Daniel Lanois Epiphany Center for the Arts Chicago Friday, April 4, 2025 Review and live photos by Jeff Elbel Friday’s performance in the ornate Sanctuary at Chicago’s Epiphany Center for the Arts was the latest entry in the venue’s second season of Reflections concerts. The series offers local fans of ambient music an immersive experience […]| illinoisentertainer.com
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As an Artist matures, amasses a tangible catalog of work, and inches — or even hurtles — toward their career’s coda, many arrive at moments of insightful, illuminating wisdom that effectively encapsulate their achievements for posterity. For example, Picasso noted that “Inspiration does exist, but it must find you working,” while Thoreau insisted that “It’s […]| illinoisentertainer.com
As an Artist matures, amasses a tangible catalog of work, and inches — or even hurtles — toward their career’s coda, many arrive at moments of insightful, illuminating wisdom that effectively encapsulate their achievements for posterity. For example, Picasso noted that “Inspiration does exist, but it must find you working,” while Thoreau insisted that “It’s […]| illinoisentertainer.com
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If you were wondering what happened to the 2024 Class of the Illinois Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, which was supposed to be inducted on March 30th, the answers were revealed last month. The Illinois Rock & Roll Museum on Route 66 has rescheduled its annual Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony to Sunday, […]| illinoisentertainer.com
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If you were wondering what happened to the 2024 Class of the Illinois Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, which was supposed to be inducted on March 30th, the answers were revealed last month. The Illinois Rock & Roll Museum on Route 66 has rescheduled its annual Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony to Sunday, […]| illinoisentertainer.com
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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 […]| illinoisentertainer.com
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Over the course of three decades, Nine Inch Nails has evolved from a one-man project into a powerhouse of industrial rock. With albums like Pretty Hate Machine, The Downward Spiral, and The Fragile, Trent Reznor touched a raw nerve with critics and fans alike. While Reznor keeps fans on the edge of their seats for new music, […]| Illinois Entertainer
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. […]| Illinois Entertainer
Photo Gallery: Billy Idol at Credit Union 1 Amphitheatre • Tinley Park| Illinois Entertainer
Elvis Costello and Steve Nieve Park West, Chicago, IL Saturday, March 15, 2025 Review and live photo by Jeff Elbel, profile photo by Mark Seliger While the streets of Chicago teemed with revelers getting an early start on St. Patrick’s Day, a full house celebrated the holiday with Elvis Costello and Steve Nieve on […]| illinoisentertainer.com
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Lollapalooza Grant Park Chicago, IL July 31 Recap and photos by Curt Baran In its past few incarnations, Lollapalooza seemed to have lost its luster. Competition in the form of festival oversaturation cut into the supply of talent needed to distinguish one of the county’s marquee events from countless others. Well, for the 2025 version, […]| Illinois Entertainer
Lollapalooza Grant Park Chicago, IL July 31 Recap and photos by Curt Baran In its past few incarnations, Lollapalooza seemed to have lost its luster. Competition in the form of festival oversaturation cut into the supply of talent needed to distinguish one of the county’s marquee events from countless others. Well, for the 2025 version, […]| Illinois Entertainer
Lollapalooza Grant Park Chicago, IL August 1 Recap and photos by Curt Baran 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 […]| Illinois Entertainer
Lollapalooza Grant Park Chicago, IL August 1 Recap and photos by Curt Baran 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 […]| Illinois Entertainer
Lollapalooza Grant Park Chicago, IL August 2 Recap and photos by Curt Baran Three days in, and fans were met with what felt like the most laid-back bookings of the long weekend. But still, there was plenty of variety to be in the park that included Landon Conrath, K-Popper’s Kickflip, Charlotte Lawrence, Boa, Ole 60, […]| Illinois Entertainer
Lollapalooza Grant Park Chicago, IL August 2 Recap and photos by Curt Baran Three days in, and fans were met with what felt like the most laid-back bookings of the long weekend. But still, there was plenty of variety to be in the park that included Landon Conrath, K-Popper’s Kickflip, Charlotte Lawrence, Boa, Ole 60, […]| Illinois Entertainer
Lollapalooza Grant Park Chicago, IL August 3 Recap and photos by Curt Baran The fourth and final day of Lollapalooza offered attendees a wealth of musical options, providing the perfect opportunity to empty the tank and leave it all in the park. It included performances from Landon Barker, The Criticals, Laila!, Flowerovlove, Willow Avalo, Katseye, […]| Illinois Entertainer
Lollapalooza Grant Park Chicago, IL August 3 Recap and photos by Curt Baran The fourth and final day of Lollapalooza offered attendees a wealth of musical options, providing the perfect opportunity to empty the tank and leave it all in the park. It included performances from Landon Barker, The Criticals, Laila!, Flowerovlove, Willow Avalo, Katseye, […]| Illinois Entertainer
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 […]| Illinois Entertainer
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, […]| Illinois Entertainer
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 […]| Illinois Entertainer
Lollapalooza returns for its 20th year to historic Grant Park in Chicago on the lakefront. From its “humble” beginnings as a traveling tour in the ’90s to its current incarnation as a 4-day celebration of emerging and headlining artists across every imaginable genre each summer, Lollapalooza has developed a unique connection to Chicago despite its […]| Illinois Entertainer
