Tag: featured
Cover Story: Push Puppets ⢠Risk Takers
Erich Specht is a risk taker. Whether itâs using homemade backstage passes to meet one of his idols or adding a spicy horn section to his song, he believes in taking chances. Thatâs part of what drives his band, Push Puppets. The project began as a musical outlet for Specht, where he played […]
Media: July 2025 ⢠40 Years of Steve Bertrand
A few weeks ago, WGN Newsman Steve Bertrand celebrated his 40th anniversary at WGN Radio. He was kind enough to sit down and chat with me about his tremendous career. IE: 40 years. I donât want to say thatâs a long time, but they were filming âFerris Buellerâs Day Offâ on your first […]
Photo Gallery: Queens Of The Stone Age Huntington Bank Pavilion at Northerly Island ⢠Chicago
Queens Of The Stone Age Huntington Bank Pavilion at Northerly Island Chicago, IL June 21st, 2025 Recap and photos by Curt Baran Back in 2000, singer/guitarist Josh Homme probably had no idea that his Queens Of The Stone Age record, Rated R, would somehow build a bridge between metalheads and alternative rock kids. But its […]
Hello My Name Is ⌠Jim Kerr of Simple Minds + Photo Gallery ⢠Friday, June 20: Huntington Bank Pavilion at Northerly Island ⢠Chicago
Although Scottish art-rockers Simple Minds enjoyed massive support in Europe and elsewhere, mainstream success in the United States remained elusive through the early â80s. The band had gained a modest foothold with college radio airplay for songs like the shimmering âPromised You a Miracleâ from 1982âs New Gold Dream (81-82-83-84) and the anthemic homage to […]
Stage Buzz: Queens of the Stone Age, Dispatch, Halsey, Chicago Pride Parade
Throughout her career, Halsey has pushed the boundaries of pop music and molded them into her own distinctive, undefinable sound. With her distinct singing style and no-holds-barred performances, she is an unapologetic pop rebel. See her in action when she brings the âFor My Last Trickâ tour to Huntington Bank Pavilion on Tuesday, June 17th, […]
Photo Gallery: Betty Who at The Vic Theatre ⢠Chicago
Betty Who Vic Theatre Chicago, IL June 13th, 2025 Recap and photos by Curt Baran There was a hesitancy in the air that felt almost palpable. Betty Who was back in town, AND she was performing during Pride Month, so the mood inside Chicagoâs Vic Theatre should have been ebullient. As a staunch, longtime supporter […]
Photo Gallery: Pierce The Veil with Sleeping With Sirens at Credit Union One Amphitheatre
Pierce The Veil with Sleeping with Sirens Credit Union One Amphitheatrep Tinley Park, IL June 7th, 2025 Recap and photos by Curt Baran The outdoor concert season got off to a rousing start in the southern suburbs on Saturday night. Pierce The Veil, the San Diego-based Emo rockers, took the stage and were greeted to […]
Cover Story: The Feelies ⢠Be Kind, Rewind
 The Feelies (photo by Doug Seymour)     When most rock bands release a new album, itâs usually the hard-won result of weeks, months, sometimes even years of careful consideration and execution. But New Jersey quintet The Feelies recently stumbled on a new, more reckless method of adding a new volume to its […]
Media: June 2025 ⢠Swany Leaves 101.9FM The Mix
WTMX (The Mix) recently announced that midday personality Lisa Allen was leaving the station. The announcement added âalong with three other staffers.â When I read that, I had a bad feeling, so I called my old friend John âSwanyâ Swanson, my co-author of The Radio Producerâs Handbook, and asked him if he was one of […]
Live Review and Photo Gallery: AC/DC with The Pretty Reckless at Soldier Field ⢠Chicago
AC/DC with The Pretty Reckless Soldier Field Chicago, IL May 24, 2025 Live Review by Justice Petersen, Photo Gallery by Edward Spinelli Rock legends AC/DC made their return to Chicagoâs Soldier Field Saturday, proving that they can still deliver their signature concoction of gritty yet anthemic rock ânâ roll with high energy after nearly 50 […]
Live Review: Paul Simon at Symphony Center ⢠Chicago
Paul Simon Symphony Center Chicago Wednesday, May 22, 2025 Review by Jeff Elbel Paul Simonâs appearance in Chicago seven years ago at United Center wasnât quite the farewell it was purported to be at the time. Those who arrived on Wednesday for the first of Simonâs three-night stand at the comparatively intimate Symphony Center, however, […]
Photo Gallery: Larkin Poe at The Vic Theatre ⢠Chicago
Larkin Poe The Vic Theatre May 17th, 2025 Chicago, IL Recap and photos by Curt Baran If youâre a musician with hereditary links to the dark poet Edgar Allen Poe, it would be safe to assume your music would have gothic leanings. Well, the music the Lovell sisters create certainly has DNA lineage, but itâs […]
Live Review: Benmont Tench at Garciaâs ⢠Chicago
Benmont Tench Garciaâs Chicago Thursday, May 15, 2025 Review by Jeff Elbel. Photos by Jim Snyder. To say Benmont Tench made a rare visit to Chicago on Thursday would be inaccurate. The keyboardist and songwriter has been here practically countless times in his pivotal role with American rock and roll band Tom Petty and […]
Live Review: Ministry at the Riviera Theatre ⢠Chicago
Ministry Riviera Theatre Chicago, IL May 9, 2025 Live Review by Ashley Perez Hollingsworth âAre you guys ready to take a trip down memory lane? Get in a hot tub time machine and forget thereâs all this turmoil?â asked Ministryâs Al Jourgensen decked out in an oversized fuzzy hat, heart-shaped glasses, and glittery blazer. […]
Stage Buzz: Mayday Parade, Ice Nine Kills, BeyoncĂŠ,
BeyoncĂŠ has dominated pop, soul, and R&B. Now, sheâs taking over country music. Showing that she canât be boxed in, BeyoncĂŠ is charting new territory with her latest album COWBOY CARTER. Now, the singer is bringing the chart topping record to Chicago for a three-night stint at Soldier Field. Catch the âTexas Hold âEmâ singer […]
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