Latest Reviews and Features

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The Magic of Eswatini's Umhlanga Reed Dance Ceremony The annual Umhlanga Reed Dance Ceremony that takes place in the African nation of Eswatini presents a spectacle like no other- a magical and mesmerizing display that once witnessed will never be forgotten Read the full The Magic of Eswatini's Umhlanga Reed Dance Ceremony review

Brian Setzer - The Devil Always Collects The Devil Always Collects is indeed one helluva record. Read the full Brian Setzer - The Devil Always Collects review

Classics: Dio's Holy Diver (40 years) 2023 marks the 40th anniversary of Holy Diver - a landmark record for Dio standing on his own without an already well known band, and the burgeoning early 1980s commercial success of heavy metal. Read the full Classics: Dio's Holy Diver (40 years) review

Quick Flicks: Joe Deninzon & Stratospheerius - Behind the Curtain: Live at ProgStock Awesome Stratospheerius release that was recorded at the ProgStock Festival in Rahway, New Jersey during the bands appearances there in 2019 and 2021. Read the full Joe Deninzon & Stratospheerius - Behind the Curtain: Live at ProgStock review

Caught In The Act: Greta Van Fleet Rock Rosemont Rob Grabowski caught Greta Van Fleet In The Act during show at Allstate Arena in Rosemont, Ill on Wednesday, Sept. 6, 2023. Check out Robs great photos! Read the full Greta Van Fleet Rock Rosemont review

Classics: Alice Cooper Band's Billion Dollar Babies (50 years) Alice Cooper was a band in the spotlight and ready for what would be their commercial and critical peak - Billion Dollar Babies. Read the full Classics: Alice Cooper Band's Billion Dollar Babies (50 years) review

Caught In The Act: Duran Duran, Nile Rodgers, and Bastille Live Rob Grabowski and Tom Antonson caught Duran Duran, Nile Rodgers, and Bastille In The Act during show at Huntington Bank Pavilion at Northerly Island in Chicago on Friday, September 1st Read the full Duran Duran, Nile Rodgers, and Bastille Live review

Caught In The Act: I Love the 80's Tour Featuring Rick Springfield, The Hooters, Paul Young, and Tommy Tutone Rob Grabowski caught the I Love the 80s Tour featuring Rick Springfield with The Hooters, Paul Young, and Tommy Tutone In The Act during show at RiverEdge Park in Aurora, Ill on Thursday, Aug. 31, 2023. Check out Robs great photos! Read the full I Love the 80's Tour Featuring Rick Springfield, The Hooters, Paul Young, and Tommy Tutone review

Albert Bouchard - Imaginos III: Mutant Reformation For the past few years Blue Oyster Cult legend Albert Bouchard has been reimagining the bands music with his Imaginos trilogy which comes to its end with this release Read the full Albert Bouchard - Imaginos III: Mutant Reformation review

Caught In The Act: Disturbed, Breaking Benjamin, and Jinjer Rock Chicago Rob Grabowski and Tom Antonson caught Disturbed, Breaking Benjamin, and Jinjer In The Act during show at Credit Union 1 Amphitheatre in Tinley Park, Ill on Wednesday, Aug. 30, 2023. Check out Robs photos and Toms review! Read the full Disturbed, Breaking Benjamin, and Jinjer Rock Chicago review

On The Record: R.E.M. Craft Recordings has reissued two long out of print R.E.M. titles on vinyl including the bands last ever studio effort. Read the full R.E.M. review

Quick Flicks: Metalocalypse: Army of the Doomstar Dethklok is back and theyre starring in their very own full length film! Fans of the animated metal band can rejoice as the band is now starring in Metalocalypse: Army of the Doomstar. Read the full Metalocalypse: Army of the Doomstar review

The Waymores - Greener Pastures A spin of Greener Pastures will have listeners happily looking forward to going honky-tonking. Read the full The Waymores - Greener Pastures review

Candlebox - The Long Goodbye The Long Goodbye is touted as the final Candlebox studio album. Candlebox has had a good run and it ends here on a very high note. Read the full Candlebox - The Long Goodbye review

