concerts – ROBERT LOERZEL

Uptown Theatre Concerts

Chicago’s Uptown Theatre hosted more than a hundred concerts from 1975 to 1981, featuring many of the era’s biggest rock and pop stars. The book I cowrote with James A. Pierce, The Uptown: Chicago’s Endangered Movie Palace, chronicles the theater’s history, with a chapter devoted to its years as a major rock venue. (The opening… Continue reading Uptown Theatre Concerts

2017 fall culture preview

Crain’s Chicago Business, August 26, 2017 — Read my story on “How to navigate the season’s big cultural fests” and my recommendations for the season’s concerts. Photo: Robert Loerzel

2017 summer culture preview

Crain’s Chicago Business, May 6, 2017 — Read my previews of Lollapalooza and Pitchfork; outdoor summer concerts; and recommended indoor concerts.

Favorite Concerts of 2016

Underground Bee, January 10, 2017 — Read my blog post about my favorite concerts of 2016. Photo of Bill Callahan by Robert Loerzel

Photos of Lollapalooza 2016

The A.V. Club, August 1, 2016 — See my photos of Lollaplaooza 2016 at The A.V. Club.

Photos of the 2016 Pitchfork Music Festival

The A.V. Club, July 18, 2016 — See my photos of the 2016 Pitchfork Music Festival for The A.V. Club.

The Empty Bottle Book

June 1, 2016 — My photos and writing are included in The Empty Bottle Chicago: 21+ Years Music / Friendly / Dancing, a book edited by John E. Dugan and published by Curbside Splendor. Find out more about the book — or buy a copy — at the publisher’s website.

Blackout Fest review and photos

Underground Bee, May 19, 2015 — Blackout Fest, an annual showcase of garage, punk and power pop music curated by Chicago’s HoZac Records, returned to the Empty Bottle May 15 and 16… See my review and photos at Underground Bee. On Thursday, May 14 — the night before Blackout Fest began at the Empty Bottle — HoZac Records… Continue reading Blackout Fest review and photos

Summer 2015 pop concerts preview

Twin Peaks. Photo by Pooneh Ghana.

Crain’s Chicago Business, May 8, 2015 — My picks for the top pop music concerts this summer — plus a profile of Chicago band Twin Peaks. Read more at Crain’s Chicago Business. Photo of Twin Peaks by Pooneh Ghana

Concert reviews and photos

January to April 2015 concert reviews and photos at Underground Bee: — The Vaselines at the Empty Bottle — DRMWPN and Chicago Psych Fest at the Hideout — Mid-February Concert Recap: Olivia Chaney, Mark Dvorak, Sleater-Kinney, Lizzo, the Western Elstons, Greil Marcus with John Langford and Sally Timms, Swans, Xylouris White — Robyn Hitchcock at Space — A new home… Continue reading Concert reviews and photos