1980s Archives - Chicago Concert Reviews

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…]

Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds summon a “Wild God” during a supernatural 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 as 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…]

The Smithereens and guest singer John Cowsill set power pop sights on North Shore Center

No matter the timeframes or surrounding trends, The Smithereens have always stayed committed to straight up rock and roll, crossed with the best of the British Invasion and [More…]

Rialto says “Forever And Ever, Amen” when Randy Travis returns alongside James Dupré (“The Voice”)

For the first time since right before having a stroke in 2013, Randy Travis returned to the road, bringing the “More Life” Tour to the Rialto Square Theatre, the “Jewel [More…]

Shakespeare Theater turns setbacks of British Invasion band The Kinks into a “Sunny Afternoon”

The likelihood of The Kinks reuniting is extremely low, especially considering co-founding brothers Ray and Dave Davies’ advancing ages or decades of disagreements, but [More…]

Genesee Theatre soaks in solo, duo sides of Daryl Hall, Glenn Tillbrook’s take on Squeeze

The best-selling duo ever, Daryl Hall & John Oates, may no longer be active together, but their time apart has resulted in respective solo recordings and relatively [More…]

Allstate Arena can’t get the “Tension” of global pop princess Kylie Minogue out of its head

Australian singer/songwriter/actress Kylie Minogue doesn’t come to America all that often, which is why the double Grammy Award-winner always fills places the size of the [More…]

Kraftwerk adapts a “Multimedia,” electro approach to “Autobahn” onward at Auditorium

From the moment members practically invented electronic music in the front half of the 1970s, and certainly ages before it became so universally accepted, Kraftwerk’s [More…]