Tag: featured
Photo Gallery: The Flaming Lips at The Salt Shed • Chicago
The Flaming Lips The Salt Shed Chicago, IL August 16th, 2025 Recap and photos by Curt Baran Mother Nature was determined to spoil the evening. The Flaming Lips said, “Hold my beer!” Severe storms rolled through Chicago’s near West Side this past Saturday night, threatening to shut down a sold-out show at The Salt Shed. […]
Photo Gallery: Billy Idol at Credit Union 1 Amphitheatre • Tinley Park
Billy Idol Credit Union 1 Amphitheatre Tinley Park, IL August 14th, 2025 Recap and photos by Curt Baran Billy Idol somehow continues to rage against the dying of the light. Hard living and a serious motorcycle accident should have snuffed him out some time ago, yet here he is, still standing like punk rock’s version […]
Live Review: Cage The Elephant at Salt Shed • Chicago
Cage the Elephant The Salt Shed Chicago, IL Friday, Aug 1, 2025 Review by Jeff Elbel It’s a good season to be a Cage the Elephant fan in Chicago. On Thursday, the band played a standout set during the golden hour of Lollapalooza’s first day. Next month, the band will return to open for Oasis at […]
Feature: The Des Plaines Theatre celebrates 100 Years
The historic Des Plaines Theatre, located at 1476 Miner St. in Des Plaines, IL, celebrates its 100th anniversary on August 9. The century-old venue, initially opened in 1925, was closed for several years. Thankfully, current Arcada Theatre owner Ron Onesti acquired the theater in 2018, and with the help of the City of Des Plaines, […]
Cover Story: Natalie Bergman • Redefining Legacy
Mortality. It’s a real motherfucker. And, sadly, the existential concept of Legacy — as in, how will we be remembered after we’re gone? — Is there nothing you ever considered in your brash, reckless youth, when you’re too busy blazing your own trail to a bright, accomplished future? And when classic Gospel hymns assured us […]
Media: August 2025 • 670 The Score’s David Haugh
For 17 years, David Haugh was a sports columnist for the Chicago Tribune. He has gone on to become the morning co-host at WSCR (The Score) with Mike Mulligan and to host a nightly television show on Chicago Sports Network. He’s a multi-media star now, but before he went into the media, Haugh was an […]
Live Review: Brokeback at Epiphany for the Arts Center • Chicago
Brokeback Epiphany Center for the Arts, Chicago, IL Saturday, July 26, 2025 Review and photos by Jeff Elbel Chicago-based instrumental quartet Brokeback appeared in the upper Sanctuary hall at Epiphany Center on Friday to perform new material, while also celebrating the release of Long Days, Pleasant Nights by their friends in Dark Canyon. When completed, […]
Stage Buzz: Dinosaur Jr., Ghost, TLC, Lollapalooza
Dinosaur Jr. may be one of the most influential alternative bands of the 80s, but don’t call them a legacy act. The band behind alternative mainstays like “Feel the Pain,” “The Wagon,” “Freak Scene,” and “Start Choppin,” keeps on going with their latest album, Sweep it Into Space, released in 2021. Hear their latest and […]
Stage Buzz: Hozier, Wicker Park Fest, The Warning, L.A. Guns
Anyone who claims rock is dead hasn’t heard the fury and fire of rock trio The Warning. Featuring sisters Daniela, Paulina, and Alejandra Velez, the outfit knows how to rock out with their blazing riffs, heavy-hitting attitude, and all-out sonic assault. Their high-energy sound makes rock feel exciting and dangerous, as it should be. Check […]
Live Review: Hung Up on a Dream documentary with Colin Blunstone and Robert Schwartzman • Thalia Hall • Chicago
Hung Up on a Dream documentary with Colin Blunstone and Robert Schwartzman Thalia Hall, Chicago, IL Tuesday, July 15, 2025 Review and photos by Jeff Elbel Rooney frontman Robert Schwartzman welcomed a crowd of Zombies fans to Thalia Hall on Tuesday evening, declaring his own enduring passion for the band. The British Invasion quintet is […]
Live Review: Robin Trower at Copernicus Center • Chicago
Robin Trower Copernicus Center Chicago Friday, July 11, 2025 Review by Jeff Elbel. Photo by Stacey Katsis. Rock and roll survivor Robin Trower may look his age, but he certainly doesn’t behave or play like he’s past his prime. Fit and wiry at 80 years, the guitarist appeared on Friday with his trio at the […]
Cover Story: Push Puppets • Risk Takers
Erich Specht is a risk taker. Whether it’s using homemade backstage passes to meet one of his idols or adding a spicy horn section to his song, he believes in taking chances. That’s 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 don’t want to say that’s a long time, but they were filming “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off” 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 ‘80s. The band had gained a modest foothold with college radio airplay for songs like the shimmering “Promised You a Miracle” from 1982’s New Gold Dream (81-82-83-84) and the anthemic homage to […]
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