Illinois Entertainer
@iechicago.bsky.social
ILLINOIS ENTERTAINER (aka IE) is a free music print, digital and mobile monthly magazine based in Chicago. Est. 1974 IllinoisEntertainer.com
December print + digital out now - our cover story with RNR HOF’ers Cheap Trick! Plus Naoko from Shonen Knife x The Smashing Pumpkins “Melon Collie..” 30th Anniversary edition LP reviewed + Tortoise x Stick Figure x IE Music Calendar and more…https://joom.ag/ahDd
December 5, 2025 at 1:05 AM
December print + digital out now - our cover story with RNR HOF’ers Cheap Trick! Plus Naoko from Shonen Knife x The Smashing Pumpkins “Melon Collie..” 30th Anniversary edition LP reviewed + Tortoise x Stick Figure x IE Music Calendar and more…https://joom.ag/ahDd
At 83, Paul McCartney is defying the odds. There are understandable limitations to a singer's voice of McCartney's vintage. The bottom line however, Paul and his longtime band powered through a “concert that was a joyous celebration from start to finish.” illinoisentertainer.com/2025/11/live...
November 27, 2025 at 6:53 PM
At 83, Paul McCartney is defying the odds. There are understandable limitations to a singer's voice of McCartney's vintage. The bottom line however, Paul and his longtime band powered through a “concert that was a joyous celebration from start to finish.” illinoisentertainer.com/2025/11/live...
Our 20th Year covering @riotfest.bsky.social - see Curt Baran’s gallery and recap Monday at illinoisentertaner.com
September 20, 2025 at 2:59 PM
Our 20th Year covering @riotfest.bsky.social - see Curt Baran’s gallery and recap Monday at illinoisentertaner.com
The Who limped their way into the United Center Sunday night in a show marred at times with “gaffes, squabbles, struggles, false starts, flubs and gear failures.” Despite the issues the band did have their moments. Jeff Elbel covered the show for IE Review: illinoisentertainer.com/2025/09/live...
September 9, 2025 at 3:25 PM
The Who limped their way into the United Center Sunday night in a show marred at times with “gaffes, squabbles, struggles, false starts, flubs and gear failures.” Despite the issues the band did have their moments. Jeff Elbel covered the show for IE Review: illinoisentertainer.com/2025/09/live...
We were always #TeamBlur back in the day, but it’s hard to deny @oasis and their near-perfect set and performance on their reunion tour on the lakefront last night. @Jess Roti has our review from Soldier Field. illinoisentertainer.com/2025/08/69102/ #TeamBlur
August 29, 2025 at 10:02 PM
We were always #TeamBlur back in the day, but it’s hard to deny @oasis and their near-perfect set and performance on their reunion tour on the lakefront last night. @Jess Roti has our review from Soldier Field. illinoisentertainer.com/2025/08/69102/ #TeamBlur
Over 270 photos from 4 days of @Lollapalooza 2025 - Curt Baran’s gallery is live at illinoisEntertainer.com (our 20th year covering Lolla on the Lakefront) Pictured: Harrison Patrick Smith from The Dare
August 5, 2025 at 9:37 PM
Over 270 photos from 4 days of @Lollapalooza 2025 - Curt Baran’s gallery is live at illinoisEntertainer.com (our 20th year covering Lolla on the Lakefront) Pictured: Harrison Patrick Smith from The Dare
July issue out now! Ashley Perez-Hollingsworth spoke to Chicago power-pop masters Push Puppets for our cover story. Jeff Elbel’s Q&A with Simple Minds Jim Kerr + IE Music Calendar x @EnuffZnuff x @Garbage new albums reviewed & more joom.ag/Sawd
July 4, 2025 at 3:26 PM
July issue out now! Ashley Perez-Hollingsworth spoke to Chicago power-pop masters Push Puppets for our cover story. Jeff Elbel’s Q&A with Simple Minds Jim Kerr + IE Music Calendar x @EnuffZnuff x @Garbage new albums reviewed & more joom.ag/Sawd
Curt Baran captured @SimpleMinds penultimate show last night as they crushed it on the lakefront at HBP. See his gallery and read Jeff Elbel’s interview with their legendary co-founder and vocalist Jim Kerr. illinoisentertainer.com/2025/06/hell...
June 21, 2025 at 7:38 PM
Curt Baran captured @SimpleMinds penultimate show last night as they crushed it on the lakefront at HBP. See his gallery and read Jeff Elbel’s interview with their legendary co-founder and vocalist Jim Kerr. illinoisentertainer.com/2025/06/hell...
