wLUW BUZZ
Behind the Sea of Phones, Olivia Rodrigo Is a Rock Star
Olivia Rodrigo's fans are growing up with her, though some have quite a bit of catching up to do. For many of the kids that filled Chicago's United Center, proving attendance on their Snapchat stories was maybe more important than hearing the music live. Yet behind the sea of phones pointed in her direction, Rodrigo stood a remarkably singular artist, delivering a rock show thats musical sophistication might get overlooked with her towering youthful fandom.
Who’s Spinning on WLUW: DJ Spotlight
A Dreamy October Evening with Love Spells
Trophy Wife Sets the “Golden Standard” at Subterranean
Chicago's Underground Scene Is In Good Hands: Dirt Buyer at The Subterranean
88.7 Station Spins: September 2026
Cain & Stables: Cain Culto Reimagines Americana at Sleeping Village
Christian imagery and themes of Americana have long carried meanings that shift depending on who is invoking them. At a time when those symbols remain deeply entangled with American identity and politics, fresh and transgressive interpretations of familiar religious imagery can offer a different way of understanding traditions many grew up with while staring up at crosses and spotlights. Enter Cain Culto, a Kentucky-raised, LA-based ex-evangelical pastor who artfully blends EDM, bluegrass, folk and Latin hip-hop to create a mix of deeply personal ballads and playful club bangers.
Transitioning into the New Season with Nick Hakim at Lincoln Hall
D.C.-born and Brooklyn-based musician Nick Hakim graced Chicago this past Friday with a transcendent performance at Lincoln Hall. In celebration of his fourth studio album, I Can See, released in late July, Hakim has set out on a three-month North American and UK tour, with Chicago among the earlier stops.
Thee Sacred Souls Shine Under a Full Moon
Thee Sacred Souls Shine Under a Full Moon: LA LOM and the Womack Sisters Join a Soulful Night at the Salt Shed
Ear Shakes Up The Epiphany Center
A Spellbinding Night at Outset with Chanel Beads
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Who To See At Riot Fest 2026
