Yesterday, the world lost SInead O’Connor. With a voice like none other, the Irish singer-songwriter lived a life marked by critical acclaim and social scorn. To understand the siren that was O’Connor, it’s best to do so through these three incredible live performances.
Sinead O’Connor – Mandinka (Live on David Letterman)
O’Connor was 20 when she ushered The Lion and The Cobra onto the world. At the time, the alternative world was getting bigger, both in terms of fandom and in terms of sound. Sitting alongside now-iconic records like The Joshua Tree and Document, O’Connor cut through with a record that truly sounded like nothing else. The album’s best single, “Mandinka”, was performed first on Letterman’s show in 1988.
Sinead O’Connor – War (Live on Saturday Night Live)
The most iconic performance of O’Connor’s career, for better or worse. This effectively ended her career as a commercial entity, as after she got done performing a cover of Bob Marley’s “War”, she ripped up a picture of Pope John Paul II and said “Fight the real enemy”. This was her way of calling out the Catholic church’s abusive practices.
Sinead O’Connor – War (Live at Madison Square Garden)
Weeks removed from her SNL incident, O’Connor performed War, the aforementioned Bob Marley cover at Bob Dylan’s 30th Anniversary concert at Madison Square Garden. She had planned to do a Dylan cover, but decided to once again perform the song that had made her public enemy #1. The guts that it took to perform this song, again, in front of a hostile crowd, is truly remarkable.
Q101 extends their love to O’Connor’s family, friends, and loyal fanbase.
UPS has worked out an agreement with 340,000 unionized workers, averting a strike that threatened to disrupt package deliveries for millions of businesses and households nationwide. The Teamsters hailed the agreement as “historic.”
Per NBC 5 Chicago, “Under the tentative agreement, which still needs union members’ approval, full- and part-time union workers will get $2.75 more per hour in 2023, and $7.50 more by the end of the five-year contract. The agreement also includes a provision to increase starting pay for part-time workers, whom the union says are the most at risk of exploitation, from $16.20 per hour to $21 per hour. The average pay for part-timers had been $20.”
Voting on the new contract begins Aug. 3 and concludes Aug. 22.
Rocky Wirtz, the owner of the Blackhawks, has passed away at the age of 70.
Under the helm of Wirtz, he negotiated a deal to bring the team to NBC Chicago, helped bring back Bobby Hull and Stan Mikita to the team, and brought three Stanley Cups to the franchise. His impact will be felt for generations.
Tributes continue to pour in for one of the most important figures in franchise history.
Things continue to look bleak for Northwestern University.
On Monday, the first lawsuit was filed on behalf of a female athlete at the university for allegedly violating the university’s COVID-19 policy. Per NBC 5, “Jane Doe contracted COVID-19 in February of that year, despite following the team’s COVID guidelines. Despite this, she says, Northwestern volleyball coach Shane Davis and an assistant coach informed her she would need to undergo a “punishment” for violating the guidelines. A day later, on March 2, 2021, the coaches permitted the volleyball team’s captains to pick the punishment: She was forced to run “suicides” in the gym while diving to the floor each time she reached a line on the court. As she did this, the suit says, volleyball coaching staff, team members and trainers watched.”
Hayden Richardson, a former cheerleader for the school, also spoke out recently against the organization.
After today’s Cubs-Sox game, fans can get home for free on CTA’s Red Line service. As a part of their Molson Coors’ Vizzy Hard Seltzer Free Rides program. Rides will be free at the 35th Street station for two hours after the game.
Hey @Cubs and @whitesox fans 📣 Pick up a FREE poster at the Sox-35th Red Line station when you ride the CTA to the Crosstown Classic! pic.twitter.com/aEI05yuaEv
Billionaire Elon Musk has enough money to do whatever he wants. That, for some reason, includes changing the name of Twitter to “X”. The platform no longer works, direct messaging is broken, and we’re sure more awful changes are on the way. But hey, new name!
The new “Barbie” movie is all everyone is talking about, and now you can combine the movie of the summer with the summer weather! The recently revamped McHenry outdoor theater is showing the movie this weekend through August 4th. There will be a Barbie meet in greet, costume contests for $600 in prizes and a raffle for a custom built Barbie dream house. So enjoy Barbie the way she would want you to and party!
Have you caught pink fever yet? Let us know what you thought of the movie on Facebook!
Indie standout beabadoobe, who is slated to play Lollapalooza on Friday, August 4, is back with a new single. beabadoobe took over the Internet with her “bedroom pop” approach to songwriting, but “the way things go” is a step up in production from the minimalistic artist. This song should sound incredible in Grant Park in a few weeks.
Bloc Party: The High Life
English rockers Bloc Party are back with an EP, a fitting follow-up to 2022’s Alpha Games. Once a standout in the early 2000’s indie rock renaissance alongside bands like The Strokes and Franz Ferdinand, Bloc Party are still going strong. The High Life is another strong outing from a band who has been going strong for nearly two decades.
