By: Michael LepekNestled between towering buildings of New Orleans and in the shadow of historic Gallier Hall is a grassy acre of green space known as LaFayette Square. The park serves as a lunchtime spot for the bustling downtown crowd as well as a gathering place during the spring and summer.  Folks come to...

By: Howard GreenblattFifty years ago MC5 rolled out the soon-to-be iconic album Kick Out the Jams. It was truly a space where music and ideas would marry -- their manager John Sinclair was founder of the anti-racist, anti-war, anti-capitalism, pro-revolution White Panther Party.And, yes, MC5 was a badass, anti-establishment band. They will forever...

Words / Photos: Howard GreenblattJeff Beck, Paul Rodgers, and Ann Wilson joined forces to present the Stars Align tour at Chicagos Huntington Park Pavilion on July 29.Beck's closing set was nothing short of incendiary. The crowd stood and roared as he appeared and never sat, the stage bathed in smoke and colored lights.Beck's set contained...

By: Philamonjaro StudioWhile appearing most often in solo performance in the states, 80's synthpop star Howard Jones visited Chicago's City Winery for a unique concert with this electronic band. The trio featured two of his longstanding sidemen Robbie Bronnimann on synthesizer and keyboards and Robin Boult on guitar.Along with his expected hits, "...

Photos: Adjomi PhotographyThirty years ago (to the date) of this year's two night Dead & Company run, Alpine Valley was hosting its penultimate series of Grateful Dead concerts.Whether you were there for the '88 run, another of the now legendary Grateful Dead visits, or any number of concerts throughout the venues 80s and 90s...

Words: Robin Zimmerman | Photos: Howard GreenblattFrom living legends and dynamic dynasties to well-known national artists, the 35th Annual Chicago Blues Festival was jam-packed with talented acts.For the second straight year, Millennium Park was Ground Zero for the Windy Citys big blues blowout.While Chicagos spectacular skyline served as an impressive backdrop, music and kinship...

By: Philamonjaro StudioDanish punk rock band Iceage played a headling set at House of Vans Chicago on Thursday, June 21st while on their current US tour.  The show came on the heels of their fourth release, Beyondless, out on Matador records. The band dropped its first single, "Catch It", in February,...

Photos: Howard GreenblattSamantha Fish won over the Blues On the Fox audience when she first played the festival in 2014.Four years later, as her songwriting becomes more diverse and her lyrics matured, her fan base has exploded.Still only 29 years old, shes already won twoBlues Music Awards, most recently as Best Contemporary Female Artist in...

Words: Aaron & Nicole Eikenberry | Photos: Michael Lepek 2018 saw the release of the first Eels record in four years, The Deconstruction. A great deal has transpired in Mark Everetts (aka E) world in the interim: a marriage, his first child, and a divorce.That volatility doesn't always find its way onto the stage, but...

Words: Robin Zimmerman | Photos: Michael LepekA large Chicago contingent descended on Clarksdale, Mississippi for the 15th Annual Juke Joint Festival. But, long-anticipated balmy weather was not to be. Heavy overnight rains descended on the Delta on Friday into Saturday, ushering in cold, windy temperatures.Worse yet, much of Clarksdale was without power on the day...