Archive for the ‘Concerts’ Category
All She Can: Sharon Van Etten @ Lincoln Hall
Posted by: Peter Lillis on: February 21, 2012
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Sharon Van Etten is a very serious songwriter; no one would argue that. Her three albums are narratives of self-aware heartbreak, with a rare glimmer of hope or positivity. Track after track, Van Etten pines over lost love and mistakes made, always with taste. So, naturally, she’s my kind of girl. In person, however, she [...]
Hardcore Hysterics: Ceremony Unites With Fans To Destroy, Inspire
Posted by: Peter Lillis on: February 10, 2012
- In: Band Profiles | Concerts | Music
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After years of toiling in hardcore obscurity, definitive Bay Area “power violence” band Ceremony is on the cusp of international recognition and (relative) mainstream success. From their smashing debut—the appropriately titled Violence Violence, 13 songs in 13 minutes—through 2010′s redefining Rohnert Park LP, Ceremony has been recognized for their decidedly artful approach to lo-fi brutality. [...]
Like A Cheerleader: Madonna @ Superbowl XLVI
Posted by: Keith Meatto on: February 6, 2012
- In: Concerts | Music
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Because I often expect more complicated pop from Madonna, I lamentably find her latest cheerleader ditty “Give Me All Your Luvin’” insipid. Besides its generic lyrics, the song doesn’t even use its guest spots, by Nicki Minaj and M.I.A., in compelling ways. With the pall of this song hanging over this new Madonna era, I [...]
The 13 Best Concerts of 2011
Posted by: Peter Lillis on: December 27, 2011
- In: Band Profiles | Best of 2011 | Concerts | Music
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As we’ve reported over the last few weeks, 2011 saw the release of plenty of great music. Luckily, in a year with so many great releases, we also had the opportunity to see plenty of great shows. From arena blow outs to dive bar ragers, the following are the 13 best live performances I saw over the [...]
Lust for Live: Six Shows In Four Weeks
Posted by: Peter Lillis on: November 16, 2011
- In: Band Profiles | Concerts | Music
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My recent arrival in Chicago has been beneficial for two reasons: 1) I have a fulfilling job, and 2) I get to a shit ton of rock shows. For example, over the course of the four weeks of October, I made it to six shows. No two shows were alike: I welcomed fresh-faced James Blake [...]
Hyperbolic Tendencies: Fucked Up’s Damian Abraham Expresses Discontent
Posted by: Peter Lillis on: November 10, 2011
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Last week, vocalist for Toronto hardcore band Fucked Up Damian Abraham admitted to Spinner that his days as a regularly touring member of the band could be nearing an end, or at least a rest. Due to the rigors of the road and his toddler son, Abraham (a.k.a. Pink Eyes) concedes that he is tired, and [...]
CMJ 2011 Band Name Awards
Posted by: Keith Meatto on: October 6, 2011
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Nothing says fall in New York more than the CMJ Music Marathon, an indoor antidote to the sweltering outdoor festivals of summer. From October 18-23, more than 80 venues will host more than 900 musicians, including several of our favorites (Twin Sister, Active Child, Cloud Nothings, Dum Dum Girls, and Michael Daves). Beyond the music, [...]
Sad Sad Songs – Ray Lamontagne at Central Park Summerstage
Posted by: Keith Meatto on: September 27, 2011
- In: Concerts | Music
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Ray Lamontagne has three kinds of songs: sad songs, really sad songs, and excruciatingly sad songs. A few hours after his wrenching performance at the Central Park Summerstage last night, I flipped on the season premiere of The Office to see a pregnant Pam sobbing as she listens to “Trouble,” the title track from his [...]
Your Live Life: Chicago Fall Concerts
Posted by: Peter Lillis on: September 23, 2011
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As some of you know, I recently moved to Chicago from Washington, D.C. On a daily basis, I am shocked at the size of Chi-town, be it in number of residents or just the distance between two points. I moved to Ukranian Village, just off Wicker Park, aka Chicago’s Williamsburg. One of the benefits that [...]
