MUSIC Archives · Reel Chicago News

MUSIC

Lollapalooza returns in a four day production that transforms Grant Park

By Barbara Roche Jul 31, 2026

For most attendees, Lollapalooza is four days of music. For those behind the scenes, it's one of the city's largest annual live entertainment productions. The 2026 edition o...

MUSIC

GRIP on creating from scratch and playing a Lolla aftershow

By Julie Simmons Jul 31, 2026

After GRIP signed to Shady Records, Eminem appeared on one of his songs to deliver some prophetic words and sage advice: "No pun intended, but GRIP, hold on to this moment ...

MUSIC

Mexico City’s Austin TV brings Math Rock to Chicago

By Julie Simmons Jul 27, 2026

No one from the crowd sang because there were no lyrics. Everyone was wearing a mask: the crowd and the band. The crowd’s masks were more or less figurative, but for the Ib...

MUSIC

William Shatner to make heavy metal debut at Chicago’s Riot Fest

By BANG Showbiz Jul 17, 2026

Beam him up. And crank it to 11. William Shatner, yes, Captain Kirk, will make his live heavy metal debut at Riot Fest this September, adding another unexpected chapter to the ...

MUSIC

MURS brings GoodWaves hip-hop festival & conference to Chicago

By Reel Chicago Jul 17, 2026

Chicago's hip-hop community is getting a new stage this summer. Groundwaves, the artist development movement founded by rapper MURS in 2018, is making its biggest expansion yet...

MUSIC

INTERVIEW: Zoe Garcia of Sunday Cruise

By Julie Simmons Jul 11, 2026

As the drums and guitars steadily race for the outro, Zoe Garcia injects a strong, melodic plea into the mic before rocking back on her heel. Stepping away from the stand, she ...

MUSIC

Tanner Dane v. Chicago Parks & Rec

By Julie Simmons Jun 30, 2026

“I don’t want to implicate myself because that’s an ongoing legal battle. We have so many lawyers right now volunteering their services to come out and interpret the law ...

MUSIC

INTERVIEW: Ed Cuozzo of University Drive

By Julie Simmons Jun 22, 2026

“She was my best friend, and then she had a heart attack out of nowhere. I’m still working that stuff out. The only way I know how to deal with those sorts of things is thr...

MUSIC

From jingles to hot tracks: Mali Wilson returns home following debut album drop

By Reel Chicago Mar 28, 2026

Chicago's own Mali Wilson is having a full-circle moment. Fresh off the release of her debut album Retro in Real Time: Where Love Feels Safe, Wilson returns to the city that he...

MUSIC

Brandy quits Chicago concert to seek medical attention

By BANG Showbiz Oct 19, 2025

Brandy Norwood was dehydrated and felt faint when she abruptly left the stage during her concert in Chicago and she told fans in a statement she immediately sought medical atte...

MUSIC

Chicago takes center stage: A Grammy salute to Earth, Wind & Fire

By Reel Chicago Sep 22, 2025

On the most famous date in pop music, Chicago’s greatest groove finally got its flowers. A GRAMMY Salute to Earth, Wind & Fire Live: The 21st Night of September aired las...

MUSIC

Chicago Media Composers & Lyricists joins The SCL

By Reel Chicago Apr 29, 2025

The Chicago Media Composers & Lyricists (CMCL) announces its integration into The Society of Composers & Lyricists (SCL), culminating in the formation of the Chicago Ch...

MUSIC

Hyde Park Jazz Festival announces the lineup

By Reel Chicago Aug 22, 2024

The Hyde Park Jazz Festival announces the 2024 HPJF lineup. The 18th Annual Festival will once again be held in architecturally unique venues across the Hyde Park, Kenwood, a...

MUSIC

ARC Music Festival Announces Lineup for 2024 Edition

By Reel Chicago Aug 22, 2024

ARC Music Festival, Chicago's flagship house and techno festival, has revealed the lineup for its 2024 edition taking place from August 30th to September 1st. Returning to the ...

MUSIC

NASCAR to host Chicago House Music 40th Anniversary Showcase

By Reel Chicago Apr 25, 2024

NASCAR is bringing together some of the biggest names in House Music for the first time ever at the 2024 Chicago Street Race Weekend in Grant Park, July 6-7. The Chicago Ho...

MUSIC

Taylor Swift paints cryptic message to fans on River North building

By Barbara Roche Apr 16, 2024

A crowd of Taylor Swift fans began gathering around a building in River North to watch a few workers paint a QR code with a cryptic message. It's a message from Taylor Swift wh...

MUSIC

Third Coast Music seeks to build Chicago’s First Scoring Stage

By Reel Chicago Mar 25, 2024

Third Coast Music, a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting Chicago's rich music culture through education and community outreach, announces its ambitious mission to con...

MUSIC

5 interesting facts about BJ the Chicago Kid

By Reel Chicago Nov 27, 2023

If you missed the Soul Train Awards 2023 on BET, you missed a spectacular celebration of R&B and soul music, highlighted by a boss-like performance by seasoned singer and s...

MUSIC

The Prince Estate partners with Superfly on new experience

By Reel Chicago Oct 19, 2021

Entertainment and brand experience company Superfly is partnering with The Prince Estate for a one-of-a-kind immersive experience that will honor the legacy and artistry of ...

MUSIC

2112 launches SyncChicago to support music licensing

By Reel Chicago Jun 18, 2021

2112 and the Center for Creative Entrepreneurship (CCE) announced the launch of SyncChicago, an initiative to grow Chicago’s commercial music licensing industry. Funded by...