Tag: featured
Cover Story: Slash • Raised on the Blues
Over four decades, Slash has established himself as one of the greatest guitarists in the world. It seems he’s done it all. Aside from laying down iconic riffs for Guns N’ Roses, he’s worked with just about anyone you can think of: Lenny Kravitz, Alice Cooper, Bob Dylan, Michael Jackson, Miles Kennedy, Carole King, Iggy […]
Media: August 2024 • Catching up with 97.1FM The Drive’s Brian Sherman
You’ll be hard-pressed to find a more approachable morning radio show than the Drive’s (97.1FM) Sherman and Tingle. They don’t just talk to the listeners on the phone, they do it in person. How many radio shows regularly go out to the bars with their listeners? Sherman and Tingle do it every week for a […]
Stage Buzz: Lollapalooza, Chappell Roan, Destroy Boys, Hanabie
The summer event you’ve all been waiting for is finally here! It’s Lollapalooza weekend! Returning to Grant Park from August 1st to August 4th, this year’s event features headliners Megan Thee Stallion, Hozier, SZA, Stray Kids, The Killers, Future X Metro Boomin, blink-182, and Melanie Martinez. Other performers include Killer Mike, Conan Gray, Vince Staples, […]
Photo Gallery: Def Leppard, Journey and Steve Miller Band at Wrigley Field • Chicago
Def Leppard Journey The Steve Miller Band Wrigley Field Chicago, IL July 15, 2024 Recap and photos by Curt Baran The Northside’s shining diamond turned itself into a Wayback machine. To see the names Def Leppard, Journey, and The Steve Miller Band on the marquee would’ve had one believing it was a “World Series of […]
Live Review: The Church at Summerfest • Milwaukee, WI
The Church Summerfest, Milwaukee, WI Saturday, June 29, 2024 Review by Jeff Elbel After a damp and gloomy Friday in Chicago, Steve Kilbey recognized a good thing when The Church took the stage for the headlining slot at Summerfest’s Miller Lite Oasis on Saturday. He greeted the crowd and remarked upon the “perfect […]
Cover Story: Plain White T’s: The Timing is Right
It’s 2024, and somehow, “Hey There Delilah” is making headlines. Again. The iconic Plain White T’s song went viral when Drake and parody rapper Snowd4y shared their version entitled “Wah Gawn Deliah.” So, what did Plain White T’s singer/songwriter Tom Higgenson think? He’s flattered but still questions if it’s real. Yet, he’s in awe […]
Media: July 2024 • 45th Anniversary of Disco Demolition: A Loop Insider’s Story
In the heyday of the late ’70s and early ’80s, Loop (WLUP, 97.9 FM) was owned by Congressman Cecil Heftel of Heftel Broadcasting. The president of Heftel Broadcasting was Tom Hoyt. A few photos of Hoyt appear in my book The Loop Files, as do a few stories told by him during his Heftel […]
Photo Gallery: Santana with Counting Crows • Credit Union 1 Amphitheatre • Tinley Park
Santana with Counting Crows Credit Union 1 Amphitheatre Tinley Park Saturday, June 29, 2024 Recap and gallery by Curt Baran Two titans of the San Francisco Bay Music scene touched down in suburban Tinley Park this past weekend. ‘60’s legend Carlos Santana, who, at age 76, may have spent the majority of his set playing […]
Stage Buzz: Rolling Stones, Hawthorne Heights, Third Eye Blind
The Rolling Stones are defying the odds. The original bad boys of rock are still touring and making new music 62 years (!) in their career. Their 24th album, Hackney Diamonds, dropped last year. But it’s classics like “Start Me Up,” “Miss You,” “Paint It Black,” “Sympathy for the Devil,” “Jumpin’ Jack Flash,” and “(I […]
Live Review: Robert Plant & Alison Krauss • Ravinia Festival • Highland Park
Robert Plant & Alison Krauss Ravinia Festival Highland Park, IL Wednesday, June 12, 2024 Review by Jeff Elbel. Photos by Kyle Dunleavy/Ravinia Festival. Wednesday’s concert at Ravinia Festival celebrated the seemingly serendipitous pairing of rock legend Robert Plant and bluegrass torchbearer Alison Krauss. While emphasizing roots music and Americana, the bandleaders’ partnership testified to the […]
Photo Gallery: Sarah McLachlan • Huntington Bank Pavilion • Chicago
Sarah McLachlan Huntington Bank Pavilion Chicago, IL June 11, 2024 Recap and photos by Curt Baran If you closed your eyes, it was as if you’d been transported back to 1994. Sarah McLachlan began singing “Possession” from her Fumbling Toward Ecstasy album from that year and it sounded as if her voice had been cryogenically […]
Feature: Kula Shaker • Spiritual Relationships
“Not dead YET.” For better or worse, that has become my patented gallows-humored, post-pandemic response to anyone who casually inquires how I’m doing. Based on the hilarious Monty Python Death Cart scene in The Holy Grail, I’ve found it to be a good way of underscoring the […]
Stage Buzz Q & A: Jon Anderson at Copernicus Center • Chicago
Jon Anderson is in love with life. At 79 years old, he’s still doing what makes him happy: making and playing music. Not only is he prepping a summer tour with The Band Geeks, but he’s also getting ready to release his 16th solo album, True. With a career spanning several decades, it would be […]
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 […]










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