Recent Articles
Stage Buzz: Hatsune Miku, Sleep Token, Megan Thee Stallion, Saxon
Hatsune Miku is the world’s biggest virtual idol. She’s the OG hologram hitting the scene before Tupac and Michael Jackson. And though she’s just a Vocaloid, she remains one of Japan’s most successful exports. Miku’s world concert tour series, Hatsune Miku Expo, celebrates its 10th anniversary this year and rolls into Chicago for a sold-out […]
Studiophile: Remembering Steve Albini
Audio engineer, musician, and studio owner Steve Albini passed away unexpectedly on Tuesday night (May 7). His death is a terrible loss not only to his family, colleagues, and friends but also to so many studio engineers and music fans who loved his production and passion. His extensive recording resume included groundbreaking bands like Nirvana, […]
Stage Buzz: Q&A • Devo at The Riviera Theatre • Chicago
Stage Buzz interviews with Gerald Casale and Mark Mothersbaugh of Devo Q&A by Jeff Elbel Art rockers and New Wave pioneers Devo have chronicled the backward steps of humanity for more than half a century. Songs including “Peek-A-Boo!” and “Beautiful World” are slices of energetic synth-pop with wicked twists below the surface. De facto […]
IE REWIND: The Sisters of Mercy • The Proud Villains • Appearing at Aragon Ballroom October 23 • Chicago
Like many of us over the past three COVID-constricted years, I — as both a journalist and a human being, in general — spent a great deal of time looking back, reflecting on past decisions, discoveries, and early drug-related derailments, and not always comfortably. I’ve made a few mistakes over my crazy, always-colorful 46-year career, […]
Skating Polly, Craig David, John Oates
For the past six decades, John Oates made up one-half of the soul duo Hall & Oates. The singer/songwriter broke out on his own for his debut solo album Phunk Shui in 2002. Now, he returns with a new solo album, Reunion, and a supporting tour. John Oates will play a sold-out show with […]
Live Review: Robyn Hitchcock at Old Town School of Folk Music • Chicago
Robyn Hitchcock Old Town School of Folk Music Chicago, IL Saturday, May 4, 2024 Reviewed by Jeff Elbel Pop surrealist Robyn Hitchcock performed the second of a two-night stand at the Old Town School of Folk Music on a rain-soaked Saturday night. The career-spanning setlist included many requests coordinated via Hitchcock’s social media accounts, ensuring […]
Photo Gallery: Sessanta – Puscifer, A Perfect Circle, Primus • Wintrust Arena • Chicago
Sessanta: A Perfect Circle, Primus and Puscifer Wednesday, May 1 Wintrust Arena Chicago, IL Recap and photos by Edward Spinelli Maynard James Keenan turned 60 and wants the world to know about it. With a talented roster of musicians/friends throughout the “Sessanta” Tour, they delivered in a big way at a sold-out show at Wintrust […]
Cover Story: Jamey Jasta on Milwaukee Metal Fest, Solo Music and The Future
By Kelley Simms One of the country’s most nostalgic metal festivals was resurrected in 2023 and will, thankfully, return for a second straight year. Initially founded in 1987 by Jack Koshick (also the founder of March Metal Meltdown), the Milwaukee Metal Fest has a storied history and was once an annual global metal music tradition […]
Media: May 2024 • WXRT’s New Afternoon Host Andy Chanley
It’s not like changes are made every day to the daytime lineup at WXRT. When disc jockeys come to work at the station, they stay a decade or five. New WXRT afternoon man Andy Chanley was well aware of this when he took the job. “That was my biggest worry going into all this,” Chanley […]
Stage Buzz: Creeper, Puscifer, A Perfect Circle, Primus
With over 50 million records sold worldwide, a rebellious drive, and one of the most distinctive voices in metal, it’s no wonder that Judas Priest are legends. Though the metal titans keep pumping out new music, with their latest Invincible Shield, dropping earlier this year, they’ll always be known for classic songs like “Breaking the […]
Stage Buzz: Legions of Metal at Reggies • Chicago
Legions of Metal Festival Friday, May 3, and Saturday, May 4 Reggies Chicago, IL By Kelley Simms (Feature photo Hirax by Anne De Pena) A revered Chicago metal tradition continues to thrive under its new name with this year’s two-day/two-room (Reggies Rock Club and Music Joint) music festival. Legions of Metal originally began as Ragnarokkr […]
Stage Buzz: Judas Priest at Rosemont Theatre • Rosemont
After an impressive five-decades-long career, British heavy metal pioneers Judas Priest show no signs of slowing down with the release of their highly acclaimed 19th new studio album, Invincible Shield. On 14 super-charged tracks, Priest delivers the indisputable, classic heavy metal sound that hearkens back to the band’s heyday. While some legacy bands […]
Stage Buzz: Stabbing Westward, Hawtorne Heights, Cypress Hill
Cypress Hill is the hip-hop group that brought us classic gems like “Insane in the Brain” and “The Phuncky Feel One.” Known for their blend of hip hop, gangsta rap, rock, and psychedelic, the band has sold over 20 million albums worldwide and became the first hip hop to have a star on the Hollywood […]
Photo Gallery: Waxahatchee • Salt Shed • Chicago
Waxahatchee The Salt Shed Chicago, IL April 20, 2024 Recap and photos by Curt Baran Even this early into the year, it’s not unreasonable to expect that Tigers Blood will appear on a smattering of ‘2024 Best of’ lists. The sixth album from Katie Crutchfield (who uses the moniker Waxahatchee as a performing title) takes […]
Stage Buzz: The Black Crowes, Maggie Rogers, Waxahatchee
30 years ago, The Black Crowes, led by brothers Chris and Rich Robinson, found critical and fan acclaim with their debut album Shake Your Money Maker. Its raw sound and fusion of Southern rock and blues made it a success with it peaking at No. 4 on the Billboard 200. Numerous breakups and reunions […]
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