Words & Photos: Carmel O'Farrell (@carmelocorn)The word "supergroup" gets thrown around far too often these days.  But let's break down Garage A Trois. Each member of the band is a virtuoso in their own right. They are not a "one-off", usually finding the time for several gigs per year despite the principal's busy...

Words & Photos: Alex WoodWhen I first saw Troubled Hubble live more than 11 years ago, they possessed all of the energy that a rock n roll band could ever have, quickly coming to represent the role that fun can have in rock music.I remember like yesterday the band jumping around on a stage covered...

By: Rosebud, with a little help from Carmel O'Farrell (@carmelocorn)Shoe Fest kicked off its 5 year anniversary celebration on Friday of Labor Day Weekend amidst the cornfields of rural Manteno, Illinois. Camp Shaw is a kids' summer camp that gets transformed into a music festival once a year.Old Shoe asks all their friends to...

KT Tunstall is a One-Woman Tour de ForceBy Joann D. Ball | Photos: Philamonjaro StudioKT Tunstall has much more to offer than radio hits Black Horse and the Cherry Tree and Suddenly I See from her 2004 debutEye to the Telescope. The Scottish singer-songwriter sold out three nights at City Winery Chicago on the strength of five...

Cant Fake the Funk |The Story of Vulfpecks Startby Danny HazanIm gonna play da riddim, its very funky. So if youre allergic, please take whatever medications you have prescribed. Im kidding. Theres no real danger here of anything like that.Mushy KrongoldBefore Goss entered Michigans Jazz program, he honed his craft as a Jazz pianist...

Words: Aaron "Neddy" Stein | Photos: @phishfromtheroadAfter hundreds of thousands of collective miles traveled and a seemingly equivalent distance traveled musically in the previous afternoons sublime soundcheck jam, Phishs 10th standalone festival, the Magnaball, opened with the band singing Weve got it simple.... If only that were true!Putting on a 3+ day music festival with its...

The Stars Align at MagnaballWords & Photos: Carmel O'FarrellAfter two decades of seeing live music and traveling to over 20 different festivals, Ive come to realize that many variables must be considered in order to create a perfect festival experience. But every now and then the stars align and the festival gods consecrate the sacred ground...

Maceo Parker Makes It FunkyWords:Joann D. Ball | Photos: Philamonjaro StudioMaceo Parker is a soul and funk legend. Hes best known for bringing the noise for James Brown, George Clinton and Prince. His trademark saxophone percussion style has been a hip-hop samplers delight. For the last two decades, he has been music director of his...

Words: Mitch Osborne | Photos: Rickie KostinerJoe Hertler & The Rainbow Seekers -- a band with an upbeat party vibe that is true to its hippy-inspired name-- played to a packed Schuba's crowd on a summer Friday.The crowd sang right along with Hertler, You make me feel so goddamn, good. The rest of the set...

Umphreys McGee Rocks RaviniaWords: Carmel O'Farrell | Photos: Kristine CondonRavinia Festival is a summer long concert series that takes place in the hoity-toity Chicago suburb of Highland Park. Concert goers are encouraged to picnic on the lawn surrounding the pavilion as they listen to the relaxing sounds of artists like Aretha Franklin and Steely Dan throughout...