BY TER STAFF
Last night, Kanye West put on a memorable show for his hometown as the Saint Pablo Tour traveled to Chicago’s Allstate Arena in Rosemont, IL. As with the previous dates on the tour, Kanye brought his one-of-a-kind floating stage, which creates for a huge party on the floor.
Check out our photos from last night’s performance below and check out the tour’s remaining dates here.
Continue reading Photos: Kanye West Brings the Saint Pablo Tour to Chicago’s Allstate Arena
BY TER STAFF
After a memorable performance at The Metro months ago, Canadian singer/songwriter Alessia Cara returned to Chicago for Part II of her Know-It-All Tour, with an even bigger performance at the historic Chicago Theatre. And as an treat to fans, this time around Cara brought two talented emerging artists on the current leg of her tour, with Ruth B and Nathan Sykes.
Up first for the night was English singer, Nathan Sykes, first known for being a member of the British boy band, The Wanted. Now focused on his solo career, Nathan has been an exciting emerging name in music since he teamed up with Ariana Grande in 2013 for ‘Almost Is Never Enough’. Currently, Sykes is just weeks away from the big release of his debut LP, Unfinished Business, which is slated for a November 4th release. Tonight Sykes performed a number of his new records, expected for his debut. Highlights of his set included his performances of ‘Kiss Me Quick’ and ‘Over and Over Again’.
Next up, the lovely and talented Ruth B stepped on stage to greet her Chicago fans. Just 21 years old, Ruth B is new to music, but already has the qualities of a music veteran. Only a year and a half ago, Ruth B wrote her first song, ‘Lost Boy’, which soon after grew into a pop hit, and now she is touring North America in front of thousands. Ruth B alternated between her stripped down and slower songs, while also keeping energy levels high with her more upbeat tracks. Everything from her vocal skills to her stage presence is impressive, when she still has so much time to grow. With her hit record ‘Lost Boy’, the Canadian singer is 1 for 1, but you can hear more from her on her 2015 EP, The Intro.
After a brief intermission, it was time for Alessia Cara to hit the stage. Opening with her track, ‘I’m Yours’, which can be heard on both her EP, Four Pink Walls as well as her debut album, the crowd was instantly ready for a great performance. The ‘Here’ singer then followed with performances of ‘Four Pink Walls’, ‘Wild Things’ and ‘Overdose’, one of our favorite records from her debut. Highlights of Alessia’s set were her beautiful cover of Frank Ocean’s record, ‘Swim Good’, and of course her anticipated performance of ‘Here’, a record that transformed Cara into one of pop music’s most exciting artists.
Check out our photos from last night’s performance below and check out the tour’s remaining dates here.
BY TER STAFF
Earlier this week, Drake and Future returned to the Windy City and brought a fall performance of their Summer Sixteen Tour to the United Center in Chicago, after two back-to-back nights at the UC, back in July. And while Drake was nursing an ankle injury, which led to the postponement of various tour dates (which were announced that same day), he wasn’t going to let anything stop him from bringing a memorable third night to Chicago.
Drake and Future both delivered their biggest hits to date, and it wouldn’t have been complete without the two teaming up for a number of their collaborative records.
Check out photos from Wednesday night’s performance below and check out the tour’s remaining dates here.
BY TER STAFF
Carrie Underwood’s sensational Storyteller Tour told a tale with a happy ending last night in Milwaukee, as fans left the BMO Harris Bradley Center with a night that they will not soon forget. While Milwaukee is no stranger to great country performances, with Summerfest and Country USA which both bring in some of the biggest names in country music every year, las night’s performance was on an entirely different level. You didn’t just have an artist and their guitar on stage last night, as Underwood brought her talented band and her huge Storyteller stage, which reached across the length and width of the BMO’s floor section and added an unimaginable amount of production value to the night.
And to get the crowd warmed up for Underwood’s headlining set, the Oklahoma native brought some talented names for the North American leg of her tour, with Easton Corbin and The Swon Brothers. The Swon Brothers, a country duo from Muskogee, OK got the night started with performances from their 2014 self-titled album, while country music veteran Easton Corbin treated his Wisconsin fans to a number of records, including various songs from his most recent LP, About to Get Real. Whether they were performing for their day one fans, or if they made new fans last night, both Corbin and The Swon Brothers got the mood right for Underwood’s performance to come.
After a brief intermission, it was time for the moment fans were waiting for. Emerging on a huge multi-circular platform, country mega-star Carrie Underwood appeared above to greet her Milwaukee fans with her opening track from her Storyteller LP, ‘Renegade Runaway’. Following with songs like 2007’s ‘Last Name’, her Miranda Lambert collaboration ‘Something Bad’, Carrie Underwood didn’t just stick to the new records, as she performed a plethora of her biggest hits to date.
