Tag: featured
Photo Gallery: Garbage at Salt Shed • Chicago
Garbage Salt Shed Chicago, IL September 29, 2025 Photos and recap by Curt Baran Is this really the end? Rock and Roll has a notorious tendency to announce “Farewell” tours (like The Who’s hard stare with uncomfortable eye contact) only to embark on repeated road trips. While it’s always a buyer beware, it certainly seems […]
Live Review: Sam Fender at Aragon Ballroom • Chicago
Sam Fender Aragon Ballroom Chicago, IL September 25, 2025 Review by Riley Vernon Good things come to those who wait — and Chicago has long awaited the electrifying return of “master storyteller” Sam Fender. In his first return to Chicago since a pre-pandemic set at Lollapalooza in 2019 (and the better-left-unsaid technical calamity of his […]
Stage Buzz: AFI, Judas Priest, Queens of the Stone Age
Queens of the Stone Age are known for stoner rock anthems, blazing riffs, and frontman Josh Homme’s smooth vocals. On their latest “Catacombs Tour” they’re stripping back to deliver a show you haven’t seen before. Catch an intimate, acoustic set from the desert rockers at The Chicago Theatre on Thursday, October 2nd. Find tickets […]
Stage Buzz: Cold Waves Festival, Deltron 3030, Sam Fender, Turnstile, Deacon Blues
Fans have been patiently waiting for Deltron 3030’s follow-up to 2013’s Event 2. While fans keep waiting for the album, the hip-hop trio is back to celebrate the 25th anniversary of their self-titled debut album. Dan the Automater, DJ Kid Koala, and Del the Funky Homosapien will perform the entire album during their two-night stint […]
Stage Buzz: Viagra Boys with Die Spitz • September 18, 2025
Viagra Boys with Die Spitz Salt Shed Chicago September 18, 2025 Recap and Photo Gallery by Curt Baran Stockholm, Sweden’s Viagra Boys, seemingly picked the right day to return to Chicago, as our First Amendment was under attack. This left-leaning six-piece truly resides in life’s darker spaces, and sadly, is one of the few bands […]
Photo Gallery: The Pixies and Spoon at Salt Shed • Chicago
The Pixies and Spoon Salt Shed Chicago, IL September 15, 2025 Recap and Gallery by Curt Baran Even by ’90s alt-rock standards, Pixies were weird. They sang songs about Surrealism, existential dread, drug dealers, art films, and fringe artists. For their trouble, they were met with critical acclaim and some minor commercial success. By 1993, […]
Live Review: Supergrass at The Riviera Theatre • Chicago
Supergrass The Riviera Theatre Chicago, IL September 9, 2025 Review and photos by Jeff Elbel. Supergrass may not have scaled the same heights in North America as Britpop frontrunners, including the Verve, Blur, or touring hosts Radiohead during the ’90s and early ’00s, but the band from Oxford, England, made an indelible mark and […]
Live Review: The Who at United Center • Chicago
The Who United Center Chicago, IL September 7, 2025 Review by Jeff Elbel When the Who undertook their first farewell “Schlitz” tour in 1982, fans took them at their word and packed arenas. The British rockers even released a successful live album called Who’s Last in 1984. The following year, the band was strong-armed by […]
Cover Story: The Barbarians of California • From L.A. to Riot Fest
At first glance, the Barbarians of California seemingly appeared out of nowhere. For Aaron Bruno and Eric Stenman, this has been decades in the making. The hardcore scene is one of Bruno’s first loves. He discovered the music during a pivotal time in his life as a 14-year-old punk skater. He was not only […]
Media: September 2025 • John Owens’ Passion Project
You may not realize it, but you have either read or watched the work of John Owens if you lived in Chicago any time over the past 35 years. He wrote for The Chicago Reader (including a front page piece at the young age of 21) and the Chicago Tribune (for 28 years). But […]
Stage Buzz: Billy Bob Thornton & The Boxmasters at Joe’s Live September 16 • Rosemont
The Boxmasters — featuring musician/actor Billy Bob Thornton and guitarist J.D. Andrew – plays an amalgam of twangy country music, jangling rockabilly, and infectious pop, with large doses of Americana and British Invasion influences. Although most people are primarily familiar with Thornton as an actor, music was his first love. Thornton initially started out as […]
Live Review: Oasis • Soldier Field • Chicago
Oasis August 28, 2025 Soldier Field Chicago, IL Review by Jessi Roti For some people, the thought of being confined to a space amongst 70,000 people singing “Wonderwall” is their worst nightmare. Then there are Oasis fans. Some of whom have waited nearly 20 years to do it. Because you HAVE to sing along […]
Photo Gallery: My Chemical Romance at Soldier Field • Chicago
My Chemical Romance Soldier Field Chicago, IL August 28, 2025 Recap and photos by Curt Baran Is Classic Rock getting younger? Over the past week or so, the city has welcomed visits from rock radio staples such as Oasis and Nine Inch Nails. But unlike those Gen X-leaning acts, My Chemical Romance has not so […]
Stage Buzz: Oasis, System of a Down, The Black Parade
Oasis shocked everyone when they reunited earlier this year. The Gallagher brothers achieved legendary status thanks to iconic songs like “Wonderwall” and their constant bickering. With their deadpan style, poignant lyrics, and retro-tinged sound, they became the Kings of Britpop – a title they retain to this day. Oasis brings their highly anticipated reunion tour […]
Live Review: Nine Inch Nails at United Center • Chicago
Nine Inch Nails August 19, 2025 United Center Chicago, IL Reviewed by Ashley Perez-Hollingsworth When Trent Reznor appeared on stage at the United Center on Tuesday night (August 19), he was greeted by ear-shattering screams that quickly turned into silence. The crowd hushed as he sat at his piano. The opening notes of “A Minute […]
Recent Comments