Chicago industrial legends My Life With the Thrill Kill Kult have been shakin’ and groovin’ to their brand of sleazy metal for nearly 40 years. With an eclectic sound spanning disco, metal, and rockabilly, their music is still fresh, exciting, and tantalizing as it was three decades ago. Catch Groovie Mann and co in action […]| Illinois Entertainer
Clifton Chenier/The Rolling Stones featuring Steve Riley Zydeco Sont Pas Salés Valcour/Arhoolie/Smithsonian Folkways This 7” vinyl single is a six-minute getaway to the Big Easy by way of London and a tribute by some surprising acolytes of Creole and Cajun music. King of Zydeco Clifton Chenier’s original single occupies the A-side. “Zydeco et Pas Salés” […]| Illinois Entertainer
Mick Rock Rocky Horror: A Behind the Scenes Look at the Cult Classic (HarperPop) Original Cast The Rocky Horror Picture Show: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack (Ode) Let’s do the Time Warp again! These two complementary projects arrive in time to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the grandaddy of all B-movie cult films. Famed rock photographer […]| Illinois Entertainer
There’s a reason Lorna Shore’s Will Ramos went viral in 2021; his vocals are out of this world. Ramos and co perform with such fury, it sounds like they’re summoning demons from hell to join them. In support of their latest album, I Feel the Everblack Festering Within Me, the band hits up Salt Shed […]| Illinois Entertainer
Tommy Emmanuel Cahn Auditorium Evanston, IL October 15, 2025 Review by Steven Kikoen On a gray, rain-spattered day in mid-October, the campus of Northwestern University still seemed to maintain its quiet collegiate grandeur. Inside the 85-year-old Cahn Auditorium—a favorite among Northwestern students and the Evanston community—there are more than a thousand seats which would soon […]| Illinois Entertainer
Benmont Tench Garcia’s 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 […]| illinoisentertainer.com
Ministry Riviera Theatre Chicago, IL May 9, 2025 Live Review by Ashley Perez Hollingsworth “Are you guys ready to take a trip down memory lane? Get in a hot tub time machine and forget there’s all this turmoil?” asked Ministry’s Al Jourgensen decked out in an oversized fuzzy hat, heart-shaped glasses, and glittery blazer. […]| illinoisentertainer.com
Elbow The Riviera Theatre Chicago, IL October 6, 2025 Review and photos by Jeff Elbel Elbow’s arrival on Monday night was beautifully timed. The general mood in Chicago is currently tense – a frame of mind that this band from Manchester, England, is uniquely gifted to counter. Elbow reliably spreads goodwill and encourages community through […]| Illinois Entertainer
Judas Priest with Alice Cooper and Corrosion of Conformity Credit Union 1 Amphitheater October 5, 2025 Tinley Park, IL Photos by Edward Spinelli If it were the late 70s, two-thirds of Saturday’s final seasonal performance in Tinley Park would have toured playing baseball stadiums as World Series of Rock performers. Fast forward 4 decades later, […]| Illinois Entertainer
Michael Schenker Group Arcada Theatre St. Charles, IL September 27, 2025 Photo gallery by Edward Spinelli Perhaps the most sought-after ticket for a suburban hosted rock show in the past several years, guitar pioneer Michael Schenker and his band arrived at Arcada Theatre in St. Charles after several nights of sold-out shows at Arcada and […]| Illinois Entertainer
Out of the ashes of Every Time I See Die, Keith Buckley’s new band, Many Eyes was born. The hardcode outfit just released their new EP, Combust, and now they’re ready to bring the release to a stage near year. Many Eyes will bring the roof down when they hit up Cobra Lounge this Thursday, […]| Illinois Entertainer
Think about a time when you screwed up. A time when you knew things weren’t right, but it was too late to change things. If you had the chance to go back and make things right, would you? For Scott Lucas, the moment he knew he messed up was with the release of Local H’s […]| Illinois Entertainer
Very few rock and roll stations on the Chicago radio dial have not had the voice of Mitch Michaels pumping through their airwaves. The list of stations is impressive: WGLD (now V-103), WDAI (now WLS-FM), WXRT, WKQX (now Q-101), WLUP (now K-Love), WCKG (now the FM simulcast of WBBM News Radio), and The River. So […]| Illinois Entertainer
Turnstile with Jane Remover, Speed, and Mannequin Pussy Huntington Bank Pavilion at Northerly Island Chicago, IL September 26, 2025 Review by Ashley Perez – Hollingsworth With another hit album on their hands, it’s no surprise TURNSTILE shows keep getting bigger. Older fans will surely miss the days of seeing the hardcore band in intimate […]| Illinois Entertainer
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 […]| Illinois Entertainer
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 […]| Illinois Entertainer
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 […]| Illinois Entertainer
The faithful, dressed in clothing representing all eras of the Columbus duo’s albums, gathered in the pavilion and on the lawn to shower praise on their favorite sons. The band took the stage to support their 2025 album, Breach, and their stop in the southwest suburbs of Chicago did not disappoint their fans. They meticulously performed over two dozen songs, including several that have become rock station and streaming staples (“Stressed Out,” “Ride,” “Heavy Dirty Soul,” and ...| Illinois Entertainer
