Larry Anthony balances stories, feelings with his new EP ‘How Far We’ve Come’
“I want to know not how do you think I was feeling when I wrote this song, but how did this make you feel?”
Brian Shamie
After 2020’s COVID detour, Homegrown music fest is back in full bloom this weekend
Homegrown’s Aaron Williams had to pivot online when the pandemic threatened to shut down the annual local music celebration last summer. This weekend, the fest returns in person to Lisle with favorite alums and plenty of new music.
Sound check: Lolla, Homegrown and Bitter Jester this weekend
Lollapalooza returns to Grant Park. Homegrown celebrates local artists. Brian McKnight and Ruben Studdard hit Ravinia and Bitter Jester preps for week two of its summer series.
Premiere: Wild Gravity injects a little optimism into our recovery with debut single, video ‘Comatose’
Ken Ugel and Phil O’Reilly try an uplifting tactic with the debut single from the new project Wild Gravity.
Gallery: Phillip-Michael Scales, Nikki Morgan — Hey Nonny 7/14/21
“Capturing people online is cool,” said Phillip-Michael Scales, “but capturing those fans who are going to see live music — catching up with those people is huge.”
Bitter Jester Music Festival tunes up for its 15th anniversary season this weekend
After shifting to a virtual songwriting contest last year, the Bitter Jester Music Festival is back full force and in person this summer.
Sound check: Tina Jenkins Crawley at Gospelfest; Puddle of Mudd, Shallow Side bring rock to Lombard
Post-grunge/nu metal rockers Puddle of Mudd head the lineup at Afterlife Music Hall; the Bitter Jester summer concert/contest series returns; Underbelly Hours host a local showcase; and Tina Jenkins Crawley inspires at Gospelfest.
Premiere: OK Cool has a meltdown (in a charming way) with new video ‘Divers’
Some days can be a dream. Others can feel like a disaster. OK Cool’s delightful and relatable new video for the recent single “Divers” captures that feeling.
Summer 1999 is back as Lit headlines ’90s Fest in Lombard
Lit introduced one of the catchiest earworms of the last few decades in the summer of 1999. This weekend, the band brings “My Own Worst Enemy” and more to headline the Ultimate ’90s Fest in Lombard.
Sound check: Backyard Tire Fire returns to Aurora; Foghat at the Arcada; Geekd, The Shades and JORDY’s tour
Americana rock band Backyard Tire Fire plays The Venue’s outdoor stage, Mundy Park; Christian Moreno headlines the first night of the Separate Waves II art/music showcase; and Foghat takes the Arcada Stage.
How you can help make short film ‘Valentine’
If you’ve watched the trailer for the short film “Valentine,” you might recognize some familiar faces from the local music scene in it.
Dive-bar soul singer Phillip-Michael Scales returns to Hey Nonny
Phillip-Michael Scales moved from Chicago to Nashville two years ago, but as live shows are returning, he’s jumping at the chance to head back to Hey Nonny in Arlington Heights for a show next week.
Sound check: Metal scene streaming Dio’s birthday, benefit show
Heavy metal rockers celebrate the birthday of the late Ronnie James Dio; country and folk artists play Chill Nation in Buffalo Grove; Everclear heads up Summerland Tour; Tony Ocean plays the suburbs; and catch new music from Everyday Fantastic.
Sound check: Hey Nonny’s showcase with Todd Kessler
Deerfield musician Todd Kessler presents his final showcase (for now) at Hey Nonny; Long Play Music Festival brings hits to Loves Park; Buffalo Grove Brewing hosts a patriotic concert in Long Grove.
Christian Moreno banishes some personal doubts with Geekd’s second EP ‘Jeux’
Christian Moreno’s pandemic year turned into a time of artistic expression and discovery.
Sound check: Wolf Rd plays ‘Counterpoint’ release show at Empirical Brewery
Des Plaines-born Wolf Rd puts its pop-punk on stage; music on the menu at Long Grove Strawberry Fest; Reece Brunke’s livestreaming benefit; and Side Street gets behind the cameras.
LGBTQ artists sing ‘Out Loud’ for The Center fundraiser
Sammy Cannillo and a team of bands and artists from Chicago and the suburbs are bringing the tunes to Chicago’s Pride month with an eye toward giving back.
Smashing music festivals: Our bird’s-eye view of the Chicago area’s summer, fall fests
The roster’s a little shorter for this music season, but here’s a quick look at the fests you should check out — from Homegrown in Lisle to Chicago’s Lollapalooza.
Sound check: House Music anniversary show, Underbelly Hours showcase and more
The Arcada Theatre’s new summer lineup, House Music Saved My Life’s 10th anniversary, Underbelly Hours’ local showcase, and three ways you can help podcasters and musicians.
Hook up with The Mild West’s new single, ‘Rendezvous’
With the high-energy sound that’s a hallmark of The Mild West’s music, “Rendezvous” plays on the very human need for connection, a riff on something that’s been lacking for many of us over the last year.