Road Trip: A King is Born: A Visit to the Elvis Presley Birthplace in Tupelo, Mississippi If you really want to understand Presley's humble beginnings you need to visit the Elvis Presley Birthplace in Tupelo Read the full A King is Born: A Visit to the Elvis Presley Birthplace in Tupelo, Mississippi Road Trip

Live: Extreme and Living Colour Rock Chicago Area Boston rockers Extreme hit the Chicago area on their Thicker Than Blood Tour, their first appearance in the area since their Pornograffiti Live - 25th Anniversary Tour in 2015 Read the full Extreme and Living Colour Rock Chicago Area review

Celebrate Me Home: Kenny Loggins' Final Tour I first saw Kenny Loggins in concert when I was 16, my mother said as we waited for the singer/songwriter to walk onto stage for a performance on his final tour. Read the full Celebrate Me Home: Kenny Loggins' Final Tour review

Caught In The Act: Ted Nugent Rocks Chicagoland Ted Nugent Electrifies The Arcada Theatre in St. Charles, Illinois with a Classic Rock Extravaganza on Monday, August 4, 2023 Read the full Ted Nugent Rocks Chicagoland review

Maia Sharp - Reckless Thoughts Sharp has penned songs for the likes of Bonnie Raitt, Cher and Trisha Yearwood. Still fans rejoice most in her own recordings and they wont be disappointed with her Restless Thoughts. Read the full Maia Sharp - Reckless Thoughts review

Caught In The Act: Ghost and Amon Amarth Rock Chicago Rob Grabowski caught Ghost In The Act during show at the Huntington Bank Pavilion at Northerly Island in Chicago on Tuesday, Aug. 15, 2023. Check out Robs photos and Diane Tragos review! Read the full Ghost and Amon Amarth Rock Chicago review

Sites and Sounds: Louisville Ready to Rock with Late Summer Music Festivals Late summer will be rocking in Louisville, Kentucky as back-to-back music festivals take over the city. Get ready for Bourbon & Beyond and Louder Than Life! Read the full Louisville Ready to Rock with Late Summer Music Festivals review

Victoria Anthony - New Disaster The complete opposite of the title, Victoria Anthonys New Disaster is anything but! Read the full Victoria Anthony - New Disaster review

Travel News, Trips and Tips: Umhlanga Reed Dance Ceremony The Umhlanga Reed Dance Ceremony, one of the most culturally significant events in all of Africa, is about to take place in Eswatini. Read the full Umhlanga Reed Dance Ceremony review

Cillian Murphy's Sounds from a Safe Harbour Festival With his starring role in the hit film Oppenheimer and his likewise starring role in the hit television program Peaky Blinders, Irish actor Cillian Murphy is one of todays hottest talents Read the full Cillian Murphy's Sounds from a Safe Harbour Festival review

Tash Sultana - Sugar Sugar proves to be, not unlike its namesake condiment, something that many will not be able to get enough of. Read the full Tash Sultana - Sugar review

Live: The Tubes Rock Arizona It was a homecoming of sorts when The Tubes performed in the Grand Ballroom at Talking Stick Resort & Casino in Scottsdale Read the full The Tubes Rock Arizona review

Lollapalooza 2023 - Day Four Report Lollapalooza came to a big sweeping finale with personal and passionate performances on the smaller stages and hip-shaking grooves at the larger stages Read the full Lollapalooza 2023 - Day Four Report review

Lollapalooza 2023 - Day Three Report Despite the rain and mud, Saturday had its fair share of highlights with many of them occurring on the smaller stages Read the full Lollapalooza 2023 - Day Three Report review

Lollapalooza 2023 - Day Two Report Lollapalooza 2023 continued during day two with sunny skies and a schedule that was overflowing with talent. Read the full Lollapalooza 2023 - Day Two Report review

