9/25/26 9/25/26

A Spellbinding Night at Outset with Chanel Beads

WLUW Radio 9/23/26 WLUW Radio 9/23/26

Ryan Beatty Brings a New Bravado to House of Blues

Ryan Beatty has never been a musician in a hurry. The California native cut his teeth as an unofficial member of Brockhampton, contributing to the hip-hop boyband's chaotic sprawl before his solo debut, Boy in Jeans, in 2018. It wasn't until Calico in 2023, though, that Beatty established himself as a master songsmith, known for razor-sharp lyricism and meticulously restrained arrangements. Soon after, Beyoncé tapped him to co-write four tracks on Cowboy Carter, a collaboration that earned him a Grammy. Now, off the back of his new LP, Sweet Fortune, Beatty trades some of Calico's austerity for lusher, more classically structured songs rooted in traditional folk storytelling, without losing the intensity that's become his signature.

WLUW Radio 9/23/26 WLUW Radio 9/23/26

Role Model Brings the State Fair to The Salt Shed Fairgrounds

Hailing from coastal Maine, Role Model embodies everything a fairgrounds headliner should be. On the first of two nights at The Salt Shed, the Chicago River drifted behind the stage as riverboats and even a wedding party occasionally passed by the packed outdoor venue. In front of it all stood Tucker Pillsbury with little more than his band and a synchronized row of glowing orange lights. Despite the simple stage production, there was never a dull moment. With country-tinged instrumentation and an effortless charm, Pillsbury made the Fairgrounds feel like a state fair on the last weekend of summer.

WLUW Radio 9/21/26 WLUW Radio 9/21/26

SUNDAY AT RIOT FEST: FROM JEJUNE’S LONG-AWAITED RETURN TO ALANIS MORISSETTE’S MUD-SOAKED SENDOFF

Mud. Rain. Delayed and cancelled sets. Still, the final day of Riot Fest brought the house down. Day three was a show of perseverance from fans and artists alike. Due to the weather, the grass in Douglass Park had all but disappeared; festival-goers trudged through deep, sticky mud to see their favorite artists in action. At the Rise Stage, Patti Smith proclaimed that she was a “bad weather girl”, and the rain could never stop her act. The fans didn’t stop supporting, either. Every set was packed, with some audience members braving the mud barefoot after losing shoes while walking between stages.

WLUW Radio 9/20/26 WLUW Radio 9/20/26

SATURDAY AT RIOT FEST: FROM THRICE’S HEALING RIFFS TO DESCENDENTS’ PUNK-ROCK RELEASE

The clouds were dark and ominous, but Day 2 of Riot Fest was the furthest thing from gloomy. The moment you walked through the gates, the magnificent sound of rock and roll filled your ears. Although the weather could have easily ruined the experience, the audience seemed louder and more exhilarated than ever.

WLUW Radio 9/19/26 WLUW Radio 9/19/26

Phoebe Bridgers Emerges From the Darkness at the United Center

Phoebe Bridgers likes to keep her fans in the dark. A long break in between albums, few and-far public appearances, and only the occasional instagram story–distance has become essential to how Bridgers exists as a modern artist. Unsurprisingly, her live show is no different. Yet this time, the darkness only brings her closer to her fans.

WLUW Radio 9/19/26 WLUW Radio 9/19/26

Friday at Riot Fest: From Slick Rick’s Old-School Swagger to Twenty One Pilots’ Explosive Finale

When you enter the gates of Riot Fest, you’re welcomed by blasting speakers and a lively, kind crowd that doesn’t stop rocking. As you walk toward your stage, people stop to compliment your Riot Fest fit, showing just how welcoming and supportive the crowd can be. One of my favorite aspects is the pop of colors throughout the park and the surrounding Douglas Park community, showcasing how beautiful the festival atmosphere is.

WLUW Radio 9/18/26 WLUW Radio 9/18/26

BOWLING FOR SOUP REVS UP FOR RIOT FEST: AN INTERVIEW WITH FRONTMAN Jaret Reddick

On Wednesday morning, WLUW’s Grace Venezia sat down with Jaret Reddick, Bowling for Soup’s frontman, in preparation for their upcoming performance at Riot Fest 2026. Hailing from Wichita Falls Texas in 1994, the group made a name for themselves in the Pop Punk scene with titles such as 1985, Girl all the Bad Guys Want, and for the younger crowd, the Phineas and Ferb Theme Song.