By: Howard GreenblattFifty years ago MC5 rolled out the soon-to-be iconic album Kick Out the Jams. It was truly a space where music and ideas would marry -- their manager John Sinclair was founder of the anti-racist, anti-war, anti-capitalism, pro-revolution White Panther Party.And, yes, MC5 was a badass, anti-establishment band. They will forever...

Phish returns this weekend to Allstate Arena.  The former Rosemont Horizon has played host home of some memorable shows, including five previous Phish performances dating back to 1995.Chicago has long been a Midwest stronghold for the band, even more so in recent years as the band has scaled back its touring.  And like...

Look around and youd see plenty of grey hairs in Gallagher Way as the sun was fading on an early August evening.So sure, the kids arent flocking to see JJ Grey & Mofro and Blackberry Smoke, but given the nice-sized, yet decidedly older, crowd that assembled on a Thursday night in the shadow of...

[instagram id="BoPMwCRA4KJ"]I guess it takes a certain type of music fan to have multiple new Southern Rock bands on your radar in the year 2018. Yeah, Ive got a soft spot for the sound and Im always ready for another take on the venerable sub-genre.But these days, its Marcus King and his...

By: Adam Miszewski (Adjomi Photography & Design)Milwaukee's Riverside Theater typically provides fans ample opportunities for jams in the fall.STS9 made it a stop on their 2018 Fall Midwest swing and the five-piece went right to work using the space to its full advantage.Adam was on hand, and there may be no photographer...

Words: Ryan Mannix | Photos: Faz ChaudryIn a city-mouse, country-mouse scenario... what if Chicago's Pitchfork Music Festival had a cousin that lived in St. Charles, Iowa?That's Hinterland Music Festival.Combining new and exciting indie groups with top alt-country artists makes for a unique energy. Hinterland is a camping fest but not a wild party with...

Words / Photos: Howard GreenblattJeff Beck, Paul Rodgers, and Ann Wilson joined forces to present the Stars Align tour at Chicagos Huntington Park Pavilion on July 29.Beck's closing set was nothing short of incendiary. The crowd stood and roared as he appeared and never sat, the stage bathed in smoke and colored lights.Beck's set contained...

Cody Diekhoff -- known around these pages as Chicago Farmer -- has been a regular presence around our Chicago music scene for a number of years.  Whether as a solo performer or in the rarer-but-welcome full band format, downstate's Diekhoff brings life to his songs on stage, and he is finally ready to put...

By: Philamonjaro StudioWhile appearing most often in solo performance in the states, 80's synthpop star Howard Jones visited Chicago's City Winery for a unique concert with this electronic band. The trio featured two of his longstanding sidemen Robbie Bronnimann on synthesizer and keyboards and Robin Boult on guitar.Along with his expected hits, "...

Photos: Adjomi PhotographyThirty years ago (to the date) of this year's two night Dead & Company run, Alpine Valley was hosting its penultimate series of Grateful Dead concerts.Whether you were there for the '88 run, another of the now legendary Grateful Dead visits, or any number of concerts throughout the venues 80s and 90s...