-
1 week ago | 
wbez.org | Morgan Ciocca |Nudia Hernandez
Ric Wilson believes America needs disco. And he wants to deliver. So he’s organizing his second America Runs on Disco Dance Party on Thursday with live music, DJ sets and lots of dancing. Wilson kicked off the series on New Year’s Eve at Lincoln Hall, following it up with the second dance party this week at the Empty Bottle. The party celebrates both Juneteenth and the release of Wilson’s new EP — out Friday — after which his signature disco-funk style party is named.
-
1 week ago | 
chicago.suntimes.com | Morgan Ciocca |Nudia Hernandez
Chicago musician Clairice is in a new era of artistic expression. The artist, whose given name is Emily Clairice Woods, released her new EP Patient on Me in May before preparing for a busy summer: She’ll debut the songs onstage at Sleeping Village on June 21, and at Lollapalooza on July 31. Patient on Me lays bare Woods’ process of grieving a past relationship and moving forward with a grounded sense of hope.
-
1 week ago | 
wbez.org | Morgan Ciocca |Nudia Hernandez
Chicago musician Clairice is in a new era of artistic expression. The artist, whose given name is Emily Clairice Woods, released her new EP Patient on Me in May before preparing for a busy summer: She’ll debut the songs onstage at Sleeping Village on June 21, and at Lollapalooza on July 31. Patient on Me lays bare Woods’ process of grieving a past relationship and moving forward with a grounded sense of hope.
-
3 weeks ago | 
wbez.org | Morgan Ciocca |Nudia Hernandez
Chicago-based rapper McKinley Dixon takes a step away from his personal life on his fifth studio album Magic, Alive!, which debuts today. After getting vulnerable on past releases, Dixon opted to write a storybook via raps and live instrumentals. The result is a jazzy, whimsical journey that quickly glides over its 11 tracks, guided by Dixon’s commanding vocals and punctuated by trumpets and drums. Magic, Alive! follows a trio of kids who lose their best friend.
-
1 month ago | 
wbez.org | Nudia Hernandez |Morgan Ciocca
Taylor Bennett’s new single “Get Loose” is a juke anthem with a goal of getting people up and dancing. Literally dancing: The independent rapper and owner of Tay Bennett Entertainment encourages his fans to record videos of themselves moving to the track, and he shares them. Bennett, the manager and younger brother of Chance the Rapper, is a big proponent of Chicago music and culture.
-
2 months ago | 
wbez.org | Morgan Ciocca |Nudia Hernandez
Chicago artist Dreamer Isioma has a penchant for cosmic themes. The Nigerian American musician, who uses they/he pronouns, often performs with a band called The Celestials and named their third solo album StarX Lover. The project, in the works for three years, finds Isioma in a brand new universe.
-
Mar 18, 2025 | 
chicago.suntimes.com | Miriam Di Nunzio |Morgan Ciocca |Sofie Hernandez-Simeonidis
Sabrina Carpenter, Olivia Rodrigo, Tyler, The Creator, Doechii and TWICE are among the artists set for Lollapalooza 2025, it was revealed Tuesday morning. They’ll be joined by Korn, RÜFÜS DU SOL, Luke Combs, A$AP Rocky and many more when the festival returns July 31-Aug. 3 at Grant Park. Four-day, lowest-price tickets will be available for one hour only starting at 10 a.m. March 20, and fans will need to pre-register for the offer at lollapalooza.com.
-
Mar 18, 2025 | 
wbez.org | Morgan Ciocca |Nudia Hernandez
Bookclub co-founders Cam Stacey and K.O. Weakley didn’t plan on opening a venue. But a last-minute show cancellation made them realize the lack of easy access to small venues for local bands. “Our leap of faith was a tremendous one,” said Stacey, who with Weakley and co-owners Maren Rosenberg, Nick Heineman and Rupert Murray debuted Bookclub earlier this year in a Lake View space formerly belonging to Elbo Room. The new venue is a leap of legitimacy for a formerly underground operation.
-
Feb 20, 2025 | 
wbez.org | Morgan Ciocca |Nudia Hernandez
Los Angeles-based producer Brian “Killah B” Bates didn’t know his song, “Texas Hold ‘Em,” would be the breakout hit from Beyoncé’s Grammy-winning country album Cowboy Carter. He was just honored to be included on the project, and he says he’s still processing it all. Before becoming a beatmaker-turned-producer, Bates and his brother lived with their grandparents in Chicago’s Morgan Park neighborhood. He grew up in drum and piano lessons, receiving classical training from the ages of 6 to 14.
-
Feb 5, 2025 | 
wbez.org | Stefano Esposito |Mike Davis |Morgan Ciocca |Courtney Kueppers
Erin Harkey, who helped guide the city’s post-pandemic cultural reopening, has been picked to lead one of the nation’s leading arts advocacy nonprofits. Harkey is set to become CEO of Americans for the Arts at the end of March, the Washington, D.C.-based agency announced Wednesday. “Along with the AFTA board of directors, I am thrilled that Erin has accepted the role as our new CEO in the next stage of our journey,” Edgar Smith, chairman of the AFTA’s board, said in a written statement.
