Tag: Jeff Elbel

Stage Buzz: Teenage Fanclub at Metro

Brassneck | February 28, 2019 | 0 Comments

Teenage Fanclub Metro March 6, 2019 The third album by Glasgow, Scotland alt-rockers Teenage Fanclub was a breakthrough that earned enduring devotion from a small but loyal clutch of power-pop fans. Bandwagonesque rocketed into late 1991 with big, buzzy and cathartic electric guitars serving beautifully laconic pop melodies. The chaotic but sublime sound suggested intermingled […]

Live Review: Guided By Voices at Bottom Lounge

Brassneck | January 3, 2019 | 0 Comments

Guided By Voices Monday, December 31, 2018 Bottom Lounge, Chicago On Monday, Dayton, Ohio’s Guided By Voices visited Bottom Lounge to add to its memorable history of New Year’s Eve shows in Chicago. In 2004, the band played what was intended to be its final show at Metro, reeling through a four-and-a-half hour, career-spanning set […]

Live Review: Nathaniel Rateliff and the Night Sweats

Brassneck | December 3, 2018 | 0 Comments

Nathaniel Rateliff and the Night Sweats Aragon Ballroom Thursday, November 29, 2018 On Thursday, radio station WKQX closed the first of five nights of its “The Nights We Stole Christmas” series at the Aragon Ballroom with a sold-out headlining set by Denver’s Nathaniel Rateliff and the Night Sweats. The sweat-soaked performance began with the deep […]

Stage Buzz Q&A: The Church

Brassneck | October 8, 2018 | 0 Comments

Australian psychedelic rockers The Church have been consistently fascinating for an astonishing 38 years. In 2013, the band began a new chapter by enlisting former Powderfinger guitarist Ian Haug alongside founding guitarist Peter Koppes, veteran drummer Tim Powles, and bassist-frontman Steve Kilbey. The lineup has produced strong work, including 2017’s Man Woman Life Death Infinity. […]

Live Review: Ry Cooder at Thalia Hall

Brassneck | July 1, 2018 | 0 Comments

Ry Cooder’s lengthy resume includes a pile of highlights. Among them are six Grammy awards, evocative soundtrack albums for films including Paris, Texas, collaboration with previously-hidden musical treasures of Cuba with Buena Vista Social Club, and profoundly influencing the signature sound of the Rolling Stones. Cooder also has a stack of great albums to his […]

Live Review and Gallery: U2 at Soldier Field

ilentertainer | June 5, 2017 | 0 Comments

The Joshua Tree Tour 2017 Soldier Field, Chicago, IL Saturday, June 3, 2017 Reviewed by Jeff Elbel Veteran Irish rockers U2 took a detour from the road to their upcoming Songs of Experience project in order to revisit the “desert songs” that put them firmly on the map. The band’s first night at Soldier Field […]

Spins: Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band Deluxe Edition Reviewed

ilentertainer | June 4, 2017 | 0 Comments

The Beatles Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band Deluxe Edition (Capitol) The 50th anniversary celebration for the Beatles’ Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band has sparked ample debate. The outpouring of opinion was inevitable, given the album’s status as the most universally-praised release of the rock era. Beatle diehards may argue whether Abbey Road […]

Live Review and Gallery: Andrew Bird at Allstate Arena

ilentertainer | February 6, 2017 | 0 Comments

Andrew Bird Friday, January 20, 2017 Allstate Arena A week after performing for A Prairie Home Companion at Symphony Center, Andrew Bird returned to open for the Lumineers at Allstate Arena. Showing his hometown roots, Andrew Bird marveled at finding himself onstage at the former “Rosemont Horizon.” He stopped short of naming shows he had […]

Spins: Reviewed – The Rolling Stones – “Blue and Lonesome”

ilentertainer | December 10, 2016 | 0 Comments

“Britain’s oldest hitmakers” return to their blues roots. Instead of revisiting tired cliches, Jeff Elbel says they sound inspired and re-energized, in Spins.

Live Review: Robyn Hitchcock at City Winery

ilentertainer | November 22, 2016 | 0 Comments

Robyn Hitchcock and Emma Swift Thursday, November 17, 2016 City Winery As Robyn Hitchcock’s touring partner for a number of years, Emma Swift received a warm welcome at City Winery from the headliner’s fans. The Australian transplant by way of Nashville colored tremulous guitar chords with her rich and winsome alto on songs including […]