Features Stories

Tower Of Power Celebrates 49, One Special Fan

By: John 'Nunu" ZomotBelieve it or not, August 13th marked the 49th anniversary of Oakland, CA's Tower of Power.  That's an institution no matter how you look at it, but we're talking about a band who has made a name for itself and a horn section that has augmented some of the biggest names...

Photos / Video / Setlist | Billy Joel @ Wrigley Field 8/11/17

Photos: John 'Nunu' ZomotI'm not gonna lie, we haven't been kind to Billy Joel around these parts.  But I'm also gonna hand it to him, pretty sure Wrigley Field can be considered "his room" at this point, having played the venerable stadium more than any other act.So 2017, a year in which the ballpark...

PHOTOS | Summer Stomp Music & Camping Festival 2017

By: Zach Stone PhotographyThere's something about what Summer Stomp Music & Camping Festival is curating that just feels right.They are bringing people together for the right reasons, and celebrating a tight knit family of music and musicians, not to mention fans, up in McHenry County.It was my first time attending the festival,...

String Cheese Incident Celebrates Colorado at Red Rocks [Review / Video]

By: Carmel O'Farrell (@carmelocorn)[instagram id="BW7yRYoBHpX"]The String Cheese Incident continues to trek their own path in what seems to be a fractioned music industry. With more focus on quality over quantity, Cheese has cut back their touring schedule in exchange for multi-night runs at destinations like Red Rocks.The touring lifestyle...

Andrew Bird Leads Power Lineup At Ravinia

Words & Photos: Zach Stone | Videos: the1stMikeCOn a beautiful Sunday night, in a park-like setting, Andrew Bird capped an evening of music that brought together a diverse lineup that demonstrated how just how powerful diversity could be in any of its forms.Bird started his set all by himself, but...

Umphrey's McGee Show Cut Short | Photos & Setlist

Photos: Zach StoneLast weekend, Phish fans were graced with near perfect weather at Northerly Island. A good thing, too, as many in attendance will surely remember their weather-impacted inaugural run in 2013.So forgive the flashbacks if some of the same folks also made it out to see Umphrey's McGee on the big stage...

James Taylor & Bonnie Raitt Join Forces At The Ballpark

James Taylor and Bonnie Raitt is a pairing that calls for Ravinia rather than baseball stadium, but fine production and outsized talent seemed to close the gap on a Monday night in July at Wrigley Field.You can forgive them for not bringing record breaking Dead & Company crowds, but those in attendance got a...

PHOTOS / VIDEO | International Dylan Tribute @ City Winery 6/29/17

Photos & Video: John 'Nunu' ZomotThat's a happy group, huh?It's what happens when a group of touring musicians meet up with a bunch of Chicagoans to celebrate the music of The Bard under the moniker of The International Bob Dylan Tribute.Under the leadership of Dewey Paul Moffit, this late June event at City...

Photo Gallery | Taste Of Chicago 2017

By: Philamojaro StudioBen Harper and the Innocent Criminals headlined The 37th Annual Taste of Chicago along with Passion Pit, The O'Jays, Caf Tacvba and Alessia Cara.A treasured institution for decades, the diverse program is free to the public, and the musical line up represented a cultural cross section as varied as...

Toronzo Cannon Returns For Bluesday Tuesday at Fitzgerald's

Words: Robin Zimmerman | Photos & Video: Michael LepekAlligator recording artist Toronzo Cannon is on the fast track towards a Chicago blues ambassadorship.His touring schedule for the last month has covered everything from Switzerland and Mont-Tremblant, Canada to blues festivals in Butte, Belgium and beyond.But, Cannons busy schedule also means that his Windy City...