Tag: featured
Live Review: Amy Grant at City Winery • Chicago
Amy Grant City Winery, Chicago, IL Monday, June 15, 2026 Review and live photo by Jeff Elbel “I just love songs that start conversations,” said singer-songwriter Amy Grant when introducing “The 6th of January (Yasgur’s Farm)” to an attentive, sold-out room at City Winery Chicago on Monday. Known for clean-cut and uplifting radio hits […]
Photo Gallery: Mumford & Sons at Wrigley Field • Chicago
Mumford & Sons Wrigley Field Chicago, IL June 11, 2026 Recap and Photos by Curt Baran Ah, the perils of an outdoor concert during a Chicago summer. For those assembled to see Mumford & Sons at Chicago’s Wrigley Field on Thursday night, well, Ma Nature threw ‘em a curveball. Freakishly weird weather blew through the […]
Hello My Name Is…Michael Marcagi
Write what you know, goes the old Mark Twain-attributed creative imperative. It’s wisdom not lost on singer-songwriter Michael Marcagi, who once felt that his humdrum hometown of Cincinnati, Ohio, was no great shakes in the inspiration department. So how could he possibly ever hope to compete with edgier streetwise artists from New York or […]
Hello My Name is…Gary Klebe of Shoes
As Shoes guitarist/vocalist Gary Klebe remembers it, he never really entertained the notion of cutting his first solo disc at the seasoned age of 73, as he’s just done with the shimmering new Out Loud set, issued on the band’s longtime personal imprint, Black Vinyl Records. In fact, whenever he would stop to review […]
Cover Story: Ike Reilly featuring Shane Reilly • Flaws and Hope in Every Song
Annual Take Your Child to Work Day usually occurs on the third Thursday in April. But rasp-throated, political-minded rocker Ike Reilly and his son Shane have inadvertently wound up celebrating it, every single day. 25 years ago, this scrappy Libertyville, IL native found his musical calling rather late in life when he released his […]
Media: June 2026 • When Landecker Met Travolta
50 years ago, John Records Landecker (then on WLS) and John Travolta (then starring in Welcome Back, Kotter) shared a moment they will both remember forever. “Travolta had a single out on RCA Records,” John recalls, “and my show was really popular with kids who bought records, so RCA brought him into the WLS […]
Stage Buzz: Les Claypool, Beyond Wonderland, Bleachers
The wonderfully weird and absurd Les Claypool is celebrating himself on his latest trek. The “Claypool Gold Tour” features the singer/bassist’s bands Primus, the Claypool Lennon Delirium, and the Fearless Flying Frog Brigade, taking center stage for an evening of all things Claypool. The tour makes its Chicago stop at the Salt Shed this […]
Stage Buzz: Dead Daisies featuring Glenn Hughes at Arcada Theatre • St. Charles
Dead Daisies featuring Glenn Hughes May 30, 2026 Arcada Theatre St. Charles, IL By Kelley Simms Since its 2012 formation, Australian-American rockers The Dead Daisies have been churning out energetic rock and roll one album after another. Formed in Sydney, Australia by Jon Stevens (ex-Noiseworks, INXS) and guitarist David Lowy (ex-Mink), the band released its […]
Photo Gallery: Failure and Baroness at Space Echo Festival • Radius • Chicago
Failure and Baroness Space Echo Festival Radius Chicago, IL May 2nd, 2026 Recap and photos by Curt Baran Somehow, the same people who brought us Cold Waves, a touchstone festival for Industrial music that spans three days, made the Space Echo Festival feel as packed with performances. The difference this time around, the actual elapsed […]
Cover Story: Triumph • Rekindling the Magic
Canadian rock trio Triumph has recently reunited after 30 years apart to embark on a 50th-anniversary North American tour. “The Rock & Roll Machine Reloaded 2026 Tour” will celebrate the band’s long and stellar career. Guitarist/vocalist Rik Emmett, bassist/keyboardist Mike Levine, and drummer/vocalist Gil Moore have forged a musical bond that has lasted over […]
Media: May 2026 • Mark Ruffin’s Jazz Odyssey
Mark Ruffin hosts a daily jazz show from 2-5 pm on SiriusXM Channel 67 and programs the channel as well. Ruffin has a programming philosophy. “I work by what I call the Duke Ellington School of programming,” he says. “Duke tried to tailor his musicians to whatever song it was. I do the same with […]
Photo Gallery: Bruce Springsteen at United Center • Chicago
Bruce Springsteen United Center April 29, 2026 Chicago, IL Recap and gallery by Curt Baran Usually, when Bruce Springsteen lands in town, it’s an immediate cause for celebration. Such was not the case this time. He and his famed E Street Band have hit the road this time because the shredded fabric of democracy in […]
Advertiser Message: See SatchVai at Chicago Theatre Sunday, May 3rd
It’s almost time for SatchVai Band’s Surfing With The Hydra 2026 Tour with special guests Animals as Leaders! Grab your tickets now for a once-in-a-lifetime show with Joe Satriani and Steve Vai, along with their all-star band – Kenny Aronoff, Marco Mendoza & Pete Thorn! ??? Joe Satriani and Steve Vai, along with special guests […]
Stage Buzz: They Might Be Giants, Bruce Springsteen, Damaged Justice, Chris Duarte Group, Clan of Xymox
Prepare yourselves because The Boss is coming to town, and he wants you to know he’s mad as hell. Bruce Springsteen has never shied away from political commentary, and he’s doubled down on his stance on his latest outing, “Land of Hopes and Dreams American Tour.” It’ll be a night of great music, protest, and […]
Live Review & Photo Gallery: Brigette Calls Me Baby
Brigitte Calls Baby Thalia Hall Chicago, IL April 18, 2026 Live Review by Ashley Perez-Hollingsworth; Photos by Curt Baran There was something special about Brigitte Calls Baby’s second sold-out show at Thalia Hall (April 18). Maybe it was the anticipation of the crowd enthusing about past shows and their favorite songs. Maybe it was notices […]
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