Weekly
Stage Buzz: Alien Ant Farm, Allie X, Rick Springfield, Kim Gordon
Alien Ant Farm, the band known for giving Michael Jackson’s “Smooth Criminal” a hard rock makeover, returns with Mantras, their first new album in nine years. Though a lot has changed in that time, the band is still unapologetically their brash, high-energy, abrasive selves. Hear fan favorites along with new songs at their Bottom […]
Photo Gallery: The Damned at Concord Hall • Chicago + Bonus Live Review from The Gothic Theatre • Denver
The Damned Concord Music Hall Chicago, IL June 2, 2024 Recap and photos by Curt Baran Although they’ve maintained a core of usual suspects, The Damned have certainly endured a revolving door of both personnel changes and musical directions. This is not entirely surprising, considering the UK band is now entering its FIFTH decade as […]
Stage Buzz: Allman Betts Band, Melt-Banana, The Damned, , George Clinton
The term “nepo baby” gets thrown around in show business a lot these days. Two sons of southern rock greats (Greg Allman and Dickie Betts) are doing it right, honoring and expanding the legacy of southern roots rock (Devon Allman and Duane Betts with Berry Duane Oakley). The Allman Betts Band arrives at the Arcada […]
Knocked Loose, LCD Soundsystem, Echo and the Bunnymen
Knocked Loose is one of the most acclaimed metalcore groups of the late 2010s. Their blending of metalcore noise with hardcore punk made their sound brash, rough, and exciting. The band returned this year with their third album, You Won’t Go Before You’re Supposed To, which they’ll be touring behind. Hear cuts from the latest […]
Stage Buzz: Hatsune Miku, Sleep Token, Megan Thee Stallion, Saxon
Hatsune Miku is the world’s biggest virtual idol. She’s the OG hologram hitting the scene before Tupac and Michael Jackson. And though she’s just a Vocaloid, she remains one of Japan’s most successful exports. Miku’s world concert tour series, Hatsune Miku Expo, celebrates its 10th anniversary this year and rolls into Chicago for a sold-out […]
Studiophile: Remembering Steve Albini
Audio engineer, musician, and studio owner Steve Albini passed away unexpectedly on Tuesday night (May 7). His death is a terrible loss not only to his family, colleagues, and friends but also to so many studio engineers and music fans who loved his production and passion. His extensive recording resume included groundbreaking bands like Nirvana, […]
Skating Polly, Craig David, John Oates
For the past six decades, John Oates made up one-half of the soul duo Hall & Oates. The singer/songwriter broke out on his own for his debut solo album Phunk Shui in 2002. Now, he returns with a new solo album, Reunion, and a supporting tour. John Oates will play a sold-out show with […]
Live Review: Robyn Hitchcock at Old Town School of Folk Music • Chicago
Robyn Hitchcock Old Town School of Folk Music Chicago, IL Saturday, May 4, 2024 Reviewed by Jeff Elbel Pop surrealist Robyn Hitchcock performed the second of a two-night stand at the Old Town School of Folk Music on a rain-soaked Saturday night. The career-spanning setlist included many requests coordinated via Hitchcock’s social media accounts, ensuring […]
Stage Buzz: Creeper, Puscifer, A Perfect Circle, Primus
With over 50 million records sold worldwide, a rebellious drive, and one of the most distinctive voices in metal, it’s no wonder that Judas Priest are legends. Though the metal titans keep pumping out new music, with their latest Invincible Shield, dropping earlier this year, they’ll always be known for classic songs like “Breaking the […]
Stage Buzz: Legions of Metal at Reggies • Chicago
Legions of Metal Festival Friday, May 3, and Saturday, May 4 Reggies Chicago, IL By Kelley Simms (Feature photo Hirax by Anne De Pena) A revered Chicago metal tradition continues to thrive under its new name with this year’s two-day/two-room (Reggies Rock Club and Music Joint) music festival. Legions of Metal originally began as Ragnarokkr […]
Stage Buzz: Judas Priest at Rosemont Theatre • Rosemont
After an impressive five-decades-long career, British heavy metal pioneers Judas Priest show no signs of slowing down with the release of their highly acclaimed 19th new studio album, Invincible Shield. On 14 super-charged tracks, Priest delivers the indisputable, classic heavy metal sound that hearkens back to the band’s heyday. While some legacy bands […]
Stage Buzz: Stabbing Westward, Hawtorne Heights, Cypress Hill
Cypress Hill is the hip-hop group that brought us classic gems like “Insane in the Brain” and “The Phuncky Feel One.” Known for their blend of hip hop, gangsta rap, rock, and psychedelic, the band has sold over 20 million albums worldwide and became the first hip hop to have a star on the Hollywood […]
Stage Buzz: The Black Crowes, Maggie Rogers, Waxahatchee
30 years ago, The Black Crowes, led by brothers Chris and Rich Robinson, found critical and fan acclaim with their debut album Shake Your Money Maker. Its raw sound and fusion of Southern rock and blues made it a success with it peaking at No. 4 on the Billboard 200. Numerous breakups and reunions […]
Spins: The Outfit “Go”
The Outfit Go (Pavement Entertainment) On its third full-length album, Go, local rockers, The Outfit continues its infectious blend of catchy hooks, memorable melodies, and a hybrid of Cheap Trick meets Foo Fighters influences. Chicago veteran sound engineer Matt Mercado returns for this release, as does Grammy-nominated, multi-platinum producer and mixer Ulrich Wild (Pantera, Static-X, […]
IE 2024 Record Store Day Guide
Record Store Day was conceived in 2007 at a gathering of independent record store owners and employees as a way to celebrate and spread the word about the unique culture surrounding nearly 1400 independently owned record stores in the US and thousands of similar stores internationally. The first Record Store Day took place on […]
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