Weekly
Live Review and Gallery: Bon Jovi at United Center
Bon Jovi United Center, Chicago Sunday, March 26, 2017 As Bon Jovi kicked off its first concert in Chicago since Soldier Field in 2013 with âThis House Is Not For Saleâ (the title track from the bandâs 13th standard studio album), original members Jon Bon Jovi, David Bryan (keyboards) and Tico Torres (drums) seemed to […]
Stage Buzz: Overkill at Concord Hall
New Jersey’s âWrecking Crewâ and old guard thrash metal kings, Overkill are back with their 18th album, The Grinding Wheel on February 10th. The 2017 line-up features members vocalist Bobby âBlitzâ Ellsworth, bassist D.D. Verni, guitarists Dave Linsk and Derek Tailer and drummer Ron Lipnicki, all intact and energized. The Grinding Wheel is the perfect […]
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 thereâs always room for more. So this past weekend, the creative community welcomed House of Vans Chicago. Situated on the cityâs 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 Turnerâs 2017 tour would kick off just as this country faces the aftermath of one of the most contentious elections in our nationâs history. The English folk-punkerâs musings have always leaned toward the political, so it seemed all to apropos that heâs 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 â 40th Anniversary Edition (Universal Music Enterprises) Bassist Geddy Lee has described Rush as âthe worldâs biggest cult band.â Among the trioâs most devoted followers, youâll find fans claiming any one of the Canadian prog-rock powerhouseâs twenty albums as their favorite. To the world at large, however, it all comes down to 1976âs […]
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 Pretendersâ fearless leader […]
Live Review: Robyn Hitchcock at City Winery
Robyn Hitchcock and Emma Swift Thursday, November 17, 2016 City Winery As Robyn Hitchcockâs touring partner for a number of years, Emma Swift received a warm welcome at City Winery from the headlinerâs 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 âNothing but the Wheelâ from his 2002 solo album Sleepless, he described the distinguished company he kept while creating it. âI had the pleasure of recording this song with rock and roll royalty,â he said. âWell, real royalty â Sir Mick Jagger.â
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 1991âs Union tour. Billed as ARW, Singer Jon Anderson and keyboardist Rick Wakeman from the classic â70s line-up that created progressive rock masterpieces Fragile and Close to the Edge were joined by guitarist/vocalist Trevor Rabin from the â80s pop powerhouse incarnation that produced 1983âs 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 whoâve 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 Chicagoâs House of Blues. Fronted by singer and former […]
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