A large stage features a futuristic light display with a humanoid figure in a glowing cage, surrounded by smoke and electric effects, as a crowd watches and takes photos at night.

Experiencing Arc Chicago-Style A one-stop guide to all the Chicago legends and up-and-comers performing at this year's Arc Music Festival.

Maya Surrenti September 3, 2026

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A man in a tan jacket stands in front of a red door covered in graffiti; the photo is framed over an aerial view of a city with houses, trees, and a river.

Mike Reed’s Sound & Gravity Festival Returns to Bricktown The multi-venue experimental festival will take you all over, musically and geographically. Read our guide on who to see and where to be, beyond the headliners.

Ryan Bird September 2, 2026

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.

Dylan Weinert September 1, 2026

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

FEATURED STORIES

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.

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 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 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

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