50 years ago, college radio was thriving. Every major college or university had a college radio station, and most universities had a radio/TV department. Those college radio stations were the breeding ground for the hugely popular radio industry, spawning radio stars, up-and-coming musical artists, and a whole generation of hitmakers. Sadly, across the country, college […]| illinoisentertainer.com
50 years ago, college radio was thriving. Every major college or university had a college radio station, and most universities had a radio/TV department. Those college radio stations were the breeding ground for the hugely popular radio industry, spawning radio stars, up-and-coming musical artists, and a whole generation of hitmakers. Sadly, across the country, college […]| illinoisentertainer.com
50 years ago, college radio was thriving. Every major college or university had a college radio station, and most universities had a radio/TV department. Those college radio stations were the breeding ground for the hugely popular radio industry, spawning radio stars, up-and-coming musical artists, and a whole generation of hitmakers. Sadly, across the country, college […]| illinoisentertainer.com
Riot Fest 2025 Douglass Park Chicago, IL September 19, 2025 Recap by Jeff Elbel, Gallery by Curt Baran Chicago’s best music festival for fans of rock and punk roared to life on Friday for the first of three days in Douglass Park. The day belonged to “Weird Al” Yankovic, with a quirky lineup on one […]| Illinois Entertainer
Riot Fest 2025 Douglass Park Chicago, IL September 19, 2025 Recap by Jeff Elbel, Gallery by Curt Baran Chicago’s best music festival for fans of rock and punk roared to life on Friday for the first of three days in Douglass Park. The day belonged to “Weird Al” Yankovic, with a quirky lineup on one […]| Illinois Entertainer
Riot Fest 2025 Douglass Park Chicago, IL September 20, 2025 Recap by Jeff Elbel, Gallery by Curt Baran (Buzzcocks and The Damned by Jeff Elbel) Saturday at Riot Fest was another day filled with highlights and memorable performances, although many were a bit soggier than Friday’s fare. Agent Orange offered the first full-album performance of […]| Illinois Entertainer
Riot Fest 2025 Douglass Park Chicago, IL September 20, 2025 Recap by Jeff Elbel, Gallery by Curt Baran Saturday at Riot Fest was another day filled with highlights and memorable performances, although many were a bit soggier than Friday’s fare. Agent Orange offered the first full-album performance of the day, playing all of 1981’s Living […]| Illinois Entertainer
Riot Fest 2025 Douglass Park Chicago, IL September 21, 2025 Recap by Jeff Elbel, Gallery by Curt Baran Riot Fest 2025 careened to an explosive and communal finish on Sunday with its third day in Douglass Park. The schedule offered more full-album sets (eight in total) than the prior two days, beginning with The Effigies’ […]| Illinois Entertainer
Riot Fest 2025 Douglass Park Chicago, IL September 21, 2025 Recap by Jeff Elbel, Gallery by Curt Baran Riot Fest 2025 careened to an explosive and communal finish on Sunday with its third day in Douglass Park. The schedule offered more full-album sets (eight in total) than the prior two days, beginning with The […]| Illinois Entertainer
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 […]| Illinois Entertainer
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 […]| Illinois Entertainer
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. Ma Nature did indeed successfully pinch off a set from openers (co-Headliners?) Modest Mouse, limiting them to a handful of tunes, before shelter-in-place instructions were implemented.| Illinois Entertainer
Lolla’s second day in the park continued to treat attendees with what was arguably the best weather the festival has ever experienced. Highs in the upper 70s and not a raindrop in sight were the backdrop for a day filled with performances from Alemeda, Jane Remover, Isabel Larosa, Zinadelphia, Caroline Kingsbury, T-Pain, The Dare, Djo, Wallows, and an absolute coup in the booking of pop sensation Olivia Rodrigo.| Illinois Entertainer
It’s been 35 years since we were introduced to the Twinkie-wiener sandwich, and fans everywhere were encouraged to grab life by the lips and yank. Shout! Factory invites us once again to “turn up the volume, and yank of the knob.” All of that yanking points directly to the gently warped and borderline surreal comedy of “Weird Al” Yankovic’s multimedia ode UHF. The 1989 film expanded upon Yankovic’s acumen for pop song parodies, including “Eat It” and “Amish Paradise,” to...| Illinois Entertainer
band of unlikely local heroes works as entertainment but stands ready to inspire anyone to overcome self-inflicted roadblocks in pursuit of whatever form their own art may take, at any stage of life. Among other things, this a musical fable about what makes America truly special. It may open your eyes to see beauty in unexpected places and family in unexpected people. It may stir embers of faith. Various vignettes will resonate with musicians and live music fans alike. At a neighborhood happe...| Illinois Entertainer