And although Carrie Underwood made sure to perform collections from her entire discography, this is the Storyteller Tour and Underwood performed the majority of her 2015 album, which has been loved by critics and fans alike and debuted #2 on the Billboard 200, something that she has done (at #1 or #2) for every one of her five albums to date. Highlights of the night were hard to pinpoint as energy levels were high throughout the entire performance.
But with memorable performances of ‘Before He Cheats’, ‘Church Bells’ and an encore performance of ‘Smoke Break’, no fan left without their money’s worth, money which we can only hope will be spent on another awesome stage design for her next tour.
Check out our photos from last night’s performance below and check out the tour’s remaining dates here.
Continue reading Carrie Underwood Brings Her Sensational Storyteller Tour to Milwaukee, WI
BY TER STAFF
Last night, Kanye West brought his critically acclaimed Saint Pablo Tour to the Van Andel Arena in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Not only did Kanye bring a hip-hop show to a market which rarely sees an appearance from such a marque name in rap, but he brought the hottest tour in the world right now.
As with the previous dates on the tour, Kanye brought his one-of-a-kind floating stage, which creates for a huge party on the floor. With Kanye stopping the show to demand that security allow fans to go wherever they want on the floor, and with fans moshing beneath the stage, Kanye’s Michigan fans lived a night that they will never forget.
Check out our photos from last night’s performance below and check out the tour’s remaining dates here.
Continue reading Photos: Kanye West Brings the Saint Pablo Tour to Grand Rapids
BY TER STAFF
Sunday marked the final day of Common’s (now 2-day) music festival, AAHH! Fest. Taking place at Chicago’s Union Park, Common brought some of the biggest names in hip-hop to his hometown festival. Following Saturday’s Community Day, where fans got to see some of the city’s young talent perform, as well as surprise guest appearances and sets from Chicago’s own, Tink, Taylor Bennett and Dreamville’s Omen, Sunday’s main stage lineup was stacked from top to bottom.
First up was a Chicago native and one of our favorite emerging artists, Sir The Baptist. With some huge co-signs, Jay-Z and Lil Wayne (just to name a couple), Sir The Baptist is making waves throughout Chicago and the rap world as a whole. Whether you’ve been hooked from Day 1, or were blown away by his moving performance at Lollapalooza this year, Sir The Baptist is one of the easiest rappers to root for right now and his single ‘Raise Hell’ will certainly get you on your feet.
Next up, AAHH! Fest saw a performance from another one of the city’s more conscious rappers, SAVEMONEY’s Vic Mensa. Another rapper who had a moving and memorable set at Lollapalooza this year, Vic Mensa brought performances of his politically charged EP, There’s Alot Going On. Following Vic’s performance, Odd Future’s Syd tha Kyd-led group, The Internet hit the stage, and delivered as always.
Moments later, it was time for another one of Chicago’s own to hit the stage, this time ‘Don’t Tell ‘Em’ singer Jeremih. Giving fans a half hour of some of his biggest hits, Jeremih’s set was definitely for the ladies in attendance tonight. Following his set, and some of music’s most talented young artists, was all for the hip-hop heads in the audience. Next, AAHH! Fest saw sets from The Roots, Common, Ice Cube, Bilal and a surprise appearance from R. Kelly, all legends in their own right.
But after a few legends in hip-hop stepped off stage, it was time for the night’s headliner, none other than J. Cole. Returning to Chicago, after a headlining performance for the opening night of Lollapalooza’s huge 25th Anniversary, J. Cole killed it, to no one’s surprise. While J. Cole is one of the few artists tonight without direct Chicago ties, you wouldn’t have guessed it by the audience’s reaction as Cole stepped on stage. Michael Jordan isn’t the only great name from North Carolina embraced by the Windy City, as J. Cole will always have a second home in Chicago, and that was more than evident tonight. AAHH! Fest will have a tough job matching this year’s performances in 2017.
Check out our photos from AAHH! Fest 2016 below.
BY TER STAFF
Today kicked off the return of rapper Common’s hometown music festival, AAHH! Fest, at Chicago’s Union Park. After an inaugural year in 2014, which saw performances from Kanye West, Jennifer Hudson, Common, Lupe Fiasco, Twista, Jay Electronica and more, the festival took a year off in 2015 but returned this year bigger than ever, now growing into a 2-day event. And in order to warm things up for Sunday’s lineup, which will feature performances from J. Cole, Ice Cube, Vic Mensa, Jeremih, The Roots and Sir The Baptist (just to name a few), today was the festival’s Community Day, ran in association with Kanye West’s foundation Donda’s House.