Blur: The Ballad of Darren
It took eight years, but we finally have a new Blur album. Damon Albarn, who is not only the frontman for one of England’s most iconic rock bands, but also one of the creative minds behind Gorillaz, has reunited with the lads from London for Blur’s ninth studio album. The band has spent a majority of this year touring around the world, but no US dates have been announced yet. I speak for everyone here at Q101 when I say Blur, please come stateside. We love you and we miss you.
Code Orange featuring Billy Corgan: Take Shape
Code Orange, a band who began in 2008, proudly waves the nu-metal flag. They feel like the children of the Deftones and Chevelle. In a truly shocking turn of events, they recruited Billy Corgan for their newest single, “Take Shape”. Code Orange drops The Above on September 29. Two weeks before that, they’ll be in Douglass Park for Riot Fest 2023.
Gaslight Anthem featuring Bruce Springsteen: History Books
Gaslight Anthem, the Bruce Springsteen’s of punk, are back with a song featuring Bruce Springsteen. This marks the first official time they’ve collaborated with The Boss, although they’ve performed together live before.
Pitchfork Music Festival featuring The Smile, Big Thief, and Bon Iver (Friday-Sunday):
One of Chicago’s must prestigious music festivals returns to Union Park this weekend for three days of indie and alternative rock, hip-hop, and R&B. Friday headliners, The Smile, consists of Thom Yorke and Johnny Greenwood of Radiohead fame. If you are at Union Park this weekend, we highly recommend checking out Julia Jacklin on Saturday and Soul Glo on Sunday. Tickets can be purchased here.
— Pitchfork Music Festival Chicago (@pitchforkfest) March 20, 2023
Cubs host the Cardinals (Friday-Sunday):
The St. Louis Cardinals decided to turn on the heat right before this three-game stand in Chicago. Prior to last week, they had had an extremely disappointing season. Now, they’re on fire. The Cubs, if they’re going to have any shot at playing in October, need to dominated this weekend.
Tacos y Tamales Festival at 16th St & Peoria (Friday-Sunday): Attendees can enjoy authentic Tacos y Tamales from Chicago’s very best food vendors, beer portfolio by Modelo, Micheladas, music, art alley, & shopping. Get all the information you need here.
The Rumble: Chicago’s Hardcore Music Festival (Friday-Saturday):
If the mellow vibes of Pitchfork aren’t your thing, the Cobra Lounge parking lot is the place to be. On Friday and Saturday, Chicago’s premier hardcore punk festival takes stage. Featuring the likes of the iconic Cro-Mags, Killing Time, and Militarie Gun, this is guaranteed to be the rowdiest festival in all of Chicagoland this year.
Another alternative subgenre celebrates in style on Friday. Emos get a chance to let their freak flags fly at Northerly Island with Taking Back Sunday, The Maine, Hot Mulligan, and more. If the warm summer months make you ache for the days of Warped Tour, we have a suitable replacement in Sad Summer Fest. Limited tickets remain.
Live at Silver Creek Event Center in New Buffalo (Friday):
The masterminds that brought you Throwing Copper in 1994 head to the Sliver Creek Event Center in New Buffalo on Friday night for a set that will feature some of the single best songs of the 90’s. A few tickets are still left.
Glitterer at Beat Kitchen (Friday):
Glitterer, an electro-punk band fronted by Ned Russin, former frontman of the forever-underappreciated Title Fight, heads to the Beat Kitchen on Friday night for an intimate show full of bangers. Get a ticket here.
Summer in Chillcago with Dougie Stylz (Friday):
Join Dougie Stylz and the Q101 Street Crew at The Broken Barrel Bar located at 2548 N Southport Ave, broadcasting LIVE with Coors Light on Friday , July 21st from 3pm-7pm. We’ll be kicking off Summer in Chillcago with Coors Light! Win tickets, Q101 swag, and much more!
Hang with Brian for your shot at PIQNIQ Puppy Pit Tickets (Friday):
It’s almost time for PIQNIQ! Get your hands on a White Claw Vodka Soda, a shot at FREE PIQNIQ tickets and the chance to hang with BadFlower in our Puppy Pit at the show!Join Brian at Bedrocks bar located in Shorewood at 700 W Jefferson st on Friday, July 21st from 5pm – 7pm for your shot at PIQNIQ tickets and more!
Destroy Boys at Metro (Saturday):
Riot Fest alumni Destroy Boys take to the Metro on Saturday night for a night of feminist fury. Few bands garnered more buzz after their set at Riot Fest 2022. Now, it’s time to see them in the intimate confines of the Metro.
Hang with Brian for your shot at PIQNIQ Puppy Pit Tickets (Saturday):
It’s almost time for PIQNIQ! Get your hands on a White Claw Vodka Soda, a shot at FREE PIQNIQ tickets and the chance to hang with BadFlower in our Puppy Pit at the show!Join Brian at Garfield’s bevergage warehouse located in Palatine at 15 S Brockway Street on Saturday, July 22nd from 2pm – 4pm for your shot at PIQNIQ tikets and more!
