1980s Archives - Chicago Concert Reviews

On an Eagles break, “Guitar Slinger” Vince Gill gives Chicago Theatre a country marathon

From his breakthrough in the Pure Prairie League, to annual Christmas concerts alongside wife/fellow artist Amy Grant and accompanying the Eagles since the passing of Glenn [More…]

“Fight Fire With Fire”: Voices Of Rock Radio’s John Elefante about to take Arcada to Kansas

Getting an opportunity to see former Kansas front man John Elefante sing the group’s numerous anthems or ballads would easily be enough to fill any given night, but when [More…]

Hard Rock Live stocks up on the laughs of cross-generational stage and screen star George Lopez

No stranger to the stage, movies, television or recording comedy albums for over four decades, George Lopez is a cross-generational star with a multi-cultural audience, who [More…]

“O Sun O Moon,” veteran Canadian troubadour Bruce Cockburn enlightens Old Town

Artistry and activism have always gone hand in hand for Bruce Cockburn, who for 55 straight years, has retained a rarely rivaled streak of productivity, while articulately [More…]

Industrial institution Ministry “Work For Love” throughout Riviera’s “Squirrely Years” sell out

As Chicago’s industrial rock institution Ministry sets sights on a final studio project slated for 2026, the Al Jourgensen-led band is going back to the very beginning and [More…]

The Vic turns the “Key” on four solo decades of Alison Moyet, Yaz’s iconic synth-pop “Situation”

Either co-leading Yaz throughout the early part of the 1980s or spending exactly four decades on her own, Alison Moyet’s inimitable voice and hypnotic presence is as [More…]

Talking Heads’ Jerry Harrison burns down the North Shore house with “Stop Making Sense”

Often considered “the greatest concert movie of all time,” Talking Heads’ Jonathan Demme-directed “Stop Making Sense” is now 40-years-old, but thanks to a 4K [More…]

A supernatural Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds summon a “Wild God” during stunning Salt Shed closer

There hasn’t been a shortage of Nick Cave coming to town as of late, either solo or alongside longtime collaborator Warren Ellis, but it’s been eight long years since The [More…]

North Shore Center marks The Smithereens’ 45 years, Gin Blossoms’ Robin Wilson stands in

In the 45 years since The Smithereens got started, guitarist Jim Babjak, drummer Dennis Diken, bassist Mike Mesaros and late front man Pat DiNizio cemented their reputation [More…]

Former Weather Girl Martha Wash is gonna make City Winery sweat with “Love & Conflict”

The mighty and marvelous voice of Martha Wash is known all the world over, starting with a supporting role for queer disco pioneer Sylvester in Two Tons O’ Fun, [More…]