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, […]| Illinois Entertainer
Stage Buzz: Dinosaur Jr., Ghost, TLC, Lollapalooza| Illinois Entertainer
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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 […]| Illinois Entertainer
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 […]| Illinois Entertainer
Critically acclaimed rock band Alabama Shakes is back after an eight-year hiatus. Known for their fusion of Southern rock, blues, and garage rock along with Brittany Howard’s powerful vocals, the band will celebrate their legacy and preview new music on their latest tour. The outing starts with two nights at the Salt Shed on July […]| Illinois Entertainer
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 […]| Illinois Entertainer
Robin Trower For Earth Below 50th Anniversary Edition (Chrysalis) Following the 1974 landmark sophomore effort, Bridge of Sighs, Procol Harum veteran Robin Trower returned in 1975 to prove his staying power as a solo act with For Earth Below. The gold-selling album was the third under Trower’s name. Like its predecessor, For Earth Below is steeped in […]| Illinois Entertainer
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 […]| Illinois Entertainer
Stage Buzz: Babymetal, Primus, Kesha| Illinois Entertainer
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Robin Trower Copernicus Center Chicago, IL Friday, July 11, 2025 By Kelley Simms As a newly minted octogenarian, British blues-rock guitar legend Robin Trower continues to dazzle audiences with his signature Fender Stratocaster. From his musical beginnings in Procol Harum in the late ’60s to a successful solo career in the early ’70s (followed […]| Illinois Entertainer
Stage Buzz: Nas, Tripping Daisy, Wu-Tang Clan| Illinois Entertainer
Cover Story: Push Puppets • Risk Takers| Illinois Entertainer
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Photo Gallery: Pierce The Veil with Sleeping With Sirens at Credit Union One Amphitheatre| Illinois Entertainer
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Media: June 2025 • Swany Leaves 101.9FM The Mix| Illinois Entertainer
Stage Buzz: Push Puppets, Do Division Fest, The Weekend| Illinois Entertainer
Live Review and Photo Gallery: AC/DC with The Pretty Reckless at Soldier Field • Chicago| Illinois Entertainer
Live Review: Paul Simon at Symphony Center • Chicago| Illinois Entertainer
Stage Buzz: AC/DC, Post Malone, Youth Code| Illinois Entertainer
Live Review: Benmont Tench at Garcia’s • Chicago| Illinois Entertainer
Live Review: Ministry at the Riviera Theatre • Chicago| Illinois Entertainer
Stage Buzz: Mayday Parade, Ice Nine Kills, Beyoncé,| Illinois Entertainer
Photo Gallery: Amyl and the Sniffers in Chicago| Illinois Entertainer
Stage Buzz: Ministry, Cradle of Filth, Brigette Calls Me Baby,| 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
Live Review: Trivium with Bullet For My Valentine • Aragon Ballroom • Chicago| 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
Media: May 2025 • Triton College Radio Celebrates 50 Years| Illinois Entertainer
Cover Story: May 2025 • Crimson Glory Co-Headlines Reggies’ Storied Legions of Metal Festival 2025| Illinois Entertainer
Photo Gallery: Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds at The Salt Shed • Chicago| Illinois Entertainer
Stage Buzz: Wednesday 13, Machine Head, Unto Others, Vintage Blonde| Illinois Entertainer
Stage Buzz: Jon Anderson, Bullet For My Valentine, Spiritbox, L.S. Dunes| Illinois Entertainer
Stage Buzz: Mogwai, Peter Frampton, 2025 Millennium Tour| Illinois Entertainer
Photo Gallery: The Linda Lindas at Metro • Chicago| Illinois Entertainer
Photo Gallery: Ani DiFranco at Thalia Hall • Chicago| Illinois Entertainer
Stage Buzz: While She Sleeps, Jack White, The Linda Lindas| Illinois Entertainer
Live Review: Daniel Lanois • Epiphany Center for the Arts • Chicago| Illinois Entertainer
Live Review: Stereophonics at The Vic Theatre • Chicago| Illinois Entertainer
Cover Story: Peter Murphy • Return of the Lion| Illinois Entertainer
Media: April 2025 • Road to Rock Class of ’24 and ’25| Illinois Entertainer
CinemaScopes: April 2025 • 20 Years of The Revenge of the Sith| Illinois Entertainer
Record Store Day was conceived in 2007 at a gathering of independent record store owners and employees as a way to celebrate and spread the word about the unique culture surrounding nearly 1400 independently owned record stores in the US and thousands of similar stores internationally. The first Record Store Day took place on April 19, 2008. Today, Record Store Day is celebrated at independently owned brick-and-mortar record stores around the world.| Illinois Entertainer
Stage Buzz: Franz Ferdinand, Ultra Q, The Used| Illinois Entertainer
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Stage Buzz: Kraftwerk, Deftones, Baths, Refused| Illinois Entertainer
Live Review: Elvis Costello and Steve Nieve • Park West • Chicago| Illinois Entertainer
Stage Buzz: Bishop Briggs, Iggy Pop, Poppy, j-hope| Illinois Entertainer
Comparatively, The Lone Bellow now seems like village elders. The New York trio has been at it for close to two decades and, unlike Morgan Wade, drives in a more traditional musical| Illinois Entertainer
Stage Buzz: Hanabie, Gost, Mary J. Blige| Illinois Entertainer
The Experience Hendrix Tour evokes the era when artists treated each performance as a unique interaction with their audience. Jimi Hendrix called this his ‘Electric Church.’ The Experience Hendrix Tour fully embraces this approach, presenting multiple opportunities for performers and audiences to witness unique collaborations among the participating artists, and will highlight these artists performing their favorite Hendrix signature songs, including “Little Wing,” “Fire,” “Purp...| Illinois Entertainer
Cover Story: Smoking Popes • For The Love of the Game| Illinois Entertainer
Media: March 2025 • Flipside Records Remembered| Illinois Entertainer
March 2025: CinemaScopes • March Films in Like A Lion| Illinois Entertainer
Live Review: Cy Curnin • Belly Up Tavern • San Diego, CA| Illinois Entertainer
Stage Buzz: Jerry Cantrell, Lucy Dacus, Tiffany| Illinois Entertainer