Lollapalooza 2023 - Day One Report Lollapalooza 2023 kicked off under ideal weather conditions as the sun shined down on just not the city of Chicago, but all the performers within Grant Park Read the full Lollapalooza 2023 - Day One Report review

Caught In The Act: Reverend Horton Heat and The Delta Bombers Rock Chicago Rob Grabowski caught Reverend Horton Heat and The Delta Bombers In The Act during show at City Winery in Chicago on Thursday, July 27, 2023. Check out Robs great photos! Read the full Reverend Horton Heat and The Delta Bombers Rock Chicago review

RockPile: Peter Frampton Super Audio CDs Three early Peter Frampton albums have been reissued by Intervention Records in Super Audio CD format. Read the full Peter Frampton Super Audio CDs review

Live from Celebrity Theatre: John Lodge The day had long since slipped into Tuesday evening but as far as the fans of the legendary Moody Blues bassist and singer John Lodge were concerned it was still Tuesday Afternoon Read the full John Lodge review

Nothing But Thieves - Dead Club City Conor Masons voice carries Dead Club City in its more subdued moments, roaring synth approaching an industrial sound is the attention getter otherwise. Read the full Nothing But Thieves - Dead Club City review

On The Record: Warren Zevon- Nevada Nevada For this installment of On The Record, Kevin gives new vinyl releases from Warren Zevon and Nevada Nevada a spin. Read the full Warren Zevon- Nevada Nevada review

Sites and Sounds: Columbia, Missouri's Treeline Music Fest The Treeline Music Fest is actually a new version of the citys beloved Roots N Blues festival which has entertained fans for years. Read the full Columbia, Missouri's Treeline Music Fest review

Tupelo Abuzz Over Queen's Reward Meadery The bees that make the honey thats used in the wines made at Queens Reward Meadery in Tupelo, Mississippi have got to be proud Read the full Tupelo Abuzz Over Queen's Reward Meadery review

The Guess Who - Plein D'Amour Some fans will be surprised that The Guess Who are still a working band, after all its been many decades since the rockers ruled the airwaves Read the full The Guess Who - Plein D'Amour review

38 Special - Live at Rockpalast 1981 Southern rock was still going strong in 1981 thanks in part to great albums like 38 Specials Wild-Eyed Southern Boys. Read the full 38 Special - Live at Rockpalast 1981 review

Travel News, Trips and Tips: Snacks for Your Road Trip You know its going to happen; when youre traveling, youre going to want snacks! Enjoy staving off the munchies with the goodies we recommend here. Read the full Snacks for Your Road Trip review

Live: TWICE In Chicago The all-female K-pop group TWICE (stylized in all caps) arrived in America as part of their fifth world tour and they set up shop at Chicagos United Center for two nights performing to over 35,000 fans. Read the full TWICE In Chicago review

Road Trip: Keep it Salty! A Visit to Saltville, Virginia Hey Jimmy Buffett, we found your lost shaker of salt! It's at the Museum of the Middle Appalachians in historic Saltville, Virginia Read the full Keep it Salty! A Visit to Saltville, Virginia Road Trip

Caught In The Act: Shania Twain Live In Chicago 2023 Rob Grabowski caught Shania Twain In The Act during show at Credit Union 1 Amphitheatre on Saturday, July 1, 2023, in Tinley Park, Ill. Check out Robs review and photos! Read the full Shania Twain Live In Chicago 2023 review

Mercy Music - What You Stand to Lose Mercy Music come out swinging with Suddenly, a jangling pop rocker that, although it has a bit of a punkier edge, reminds of the radio-ruling cuts of the Gin Blossoms Read the full Mercy Music - What You Stand to Lose review

Sites and Sounds: Calgary Stampede - Canada's Rocking Rodeo Its time to cowboy (and cowgirl) up as the worlds largest rodeo gets set to take over Calgary for 10 days of riding and roping and lots of other rodeo fun Read the full Calgary Stampede - Canada's Rocking Rodeo review

