Features Stories

Photos | Keller Williams @ Park West 3/10/17

Photos: Zach StoneKeller Williams & Leo Kottke joined forces for a pair of sets, and a little collaboration at Park West on Friday night.Zach Stone was on hand for Tomorrow's Verse to capture some of Keller's kinetic solo performance.The Shut The Folk Up & Listen Tour is a perfect name for a pair...

What's In A Winterlude? A Look At Four Wilco Shows In Chicago

Photos: Zach StoneAfter Wilco's summer stop in at Pritzker Pavillion. I had a good long thought about the bands pure Chicago-ness.There was plenty of Summer Lovin' from their hometown fans on that evening, but Wilco has traditionally funnelled its love of the city into a winter residency -- dubbed Winterlude -- and by Februrary...

Trey's Solo Run By The Numbers (And The Video)

Photo: Patrick Jordan @treyanstasioThe three solo and acoustic shows that Trey Anastasio performed last week were indeed a rarity.  Thanks to a handy spreadsheet put together by @bizarchive, let's break down exactly how these fit in with the rest of his solo ouvre.52: number of complete or partial solo and acoustic sets publicly...

Photos / Setlists | Pink Talking Fish & Crosseyed & Phishless @ Park West 3/11/17

By: Tara Gracer PhotographyPink Talking Fish are exactly as advertised. and sometimes a little more.As implied by their name, the band delivered a roller coaster mix of Pink Floyd, Talking Heads and Phish covers over two big sets in Chicago on Saturday night.Tara Gracer was on hand to capture all the action from...

REVIEW | Julian Lage & Chris Eldridge @ Old Town School Of Folk Music 2/26/17

Words: Ryan Mannix | Photos: Faraz ChaudryWhen Julian Lage and Chris Eldridge took the stage at Old Town School Of Folk Music, the room's stillness provided an ideal backdrop for their impressive, acoustic musicality.  The audience was so hushed that even the clicks of our camera -- to get a couple of snaps for this...

Steward Copeland's Work Returns To The Chicago Opera Stage

Words: Philamonjaro Studio | Photos: Liz LaurenChicago Opera Theater (COT) presented Stewart Copeland's "The Invention of Morel" in a co-world premiere with Long Beach Opera for three nights: February 18th, 24th and 26th at the Studebaker Theater in The Fine Arts Building 410 South Michigan Ave.Rock fans remember Copeland as the...

Album Reviews | February 2017 Releases

By: Alex WoodMoon Duo- Occult Architecture, Vol. 1 [2/3]A concept album of sorts, Occult Architecture is intended to represent the dark parts of the cyclical nature of the seasons. Though this may be the inspiration, the record comes off as another set of skuzzy, droning psychedelic songs consisting of simplistic, chugging rhythms and effects-drenched guitars. The...

Album Review | The Right Now - "Starlight"

By: Alex WoodFive years since their last record, Chicago soul revivalists The Right Now return with a new album and a new sound.Starlight, the bands third full-length release, doesnt simply build off of the nostalgic soul sound of their past work, but transcends the blueprint entirely, melding genres to create something truly their own.2012...

Review / Video / Setlist | Wilco @ Chicago Theatre 2/22/17

By: Alex Wood | Photo: @chicagotheatreOpening with Ashes Of American Flags, Wilco instantly foreshadowed the dynamic of their first performance of 2017s four-night Winterlude run at Chicago Theatre, its spacious, acoustic ambiance and pointed political theme to remain for the majority of their set.An unusual but enticing beginning, the song got the ball slowly rolling,...

Photos | Here Come The Mummies & The North 41 @ House Of Blues 2/18/17

Sure there are a lot of funk bands out there?  But there's probably only one that bill themselves as "the world's premier undead funk ambassadors".Here Comes The Mummies brought their mummified funk to a fairly packed House Of Blues on Saturday night.The super talented Tara Gracer was on hand with her camera...