Thousands filled Millennium Park for a day of standout performances that concluded with Marquise Knox, C.J. Chenier, Elvin Bishop & Charlie Musselwhite, and an all-star Alligator Records revue.
Author: Robin Zimmerman
Robin Zimmerman
Robin Zimmerman is a Chicago-based writer who covers live music for American Blues Scene. She brings thoughtful context and careful attention to detail to each performance she documents. She is usually collaborating with ABS photographer Michael Lepek, forming a strong team that captures both the sound and spirit of Chicago’s live music scene.
Tommy Castro, Ally Venable, Eric Gales, and Trombone Shorty headlined a festival that celebrated both Aurora’s blues past and its vibrant present.
A kickoff at Ramova Theatre launched the 2026 Chicago Blues Festival, highlighted by John Primer’s Tribute to Theresa’s Lounge and a strong thread of blues history.
The Juke Joint Festival remains one of the blues world’s great annual gatherings, bringing together legendary performers, emerging artists, and devoted fans in the place where many of their stories intersect.
A packed Arcada Theatre welcomes Billy F. Gibbons and the BFGs for a night of ZZ Top favorites, blues covers, and Texas-sized stage presence.
Samantha Fish led Cedric Burnside and Jon Spencer through a shape-shifting night of Delta grooves, punk-blues swagger, and collaborative fireworks at Chicago’s House of Blues.
Stormy night? No problem. Reverend Peyton & his Big Damn Band fired up Garcia’s with hot riffs, fierce washboard, and one big damn blues sound.
Through headstones and family connections, Steve Salter’s Killer Blues Headstone Project preserves the legacies of dearly departed blues musicians.
Christone “Kingfish” Ingram brought his ‘Hard Road’ Tour to Chicago’s Park West with opener Buffalo Nichols. He introduced tracks from his new album and performed fan favorites like “662” and “Outside of This Town” while moving through the audience and passing out guitar picks.
Ringo Starr and his All-Star Band brought a night of peace, love, and classic hits to the sold-out Chicago Theatre, with fans singing along to every song while multi-generational musicians like Steve Lukather, Hamish Stuart, and Colin Hay shined alongside the legendary drummer and singer.