September 2026 • Volume 52, Number 11 • www. illinoisentertainer. com

GOGOL BORDELLO ew York gypsy punk band Gogol Bordello has always followed their own frequency. Never concerned with industry trends or appealing to the masses, the band has done whatever the hell they want for nearly 30 years. And it works. Not only have they carved out their own little niche, but their eclectic music has also been featured in numerous films; they’ ve toured all over the world and have shared the stage with the likes of Flogging Molly, Cake, and System of a Down.

For frontman Eugene Hütz, Gogol Bordello isn’ t just a band. It’ s a community. A support system that gives him full freedom of expression, whether that’ s with the band or with one of his other musical outputs. He uses that sense of community to help up-and-coming artists on his new label Casa Gogol Records. More importantly, the band embraces Hütz’ s unique frequency that continues to drive the uncompromising nature of Gogol Bordello.

Before embarking on their European tour, Hütz chatted with IE’ s Ashley Perez- Hollingsworth to talk about his journey from Kyiv to New York, his upcoming book, his love of Riot Fest, and the spirit that keeps Gogol Bordello alive.

Gogol Bordello will appear at this year’ s Riot Fest in Douglas Park on Saturday, September 19th.

06 HELLO MY NAME IS COLIN...

That silky, expressive voice is instantly recognizable. Listen to Colin Blunstone’ s tour de force 2024 live album One Year and More( Live from Union Chapel), and the 60 years since the arrival of“ She’ s Not There” and“ Tell Her No” on pop radio don’ t matter. You’ re hearing the unmistakable voice of The Zombies. Remarkably, Blunstone is arguably out-singing his younger self today.

September finds the 81-year-old artist on a generation-spanning tour with fellow English rockers The Fixx and Peter Asher of Peter & Gordon fame. The tour visits the Genesee Theater in Waukegan on Thursday, September 17. Blunstone spoke with IE’ s Jeff Elbel by phone from his home in England.

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CinerimaScopes

September film preview.

Spins

The Strokes, Constant Headaches and more.

Media

Champaign’ s Indie Filmmaker.

Calendar

1485 shows and 3900 bands, it’ s IE’ s live music calendar.

Studiophile

Studio and rehearsal space news.

Classifieds

Music services, musicians and more.

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Publisher John Vernon

Contributing Editors Curt Baran Tom Lanham Lori Vernon

Design Team Notion Pool Dragon Design Teknigram Graphics

Calendar Editor Aubrey Vernon

Classified Advertising David Gedge

Founder Kenneth L. Voss

Publisher Emeritis

Advertising Sales Scott Assmann Mike Engel

Advertising Director John Vernon

Website Direction Notion Pool

Senior Columnists

Contributors:

A Andy Argyrakis, Guy Arnston, Penelope Biver, Patrick Conlan, Deena Dasein, Jaime de ' Medici, Andy Derer, Jeff Elbel Terrence Flamm, Steve Forstneger ein,

Michael Gallucci, Michael C. Harris, Max Herman, Tom Lanham, Aubrey Vernon Carter Moss, Michael Obrecki, Greg Olma Arsenio Orteza, Rodney Pawlak, Steven Kikoen Bruce Pilato, Matthew Pollock, Jason Scales, Kelley Simms, Ed Spinelli, Riley Vernon, Tim Shockley, James Turano

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N The ILLINOIS ENTERTAINER is published monthly wit by Roberts Publishing, Inc, All materials copyright

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