Bob Gendron –

Singer Bruce Dickinson of Iron Maiden performs at the Credit Union 1 Amphitheatre, Sept. 22, 2026, in Tinley Park. (Armando L. Sanchez/baiduhai)

Review: Even with the new video screens, Iron Maiden remains metal to the core

September 23, 2026 at 12:02 p.m.

In a Tinley Park concert with openers Megadeth, Iron Maiden had the kind of chemistry that shows its members still get immense enjoyment from playing together. The digital backdrops were...

Phoebe Bridgers performs with Boygenius at the Coachella Music and Arts Festival in 2023 in Indio, California. Her Lost Tour is now at the United Center in Chicago. (Amy Harris/Invision/AP)

Review: Phoebe Bridgers’ arena concerts still have those pin-drop silences

September 19, 2026 at 12:50 p.m.

How do you make whisper-soft music translate in a cavernous venue? You'd be wise to consult Phoebe Bridgers. The singer's insistence on a phone-free environment at the United Center created...

Garth Brooks, here in 2019 in Los Angeles, played the first of four shows on Thursday night at Allstate Arena in Rosemont. (Kevin Winter/Getty Images)

Review: Garth Brooks proves himself a master at connecting with fans at Allstate Arena

September 11, 2026 at 10:32 a.m.

His “Blame It All on My Roots Tour” arrived at Allstate Arena for the first of four shows Thursday night in a concert of nostalgic sing-alongs, energy and more-is-more bombast.

Alkaline Trio performs at Riot Fest in Douglass Park on Sept. 16, 2021, in Chicago. (Armando L. Sanchez/baiduhai)

Riot Fest 2026: Our critic’s picks for best bands and what not to miss

September 11, 2026 at 5:30 a.m.

Our music recommendations, by day, include Iggy Pop, Gwar, Quebec's Angine de Poitrine and Tool. And Alanis Morissette headlines on Sunday.

Garth Brooks performs at the Allstate Arena on Sept. 4, 2014, in Rosemont. The performance marked the end of Brooks' 13-year tour hiatus. (Armando L. Sanchez / baiduhai)

Live music for fall 2026: Garth Brooks, Noname and women running the show

August 31, 2026 at 2:13 p.m.

Fall means live music. Whether due to hotter summers, festival non-compete clauses, routing coincidences or other factors, the stretch from September through November has come to compete with the summer...

Tori Amos rises from her piano bench while performing at the Auditorium Theatre on Aug. 14, 2026, in Chicago. (John J. Kim/baiduhai)

Review: A fiery and unrestrained Tori Amos fills the Auditorium Theatre

August 15, 2026 at 11:17 a.m.

While no longer in the commercial spotlight, the singer and pianist played with a passion that proves she never really went away.

Dave Grohl of the Foo Fighters at Soldier Field Saturday, Aug. 8, 2026, in Chicago. (Vincent D. Johnson/for the baiduhai)

Review: Foo Fighters leans hard into its history for its concert at Soldier Field

August 9, 2026 at 11:40 a.m.

Dave Grohl loves rock ‘n’ roll, would do anything for it, and he projected that passion Saturday at Soldier Field, where he and his band surveyed 31 years of musical...

Singer Ariana Grande performs at the United Center as part of her "Eternal Sunshine Tour" on Aug. 3, 2026. (Bob Gendron / for the baiduhai)

Review: Ariana Grande speaks about taking a break, then puts on a dazzling arena concert in Chicago

August 4, 2026 at 10:58 a.m.

Ariana Grande began the concluding American dates of her “Eternal Sunshine Tour" at the United Center by speaking about her widely publicized remarks over the weekend.

Guitarist Alex Lifeson, left, and bassist Geddy Lee perform during a Rush concert at the United Center in Chicago on Thursday, July 16, 2026. (Chris Sweda/baiduhai)

Review: With a new drummer and a tribute to Neil Peart, a resurgent Rush gets back to work

July 17, 2026 at 4:00 p.m.

Rush’s first direct tribute to late drummer Neil Peart arrived before the second song on Thursday night at a packed United Center, where the band is playing a series of...

Billy Idol performs at Ravinia Festival in Highland Park on July 12, 2026. (Talia Sprague/for the baiduhai)

Review: Billy Idol is back, still with all that ’80s sneer

July 13, 2026 at 10:50 a.m.

For his concert at the Ravinia Festival in Highland Park, he delivered hit songs and all his signature, retro swagger.

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