Where Live Music Comes Into Focus

Riot Fest returned to Chicago’s Douglass Park September 18–20 for its 21st year, once again turning the West Side into a three-day celebration of punk rock, alternative music, metal, indie, hip-hop and everything in between. With headliners including Twenty One Pilots, Tool, Pierce the Veil and Alanis Morissette, alongside legends such as Iggy Pop, Patti Smith, Elvis Costello and the Sex Pistols, Riot Fest 2026 brought together generations of artists and fans for one of Chica

Some bands are meant to be experienced live, and Sweet Pill proved exactly why during their October 7 performance at Chicago's Thalia Hall. Armed with their signature blend of emo, alternative rock, and intricate guitar-driven melodies, the Philadelphia-based band delivered a performance defined by raw emotion and relentless energy. From the intensity of their instrumentation to the commanding presence of vocalist Zayna Youssef, Sweet Pill brought an urgency to the stage that

LØLØ brought her god forbid a girl goes on tour! run to Chicago’s Bottom Lounge on September 23, turning the intimate venue into a loud, chaotic and surprisingly heartfelt celebration of pop-punk. With Dawson Gamble and Caroline Romano opening the night, the energy was already building when LØLØ stepped onstage and launched into “the devil wears converse.” From the first song, LØLØ established the kind of connection that makes a smaller venue show special. “pretty little wrec