Weekly
Live Review and Photo Gallery: The Rick Holmstrom Band at SPACE • Evanston
The Rick Holmstrom Band Thursday, November 30, 2023 SPACE, Evanston, IL Review and photos by Jeff Elbel. For music fans with boundary-bypassing tastes running through jazz, blues, roots, soul, folk, swamp-rock, R&B and gospel, Evanston’s SPACE was the place to be on a drizzly Thursday evening. California guitarist Rick Holmstrom brought his expert rhythm section […]
Stage Buzz: Pierce The Veil, Jingle Ball, Mariah Carey
California rockers Pierce the Veil returned with their first new album in seven years, The Jaws of Life, back in February, earning yet another chart-topping record. Now, the band braves the Chicago cold to perform new songs along with fan favorites on their “The Jaws of Life Tour” with special guests L.S. Dunes, Dayseeker, […]
Live Review and Photo Gallery: The Tubes at Arcada Theatre • St. Charles
The Tubes Arcada Theatre St. Charles, IL November 29, 2023 Review by Jeff Elbel. Photos by Ed Spinelli. Veteran art rockers the Tubes made their third visit to the Arcada Theatre on Wednesday night, playing a set that touched on popular favorites and deep tracks alike. The show began with a run through […]
Stage Buzz: Noname, Deafhaven, KISS, Deacon Blues
After releasing her critically acclaimed debut album Room 25, Chicago rapper Noname took a break from music to deal with her frustrations about the scene and to focus her energy on her education and her book club. She wasn’t completely absent, releasing various one-off singles now and then. But she finally returned with her long-awaited […]
Stage Buzz: Beauty School Dropout, Jackyl, Off Broadway, Baroness, Orianthi
When Beauty School Dropout formed, they could’ve never imagined touring with one of their idols, Mark Hoppus of blink-182. Fast forward to 2022, and the band is traveling with the band and being mentored by Hoppus, who signed them to new record label Verswire. After spending the first half of the year opening […]
Spins: The Vince Guaraldi Quintet • A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving: Original Soundtrack Recording
The Vince Guaraldi Quintet A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving: Original Soundtrack Recording (LMFP) Following 1965’s A Charlie Brown Christmas and 1966’s It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown, 1973 saw the arrival of the third Peanuts holiday special with A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving. Fifty years after first airing, the cartoon’s complete soundtrack is released as a vinyl […]
Live Review and Photo Gallery: Marvelous 3 at House of Blues • Chicago
Marvelous 3 House of Blues Chicago, IL Friday, November 3, 2023 Review and photos by Jeff Elbel The energy, musicianship, and production of Friday’s concert at House of Blues by the Marvelous 3 did not seem like the work of a band playing a mere five gigs after 22 years apart (aside from a […]
Stage Buzz: My Life With the Thrill Kill Kult, LP, Corrosion of Conformity at Heavy Chicago
When you first hear singer/songwriter LP, you never forget it. They have a soulful yet haunting voice that’s truly mesmerizing. Starting with breakout single 2017’s “Lost On You,” they have garnered critical acclaim with albums like Lost on You and Churches. Hear this enchanting singer for yourself when they perform at The […]
Spins: Tom Waits • Island ’83-’93 LP reissues
Tom Waits Island ’83-’93 LP reissues (Island/UMe) Ten years into his recording career, Tom Waits began a significant stretch of work and creative reboot that continued for another decade and helped cement his reputation as a singularly unclassifiable and consistently engaging artist. This key middle-period run of Waits’ eighth through twelfth albums for Island Records […]
Stage Buzz: Motionless in White, Bullet For My Valentine, Laufey with Adam Melchor
John Mayer has spent the past few years moonlighting as the leader of Dead & Company. Now, Mayer gets back to basics with his solo acoustic tour. The Grammy award-winning singer/songwriter will treat fans to the latest tracks from his recent album Sob Rock along with classics like “Daughters” and “Your Body is a Wonderland” […]
Live Review and Photo Gallery: The Darkness at The Vic Theatre • Chicago
The Darkness The Vic Theatre, Chicago, IL Friday, October 13, 2023 Review and photos by Jeff Elbel Bone-crunching guitar riffs, pop hooks, soaring falsetto melodies, cheeky lyrics, and dazzling solos were in ample supply on Friday as the Darkness visited the Vic Theatre to celebrate the 20th anniversary of their debut album Permission to Land. […]
Spins: The Empty Pockets • Gotta Find The Moon
The Empty Pockets Gotta Find The Moon (Self) Chicagoland-based, roots-rock quartet The Empty Pockets just released their latest studio effort Gotta Find The Moon. The follow-up to their 2022 Billboard #1 (blues album chart) Outside Spectrum. Members Josh Solomon (Guitar), Erika Brett (Keyboards), Nate Bellon (Bass), and Adam Balasco (drums) recorded the 14 tracks at the […]
Stage Buzz: Thundercat, The Darkness, Legends of Hip Hop, Low Cut Connie
Thundercat is the coolest and the funkiest bass player on the planet right now. It’s hard to resist his funky groove with its thick bass lines, smooth tone, and powerful sound. Starting his career as a session musician working with the likes of Snoop Dogg and Raphael Saadiq, Thundercat is now a bonafide rockstar. The […]
Stage Buzz: Slowdive, Chappell Roan, Violent Femmes, Tommy Lefroy
Shoegaze giants Slowdive returned this year with their acclaimed fifth album, Everything Is Alive. Originally forming in 1989, the British band continues to hypnotize listeners with their psychedelic soundscapes, ambient noise, and Rachel Goswell’s dreamy vocals. The band will perform tracks from their new album along with a slew of classics at the Riviera […]
Live Review and Photo Gallery: Peter Gabriel at United Center • Chicago
Peter Gabriel United Center Chicago, IL Saturday, September 30, 2023 Review by Jeff Elbel. Photos by Curt Baran. Peter Gabriel has publicly described a new album called i/o since the days soon following the release of 2002’s Up. The British singer/songwriter and activist even teased individual songs from the long-gestating project on prior trips to Chicago in 2012 […]
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