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LIVE: Izzy Bizu Enchants Soldier Field with a Stripped Back Set

August 21, 2017 / Rachel Zyzda

“It’s gonna be semi-acoustic and semi-electronic. I’ve got somebody doing beats and bass, and I’ve got my guitarist. I’m singing and sometimes I’ll be playing piano, and we swap around the instruments. It’s a little different, but it’s cool because I’ve been doing it the same for a couple years,” Izzy Bizu said in our interview last month, describing her set on Coldplay’s massive Summer stadium tour. When Bizu took the stage at Chicago’s Soldier Field on Thursday, August 17th, the rain that had been teasing the city all day had finally passed. Kicking off at 7:15 in the evening, Bizu’s set filled up the last space of daylight and held up to her vision as she opened with a stripped back version of the normally funk-laced tune “Adam & Eve” from her debut album A Moment of Madness. Moving right along into Bizu’s popular track “Lost Paradise,” her smooth vocals rang out in a goosebump-inducing fashion, engulfing the 60,000 capacity venue. Another highlight of Bizu’s short, but sweet set included her performance of the viral song “Someone That Loves You,” which was done as a collaboration with the soulful electronic duo HONNE. Other than brief song introductions and an occasional check in on the audience, Bizu kept the talking between songs at a minimum in order to fit in as much music as possible. The music spoke for itself, completely enchanting the crowd as they eagerly awaited the AlunaGeorge and Coldplay performances that would follow. The 30 minute set wrapped up with a reworked arrangement of “White Tiger” just as the sun began to set of Soldier Field.

Izzy Bizu's Performance on 8.17.17

Keep up with all of Izzy Bizu's upcoming tour dates here, and listen to the full album A Moment of Madness below.

Can't get enough Izzy Bizu? Read our full interview with her here.

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categories / Gigs, Photos, Reviews
tags / Izzy Bizu, Coldplay, Live Music, Photography, Photo Gallery, A Head Full of Dreams Tour

LIVE: Marika Hackman Brings Her Latest Album to Life with The Big Moon at Schubas Tavern

August 13, 2017 / Rachel Zyzda

This past Friday night at Schubas Tavern, Marika Hackman and The Big Moon created an IRL experience of Hackman’s latest album I’m Not Your Man. Released on June 2nd, the sophomore album from Hackman marks a departure and transformation for the formerly folk artist. Boosting blunt lyrics, lighter melodies, and a lax, carefree recording style, I’m Not Your Man takes listeners through a 15-song journey, featuring The Big Moon as the backing band for the majority of them. Before The Big Moon pulled their second shift of the evening, backing Hackman at the Lakeview venue, they had performed their own 45 minute set, which carried the same carefree mood of friendship that comes across on their recordings. In addition to songs from their debut album Love in the 4th Dimension, the group also performed a cover of “Total Eclipse of the Heart.” Between songs, the band kept the crowd laughing with a bit of sarcasm and banter, but the standout moment of their set occurred during their song “Bonfire.” Front woman Juliette (Jules) Jackson left the stage and abandoned her guitar to sing the song in the crowd.

The same banter and laughter only amplified when Hackman joined The Big Moon, but the focus of the night remained on the effortless musicianship displayed between the friends. The songs from I’m Not Your Man translated beautifully in the live sense, seeing as most of the album had actually been tracked live, with a minimal use of overdubs. Hackman’s hourlong set focused on the new album, with a couple of older tunes like “Cinnamon” and “Ophelia” sprinkled in. The direct, honest lyrics of tracks like “My Lover Cindy” and “Violet” had the crowd captivated and wrapped around Hackman’s finger. Prior to performing the latter, Hackman introduced “Violet” as a sexy song, encouraging the crowd to kiss their dates (only with consent) if they were feeling it. “Gina’s World” also stood out during the 11-song set, with its hauntingly heavy guitar riffs and striking harmonies, which echoed beautifully throughout the venue. Just before the set wrapped up with the dreamy melody of “BlahBlahBlah,” Hackman and The Big Moon performed the lead single from I’m Not Your Man, “Boyfriend.” The playful tune teased the light-hearted reinvention of Hackman before the release of the album, and it definitely acted as a highlight of the live show.

Photos: The Big Moon and Marika Hackman at Schubas 8/11/17

Marika Hackman and The Big Moon wrap up their US Summer Tour this week. See the remaining dates here, and stay tuned for our interview with Marika Hackman, coming soon!

