Aug 31, 2015
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...
Aug 28, 2015
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...
Aug 28, 2015
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...
Aug 24, 2015
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...
Aug 24, 2015
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...
Aug 18, 2015
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...
Aug 10, 2015
Words:Joann D. Ball | Photos: Philamonjaro StudioLegendary punk rockers X returned to City Winery Chicago for three shows, and displayed a renewed sense of purpose and urgency. The band is donating part of the proceeds from the How I Learned My Lesson tour to support co-founder Billy Zoom who is undergoing chemo treatment for bladder...
Aug 4, 2015
By @WeirScrewedLollapalooza as a whole is not always our cup of tea, but its sheer volume typically brings such a varietyof acts to Chicago that it's bound to come up a big winner on at least a handful each year. Friday night at Metro brought us psychedelic country crooner Sturgill Simpson, who has been setting...
Aug 4, 2015
Stiff Little Fingers are Still BurningWords: Joann D. Ball | Photos: Philamonjaro StudioStiff Little Fingers formed Belfast in 1977, the year punk exploded in the U.K. Keen observers of their surroundings, the bands raw political and personal commentary addressed oppression and the Troubles in Northern Ireland as well as youthful rage and rebellion.Never heard of...
Jul 15, 2015
Steve Miller Band Keeps on Rockn and Bluesn with FeelingWords: Joann D. Ball | Photos: Philamonjaro StudioRavinias house lights dimmed, and the stage curtain dropped, while the familiar intro to Jungle Love fired up a near-sellout crowd. After that flashback workout, Miller told enthusiastic fans "Ooh, it's good to be back. Thanks for coming!On the...