Ravenswood On Tap (Saturday-Sunday):
The stretch of Ravenswood Avenue that’s dubbed “Malt Row” hosts this annual festival, which features drinks provided by the neighborhood’s diverse craft brewing scene alongside bites from local restaurants, shopping vendors, axe-throwing and live music. The two-day event spotlights beers from Half Acre, Cultivate by Forbidden Root, Dovetail, Spiteful, Hop Butcher for the World, Begyle and more, plus cocktails from KOVAL Distillery—hop heads will want to try some of the special tappings.
PetCon in River West (Saturday-Sunday):
The world’s most influential pets are coming to town this weekend for PetCon. Morgan Manufacturing will be transformed into a pet lover’s paradise, where attendees can meet their favorite pet influencers, discover innovative products and local pet charities, and even adopt a new four-legged friend. There will also be a diverse range of pet-focused goods and exhibitors that include pet illustrators and painters, a celebrity groomer and a pet photographer with themed backdrops.
Justin Fields was tracked down by CBS Sports and was asked who the five greatest rushing quarterbacks in NFL history were. The two-year pro included himself in the conversation, while also listing the likes of Michael Vick and Steve Young.
Creed is set to play their first show since 2012 in early 2024 on “The Summer of ’99” cruise. The band will play two “unique” sets on a cruise that will head from Miami to Nassau, Bahamas. Joining Creed will be Buckcherry, Tonic, Vertical Horizon, Fuel, The Verve Pipe, Tantric, Dishwalla, Louise Post (Veruca Salt), and Nine Days.
The voyage will be hosted by Eddie Trunk and will feature former MTV star Matt Pinfield Ticket info is available here.
A $68M class action lawsuit is paying out currently for Illinois Instagram users. The settlement stems from violations to Illinois’ Biometric Information Privacy Act. The act prohibits companies from collecting and storing biometric information.
Illinois residents who’ve used Instagram between August 10, 2015 to August 16, 2023 can file a claim no later than September 27. You can file a claim at this link.
You also may send questions to the Settlement Administrator at [email protected].
The Cure’s “Shows Of A Lost World Tour” sold 547,000 tickets for a gross of $37.5 million. The Cure could have earned a lot more, but Robert Smith intentionally left millions of dollars on the table so more reasonably priced tickets could be offered to their fans. Per Billboard, the average ticket price for the “Shows of a Lost World Tour” was $68.54 — 37% less than the average ticket price for the year’s other top tours. It was the highest-grossing North American tour of the band’s career.
The Cure sound incredible, Robert Smith is eternal.
A former Northwestern football player filed the first lawsuit against Pat Fitzgerald and members of the school’s leadership, seeking damages from the hazing scandal that has rocked the organization. The player, who played on the football team from 2018 to 2022, had his filing submitted by the Chicago-based Salvi Law Firm.
“It wasn’t just confined to one bad actor,” attorney Parker Stinar said in an interview with The Associated Press. “It wasn’t just confined to one team, like the football team. It also included a culture that was accepted and tolerated and encouraged on the baseball team and other sports teams, and also with men and women’s sports.
More lawsuits, filed by multiple law firms, are expected to follow from former football and baseball players as well as from student-athletes who played other sports for the Wildcats.
The Illinois State Fair has officially completed its list of 2023 Grandstand headliners with a final announcement Tuesday morning.
The Fair, which runs from August 10-August 20, will feature acts such as Alanis Morissettes, Chevelle, Nelly, and more!
“We are excited to continue the tradition of bringing multiple genres of music to our grandstand,” said Illinois State Fair Manager Rebecca Clark in a statement. “Families shouldn’t have to break the bank to see one of our amazing shows and I think fairgoers will once again see we are bringing in top talent at affordable ticket prices.”
📣🎼🎤 Rounding out our 2023 Illinois State Fair lineup is Illinois-rooted rock band Chevelle!!! They rock the Illinois State Fair Grandstand Fri Aug 18th! Tickets are on sale TOMORROW starting at 10am via ISF Box Office or https://t.co/PCxTxk5VGK#ISF2023#concerts#rockpic.twitter.com/tyJzQNmlEv
Authorities in Nevada confirmed Tuesday that they served a search warrant this week in connection with the long-unsolved killing of rapper Tupac Shakur, which took place in 1996. Shakur was 25 when he was gunned down in Las Vegas in a murder that remains unsolved to this day.
Nevada does not have a statute of limitations for prosecuting homicide cases.
Department spokesperson Aden OcampoGomez said he could not provide further details on the latest development in the case, citing the open investigation.
The first Lollapalooza kicked off on July 18, 1991 on a sweltering, triple-digit hot day/night in Chandler, Arizona. The lineup included Jane’s Addiction, Siouxsie and the Banshees, Living Colour, Nine Inch Nails, Ice-T, Butthole Surfers and Henry Rollins.
Sons of Anarchy star Ron Perlman recently caught attention on social media for giving an intense rant (or threat, depending on your feelings) towards studio executives regarding the ongoing strike that is tearing Hollywood apart.
Perlman expressed vague intentions to burn down someone’s house, in regards to comments made by a studio executive that wanted strikers to lose their homes or apartments.