Listen to I'm Not Your Man in full below.

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categories / Gigs, Music, Photos, Reviews
tags / Marika Hackman, The Big Moon, I'm Not Your Man, Love in the 4th Dimension, Schubas, Live Review, Photos, Concert Photography

LIVE: Barns Courtney Rocks Schubas on One Leg During His Lollapalooza Aftershow

August 08, 2017 / Rachel Zyzda

This past weekend, singer songwriter Barns Courtney put on one of the rowdy, energetic performances that he’s become infamous for...only this time, he did it on one leg, while the other remained locked in a cast. Earlier this Summer, while Courtney was putting on one of those aforementioned wild performances, he jumped off the stage at Milwaukee’s Summerfest, right onto a slab of concrete. Instead of cancelling his upcoming tour and festivals appearances to heal his broken foot, Courtney decided to power through, and during Lollapalooza weekend, the singer performed three times in Chicago.

For his first performance, Courtney hit the stage at Schubas Tavern just past midnight, forgoing his crutches and hopping right up to his mic stand. From then on, it was full force for the next 60 minutes, while Courtney performed songs from his EP The Dull Drums, as well as some unreleased tracks from his upcoming album The Attractions Of Youth. Rather than stay stationary with his makeshift leg rest that was placed next to the mic stand, Courtney hobbled around the stage as he performed popular songs like “Glitter and Gold” and “Little Boy.” The energy ironically amplified during one of the unreleased tracks called “Kicks,” even though one of Courtney’s legs was out of kicking commission. Between songs, Courtney also rattled of some of his infamously raunchy stage banter, telling fans about a wild plane ride with his lady.

The rambunctious set came to an end with the crowd and Courtney giving it 1000 percent, the latter jumping offstage, cast and all, to dance with his fans. While the set may have come to an explosive ending around 1 AM, the night didn’t end there. Barns Courtney mustered all of his final strands of energy to bound offstage and collapse onto the sidewalk outside of the venue, where he hosted one of the most unconventional meet and greets we’ve seen.

Chicago! If you missed out on Lolla and the sidewalk meet and greet, Barns Courtney will be back (hopefully with two fully functioning legs) on October 11th with The Kooks. Grab tickets to their show at The Vic Theatre here, and see all of his upcoming tour dates here.

Can't get enough Barns Courtney? Check out our interview with him from Hangout Festival here, and listen to his latest single "Golden Dandelions" below!

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categories / Gigs, Music, Photos, Reviews
tags / Barns Courtney, Lollapalooza, Photography, Concert Photography, Music Festival, Photo Gallery

LIVE: Frenship at Park West 8.3.2017

August 06, 2017 / Rachel Zyzda

LA duo James Sunderland and Brett Hite, AKA Frenship, and their live band hit the stage at Park West this past Thursday evening just after 11PM, as part of an official Lollapalooza aftershow with Tegan and Sara. Despite the late start of the show and the fact that some of the crowd had been watching music all day across Chicago's massive Grant Park, the room still buzzed with excited energy when the opening notes of Frenship's "Run Wild" rang out. The energy only amplified as the band performed some of their popular tunes like "Carpet" and "Knives," which featured Hite and Sunderland showing off some of their signature dance moves. As the set progressed, the duo worked the entire stage, quickly winning over the crowd at the intimate Lincoln Park venue. Towards the end of the set, the energy peaked when the keyboardist, Celeste, took center stage to sing Emily Warren's part of the band's viral song, "Capsize." The crowd sang along to its melodic and addictive track, remaining hooked as Frenship performed the final song of the evening, "1000 Nights."

Frenship will be on a headlining tour in select cities this fall--check out all of their upcoming shows here, and listen to their debut EP below.

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categories / Gigs, Music, Photos, Reviews, Festival
tags / FRENSHIP, Lollapalooza, Lolla, Live, Photo Gallery, Photography, Concert Photography

LIVE: Temples and Declan McKenna 8.2.2017

August 04, 2017 / Rachel Zyzda

The British invaded Lincoln Hall on Wednesday, August 2nd for an evening of pure talent, charisma, and rock'n'roll. Kicking off the Wednesday night "after" show, which actually took place before this year's 4-day Lollapalooza, Declan McKenna and his band played in celebration of both his first Lolla performance and the release of his debut album What Do You Think About the Car? As McKenna played through crowd favorites like his debut single "Paracetamol" and his latest, "Humongous," he and his band jammed cohesively, feeding off one another's energy. His 45 minute set concluded with the high energy single "Brazil," with its impossible-to-get-out-of-your-head chorus.

