Weekly
Stage Buzz: DevilDriver at Portage Theater
California groove-metal machine, DevilDriver have returned with a ferocious seventh album, Trust No One. On 10 tracks, vocalist Dez Fafara is like a ticking time bomb ready to explode. With a dose of anger and brutal rants about life being destroyed by trust, this is Fafara at his cynical best. Gearing up for their first […]
Live Review and Gallery: Andrew Bird at Allstate Arena
Andrew Bird Friday, January 20, 2017 Allstate Arena A week after performing for A Prairie Home Companion at Symphony Center, Andrew Bird returned to open for the Lumineers at Allstate Arena. Showing his hometown roots, Andrew Bird marveled at finding himself onstage at the former “Rosemont Horizon.” He stopped short of naming shows he had […]
Recap and Gallery: Future Islands at House Of Vans Chicago
In a city filled with storied musical venues, the prevailing attitude seems to be that there’s always room for more. So this past weekend, the creative community welcomed House of Vans Chicago. Situated on the city’s near west side, the new venture is a bit of an anomaly. On its first official night, it was […]
Recap and Gallery: Frank Turner at HOB Chicago
How fortuitous that Frank Turner’s 2017 tour would kick off just as this country faces the aftermath of one of the most contentious elections in our nation’s history. The English folk-punker’s musings have always leaned toward the political, so it seemed all to apropos that he’s still out supporting his most current release Positive Songs […]
Stage Buzz: Tribute Weekend!
January usually means snow and cold in Chicago and reduced touring schedules for a lot of bigger bands. It also opens up tour dates, which means national tribute bands get to showcase their wares to fans. This weekend a couple of acclaimed tribute acts from opposite ends of the musical spectrum will hit the stage […]
Spins: Rush, Frank Zappa Reissues
Rush 2112 – 40th Anniversary Edition (Universal Music Enterprises) Bassist Geddy Lee has described Rush as “the world’s biggest cult band.” Among the trio’s most devoted followers, you’ll find fans claiming any one of the Canadian prog-rock powerhouse’s twenty albums as their favorite. To the world at large, however, it all comes down to 1976’s […]
Photo Gallery – Roger Hodgson at Arcada Theatre
IE’s Ed Spinelli captured Supertramp co-founder and classic rock radio staple, Hogdson at the historic Arcada Theater.
Spins: Reviewed – The Rolling Stones – “Blue and Lonesome”
“Britain’s oldest hitmakers” return to their blues roots. Instead of revisiting tired cliches, Jeff Elbel says they sound inspired and re-energized, in Spins.
Live Review and Gallery – Steve Nicks and The Pretenders
Stevie Nicks/ The Pretenders United Center, Chicago Saturday, December 3, 2016 By the dates on their birth certificates, Stevie Nicks and Chrissie Hynde could easily qualify for retirement, but rather than tossing in the towel or being satisfied with repeated trips down memory lane, both the longtime Fleetwood Mac member and The Pretenders’ fearless leader […]
Live Review: Robyn Hitchcock at City Winery
Robyn Hitchcock and Emma Swift Thursday, November 17, 2016 City Winery As Robyn Hitchcock’s touring partner for a number of years, Emma Swift received a warm welcome at City Winery from the headliner’s fans. The Australian transplant by way of Nashville colored tremulous guitar chords with her rich and winsome alto on songs including […]
Live Review and Photo Gallery: Peter Wolf at City Winery
When Peter Wolf introduced “Nothing but the Wheel” from his 2002 solo album Sleepless, he described the distinguished company he kept while creating it. “I had the pleasure of recording this song with rock and roll royalty,” he said. “Well, real royalty – Sir Mick Jagger.”
Live Review – ARW at Chicago Theatre
Generations of Yes fans gathered to celebrate at the Chicago Theatre when principal members of two key line-ups combined forces for the first time since 1991’s Union tour. Billed as ARW, Singer Jon Anderson and keyboardist Rick Wakeman from the classic ‘70s line-up that created progressive rock masterpieces Fragile and Close to the Edge were joined by guitarist/vocalist Trevor Rabin from the ‘80s pop powerhouse incarnation that produced 1983’s 90125.
Live Review – The Pretty Reckless at House Of Blues Chicago
The Pretty Reckless House of Blues Chicago November 11, 2016 The road is littered with actors who’ve attempted the crossover into rock star success, so it was certainly encouraging to see a packed house waiting to greet The Pretty Reckless on a blustery fall evening at Chicago’s House of Blues. Fronted by singer and former […]
Photo Gallery and Recap – Kansas at Copernicus Center
Kansas Copernicus Center, Chicago Friday, October 4, 2016 There were so many special occasions swirling through the air when Ron Onesti (and the folks from the Arcada Theatre in St. Charles) brought Kansas to the grandly restored Copernicus Center that it would’ve been very easy to lose count. For starters, it happened to be the […]
Photo Gallery and Recap: Temple Of The Dog – Philadelphia
The Seattle music scene thrived in the ‘90s, and one of its greatest gifts was the collaboration between Chris Cornell and Matt Cameron of Soundgarden, Stone Gossard and Jeff Ament of Mother Love Bone, and guitarist Mike McCreedy. The project – Temple of the Dog – served as a tribute to Mother Love Bone vocalist […]
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