The University of Chicago’s Independent Student Newspaper since 1892

Chicago Maroon
The University of Chicago’s Independent Student Newspaper since 1892

Chicago Maroon
The University of Chicago’s Independent Student Newspaper since 1892

Chicago Maroon
Even in the enormous crowd for Gracie Abrams, it still felt like she was singing just to you. Courtesy of Charles Reagan.

What’s in a Festival Performance? Four Headliners at Lollapalooza Make It Look Easy

By Nolan Shaffer / August 21, 2025
Head Arts Editor Nolan Shaffer analyzes what made the biggest names of Lollapalooza so special.
Jade Chinese Music Ensemble members take a final bow after their Spring Concert of "Music in Popular Chinese Culture." Courtesy of Emma Edwards.

Jade Chinese Music Ensemble Blends East and West

By Jessalin Nguyen / June 20, 2025
On a rainy Sunday afternoon, the ensemble performed a dozen arrangements, taking listeners through centuries of musical history.
In her first night at the Salt Shed, Michelle Zauner cultivated a dreamy aura with a graceful stage presence and an unabashed flair.

Japanese Breakfast Brings a Bittersweet Taste to the Salt Shed

By Nolan Shaffer and Ciara Balanzá / June 16, 2025
At the For Melancholy Brunettes (& Sad Women) tour, Michelle Zauner refreshingly evoked the album’s dreaminess and titular emotion.
Tyler Hyde, de facto lead vocalist of Black Country, New Road, exemplifies their new sound with her bow poised over the bass strings and her pick hanging out of her mouth.

Black Country, New Road is Back with a New Sound

By Josie Barboriak and Sofia Hrycyszyn / June 8, 2025
Folksy and upbeat, with colorful strings reminiscent of its cover art of a sun in sunglasses, Black Country, New Road’s Forever Howlong is the album of the summer.
Last Dinosaurs perform at Thalia Hall in Chicago. Courtesy of Emily Zhang.

Last Dinosaurs Light Up Chicago with KYORYU

By Emily Zhang / May 13, 2025
The band’s new era is a love letter to their past, present, and future.
Left to right: Grant Mullen, Henry LaVallee, and Gianni Aiello.

The Dive Bar of Eternal Youth: Naked Giants at the Empty Bottle

By Shawn Quek / April 13, 2025
Associate Arts Editor Shawn Quek reviews Naked Giants, a trio that delivered a charming, genre-defying combination of angsty energy and mature clarity at the Empty Bottle.
FINNEAS stuns the crowd.

A Paradox of Performance

By Shawn Quek / March 4, 2025
Associate Arts Editor Shawn Quek explores how alternative pop icon FINNEAS brings whispered confessions to a roaring crowd.
Dawson Daugherty, almost monday’s frontman, woos the crowd.

Aesthetics of a Sunburnt Sound

By Shawn Quek / February 16, 2025
Associate Arts Editor Shawn Quek writes about how alt-pop band almost monday brings Californian sunshine to the Chicago winter.
Laufey dazzled at her Chicago concert with starlight visuals.

Laufey’s Musical Journey Continues at Thalia Hall

By Belle Nahoom / January 11, 2024
A year after reviewing Laufey’s performance at Lincoln Hall, arts reporter Belle Nahoom is back with coverage of Laufey’s bigger, bolder performance at Thalia Hall.
Faye Webster loses herself in the music.

Mythical Magical Faye Webster

By Sofia Hrycyszyn / November 19, 2023
Senior Arts Reporter Sofia Hrycyszyn covers Faye Webster’s takeover of the Riviera.
Last Dinosaurs perform, guitars blazing, at Chicago’s House of Blues.

Stars Collide at Tourzilla with Last Dinosaurs and Vacations

By Emily Zhang / November 3, 2023
Arts reporter Emily Zhang covers the Last Dinosaurs concert with Vacations at Chicago's House of Blues.
SZA sits at the edge of a suspended platform at her United Center performance.

SZA in the Sea

By Lainey Gregory and Sofia Hrycyszyn / November 1, 2023
Your favorite Arts Reporter duo, Lainey and Sofia, cover SZA’s underwater adventure at United Center.
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