Stage Buzz

Stage Buzz: Riot Fest 2018 – Sept 14-16 Douglas Park, Chicago: First Wave

Brassneck | June 5, 2018 | 0 Comments

Riot Fest continues its tradition of solid, left of center bookings for the 2018 version of the hometown festival that returns to Douglas Park September 14-16. This year’s fest brings a bevy of artists across dozens of genres on five stages including “First Wave” headliners including Blink-182 and Beck (with a third to be revealed […]

Photo Gallery: Courtney Barnett at Preston Bradley Hall at the Chicago Cultural Center

Brassneck | May 25, 2018 | 0 Comments

“Put me on a pedestal and I’ll only disappoint you.” Nothing could have been further from the truth when Courtney Barnett sang that line from her song “Pedestrian at Best.” The native Australian just released her second long player Tell Me How You Really Feel and is celebrating the occasion with a brief tour in […]

Stage Buzz Q&A: Utopia at Chicago Theatre May 22

Brassneck | May 17, 2018 | 0 Comments

The 32-year wait to coax Todd Rundgren’s Utopia back into touring America may have felt like forever, but it’s finally over and on its way to visiting the iconic Chicago Theatre. Not only will faithful score two comprehensive sets classified by cerebral progressive rock selections and straight-up power pop, but this particular stop will also […]

Stage Buzz: Record Store Day 2018

Brassneck | April 18, 2018 | 0 Comments

Record Store Day “goes to 11” in 2018 (eleven years and counting)! Though it has had its share of critics over the years – mainly because of overpriced “limited editions” for some titles, and “vinyl touts” flipping the good stuff online soon after the event is over – it’s hard to argue with the […]

Stage Buzz: Rhye at Thalia Hall

Brassneck | March 5, 2018 | 0 Comments

Rhye Thalia Hall Thursday, March 8 Mike Milosh, who records under the moniker Rhye (along with a revolving door of collaborators), seems to be hopelessly in love with his sadness. The music on his debut Woman was so delicate and hushed, it sounded as if it would get crushed under the weight of emotional nakedness and […]

Stage Buzz – Liquid Soul at 210 Live

Brassneck | February 7, 2018 | 0 Comments

Highwood’s 210 Live sits on the former Minstrel’s Alley concert space that featured groundbreaking bands including Cheap Trick, Styx and the Ramones in their early years, so they already have a historic vibe in their bones. The venue has already built a good reputation with a variety of acts featuring top-tier jazz, blues, and rock […]

Stage Buzz: Zaius at Reggies Chicago

Brassneck | January 10, 2018 | 0 Comments

Modern prog/post-metal instrumental music has never been stronger, especially in Chicago where bands such as Pelican, Electric Hawk, Russian Circles and Zaius all share a bit of the spotlight. With plenty of venues in the city that welcome acts who play original material, it’s a blessing for a band like Zaius. “There is really […]

Stage Buzz: Todd Rundgren at Park West

Brassneck | December 14, 2017 | 2 Comments

As one of the most prolific and forward-thinking artists/producers of the last 50 years, it’s 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]

Brassneck | December 8, 2017 | 0 Comments

Though they stopped just short of a “full monty” (as the gallery will atest), Chicago’s 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 […]

Stage Buzz: [Updated with Gallery] Doyle at The Forge of Joliet

Brassneck | November 8, 2017 | 1 Comment

Under the eponymous Doyle banner, the dominating ex-Misfits axeman has conjured up 13 metallic horror-punk tracks on his sophomore solo effort that was released this past summer, Doyle II: As We Die. Currently on his As We Die World Tour, Doyle (real name Paul Caiafa) and his band – vocalist Alex “Wolfman” Story, bassist […]

[Updated] Live Review/Stage Buzz: The Afghan Whigs at Metro

ilentertainer | September 20, 2017 | 0 Comments

The Afghan Whigs Metro, Chicago Sept. 23 Midway through the set Saturday night at Metro, Afghan Whigs frontman Greg Dulli momentarily halted the band’s momentum after the song “Algiers” to address one particular fan: “Wasted and flipping me off is not going to work,” he said to a woman near the stage. As the crowd […]

Stage Buzz: Bourbon & Beyond

ilentertainer | September 14, 2017 | 0 Comments

Summer is waning, but festies will get their last licks in September 23 and 24 in Louisville. If bourbon, food, music, and camping is appealing to end your summer festival season, then Bourbon & Beyond should be on your radar. With camping gear and a quick 5 hour drive, music fans can sample several renowned […]

Stage Buzz: Riot Fest 2017 Undercard Preview

ilentertainer | September 12, 2017 | 0 Comments

Riot Fest returns to Douglas Park for its 13th year this September. Based on that number, palm–readers may think it’ll be an unlucky year for the festival. But this year’s lineup is arguably the best ever put together by the organizers. With so many great bands and artists performing you might feel overwhelmed. That’s where […]

Updated: Live Review/Stage Buzz – Mastodon at Metro

ilentertainer | September 8, 2017 | 1 Comment

Live Review Mastodon Metro, Chicago Sept. 9, 2017 Mastodon rarely plays an encore. Instead, the band merely thanks the crowd and walks offstage. Saturday night at Metro, though, the band’s parting words carried more weight as they played an intimate benefit concert for Hope For The Day, a Chicago-based mental health education and suicide prevention […]

[Updated] Stage Buzz/Recap/Photo Gallery: Kiss at RiverEdge Park

ilentertainer | August 17, 2017 | 1 Comment

Kiss brought all their pageantry and glory to RiverEdge Park in Aurora, Sunday. Despite the threat of thunderstorms hovering overhead, Kiss took the stage on time and ended just minutes before buckets of rain hit the western suburbs. Three generations of fans were treated to a classic catalog and all the pyro Kiss fans […]