Star Plaza. Jared James Nichols opened the show. Ed Spinelli caught the action like it was Nineteen Eighty-Two!
Recap/Photo Gallery: Alison Moyet at Park West
Alison Moyet Park West, Chicago Tuesday, September 19, 2017 On her first solo world tour in exactly 30 years, Alison Moyet caught Chicago faithful up to speed since Yazoo/Yaz reunited in 2008. Although she made sure to play several selections from the celebrated synthpop duo, the 21-track set was also stocked heartily with tunes […]
[Updated] Live Review/Stage Buzz: The Afghan Whigs at Metro
The Afghan Whigs Metro, Chicago Sept. 23 Midway through the set Saturday night at Metro, Afghan Whigs frontman Greg Dulli momentarily halted the bandâs momentum after the song âAlgiersâ to address one particular fan: âWasted and flipping me off is not going to work,â he said to a woman near the stage. As the crowd […]










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