Riot Fest 2025: Reunions and full album plays closed out 20th anniversary celebration
The final day of 2025’s Riot Fest was another Midwest scorcher now that the rain had passed Chicago by. With such a stacked lineup awaiting them, fans turned up early on Sunday to camp out on the barricade for the likes of Green Day, Idles, Inhaler and so much more. Atlas jumped into the pit […]
Show Review: The Academy Is… reunites once again for Riot Fest Late Night performance
It’s hard to believe that fans could have any more energy for another show after a full day at Riot Fest, but the line for The Academy Is…’ aftershow stretched down the block from Concord Music Hall on Saturday night. They were joined by pop punk newcomers The Paradox to keep the Riot Fest spirit […]
Riot Fest 2025: Weezer takes Douglass Park to The Blue Planet for wild day two
The threat of a Midwest rainstorm didn’t deter fans from making their way to Douglass Park for Saturday’s Riot Fest lineup- and day two promised a little something for everyone. Even folks weary from the previous day’s shenanigans were upbeat and ready for another day of amazing music. From hardcore to beachy pop (literally) to […]
Riot Fest 2025: Chicago’s premiere punk fest celebrates two decades of success with epic first day
The 20th iteration of Chicago’s own Riot Fest started with a bang last week at Douglass Park. Two decades of stellar music and community culminated in a three day extravaganza headlined by Blink-182, Weezer and Green Day and supported by a plethora of artists across every genre imaginable. A sold out crowd streamed into the […]
Show Review: David Archuleta’s Earthly Delights Tour kicks off in Phoenix
David Archuleta’s Earthly Delights Tour had its kickoff in Phoenix last week with a sold out show at Valley Bar. Fans of all ages descended to the basement, packing in tight for Archuleta’s first proper headlining tour in years- and the enthusiasm ran deep. His personal and musical journeys have collided in huge and public […]
Show Review: Young the Giant reimagines their iconic discography on In the Open Tour
In an unusual and refreshing move, Young the Giant has made their way across the country this summer on a pseudo-acoustic tour in support of their latest EP, In the Open Volume One. Instead of the standard full band electric performance that fans are used to, the quintet has reworked sections of their discography to […]
Show Review: My Chemical Romance revives The Black Parade for sold out stadium tour
It was a great night for a resurrection (and an execution but more on that later) as My Chemical Romance revived The Black Parade for one final night of their massive North American tour. Fans from around the country amassed in Tampa, Florida, and even the rain held off so MCR could celebrate under clear […]
Show Review: Mehro is mesmerizing at Weirdthrob Tour in Phoenix
It was Weirdthrob release day and Valley Bar was transformed into a kaleidoscope of colors for Mehro’s headlining show in Phoenix. Fans crowded in early to hear the new music live for the first time and to celebrate the weird and wonderful in all of us. Pop starlet Evie Irie opened the show and had […]
Show Review: Rob Thomas’ All Night Days Tour is fun for the whole family
Rob Thomas is still the coolest guy with the biggest voice in the business- both within Matchbox 20 and his solo work. The countdown to his latest album was on during his All Night Days Tour stop in Phoenix last week so Arizona got a proper celebration of Thomas’ euphoric new music mixed in with […]
Show Review: X Ambassadors properly celebrates debut album anniversary with VHS(X) Tour
Ten years after their breakout record, X Ambassadors are celebrating VHS with a proper anniversary tour that injects new life into a deeply beloved album. The VHS(X) Tour brought a devoted audience to The Van Buren this week as they dusted off some old favorites to kick off this summer tour. A backdrop of flashing […]