With approximately 30 million albums sold Stateside over the course of a decade, No Doubt's place as pop superstars is pretty much cemented.
The band is returning to action after a half-decade hiatus, which saw frontwoman Gwen Stefani give Madonna a serious run for her money with a pair of solo releases. No Doubt sets such as 1995's "Tragic Kingdom" and 2001's "Rock Steady" have held up quite well with distance. Present-day hitmakers such as current stage mates Paramore cite the band as an influence.
Yet the real test for the Cali-bred foursome will come after their current tour concludes.
Since 2008, Doubters Tony Kanal, Tom Dumont and Adrian Young have piecemealed what will become the band's first album of new material since "Steady" dropped eight years ago. Stefani came on board after wrapping up the touring-promotion cycle of her second solo set and giving birth to her second child.
While reports conflict about when the album will see the light of day, the new material has a lot to live up to. Should it soar, No Doubt can graduate from American pop superstars to American pop icons. If it's lackluster, their superstar status will likely remain intact. But they could spend a long time coasting on their past triumphs with new works being no more than an afterthought to the masses.
Tour openers Paramore also are at a crossroads of sorts. After breaking through with 2007's million-plus selling "Riot!," Hayley Williams and Co. are scheduled to release its follow-up in September.
No Doubt, Paramore, 7:30 p.m. July 11, First Midwest Bank Amphitheatre, 19100 S. Ridgeland Ave., Tinley Park. $10-$80.
FYI: (708) 614-1616, livenation.com
On sale now
For more information, contact the venues, Ticketmaster at (312) 559-1212 or ticketmaster.com or Live Nation at livenation.com. Unless otherwise indicated, all shows are all-ages.
* The Decemberists, Aug. 6, Metro (18 and older, metrochicago.com)
* Our Lady Peace, Aug. 22, Vic Theatre (Ticketmaster)
* Arctic Monkeys, Aug. 7, Metro (18 and older, metrochicago.com)
* Tracy Chapman, Aug. 12, Park West (Ticketmaster)
* Brendan Benson, Aug. 20, Schubas (18 and older, schubas.com)
* Will Hoge, Oct. 23, Double Door (21 and older, Ticketmaster)
* The Psychedelic Furs, Happy Mondays, Sept. 8, House of Blues (17 and older, Ticketmaster)
* STS9, Aug. 8, House of Blues (17 and older, Ticketmaster)
The opinions expressed solely are those of the writer. He can be reached at T.shellberg@comcast.net.
