Review: Kacey Musgraves finds something real in the ‘Middle of Nowhere’ at dazzling tour opener
By Dan Garcia Kacey Musgraves has never been interested in choosing between country tradition and pop spectacle. On Friday night at Chicago’s United Center, she proved she could build a sold-out arena production around both without sacrificing the wit, warmth or plainspoken songwriting that made her a star. Opening night of Musgraves’ “Middle of Nowhere…
10 Reasons Ricky Martin’s Ravinia Debut Was Worth the Wait
After more than three decades of international stardom, Ricky Martin finally made his Ravinia debut on Thursday night, bringing a whirlwind tour of Latin-pop history to the newly renovated Hunter Pavilion. For 90 minutes, the Puerto Rican superstar moved between Spanish-language favorites, turn-of-the-century American smashes and more recent streaming successes. While Martin’s ubiquitous run atop…
Review: AJR made a big first impression in Wisconsin State Fair debut
AJR has developed a strong relationship with Wisconsin through its many Summerfest appearances, but Saturday night brought the indie-pop band somewhere new: the Wisconsin State Fair. Making its State Fair debut at the Milwaukee Mile, AJR delivered a condensed version of the ambitious production that has carried the group from festival stages to arenas. The…
Photos: Train Celebrates 25 Years in the Atmosphere at Breese Stevens Field
Photos by Deanna Glatczak Train brought the Drops of Jupiter: 25 Years in the Atmosphere Tour to Breese Stevens Field on Saturday, August 8, turning a summer night in Madison into a celebration of one of pop-rock’s most enduring albums. With Barenaked Ladies and Matt Nathanson completing the bill, the evening unfolded as a three-act…
Photos: Nelly Brings St. Louis to the Wisconsin State Fair
Nelly didn’t need to say much to establish that Friday night’s concert was tailored specifically for Wisconsin. The three-time Grammy winner arrived on the Bank Five Nine Main Stage wearing a Wisconsin State Fair T-shirt, immediately transforming what could have been another stop on the summer circuit into something that felt distinctly local. It was…
The Early Registration 