After a quick stage changeover, fellow Brits Temples took the stage to deliver a smooth and polished performance for the next 90 minutes. Combining a solid variety of songs from their debut LP Sun Structures and 2017's Volcano, the set flowed from start to finish with extensive jams and additions to songs that added layers to the live performance. The band's frontman James Edward Bagshaw sauntered around the small stage at the Lincoln Park venue, energy surging through not only Bagshaw and his bandmates, but the crowd and the band as well. A magnetic presence filled the concert hall as the crisp and perfected sound soared through the room during songs like "Certainty" and "Shelter Song." A lighting rig composted of chameleon, color-changing diamonds added another depth to the already enthralling performance from Temples. It's a rare feat when a band can develop such an engaging and evolved live show while still managing to sound flawless and in sync, but Temples made it look easy with their Wednesday night show.

If you missed both Temples' shows at Lincoln Hall and Lollapalooza, check out their remaining tour dates here.

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categories / Gigs, Festival, Photos, Reviews
tags / Temples, Declan McKenna, Lolla, Lollapalooza, Live, Photos, Review

PHOTOS: Cap'n Jazz and Hop Along at House of Vans 7.29.17

August 01, 2017 / Cat Florea

If you missed out on House of Vans' party this past Saturday, don't fret! We were there and got some pictures of the evening, including performances from Hop Along and Cap'n Jazz.

Cap'n Jazz has a few more tour dates throughout the fall--Check out their upcoming dates below.

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categories / Gigs, Photos
tags / Cap'n Jazz, House of Vans, Photo Gallery, Photography, Concert Photography

PHOTOS: Sports at Schubas 7.27.17

August 01, 2017 / Rachel Zyzda

This past Thursday night, the Oklahoman boys of Sports had the crowd at Schubas Tavern instantly hooked with their dreamy, synth-heavy jams. The audience all packed into the front of the venue so as not to miss out on any of the action, which included some crowdsurfing from lead singer Cale Chronister. The night ended up closing out with a proposal right before the last song of the evening,"You Are The Right One" (so appropriate). Check out the full gallery of the show, including some shots of the happy couple!

Check out the rest of Sports' tour dates here, and listen to their new single "Crime" below!

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categories / Gigs, Music, Photos
tags / sports, Photography, Concert Photography, Schubas, Live Music

PHOTOS: Future Generations with Private Island and Wilder

July 31, 2017 / Emily Nava

Last week, we caught Future Generations rock the stage at The Beat Kitchen with Private Island and Wilder. Check out the photo gallery of their high energy gig below!

Future Generations are still wrapping up their tour on the east coast. Check out all of the upcoming dates here, and listen to their new single "One More Problem" below!

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categories / Gigs, Photos
tags / Future Generations, Concert Photography, Contributors, Photography, Photo Set, Photo Gallery

PHOTOS: Public at Schubas 7.25.17

July 27, 2017 / Rachel Zyzda

Public is one of the most personable bands out there right now. If you come to their show, they want to know your story...what brought you to their music. They also want you to leave with something new; a takeaway from their live performance that you can't find anywhere else. And during their hour long set on Tuesday night at Schubas Tavern, the trio delivered exactly what they set out to at the start of tour; a unique experience that put each member of the audience in a better mood and higher spirits than when they entered the concert hall. By the end of the night, even the most tame members of the crowd had found themselves out of their chairs and dancing in the crowd.

Although the dancing reached its peak during the final song of the night "4Her," songs like "Pretty Face" and "Make You Mine" also had the crowd moving. In our interview before the show, frontman John Vaughn described his vision of their developed live show this tour, and their set went above and beyond what he explained. Before the trio played "Make You Mine," towards the end of the set, Vaughn gave the crowd some insight to his inspiration behind the song. These introductions occurred before most of the songs, acting as another way to keep the crowd engaged. The majority of the songs also featured special arrangements or extended jams between the band members that you can't hear on the EPs Sweet Lemonade or Let's Remake It. Mixing things up even more, the set also featured a very well-received cover of "Toxic" by Britney Spears.

If you're looking for a truly unique concert experience, make sure you go see Public on the remaining dates of their Sweet Lemonade Tour. You can see all of the tour dates here, and check out a photo gallery of their show below.