A version of this article was originally published in the 2024 Chicago Visitors Guide. Wayne Baker Brooks knows a thing or two about the blues — and Chicago. The famed blues-rock guitarist has graced the stages of the city’s most iconic blues venues during his more than 30-year career. Wayne grew up in the city’s south side, living in Bronzeville, Englewood, and other neighborhoods. His father Lonnie Brooks was a Chicago blues master, and Wayne grew up with a front row seat to an iconic era in Chicago-style blues and watched his father play alongside talents like Koko Taylor, Willie Dixon, Mu ..read more

With over 250 live music venues, Chicago is a coveted destination for touring musicians. On any given night, up-and-coming talent and world-renowned artists of genres spanning blues, rock, hip hop, R&B, metal, indie, pop, and jazz take to stages across the city. The 2023 Chicago concert lineup has something for all spectrums of musical tastes at a diverse array of venues, from iconic music halls to under-the-radar neighborhood stages. Here’s a list of just a few of the can’t-miss Chicago concerts happening this year.  Concerts at House of Blues Chicago’s famous House of Blues i ..read more

There are few places that are more of a cultural crossroads than Chicago. Smack dab in the middle of the nation, the city has long been a melting pot of artistic styles, genres, and ideas. And the city’s music scene is a perfect example of that diversity. To kick the reinvigoration of Chicago’s live music into gear, the city has extended the Year of Chicago Music throughout 2021. In addition to providing grants and direct investments into local communities, the Year of Chicago Music is highlighting the city’s unique history as an incubator of boundary-pushing expression.  This is culmin ..read more

Make plans to experience Chicago In Tune, a new citywide festival held Aug. 19 – Sept. 19 that celebrates music in the key of Chicago during the 2021 Year of Chicago Music. This exciting month of music will bring iconic neighborhood venues and musicians from across the city together to showcase all music genres and forms, with free and ticketed events at clubs, concert halls, and more. Chicago In Tune also includes several major music events. The Lyrical Lemonade Summer Smash in Douglass Park, held Aug. 20 – 22, features hot hip-hop headliners that include A$AP Rocky and Lil Baby. Ruido ..read more

Looking to get your live event fix? Chicago concerts and comedy are making a comeback. Many of the city’s most famed venues are opening back up, offering performances from the city’s best and brightest performers alongside national and touring acts. The city has fully reopened without mandatory capacity limits, though some venues may have social distancing, masking, or vaccination requirements. Check with individual venues before heading out. Check out where to catch live music, comedy, drag shows, and more in Chicago right now. Live music in Chicago The Bassment: Enter through a hidden door ..read more

One of the Chicago’s most colorful and culturally rich neighborhoods, Pilsen is known for its arts community, dining scene, and nightlife. The area’s first inhabitants were immigrants from Germany and the Czech Republic in the 1800s, but today’s neighborhood has been shaped by generations of Mexican-American families that have called Pilsen home since the early 1900’s. Here are some spots not to miss during a day exploring Chicago’s Pilsen neighborhood. Coffee, breakfast, and brunch Pilsen is home to a bunch of great coffee shops, but Cafe Jumping Bean stands out as a neighborhood favorite. T ..read more

Chicago is a city with music in its DNA. We’re home to our own one-of-a-kind Chicago style sound, a sound that fills our neighborhood clubs, summer festivals, and iconic music venues. And you can experience that sound for yourself, without having to leave your home. These online shows will give you a feel for the Chicago music scene past and present. Check out the latest local musicians live streaming concerts or go back in time with archival footage of legendary Chicago shows and festivals. Explore online concerts and live streams to get your Chicago music fix from anywhere in the world ..read more

Aug. 19 – Sept. 19, 2021 Citywide Celebrate the Year of Chicago Music (and the return of festival season) with the new Chicago In Tune music festival. The citywide fest, featuring with four weeks of live local music, will take place at clubs, concert halls, parks, and beyond across the city this summer. The Chicago In Tune lineup will feature some of Chicago’s most talented bands and musicians, performing in every corner of the city from Aug. 19 – Sept. 19. The month-long festival will include free and ticketed events that span genres. Stay tuned for detailed announcements on performers and l ..read more

Chicago is a music city, where major acts fill stadiums and concert halls, raising the excitement of roaring crowds to fever pitch. But Chicago is also a city that prides itself on its hospitality and welcoming atmosphere, despite its big city stature. Which is why you pretty much have your pick when it comes to cozy spots that “feel just like home” and also boast outstanding live music line-ups. Whether you’re craving blues, jazz, punk, or Rat Pack-style crooning, here are eight intimate venues to make a B-line for. 1. The Whistler: Logan Square ©The Whistler You’ve got to love The Whistler ..read more