Spafford capped off a day that started in the afternoon at North Coast Music Festival on Saturday and ended in the wee hours of Sunday morning.While the daylight set offered plenty to and their sound was suitably huge for the big stage, the jammers were totally in their element in the nightclub, too.  ...

Photos / Video: John "Nunu" ZomotJoan Osborne's latest release Songs Of Bob Dylan contains 13 takes on the Nobel Prize winner's songbook of hundreds of beautiful and impactful songs.So you didn't expect her to stick to the album when she stopped by Chicago for two dates at City Winery at the beginning of the month,...

Photos / Video: John 'Nunu' ZomotThere was a lot of weight put on Living Colour when they arrived on the scene to "save rock" in the 80s.  Fierce, bold, guitar-driven and black -- most folks never saw them coming before they were all over MTV and radio.  Over 30 years later, theyre still around and...

By: Philamonjaro Studio Cherry Poppin' Daddies wrapped up a handful of Midwest dates over Labor Day weekend as they continue to tour in celebration of the 20th anniversary of their debut release Zoot Suit Riot.Sharp-dressed and ready to play, there was plenty to see as well as hear.Performing at Navy Pier's...

Words & Photos: Zach StoneThe John Butler Trio blew my mind.It's that feeling when after pursuing live music actively for over a decade, something that was hiding in plain sight comes rushing into focus.Kicking off their set with "Cold Wind" from their 2014 album Flesh + Blood, Butler noted that Nicky Bomba is currently...

By: Philamonjaro StudioAlanis Morissette captivated her sold out audience at Ravinia Friday, August 25th with an energetic concert as she led her five piece band through her hits.Changing up between harmonica and guitar some numbers, her powerful and one-of-a-kind vocals were as strong as when she broke out in the US chart twenty years...

Words: Lisa Torem | Photos: Philamonjaro StudioOn a Wednesday night at Ravinia -- dressed in black, like his collaborator Carlene Carters famous dad, Johnny Cash -- John Mellencamp wasted no time getting in tune for his second performance at the venue.  Surrounded by a smoke machine and a background of scrawled graffiti, the stage was...

By: Zach StoneWhat's better than a Karl Denson's Tiny Universe show in Denver?  A free KDTU show in Denver -- which actually went down this past Saturday at Leavitt Pavilion.There was an incredible Colorado sunset just prior to the band going on stage, a sign of great things...

By: Zach StoneFor a young Chicago band, playing the beautiful Lincoln Hall is a feather in the cap.  Headlining is a prize.  Getting the Saturday night slot -- that's the stuff that dreams are made of.The North 41 brought an excited crowd to the room last Saturday to showcase everything they've been working...

Photos: Zach StoneYou may not have known it if you just came out to enjoy some music, but Northerly Island was the scene of a violent crime on the night of August 8th.Dropkick Murphys and Rancid were the headliners -- and though their music is on the aggressive side, our photographer Zach didn't...