On The Record: Poe, Anthony W. Rogers, Duwayne Burnside and Jann Klose Our spotlight on new vinyl releases listens to titles from Poe, Anthony W. Rogers, Duwayne Burnside and Jann Klose. Read the full Poe, Anthony W. Rogers, Duwayne Burnside and Jann Klose review

Motorhead - Live at Montreux Jazz Festival '07 This Motorhead show was recorded 16 years ago at the massive Montreux Jazz Festival in Switzerland during the band's tour behind their Kiss of Death album Read the full Motorhead - Live at Montreux Jazz Festival '07 review

Caught In The Act: 3 Doors Down and Candlebox Live 2023 Rob Grabowski and Tom Antonson caught 3 Doors Down and Candlebox In The Act during show at Credit Union 1 Amphitheatre on Saturday, June 17, 2023, in Tinley Park, Ill. Check out Tom's review and Rob's photos! Read the full Caught In The Act: 3 Doors Down and Candlebox Live 2023 review

Crashing Wayward - Listen! Led by singer Peter Summit, Crashing Wayward have crafted a set of songs likely to rule Active Rock Radio all summer long. Read the full Crashing Wayward - Listen! review

Elvis is Everywhere! The Tupelo Elvis Festival The Tupelo Elvis Festival celebrated its 25th anniversary this year and took place June 8-13. Read the full Elvis is Everywhere! The Tupelo Elvis Festival review

Desiree Dorion - That's How I Know That's How I Know is a winner on all counts: good material and good performances. The songs are entertaining, highly memorable and tell good stories Read the full Desiree Dorion - That's How I Know review

Caught In The Act: Dead & Company Rock Wrigley Field Rob Grabowski caught Dead & Company In The Act during show at Wrigley Field In Chicago on June 6, 2023 as part of their Final Tour. Check out Rob's great review and photos! Read the full Caught In The Act: Dead & Company Rock Wrigley Field review

The Blues: Savoy Brown - Barbara Blue - Mose Allison - John Primer We spin new blues releases including the 42nd and likely last album from stalwarts Savoy Brown. Read the full The Blues: Savoy Brown - Barbara Blue - Mose Allison - John Primer review

Travel News, Trips and Tips: Summer Travel Essentials The summer road trip season has arrived. Here are some items that will improve your ease of travel, and heighten your fun! Read the full Travel News, Trips and Tips: Summer Travel Essentials review

Father's Day Gift Guide Father's Day falls on Sunday, June 18, 2023 and of course this is an appropriate day to honor dad in every way, including with a gift. Forget about getting him another tie; we've got some ideas for you here that he'll surely love. Read the full Father's Day Gift Guide review

Joan Jett and the Blackhearts - Mindsets She told us a long time ago: She loves rock 'n' roll! Joan Jett has really proven that notion over the years and she continues to do so nowadays with the release of the six-song EP Mindsets Read the full Joan Jett and the Blackhearts - Mindsets review

Sites and Sounds: Music Festivals Set to Rock St. Louis All Summer St. Louis, Missouri will be a hot bed of musical fun this summer as the calendar for the area is packed with festivals with exciting lineups! It all begins with Twangfest which is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year. Read the full Sites and Sounds: Music Festivals Set to Rock St. Louis All Summer review

Yes - Mirror to the Sky It's always something special when Yes release a new album and the famed prog rockers have given fans another stellar release with Mirror to the Sky. Read the full Yes - Mirror to the Sky review

Sites and Sounds: Tupelo Elvis Festival Elvis Presley will be honored in Tupelo, Mississippi, his birthplace, with five days of music, an Elvis tribute artists contest, and other sorts of Elvis-related fun Read the full Sites and Sounds: Tupelo Elvis Festival review

Caught In The Act: Frankie Valli Live 2023 Rob Grabowski caught the legendary Frankie Valli In The Act during show at the Rosemont Theatre in Rosemont, Ill on May 6th. Check out Rob's great photos! Read the full Caught In The Act: Frankie Valli Live 2023 review

