Items filtered by date: November 2007

Leave it to U2 to revolutionize the art of the concert. In U2’s 360 Tour the band brings their show to major stadiums, in Chicago’s case Soldier Field, where they play their music on a circular stage below a giant, claw-like “spaceship”, catering to fans in every direction.

Let’s just start by saying Coed Prison Sluts is certainly not your average musical. Claimed as the longest running musical in Chicago, this Annoyance Theatre production takes its viewers inside a prison – a very unusual prison to say the least.

“Happy Birthday Michael,” were the words Michael Firestone said just as the band started the song, “You Are Not Alone.” This Michael Jackson impersonator was incredible to see perform live.

Hilarity, madness, and good old-fashioned fun are high-flying in “Poseidon! The Upside Down Musical”, based on the book by David Cerda. Directed by Matthew Gunnels, Poseidon is the story about a ragtag group of “Poseidonites” who regularly get together to watch the 1972 disaster film The Poseidon Adventure.

Rick and I met for the first time when he ever so graciously agreed to be my very first on-camera celebrity interview back in 2006 right before his performance at The House of Blues here in Chicago. You never forget your first.

Last Friday at Durty Nellie's in Palatine, Talking Heads cover band This Must Be the Band showed the audience just how much fun a concert should be.  Lead singer and David Byrne's long lost son, Charlie Otto, took the stage in a kimono, channeling Byrne's quirkiness in everything he does.

This past Thursday, my cousin invited to see a band play at Goose Island on Clybourn. From the Mouth of Babes was the name of the band. “Sounds fun” I said. As a drummer, I am always open to seeing bands and having a few drinks.

Subwoofers were kicking out some serious air through the crowd of standing room only under 30’s. Interesting hair styles and leather studded everything was the classic look for the evening. The Misfits took the stage at the House of Blues opening with a sample of the theme to the movie Halloween and then proceeded to play their single by the same name. It was like watching a horror film that was set to demonic music.

The Fleet Foxes have changed. Last summer they were good live, but they were timid and withdrawn. Saturday night at the Metro was a different band playing the same songs and a few more. A year on the road has taught the Foxes how to have confidence, and that folk songs can rock.

Opening for the Fleet Foxes was Dungen from Sweden, a psychedelic-folk-rock band who seemed surprised by the overwhelmingly positive response from the audience. They said, “You guys are here to see the Fleet Foxes, right?” before beginning their encore.

I've been a Talking Heads fan since I was 13, and I've seen Byrne perform four times before, but nothing to top last night's show, which featured a huge number of performers -- three backup singers, three dancers, two percussionists, various guitar players, a keyboard, a bass -- and the sweetest, goofiest, most lovely choreography since Stop Making Sense...