Now Playing
Current DJ: moimoi
Jane Weaver Happiness in Proximity from Love In Constant Spectacle (Fire) Add to Collection
The CHIRP Blog
Entries categorized as “Events Journal” 135 results
Layne Lindroth writesConcert Review: The Revivalists at Concord Music Hall (3/18/17)
Words and Pictures by Layne Lindroth
Despite the chilly Chicago air, fans assembled along the Milwaukee Avenue sidewalk long before doors-open in hopes of snagging a front row spot for The Revivalists. The band’s most dedicated fans—also known as “Revheads”—swapped stories of their favorite encounters with the band and their hopes for the setlist to come. One fan casually mentioned to some first-timers that he’d seen the band over sixty times and still thought each performance was the greatest. A band warranting sixty plus ticket purchases had to be incredible; only a couple hours before we newcomers would find out.
Finally the band—minus one—settled into their positions onstage and played the uptempo opening notes of “Bulletproof”, signaling lead singer David Shaw to center stage. From the second his wireless microphone left its stand Shaw was in perpetual motion: walking through the photography pit, stepping on gear boxes to get closer to fans, and every once in a while, launching his 6’5”-ish self high into the air. The neo-funk rock band makes the Energizer bunny look apathetic. The third song of the set, “Keep Going”, had even the most stoic of concertgoers pumping a fist and shouting the battle cry chorus, “We’ve gotta keep going, keep going, don’t care what anybody say, let the law take us away.”
Shaw continued to weave his way around the stage, riling up the crowd with his bouncing arms and strained, soulful vocals. The funky-groovy arrangement of “Stand Up” successfully institutes timewarp technology, making those not dressed in flare jeans and tie-dye feel out of place at the modern Concord Music Hall. The breezy saxophone, jumpy keys, and of course the lyrics, channel the blue-collar New Orleans roots of The Revivalists.
jimkirkhoff@mac.com writesPhotos: Classic Album Sunday at Saturday Audio Exchange (2/26/17)
[photos by Jim Kirkhoff]
Music fans had a blast at Saturday Audio Exchange listening to John Coltrane’s A Love Supreme. The gathering was part of the worldwide series Classic Album Sundays, where people gather in cities from Oslo to Miami to listen to and appreciate the same album.
Saturday Audio Exchange will be Chicago’s host for the next CAS session on Sunday, March 25th, where the spotlight album will be The Velvet Underground and Nico!
jimkirkhoff@mac.com writesPhotos: Pool Holograph and Courtship at CHIRP Night at The Whistler (2/22/17)
[photos by Jim Kirkhoff]
We had another fantastic night of music at CHIRP Night at The Whistler. The February 2017 editions featured local bands Pool Holograph and Courtship, who we'd like to give much thanks for joining us! Check out the pics below, and make plans to join us this month when Scotch the Filmmaker and Coleslaw take the stage (details here)!
Layne Lindroth writesConcert Review: The Head and the Heart at the Peoria Civic Center (2/24/17)
Text and pictures by Layne Lindroth
“Are you enjoying this? We’re trying, I think we’re playing pretty good,” Julien Ehrlich, drummer and lead singer of Whitney innocently asked, drawing laughs from The Head and the Heart fans fumbling for their seats. Ehrlich’s easygoing banter between songs reflected the youthful personality and kaleidoscopic tones of Whitney’s debut LP, Light Upon the Lake.
The darkened Peoria Civic Center crowd continued to collectively bob their heads until the six-piece dove into a cover of NRBQ’s “Magnet”, before which Ehrlich joked again, “You can dance if you want, but I wouldn’t stand up if I were you.” Nevertheless, small groups of new fans jumped to their feet to bounce along, adding some much needed energy to the now packed venue. But it was the bursting trumpet solo that made the room explode with excitement, summoning hoots and hollers from every corner of the theater. Whitney closed their set how every opening act aspires to, with the audience on their feet, singing along to their latest single (“No Woman,” in this case), and excited, of course, for The Head and the Heart.
Clarence Ewing: The Million Year Trip writesPhotos: CHIRP Night at the Whistler (01/25/17)
We had a blast at the first CHIRP Night at the Whistler of 2017! This edition featured The Jacob Horn Trio and Wyys. Thanks to photographer Shelby Hagstom for capturing these images. Plan to join us next month when we welcome Pool Holograph and Courtship to the Whistler stage!
The Jacob Horn Trio