A stylized illustration of a conductor with wavy hair holding a baton, wearing a tuxedo, against a red and yellow geometric background.

How the CSO Found (And Won) Klaus Mäkelä The untold backstory of how the Chicago Symphony's search committee found its next music director.

Phillip Huscher October 9, 2026

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A woman with long blonde hair leans against a glass shower door etched with a swan and water design.

V.V. Lightbody Turns the Present Into a “Period Piece” The Chicago musician's new album blends folk, samba, psych rock and synth pop to ask how closely we can examine our lives without pulling ourselves out of them.

Elizabeth Jakaitis October 8, 2026

Louis Armstrong playing the trumpet in a suit.

Howard Reich’s Love Letter to Chicago and Jazz "The Majesty of Chicago Jazz" brings the longtime critic's personal touch to an all-encompassing survey of the city's jazz history.

David Witter October 6, 2026

A brick building covered in ivy, with stairs leading up to a porch. Overgrown plants line the steps, and patio chairs sit near the entrance. The image is tinted in a sepia tone.

Music Top 5: October 2026

Todd Hieggelke October 1, 2026

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A man wearing sunglasses and a green jacket holding a trumpet stands in front of a colorful mural featuring a large portrait and a parrot.

The Hyde Park Jazz Festival Turns Twenty, Honoring Roots Decades Older This year’s festival features over forty performers at eleven venues, and will be headlined by world-famous artists including Joshua Redman, Emmet Cohen, Alfredo Rodriguez and Big Chief Donald Harrison.

The Dawn of a New Festival Era? Brent Heyl on the City’s Music Landscape Heyl is the director of music at 16” On Center, the group behind the Salt Shed, Thalia Hall, the Empty Bottle and more. He discusses the state of the local music scene with Newcity.

Neptune’s Core Expands Their Universe With “Pivot” The Chicago band on creating their debut full-length album, how their sound has evolved from earlier releases and why they almost changed the name of the band.

A conductor energetically leads an orchestra during a performance in a concert hall. Musicians play string instruments while sheet music is visible in the foreground.

Klaus Mäkelä Says Farewell to Oslo and Hello to Ravinia The CSO music director-designate Klaus Mäkelä makes his debut at the orchestra's summer home with two programs in August.

A person wearing glowing round glasses is seen in close-up, illuminated by blue light, with a screen reflected in the lenses. Their expression appears focused or concerned.

Ryuichi Sakamoto Is the Artist Behind the Mask The late Japanese composer is no longer behind the scenes in “Music Sets You Free,” his memoir newly translated to English.

Samuel Schwindt September 29, 2026

A woman with curly dark hair, wearing a red jacket and black pants, kneels while holding a vintage-style guitar against a blue background.

Donna Herula’s Analog Blues The Chicago artist's embrace of the resonator guitar has made her a standout blues musician, with a new album that channels everything from corn fields and cabins to the bungalows and buildings of Portage Park.

David Witter September 24, 2026

A minimalist vinyl record cover with a black circle in the center and track listings in small text at the top. The design is mostly white with KINO-DISK written on the right side.

Floating in an Ambient Haze with Kino Disk "American Dub Electronics" is a mellow compilation of dub artists from the local label.

Ryan Bird September 23, 2026

Let’s Rebel in the Wee Hours A deep dive into Sturgill Simpson's "Mutiny After Midnight" ahead of his Chicago stop as Johnny Blue Skies & The Dark Clouds.

Maya Surrenti September 22, 2026

A man wearing sunglasses and a green jacket holding a trumpet stands in front of a colorful mural featuring a large portrait and a parrot.

The Hyde Park Jazz Festival Turns Twenty, Honoring Roots Decades Older This year’s festival features over forty performers at eleven venues, and will be headlined by world-famous artists including Joshua Redman, Emmet Cohen, Alfredo Rodriguez and Big Chief Donald Harrison.

David Witter September 17, 2026