Caught In The Act: Winger Live 2023 Rob Grabowski caught Winger In The Act during show at the Arcada Theatre in St. Charles, Ill on April 22nd. Check out Rob's great photos! Read the full Caught In The Act: Winger Live 2023 review

Live: The Psychedelic Furs Rock Orlando Psychedelic Furs are on the road in support of 2020's Made of Rain record, and this next to last show of their spring tour at Hard Rock Live in Orlando. Read the full Live: The Psychedelic Furs Rock Orlando review

Sites and Sounds: Jacksonville Jazz Festival Spend the three-day Memorial Day weekend in Jacksonville swinging, grooving and be-bopping with stars like Ron Carter, David Sanborn, Chaka Khan and many others. Read the full Sites and Sounds: Jacksonville Jazz Festival review

Live from Celebrity Theatre: Ringo Starr & His All Starr Band We took in the first of two shows by Ringo Starr at the historic Celebrity Theatre in Phoenix. Read the full Live from Celebrity Theatre: Ringo Starr & His All Starr Band review

Sites and Sounds: Milwaukee Metal Fest Milwaukee goes metal with shows by Anthrax, Unearth, Cephalic Carnage, Obituary and many others, including the mighty Lamb of God! Read the full Sites and Sounds: Milwaukee Metal Fest review

Graham Nash - Now Nash's last album featured the songs from his first two solo albums, both released five decades ago. So then it's appropriate, in more ways than one, that his latest effort is entitled Now. Read the full Graham Nash - Now review

What's Doing with Joe Bonamassa What's doing with Joe Bonamassa? What isn't! The popular blues rocker has a brand new live CD/DVD release out, two blues cruises in the works and a full slate of tour dates throughout 2023. Read the full What's Doing with Joe Bonamassa review

Root 66: Ian Jones- Arkansauce- Steve Dawson- The Petersens For this installment of Root 66 Kevin tells us about new releases from Ian Jones, Arkansauce, Steve Dawson and The Petersens Read the full Root 66: Ian Jones- Arkansauce- Steve Dawson- The Petersens review

Duff McKagan - This is the Song As a founding member of both Guns N' Roses and Velvet Revolver, Duff McKagan has certainly seen more than his share of lives going off the rails Read the full Duff McKagan - This is the Song review

Sites and Sounds: Belize Songwriter Festival Some of Nashville's best songwriters will make the first annual Belize Songwriter Festival something to remember Read the full Sites and Sounds: Belize Songwriter Festival review

RockPile: American Jetset- Blak29- And More Kevins takes a listen to new releases from American Jetset, Blak29, Ape Shifter and F8TLSTK Read the full RockPile: American Jetset- Blak29- And More review

Mother's Day Gift Guide Don't forget that Mother's Day 2023 is Sunday, May 14. Here we offer some very cool gift ideas that are sure to please mom, including eco-friendly and sustainable skin care products. Read the full Mother's Day Gift Guide review

Stephen Stills - Live at Berkeley 1971 This previously unreleased live recording features 14 tracks culled from two shows that Stills performed at the intimate Berkeley Community Theater in late August of 1971 Read the full Stephen Stills - Live at Berkeley 1971 review

Sites and Sounds: Schellraiser Music Festival This June when the Schellraiser Music Festival takes flight, McGill will be the middle of everywhere! Read the full Sites and Sounds: Schellraiser Music Festival review

MorleyView Lee Small Morley spoke to Lee Small, one of the premier vocalists in the game, about his forthcoming album "The Mast Man On Earth", which Morley says will be one the best records of the year! Read the full MorleyView Lee Small review

Cinco de Mayo: Have A Fantastico Fiesta With These Items Cinco de Mayo is celebrated on May 5 and that falls on a Friday this year, so what better reason do you need to celebrate all weekend long? Read the full Cinco de Mayo: Have A Fantastico Fiesta With These Items review

Sites and Sounds: Daytona Beach is Rockville! Daytona Beach has also been garnering fame as the home of Welcome to Rockville, one of the nation's most-revered music festivals Read the full Sites and Sounds: Daytona Beach is Rockville! review

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