City Winery Archives - Chicago Concert Reviews

R&B Grammy nominee, “Refill” singer/songwriter Elle Varner unplugs for City Winery stretch

Growing up with musical parents who supported established artists behind the scenes gave Elle Varner a chance to basically grow up in studios and on the road, so it was only [More…]

Following “Saturday Night Live” and the Senate, Al Franken preps all new City Winery stand-up

For decades, the idea of comedy in Chicago is one that has been largely defined by the idea of improvisation. With roots dating back to 1959, The Second City continues to [More…]

10,000 Maniacs’ “Revival” gives City Winery what “Everybody Wants” in start of triple sell out

The line-up of 10,000 Maniacs, whose always been anchored by keyboardist Dennis Drew, bassist Steve Gustafson, guitarist John Lombardo and drummer Jerry Augustyniak, has [More…]

“Southern Hummingbird” Tweet delivers with gospel-like fervor during City Winery’s first of four

Getting started in the girl group Sugah, who were part of Jodeci member Devante Swing’s Swing Mob collective, gave Tweet a chance to meet monumental rapper Missy Elliott [More…]

The acoustic, introspective R&B of Grammy nominee Anthony David keeps City Winery warm

A decade into an accomplished career is an ideal point to look back at someone’s artistic accomplishments, which is exactly what Anthony David is doing throughout a series [More…]

City Winery nestles into the New Year with the positivity and pledges of Kindred The Family Soul

Hot on the heels of the holidays, the always active and inviting City Winery wasted no time settling right back into the groove with a sold out show from Kindred The Family [More…]

Lauded local Michael McDermott’s 50th City Winery show full of fresh starts, mischief, mistletoe

To those in Chicago, Michael McDermott is a superb yet criminally underrated troubadour who never got the push he deserved on a national level while getting off the ground in [More…]

The Moody Blues’ Justin Hayward starts City Winery stand straight out of “Your Wildest Dreams”

The Moody Blues may be no more, especially following the passing of co-founder, beat keeper and poet Graeme Edge, but the group who combined symphonic, psychedelic and [More…]

City Winery sees a “Superwoman” in “Queen of New Jack Swing” Karyn White’s comeback

Few voices were as ubiquitous on R&B radio as the 1980s bled into the ‘90s as Karyn White, who became the inaugural female artist to have her first three singles land [More…]

Motown/Gordy groovers Switch soulfully call City Winery’s name and score a sold out response

The seeds of Switch can be traced back to White Heat, who were named and managed by the incomparable Barry White, and though the funky group never fully reached the heights [More…]