Chicago Jazz Festival 2023 in Review: A Perfect Cap on Summer and Joy Post-Pandemic
The Chicago Jazz Festival is 47 years old! I am trying to get my head around how long that is, and what a gift it is to know that Chicago […]
Review: Charly Bliss Brings the Heat to Beach Bunny’s Perfect Pool Party
It was a hot one outside the Shed last Thursday in Chicago; a whopping high of just barely 100 degrees and a heat index topping out at 114. Despite the […]
Preview: “Look Mama Your Product Is Legit”—10 Years of Doris at House of Blues
On July 19, 2014, Thebe Kgositsile (professionally known as Earl Sweatshirt) performed in Chicago for the first time at Cabaret Metro in support of his major-label debut Doris. I remember […]
Preview: Bare Yourself to Merce Lemon This Thursday at Sleeping Village
I’m here writing this Merce Lemon preview for their upcoming show at Sleeping Village with co-headliner Lily Seabird and Chicago-based Hemlock simply because Merce Lemon is far too under the […]
Review: Tech Glow-Up for Chicago’s Long-Running Blue Man Group
Blue Man Group started as outsider art, railing against the machine of corporate commodification and end-stage capitalism. Now it’s become a perfect performance entrée for kids and their families, which […]
Review: A Rowdy Hometown Crowd Helps Close Out the Horsegirl and Lifeguard Tour
There is something unquestionably nice about seeing an all-ages show that truly encapsulates the ethos of “everyone is welcome.” Thalia Hall this past weekend was packed full of little kids […]
Review: A Rebirth of the Cool at the Lighthouse
It was a wondrous summer night with jazz on the menu at The Lighthouse Artspace. I consider August to be Jazz Month in Chicago even though you can hear the […]
Review: With Guitarist Aniello Desiderio, Grant Park Symphony Orchestra Gives an Inspired Performance
Under the direction of guest conductor David Danzmayr, the Grant Park Symphony Orchestra gave an inspired performance at the Jay Pritzker Pavilion on Wednesday night. While the playing was tight […]
Review: MJ Lenderman Lights Up Lincoln Hall for His Pitchfork Aftershow
After what was surely a good ol’ sweaty time at Pitchfork Friday, MJ Lenderman and Co. headed over to Lincoln Hall with their friends in Styrofoam Winos for a sold-out […]
Review: Destroy Boys Serve Up Complete Destruction With Destroy Fest at the Metro
For a select few hundred people (it’s probably more than that), Destroy Fest 2023 at the Metro was the best place to weather the rain-soaked mugginess of last Saturday night. […]
Pitchfork Music Festival 2023: Day Three in Review
After a rain-delayed Saturday, the sun was back out shining bright on the final day of the Pitchfork Music Festival! No more hanging around Union Park with no music playing […]
Pitchfork Music Festival 2023: Day Two in Review
Ah yes, the unfortunate tradition of a random rain delays escalating into a full blown evacuation continued during this year’s Pitchfork Music Festival. While the storm didn’t truly make an […]