.@jeff_elbel caught up with legendary @SimpleMinds co-founder/vocalist Jim Kerr in our long form Q&A before their Friday 6/20 show on the lakefront. Simple Minds’ first Chicago gig was at the legendary Tuts - which he fondly remembers illinoisentertainer.com/2025/06/hello-…
June 17, 2025 at 9:59 PM
.@jeff_elbel caught up with legendary @SimpleMinds co-founder/vocalist Jim Kerr in our long form Q&A before their Friday 6/20 show on the lakefront. Simple Minds’ first Chicago gig was at the legendary Tuts - which he fondly remembers illinoisentertainer.com/2025/06/hello-…
Ed Spinelli and Justice Petersen tag-teamed last night at Soldier Field to cover the mighty AC/DC on a cool May evening. Our gallery and review arrives soon at illinoisEntertainer.com (photo by Edward Spinelli)
May 25, 2025 at 2:24 PM
Ed Spinelli and Justice Petersen tag-teamed last night at Soldier Field to cover the mighty AC/DC on a cool May evening. Our gallery and review arrives soon at illinoisEntertainer.com (photo by Edward Spinelli)
@RiotFest Single-day line-up announced! Grab your tickets now mailchi.mp/riotfest.org...
May 15, 2025 at 3:19 PM
@RiotFest Single-day line-up announced! Grab your tickets now mailchi.mp/riotfest.org...
Ministry arrived at The Riv last Friday doing a set of their long-disowned “With Sympathy” and “Twitch” era album cuts. As the expected, the crowd ate up the Medusa’s era catalog. Ashley Perez Hollingsworth covered it for IE illinoisentertainer.com/2025/05/live...
May 13, 2025 at 8:02 PM
Ministry arrived at The Riv last Friday doing a set of their long-disowned “With Sympathy” and “Twitch” era album cuts. As the expected, the crowd ate up the Medusa’s era catalog. Ashley Perez Hollingsworth covered it for IE illinoisentertainer.com/2025/05/live...
Happy Mother’s Day
May 11, 2025 at 3:04 PM
Happy Mother’s Day
May issue out now - Crimson Glory co- headlines @Reggies mighty Legions Of Metal Festival via @KelleySimms + @KimDeal x @FierceAtmospheres x @Rush and more including IE Music Calendar x Mission: Impossible - in print, online and digital joom.ag/1ojd
May 2, 2025 at 5:41 PM
May issue out now - Crimson Glory co- headlines @Reggies mighty Legions Of Metal Festival via @KelleySimms + @KimDeal x @FierceAtmospheres x @Rush and more including IE Music Calendar x Mission: Impossible - in print, online and digital joom.ag/1ojd
April 23, 2025 at 3:19 PM
April issue out now! Our cover story features the godfather of goth Peter Murphy + @recordstoryday section x @bobmould x @skunkanansie x vintageblonde x reissues from Steely Dan x Supertramp x IE Music Calendar: 1600 shows - 3800 bands and more joom.ag/Y4jd
April 4, 2025 at 2:28 PM
April issue out now! Our cover story features the godfather of goth Peter Murphy + @recordstoryday section x @bobmould x @skunkanansie x vintageblonde x reissues from Steely Dan x Supertramp x IE Music Calendar: 1600 shows - 3800 bands and more joom.ag/Y4jd
Vinyl Alert! Friendly vinyl fans today attending Chicagoland Record & CD Collectors Show • Today Sunday, March 23 at the Countryside Banquet & Conference Center. 75 dealers selling vinyl, CDs, and DVDs. $3.00 admission at 9am til 4pm. Don’t miss it! #vinylsunday
March 23, 2025 at 1:53 PM
Vinyl Alert! Friendly vinyl fans today attending Chicagoland Record & CD Collectors Show • Today Sunday, March 23 at the Countryside Banquet & Conference Center. 75 dealers selling vinyl, CDs, and DVDs. $3.00 admission at 9am til 4pm. Don’t miss it! #vinylsunday
ICYMI: Fri March 21 Experience Hendrix is back at The Chicago Theatre featuring Kenny Wayne Shepard, Marcus King, Eric Johnson & more! Tickets Start at only $39 www.ticketmaster.com/experience-h...
March 11, 2025 at 12:33 AM
ICYMI: Fri March 21 Experience Hendrix is back at The Chicago Theatre featuring Kenny Wayne Shepard, Marcus King, Eric Johnson & more! Tickets Start at only $39 www.ticketmaster.com/experience-h...
Print issue drops Monday, but get a sneak peak at our March issue. Cover Story @smokinngpopesmusic are back with great new music plus Verboten x @dreamtheaternet x @jinjerofficial + Flipside Records remembered in Media. IE Music Calendar 1450 Shows/3800 Bands joom.ag/3KMd
March 1, 2025 at 3:33 PM
Print issue drops Monday, but get a sneak peak at our March issue. Cover Story @smokinngpopesmusic are back with great new music plus Verboten x @dreamtheaternet x @jinjerofficial + Flipside Records remembered in Media. IE Music Calendar 1450 Shows/3800 Bands joom.ag/3KMd
