A DJ wearing a hat performs under colorful, arched lights in a dark, crowded venue. The DJs arms are raised, and the vibrant lighting creates a lively party atmosphere.

Music Top 5: September 2026

Todd Hieggelke August 25, 2026

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A performer crowdsurfs on their back under bright stage lights while audience members watch and take photos at a dark indoor concert venue.

Babymorocco: The Myth, The Legend A night at Schubas with London-based performance artist Clayton Pettet and his alter egos Babymorocco, Rocco Tropico and Jean Paul.

Maya Surrenti August 20, 2026

Four men pose in front of a door marked 20, two standing on either side, one standing in the center with hands on hips, and one crouching in front; the image is in black and white.

Dare Them To Vanish: Fig Dish Revisits “When Shove Goes Back To Push” Nearly thirty years after its release, the Chicago band's prescient sophomore album finally gets its due with a first vinyl pressing.

Craig Bechtel August 18, 2026

A person with wavy hair wearing a red and white striped shirt stands in front of a black van, with buildings and railings reflected on the vehicles surface.

Victoryland Is Out To Capture Big Feelings Victoryland is joined by Richmond's Drook and Chicago's own Godstar Megamax for a must-see triple header at the Empty Bottle.

Harrison Knight August 13, 2026

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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 man wearing a black suit, black bowler hat, and sunglasses stands outdoors in sunlight, with a shingled rooftop in the background. He has a mustache and goatee and is looking to his left.

Kahil El’Zabar on the Nation’s Anniversary In the wake of George Floyd, the author responded with an album titled "America the Beautiful." Now he revisits the theme as the nation marks 250 years.

A woman with wavy blonde hair stands in front of an open car trunk, wearing a black leather jacket, denim shirt, and jeans, with her hands in her pockets. Steps and a red door are visible in the background.

Elizabeth Moen Is Still Making It With her sharp new single “Renaissance Man” arriving this month and a new album on the way, Elizabeth Moen reflects on record deals, creative survival and leaning into community within Chicago’s indie scene.

A man wearing a black hat and suit leans against a pillar under an elevated train track, holding a harmonica, with a guitar strapped to his back on a deserted urban street in bright daylight.

How the Blues Chose Toronzo Cannon The Chicago blues musician plays a series of local shows in the weeks ahead, at venues from Evanston's Space to the Blues Fest in Millennium Park.

A collage of eight young musicians, each holding a string instrument such as a violin, viola, or cello, and posing against neutral or dark backgrounds.

“Music for 8” Opens Guarneri Hall’s Ninth Season with Two New Pieces Artistic director Stefan Hersh gives the lay of the land for Guarneri Hall's 2026-2027 season.

Dennis Polkow August 6, 2026

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.

Craig Bechtel August 4, 2026

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.

Dennis Polkow July 23, 2026

A man wearing sunglasses and a brown shirt plays an electric guitar on stage in front of a brick wall, with a microphone stand nearby.

Chicago Musicians Unite to Perform for Immigrant and Refugee Rights “Songs of Protest, Sounds of Freedom” was organized by Space co-owner Dave Specter, who was driven to action by ICE's recent presence in Chicago communities.

David Witter July 21, 2026

A man with a bald head and beard, wearing a blue shirt, sits in front of a black mantle holding an acoustic guitar. Text above reads: Max Subar Anything Could Be.

Max Subar’s “Anything Could Be” Makes the Case for Hope Rich with acoustic guitar, fiddle, pedal steel and vivid lyrical imagery, “Anything Could Be” embraces the classic singer-songwriter tradition with warmth and originality.

Elizabeth Jakaitis July 16, 2026