Feb 17, 2015
Valen-Times Two: Zap Mama & AntibalasWords: @312mrg | Photos: PhilamonjaroThis was our best show of this tour Martin Perna said at the end of an exuberant, energized dance filled 2-hour non-stop set.It was a statement that justified the trance that had taken over my body -- really the entirety of the Park West -- on...
Feb 17, 2015
By: Kelley Lauginiger - @peapodmcgeeThe Chicago Bluegrass & Blues Festival has expanded from one night of hoopla back in 2007, to a month-long jamboree spanning some of our cities finest venues, and delivered by a host of different bands. Each act brings some dust with them for us to kick up with our salt-laden boots here...
Feb 13, 2015
Words & Photos: Alex WoodTim Reynolds Trio, the long-running project featuring Dave Matthews Bands guitarist, began another tour at SPACE in Evanston on Thursday. The band put on a high-energy show of originals and covers in support of recently released full-length Like Some Kind Of Alien Invasion.The set began with a jazz-fusion instrumental, Tims guitar...
Feb 12, 2015
Like Some Kind Of Alien Invasion begins with a gurgle of electronic effects before jumping into a rowdy guitar riff, the hard-rock styling reminiscent of every arena rock band to pop up since Zeppelin.In this way, I.C.U. is the perfect introduction to TR3, best known as the project of Dave Matthews Band...
Feb 6, 2015
Photos: Rickie Kostiner (from 1/31/15 show) This is the story of losing touch and reconnecting. About making poor choices but also being true to yourself. About nostalgia and living in the moment.And yes, it's also a review of String Cheese Incident's Friday night show at Aragon Ballroom in Chicago.String Cheese Incident is a...
Feb 5, 2015
Words & Photos: Alex WoodSteve Earles third of four nights at City Winery found the songwriter performing a well-constructed acoustic set that felt like a guided tour through the history of roots music.The show began with a preview of Earles new blues record, Terraplane Blues. Aint Nobodys Daddy Now featured country twang over a...
Feb 5, 2015
Robert Randolph is just so many things. He and The Family Band popped in for a pair of shows at City Winery this winter as a part of the Chicago Bluegrass & Blues Festival. He's the bandleader, a brilliant soloist, more-than-capable singer, master of ceremonies, and part-time comedian.He was even the inspiration for his...
Feb 5, 2015
Words & Photos: Kelley Lauginiger - @peapodmcgeeIt might have been the start of a blustery, cold weekend in Chicago, but The String Cheese Incident brought the heat as they visited for three nights on their Winter Carnival Tour.The line wrapping around the building on Thursday night was full of love and hugs, reuniting estranged...
Jan 27, 2015
By Alex WoodKishi Bashi debuted his new string quartet at Athenaeum Theatre on Thursday as part of the Tomorrow Never Knows festival.The songwriter and violinist was joined by two violas, a cello and a violin, as well as his touring guitarist guesting on banjo when needed. In addition to vocals, Kishi Bashi conducted the...
Jan 23, 2015
By: Steve Siegel (@thebarnpresents) & Brian Brinkman (@sufferingjuke)Photos: Phish From The Road (@Phish_FTR)Brian and I come from different perspectives in our respective Phish fandoms that roughly equate to when we saw our first shows. But we can both agree on one thing: we both want Phish to be the best possible version...