Review: Truth or Consequences New Mexico Makes This Time of Year the Best Time of Year
We’re coming up on two months of Truth or Consequences New Mexico’s second EP This Time of Year being out in the world and although it has about 20 years […]
Review: James Gaffigan Leads Janai Brugger and the CSO through an American-Inspired Program
The Chicago Symphony Orchestra gave an enjoyable performance of an American-inspired program at Symphony Center on Saturday evening. With James Gaffigan conducting, the program included the warm and expressive voice […]
Review: Baroness Baptizes Sleeping Village in Red andBlue
Two of the most enthralling live music pleasures are the full album play-through and the intimate smaller-than-usual venue show. Baroness provided both on Wednesday, as they performed their first 2 […]
Review: An Energized Cat Ridgeway Rocks Subterranean
After my delightful interview with Cat Ridgeway last weekend, as well as several spins of her latest record, Sprinter, I was very excited to see her perform at Subterranean on […]
In Between Trains: Music for Union Station
There’s something special about hearing music in a public setting when it is free and unexpected. And when it is held in a train station, especially so. It’s one thing […]
Review: Ichiko Aoba’s Beautiful Sounds Delight a Reverent Thalia Hall
There are few venues that can transform themselves for their performers as well as Thalia Hall can. Usually when going to see artists like Ichiko Aoba and Gia Margaret, you […]
Review: Allison Russell Brings a Gospel of Love, Memory and Empathy for Our Time to the Vic
In my years living and working on the North Side of Chicago, the Vic Theater has had an interesting evolution. It started as the Victoria Theatre with vaudeville shows before […]
Interview: Cat Ridgeway Is Bringing Good Vibes to Subterranean
When Orlando-based singer-songwriter Cat Ridgeway and I scheduled an interview for 9 in the morning on a Saturday ahead of her show this Wednesday at Subterranean, I lamented losing an […]
Review: Pianist Evgeny Kissin is Amazing at Symphony Center
What kind of performance has 10 curtain calls and three encores? Evgeny Kissin’s piano recital at Symphony Center on Sunday afternoon does. It was something reviewers dream to hear: a […]
Review: Deafheaven Explores Lonely People With Power at Metro
For a decade and a half, California metal band Deafheaven have been one of the more divisive bands to come through the heavy music scene. Controversial would be too strong […]
Review: The Majestic Sounds of Japanese Breakfast Flourish at the Salt Shed
It’s pretty obvious that both Chicago and the Salt Shed adore the sensational indie-pop outfit Japanese Breakfast. I get the impression that the band has a rather devoted cult following in […]
Review: Thomas Wilkins Leads the Civic Orchestra of Chicago in Symphonies by Florence Price and Antonín Dvořák
With Thomas Wilkins taking the podium, the Civic Orchestra of Chicago gave a lovely performance at Symphony Center on Monday evening. Being the professional training ensemble for the Chicago Symphony […]