Tag: featured
Photo Gallery: Deap Vally with Sloppy Jane at Thalia Hall • Chicago
Deap Vally Sloppy Jane  Thalia Hall Chicago, IL February 10, 2024 Recap and photos by Curt Baran Final tours in rock and roll are the equivalent of deaths in science fiction. Are they really dead? Well, Deap Vally seems pretty convincing that this is their last go-round. The L.A. duo consisting of Lindsey Troy (guitar, […]
Photo Gallery: John 5 at Arcada Theatre • St. Charles
John 5 Arcada Theatre St. Charles, IL February 1, 2024 Photos by Edward Spinelli Acclaimed guitarist John 5 arrived at Arcada Theatre on Thursday. 5 made his mark with a musical resume that includes such diverse artists as k.d. Lang, Rod Stewart, Dolly Parton, David Lee Roth, Meat Loaf, Rob Halford, Lita Ford, Lynyrd Skynyrd, […]
Cover Story: Alkaline Trio • Urgent Energy
Alkaline Trio is no stranger to the macabre. The Chicago punk outfit doesn’t shy away from talking about heavy topics like loss, addiction, and depression. But even when they’re talking about how everything sucks, they do it with a wink and nod. Their wry lyrical wit paired with punchy high energy music makes their […]
Media • February 2024 • Remembering the Early Loop
One of the great advantages of writing an oral history like I recently wrote about WLUP Radio (The Loop Files) is the opportunity to hear the stories right from the horse’s mouth. I interviewed over a hundred of those horses (Loop employees). Since the book came out a few months ago, I’ve heard from […]
Live Review and Photo Gallery: Black Pumas at Salt Shed • Chicago
Black Pumas The Salt Shed, Chicago, IL Saturday, January 27, 2024 Review by Jeff Elbel. Photos by Philamonjaro. Austin, Texas-based psychedelic soul duo Black Pumas crowned a triumphant three-night run in Chicago with Saturday night’s sold-out performance at the Salt Shed. Singer Eric Burton and former Grupo Fantasma guitarist Adrian Quesada led a sharp six-piece backing […]
Spins: Beastie Boys • Hello Nasty 25th anniversary 4xLP box
Beastie Boys Hello Nasty 25th anniversary 4xLP box (UMe) By 1998, Beastie Boys ruled radio and MTV thanks to a steady stream of brash and catchy singles, beginning with 1986 noise-fest “Fight for Your Right” from the trio’s debut and continuing with tracks including “Hey Ladies,” “So What’cha Want,” and “Sabotage” from ensuing albums. After […]
Stage Buzz: Tomorrow Never Knows (TNK) Festival
Chicago’s premiere festival showcasing the best indie acts, both locally and internationally, Tomorrow Never Knows (TNK) returns this week. Over the course of five days, Lincoln Hall, Schubas, GMan Tavern, and Sleeping Village will feature performances from must-hear indie artists spanning various genres. This year’s lineup includes Aisha Burns, Alice Longyu Gao, Maneaters, Daybreaker, Sluice, […]
Spins • The Rolling Stones • Hackney Diamonds – Live Edition
The Rolling Stones Hackney Diamonds Live Edition (Polydor/Interscope/Geffen/A&M) It isn’t the backhanded compliment it sounds like to say that Hackney Diamonds is a better album than many Stones fans might have anticipated. Giving away the ending: This is strong work that earns its spot on many 2023 year-end lists, and it’s not unfair […]
Cover Story: John 5 • Immersed In Music
When it comes to musical diversity and performing genre-hopping styles, guitarist John William Lowery (aka John 5) is one of the most prolific. Whether he’s creating rock, industrial metal, funk, EDM, progressive, or bluegrass compositions, the lethal six-string slinger is guaranteed to shred all over it. With a musical resume that includes such diverse artists […]
Stage Buzz: Local H, Umphrey’s McGee, Patti Smith
Patti Smith is one of the most influential figures of the New York City punk rock movement. Her fusion of punk rock and poetry earned her the title of Punk poet laureate. With groundbreaking albums like Horses, Gone Again, and Peace and Noise, she remains an inspiration to creatives today. Just days before her birthday, […]
Live Review: Geddy Lee at Auditorium Theatre • Chicago
My Effin’ Life in Conversation Book Tour Auditorium Theatre, Chicago, IL Sunday, December 3, 2023 Review by Jeff Elbel. Rush frontman Geddy Lee has performed in Chicago concert halls, including the Auditorium Theatre, many times during the last five decades, but never like he did on Sunday when appearing on his speaking tour for […]
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 […]
Cover Story: Trans-Siberian Orchestra • A Quarter Century of Christmas
If you still haven’t experienced the Trans-Siberian Orchestra’s annual winter holiday show, you should seriously consider adding it to your bucket list. The TSO traveling holiday rock opera is a multimillion-dollar act that has grown exponentially since the band’s inception, making it one of the biggest-grossing concert bands in the US. In true holiday-giving […]
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 […]
Hello My Name is… Geddy Lee of Rush – talks about his “Effin’ Life”
Rush bassist and frontman Geddy Lee makes it clear that the word “retirement” has no place in his vocabulary. Rush may be finished (or is it?), but Lee is a whirlwind of activity. His series for Paramount+, Geddy Lee Asks: Are Bass Players Human Too?, premieres on December 5 as an outgrowth of his best-selling […]
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