Tuning Into Chicago’s Music Scene at BookClub Chicago
Chicago’s Rich Music Scene
There is no doubt that the music scene in Chicago is unlike any other in the country. Music has always been deeply-rooted into this city’s history through the ways in which it nourished creativity, built communities, and brought people together. Even outside of the many music venues scattered throughout Chicago, you can find music in every corner of this city with street performers sharing their talents all over. As a music lover myself, I can say wholeheartedly that some of my best memories in Chicago were spent dancing the night away or singing my heart out to my favorite songs at venues like Radius, Salt Shed, House of Blues, and more, but it wasn’t until recently that I started pushing myself to take full advantage of the rich music community that exists here.
During my 2025 Spring Quarter, I took CMNS/MPOP 353: Music Industries and Culture with Dr. Daniel Makagon, a course dedicated to taking a deep dive into the U.S. music industry, shifts within its culture, and how those shifts are affecting modern-day music. Throughout the course, my class and I got to be in the presence of many great guest speakers who have impressive and vital backgrounds in the music industry, but there was one line from guest speaker Dan Apodaca, the Senior Talent Buyer for Lincoln Hall and Schuba’s Tavern, that sparked a new perspective in the way I viewed Chicago’s local music scene. Both Lincoln Hall and Schuba’s Tavern are venues that are known for housing artists that are on the rise, which results in small, intimate shows that are more affordable to attend in comparison to grand stadiums. Many of the artists booked by these venues have later grown to become some of the biggest names in music, like Billie Eilish and Noah Kahan who have both played at Lincoln Hall and Schuba’s early on in their careers. As a way to invite the class to indulge in more music from budding artists, he shared his belief that Lincoln Hall and Schuba’s “may not book the biggest artists, but they book your next favorite artist,” and that’s what makes a visit to these venues so special: the ability to witness the beginning of greatness.
Finding “My Next Favorite Artist” At Local Venues
Live music has grown to become a luxury, something that requires you to spend an outrageous amount of money in order to see artists in person, yet it remains an important and vital part of music culture as it is the best way for an artist to truly connect with their audience and vice versa. Nothing can compare to the feeling of sharing a space with an artist, whether it’s a stadium as large as Soldier Field, or a local venue that provides intimacy the way Lincoln Hall does. Although I am always on the radar for new tours by my favorite musicians and singers, in an attempt to take advantage of the vibrancy of Chicago’s music scene, I have taken it upon myself to try exploring music from local, up-and-coming artists to see if through these experiences I can find “my next favorite artist.”
This past weekend, I visited a nearby music venue that has grown to be one of my favorite music spots in Lincoln Park. Bookclub Chicago was introduced to me by some of my musician friends who had invited me to come see an upcoming show of theirs at the venue. From bedroom indie, alternative rock, Chicago house, live karaoke, and even comedy, Bookclub has prided itself to be a space for artists, creatives, music connoisseurs, and all to come together and share moments together through music. After getting to witness my first Bookclub show and experiencing the amazing energy that quickly fills up the space at the start of a show, I’ve found myself at Bookclub more and more. My friends and I have also attended a few of their Open Mic Tuesdays and find a lot of fun in listening to all of the passionate performers who courageously decided to share their craft with a room of strangers.
Having the opportunity to attend a concert for one of my most favorite artists is always an experience worth having, but there is truly something very special in witnessing the passion of an aspiring artist and getting to be a part of their journey of chasing their dreams. The sense of community is always radiant at Bookclub and I’m sure it’s the same at other venues around the city. For anyone who is a die-hard music fan, please don’t shy from experiencing something new. Luckily, BookClub is only a 15 minute walk from DePaul’s Lincoln Park campus, making it a super accessible and affordable way to enjoy local music.