Fans in attendance today not only saw some of Chicago’s most talented young artists, including John The Author, DJ Mike P, The Pack Drumline, Retro Gibson, the J. Money Dancers and more, but Chicago also was treated to sets from Tink, rapper Taylor Bennett and Dreamville’s Omen. And just because it was the Community Day, doesn’t mean that it didn’t have some star power of it’s own, as the festival saw a huge surprise appearance from Chance The Rapper, who was already hosting his own festival a few miles south at the U.S. Cellular Field, as well as an opening appearance from SAVE MONEY’s Vic Mensa.
With a great showcase of some potential future AAHH! Fest headliners today, the stage is definitely set for tomorrow’s festivities. Chicago not only had a chance to cheer on their city today, but today was also a reminder of Common’s commitment to Chicago through his Common Ground Foundation, set to bring jobs, education and inspiration to the Windy City.
Check out our photos from the Community Day of Common’s AAHH! Fest 2016 below.
BY TER STAFF
Moments ago, Blink-182 stepped off stage in front of a sold-out crowd at Chicago’s Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre in Tinley Park, IL. Performing in support of their new 2016 LP, California, tonight’s show was already the 31st date on their massive 40+ date North American tour. And Blink didn’t come alone either, joining the Californians tonight were Florida natives A Day to Remember and Stillwater, Oklahoma’s All-American Rejects. With a stellar lineup of rock bands and a sold-out crowd, the night was set up to be one to remember from the very beginning.
Performing first, after a DJ set from DJ Spider to get the crowd warmed up, the All-American Rejects blessed the Chicago crowd. A household name in alternative rock, ever since the success of their 2003 self-titled debut, the Tyson Ritter-led band had more than enough hits to choose from tonight. Highlights of their set included performances of their hits, like ‘Dirty Little Secret’ and ‘It Ends Tonight’ as well as their new 2016 single, ‘DGAF’. And we DGAF if anyone tells you otherwise, the All-American Rejects rocked out in Tinley Park tonight.
Next up were Bad Vibrations rockers, A Day to Remember, set to give a night to remember to the Windy City. Although the guys came out with high amounts of energy from the very beginning, there is no doubt that the last half of their performance tonight was a stand out moment of the entire night, with memorable performances of ‘Paranoia’, ‘If It Means a Lot to You’ and their closing performance of ‘The Plot to Bomb the Panhandle’. To say the ATDR bomb exploded with energy tonight would be more than an understatement.
After about a half hour for the stage crew to set up for the night’s headlining performance, it was time for the men of the night to hit the stage. Opening with their 2003 record, ‘Feeling This’, off their 5th and self-titled LP, their set instantly got off to the best start possible. Next, Blink (which now consists of founders Mark Hoppus and Travis Barker, as well as Matt Skiba) performed their 1999 mega hit track, ‘What’s My Age Again?’, followed by the hilarious and entertaining ‘Family Reunion’, full of a half-minute of swearing (exclusively), begging the question, “what is their age again?”
Throughout the night, Blink-182 performed a vast selection of records from their 20+ year career and their 7 albums, including a number of songs from their newest LP, California. Highlights of Blink-182’s 24-track set, include performances from their classic 2001 LP, Take Off Your Pants and Jacket, and their memorable encore which consisted of a can’t miss performance of ‘All The Small Things’. Rock music and nostalgia where at an all-time high tonight, and Blink reminded fans of their huge career of hits, their lovable sense of humor, and most importantly that they aren’t going anywhere anytime soon. We can’t speak to when their next LP or tour will come, but Blink-182 can still rock.
Check out our photos from tonight’s performance below and check out the tour’s remaining dates here.
Continue reading Photos: Blink-182 Bring Their Massive Comeback Tour to Chicago
BY TER STAFF
Last night, the busiest duo in music, The Chainsmokers, performed a headlining set for KISS FM’s “Kiss The Summer Goodbye” concert, with an opening set from the funniest man in music, rapper Lil Dicky. And if you don’t believe The Chainsmokers are the busiest due in music, let us put things into perspective… Not only did the ‘Closer’ artists perform for KISS FM’s huge summer bash at The Rave in Milwaukee, WI but last night the two also performed a late night show at the Jewel Nightclub in Las Vegas.
