Review: Destroyer Boogies with Thalia Hall
There are few shows as completely entrancing as a Destroyer show. There is just something about Dan Bejar, founding member and lead vocalist, that grabs hold of you before he […]
Review: Composers and New Music in the Spotlight at Ear Taxi Festival in Hyde Park
Something about Hyde Park is inspirational. It is a vibrant cultural hub with welcoming spaces that foster the growth of artists and their craft. My first dive into the Ear […]
Review: Evanston Makes Space for the Incredible Cat Ridgeway
Back in May, I had the privilege to chat with the infectiously joyful Cat Ridgeway and see her incredible live show, so when I learned she was returning to the […]
Review: Water From Your Eyes Embrace a More Rocking Vibe at Sleeping Village
It’s probably a weird year for an indie-rock band to be declaring “It’s a Beautiful Place.” But the duo behind Water From Your Eyes aren’t exactly known for making explicit […]
Review: Queens of the Stone Age Tone it Down With Spellbinding Chicago Theatre Show
On the opening night of Queens of the Stone Age’s Catacombs Tour at the Chicago Theatre, you could hear crickets chirping…and that was by design. The band’s set began with […]
Review: Panda Bear and Deakin Mesmerize a Delighted Thalia Hall
When you’ve been a part of such a big group as Noah Lennox and Josh Dibb have been, it’s not surprising to have a lot of expectations on your solo […]
Review: Wicked Drawl Closes the CheckOut Opening Festival with an Evening of Virtuosity
I was not ready. It was Sunday, September 28, and I was feeling in need of a pick-me-up for the week ahead. I had not heard Wicked Drawl previously, but […]
Review: Palomar Ensemble Offers Wide Variety at the CheckOut
Continuing the CheckOut’s Opening Festival, the Palomar Ensemble performed an interesting program before a nearly full audience on Wednesday evening. Founded by Access Contemporary Music, the CheckOut is a new […]
Photos: Riot Fest Closes Out the Weekend with All-Time Great Performances
Riot Fest‘s 20th year was truly something special. Day one was wonderfully weird. Day two was wild and frantic. Both days delivered on everything you could want from a festival […]
Review: Orion Ensemble Offers Music of Mozart, Brahms, and Huydts at Pianoforte Studios
The Orion Ensemble continued their 33rd season in a charming way at Pianoforte Studios in the South Loop on Monday night. Comprised of the quartet formed by clarinetist Katheryne Pirtle, […]
Review: Lea Salonga Shines at the Athenaeum
The Athenaeum Center Theatre was packed last Wednesday night with a near-capacity crowd eager to welcome Broadway legend Lea Salonga to Chicago in her show Stage, Screen and Everything in […]
Review: The Boromeo Quartet Demonstrate Beethoven’s Immortality at Guarneri Hall
On Thursday and Friday evenings, the Boromeo Quartet brought to Guarneri Hall an innovative performance of the music that, in my humble opinion, is the greatest ever written: the late […]