Features Stories

Review / Photos / Video | The Brendan & Jake Holiday Show @ Park West 12/10/16

Words & Photos: Tara Gracer | Video: Michael JacobsonNow in its 14th year, The Brendan and Jake Holiday Show has become an annual tradition for family and friends from all corners of the United States.  Like its predecessors, this edition found its snowed-in attendees with spirits lifted through cheerful song and levity.&...

RECAP / PHOTOS / VIDEO | Dopapod & Pigeons Playing Ping Pong @ Bottom Lounge 12/10/16

By: Ryan Mannix | Photos: Faraz Chaudry | Video: izeoftheworldphotosDopapod roared into Chicago on the heels of a lengthy winter tour with something to prove. Original drummer, Neal Fro Evans, returned to the band a few months back.His return left some fans upset at the loss of Scotty Zwang, and some curious as to how...

Review / Setlist / Video | Nathaniel Rateliff & The Nightsweats @ Chicago Theatre 12/7/16

Words: Alex WoodPhoto: senecameridthNever was the powerful mass appeal of recent Nathaniel Rateliff single S.O.B. more apparent than his Chicago Theatre performance on Wednesday evening.Hosted as the annual WXRT Big Holiday Concert, Rateliff and his band, The Nightsweats, were joined by soul legend Mavis Staples for what turned out to be a...

RECAP / PHOTOS | Whitney @ Thalia Hall 12/4/16

By: Heidi PetersTo witness Whitney at this point in their career is simply joyous.Their final show of the year on Sunday December 4 at Thalia Hall brought the Chicago-based group back home, rounding off their recent tour with a uniquely millennial flourish."No Matter Where We Go", has been getting spins on local radio, and...

Album Reviews | November 2016 Releases

By: Alex WoodJim James- Eternally Even [11/4]Even outside of My Morning Jacket, frontman Jim James remains endlessly prolific, always exploring new avenues to take his art. His sophomore solo album, Eternally Even, finds the singer experimenting with new sounds and lyrical concepts while keeping one foot deeply planted in classic rock. Musically, the songs stick...

Review / Setlist | Jim James @ The Vic 11/26/16

Words: Alex Wood | Photo: @coreyskatzJim James performed at The Vic Theater on a tour promoting his excellent new solo album, Eternally Even. Not surprisingly, the show heavily featured the songwriters new material, with all but two songs from the new album performed.But unlike My Morning Jackets guitar-forward classic rock style, James material leaned...

Widespread Panic & Milwaukee Allow Fans To Write Their Own Script

Photos: Adam MiszewskiAfter a decade of playing Milwaukees Riverside Theatre, it appears that the word is finally out about these annual cant miss Widespread Panic shows.  And although the 2016 version of this run brought fans from four corners of the country (tickets were snatched up at a record pace), its clear that itd take...

If Your Favorite Band Wanted To Stop Scalping, They Probably Could

Back in June, I wrote about an incredible experience I had with Louis CK.  Yes, the show was excellent.  But I took away so much more from it than an hour of laughs, and I was remarked about how much this performer respects his fans and advocates for their experience.Last...

REVIEW / PHOTOS / VIDEO | The B-52s @ Genesse Theatre 11/11/16

Words: Lisa Torem | Photos: Philamonjaro Studio | Video: joeypgh1The gorgeous, gilded Genesee Theatre looks like it should host inaugurations, not new wave/pop idols like The B52s, who jacked up their careers by performing in grungy, underground clubs like CBGBs.  But once the swirling, psychedelic backdrop was exposed, and the...

Lotus & Spafford Team For Weekend @ The Vic | Review, Photos, Audio, Video

Words: Carter Stirtz | Photos: Ben Bowen (@benhertz)With perfect fall weather, a tailor-made venue, and two noteworthy bands, jam enthusiasts couldnt have possibly asked for more than what they got over the first weekend in November in Chicago.Expectations were high for this run from seasoned veterans Lotus and the recently exploding Spafford.Seemingly...