Season 11 premiered April 2018
WTTW's legendary and groundbreaking music series, "Soundstage," returns.
WTTW's legendary and groundbreaking music series, "Soundstage," returns with a new season of star-studded concerts. Filmed in WTTW's intimate Grainger Studio, "Soundstage" presents spectacular performances that make you feel like you're in the front row.
Season 11 premiered April 2018
WTTW's legendary and groundbreaking music series, "Soundstage," returns.
WTTW's legendary and groundbreaking music series, "Soundstage," returns with a new season of star-studded concerts. Filmed in WTTW's intimate Grainger Studio, "Soundstage" presents spectacular performances that make you feel like you're in the front row.
Soundstage is a local public television program presented by WTTW.
Providing Support for PBS.org
Providing Support for PBS.org
Photos from Soundstage Season 11
1/10
Chicago lead guitarists, Keith Howland and Jeff Coffey, jam on an instrumental solo.
Bill Richert/WTTW Chicago
2/10
James Pankow leads the famous Chicago horn section on the "Soundstage" stage.
Bill Richert/WTTW Chicago
3/10
With harmonica in hand, Frederic Yonnet takes to the stage alongside Katharine McPhee to collaborate on a jazz-themed performance.
Bill Richert/WTTW Chicago
4/10
Vocal powerhouse Katharine McPhee stuns "Soundstage" viewers as she demonstrates her talent and versatility as a performer.
Bill Richert/WTTW Chicago
5/10
Performing a few of his newest songs, McDonald belts out song after song in this timeless "Soundstage" episode.
Bill Richert/WTTW Chicago
6/10
With his distinctive voice able to command listeners’ attention from all generations, McDonald shows audiences he’s not slowing down any time soon.
Bill Richert/WTTW Chicago
7/10
Sambora and Orianthi turn to each other to collaborate on a guitar section during one of their performances.
Bill Richert/WTTW Chicago
8/10
Virtuoso guitarist, Orianthi, looks to her partner amidst a cheering crowd of "Soundstage" fans.
Bill Richert/WTTW Chicago
9/10
The smooth voices of Take 6 sing in perfect harmony on "Soundstage."
Bill Richert/WTTW Chicago
10/10
Members of Take 6 perform for an enthusiastic audience of a cappella jazz lovers on the stage of "Soundstage."
Bill Richert/WTTW Chicago
About the Show
"Soundstage" returns with an eleventh season of musical performances that will have you rocking all night long. The pioneering music television series kicks off this spring with more intimate performances by a cross-genre roster of artists, including iconic band Chicago, music legend and Doobie Brother Michael McDonald, two Grammy Award-winning a capella groups, The Manhattan Transfer and Take 6, "American Idol" runner-up Katharine McPhee, and new duo, RSO (Richie Sambora and Orianthi).
Chicago
This self-described “rock and roll band with horns” was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2016. Now celebrating another milestone — the 50th anniversary of their groundbreaking album "Chicago II" — the band returns to Grainger Studio in the city that inspired its name to play songs from their celebrated album, including “Make Me Smile,” “25 or 6 to 4,” and “Colour My World.”
Katharine McPhee
After her unforgettable rendition of “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” on "American Idol" in 2006, Katharine McPhee catapulted to instant stardom. In this jazz-filled installment of "Soundstage," McPhee gets the spotlight to herself, performing selections from her fifth studio album, "I Fall In Love Too Easily."
Manhattan Transfer/Take 6 (The Summit)
Pop and jazz fusion vocal quartet, The Manhattan Transfer, is one of the most celebrated a cappella groups in history. They have performed with the biggest names in music - now including the innovative R&B and gospel a cappella group, Take 6. "Soundstage" brings together these two wildly talented ensembles for the very first time.
Michael McDonald
Michael McDonald has consistently commanded listeners’ attention throughout his long and storied career. The legendary singer brings his wealth of experience, singular artistry, and distinctive voice to "Soundstage," performing such beloved songs as “What a Fool Believes,” “Minute by Minute,” and “Takin’ It to the Streets.”
RSO
Richie Sambora joins forces with kindred spirit and platinum-selling solo artist (and former Michael Jackson/Alice Cooper guitarist) Orianthi to form the band RSO. Performing songs from "Rise," a five-song EP that the two made together in 2017, this multi-genre "Soundstage" episode confirms that the duo of Sambora and Orianthi is paving a whole new lane in the male-female vocal genre.
Producers and Presenters
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