From LD to The Chainsmokers, everyone in attendance got their money’s worth. Lil Dicky instantly got the crowd in a party mood, getting fans hype with his tracks ‘Save Dat Money’ and ‘Lemme Freak’, to name a few. And moments later, it was time for the biggest duo in EDM to bless the Wisconsin crowd. Everywhere you looked, fans were having the time of their life while The Chainsmokers were playing some of their best cuts and mixes for Milwaukee. We can’t imagine a better way to say goodbye to your summer.
Peep our photos from last night’s performance below and check out The Chainsmoker’s upcoming tour dates here.
Continue reading Photos: The Chainsmokers & Lil Dicky Perform at KISS FM’s “KISS The Summer Goodbye”
BY TER STAFF
Last night, Mike Posner returned to his roots, performing a headlining set for a college crowd at the Majestic Theatre in Madison, Wisconsin, a venue Mike first performed at seven years ago while he himself was still a college student. A lot has happened since then. Not only does Posner have bragging rights over his University of Wisconsin fans, as his Duke Blue Devil defeated the Wisconsin Badgers in 2014’s NCAA Men’s Basketball National Championship, but Posner’s sound has completely transformed since he first stepped stage at the Majestic in 2009.
To speed you up on what’s happened since Mike’s last visit to the Majestic; members of his 2009 opener 2AM Club have since parted ways and the band’s lead, Marc E. Bassy, is now a solo artist whose G-Eazy-assisted debut single ‘You & Me’ is currently climbing the charts, Mike became a household name in music, practically overnight, with the success of his record ‘Cooler Than Me’, he released his 2010 debut LP, 31 Minutes To Takeoff, and after an extended hiatus in his solo career where he passed time writing and producing hit records for Justin Bieber (‘Boyfriend’) and Maroon 5 (‘Sugar’), Posner is back with his sophomore LP, At Night, Alone., and its lead single, ‘I Took A Pill In Ibiza’.
And even though Mike Posner is currently on a huge arena tour in support of Nick Jonas and Demi Lovato, tonight’s headlining performance seemed extra special. We have caught Posner on the road twice this summer, once with the Future Now Tour and once with the B96 Pepsi Summer Bash, both times providing great performances to get the night started on the right foot. Posner surrounds himself with talented musicians and together his band puts on a hell of a show, mixing his new records with the old. Even if you’re only getting less than 10 records with a supporting set, Posner and his band are worth the price of admission. But with tonight’s headlining show, in an environment that Posner has flourished in since his days at Duke University, fans certainly got their money’s worth.
Kicking off the night tonight was Posner’s friend, collaborator and writing partner, Adam Friedman. Whether fans tonight knew Friedman from his 2016 single, ‘Lemonade’, his opening impromptu sets on Posner’s Ninja Show Tour last year, or whether tonight was their first dose of the Santa Montica singer/songwriter, Friedman delivered for Madison. Performing his records ‘Stronger’ and ‘Gravity’, his cover of The Chainsmokers and Halsey’s new single ‘Closer’, and a few other songs to showcase his voice at the Majestic Theatre, Friedman definitely picked up some new fans in Madison tonight.
Soon after Friedman stepped off stage, it was time for Mike Posner and his band to greet the Wisconsin crowd. And although there is a lot of animosity towards anything Duke-related, ever since the Badgers’ tragic National Championship loss, all was forgiven when Mike opened with his At Night, Alone. record, ‘Buried In Detroit’. Posner and his band then continued their set with performances of ‘Be As You Are’, ‘In the Arms of a Stranger’ and ‘Jade’. Throughout the night, Posner performed an extended set, switching back and forth between records from At Night, Alone. and his early work, which not only includes his debut album but his early mixtapes, which first made Posner a local favorite on the college campus.
But just as you thought his set was winding down, it was only getting started, as Posner promised fans that it would be his band’s best show yet. The rest of the night was full of highlights; from Mike climbing into the balcony, performing in the crowd, taking cellphones from the crowd and recording a fan’s Facebook Live stream, inviting Adam Friedman back on-stage for a performance of ‘Lemonade’, and overall getting the crowd especially hyped. Posner promised fans a performance to remember, and with his supporting cast, he delivered.
Whether you jumped on the bandwagon this past year with the success of ‘I Took A Pill In Ibiza’ or you were a fan from the very beginning, when Posner was still an undergrad like most of the fans in attendance tonight, the Michigan-native delivered high energy and a setlist that all types of Mike Posner fans enjoyed. Do yourself a favor and check Mike Posner’s remaining tour dates at MikePosner.com.
Peep our photos from last night’s performance below.
Continue reading Photos: Mike Posner Returns to the Majestic Theatre in Madison, WI
The Early Registration 