Leor Galil

Discord ripples through American Football (LP 4) like the rumbling of distant thunder.

In late July, musician and poet Cole “Johnson Rockstar” Hunt, cofounder of the band TV Buddha, hosted the first Nitro-a-Go-Go.

Plus: First Presbyterian hosts an anti-ICE hardcore blowout, No I.D. headlines a spectacular night at the Ramova Loft, and more.

In May, Chicago rapper Kayo released Diamond Hands via his label and streetwear company, Southside Blue Hearts, and throughout the album he approaches the mike with a keen sensitivity.

Few local events devoted to electronic music can match ARC Music Festival, launched in 2021 in Union Park by Auris Presents, itself founded in 2020.

The homegrown drill artist supports his latest release with a headlining performance at Ramova Theatre.

Plus: Squirrel Flower and Brinstarr play free record-release shows the same night, and Music Direct hosts a giant CD sale.

Manasseh's new album, plus fresh music from Thirteendegrees°, Kino Disk, and Plum, release parties for Iris Temple and the Feeders, and more

Chicago's constantly evolving and hard-to-pin-down DIY scenes suffered during COVID lockdowns, just like live music more broadly, but they've bounced back thanks in part to the efforts of musicians such as

West-side native Marvin Tate has been part of Chicago's music scene for more than 30 years.