Veteran DJ Vince Adams and nonagenarian bluesman Jimmy Johnson both took to livestreaming during the pandemic.
Category: Music & Nightlife
Chicago’s Latinx musicians rolled with the pandemic’s punches
New projects kept coming from A Flor de Piel, the Los Sundowns, Lester Rey, Gabacho, ÉSSO, and others.
The pandemic pushed indoor music into the parks
Saxophonist Dave Rempis and drummer Tyler Damon played regular concerts in Margate Park this past summer and fall.
WGCI helped define 2020 with two big shows—one that happened and one that didn’t
Between the All-Star Weekend’s Big Jam and the Summer Jam, the pandemic arrived to shut down arena concerts.
Chicago indie musicians rally for jail support with the Warm Violet compilation
Warm Violet has raised more than $10,000 so far, mostly from Chicagoans, which speaks to grassroots support for its cause and for local music.
Rapper Ric Wilson pours generations of activism into “Fight Like Ida B and Marsha P”
Ric Wilson’s single arrived in the midst of this summer’s protests but carried the knowledge of uncounted protests that came before.
Born Yesterday Records had a better 2020 than you
Chicago underground rock stayed great through a terrible year, and Born Yesterday released some of the best.
Best bar
The Whistler Runner-Up Sleeping Village Finalists: Chicago Magic Lounge, Gman Tavern
Best music podcast
What About Chicago? Runner-Up Car con Carne Finalist: AudPod
Best karaoke
Alice’s Runner-Up Lincoln Karaoke Finalists: Hidden Cove, Edelweiss Tavern
Best local label
Red Scare Industries Runner-Up Sooper Records Finalists: International Anthem, Hausu Mountain
Best recording studio
Uptown Recording Runner-Up Electrical Audio Finalists: Soundscape Studios, Jamdek
Best party promoter
Party Noire Runner-Up Small World Collective Finalist: Kristen Kaza
Best suburban bar/music venue
SPACE Runner-Up Fitzgerald’s Finalists: Brauer House, Wire