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Discoveries of 2022 // The Playlist

Fresh from 2022

Discoveries of 2021: The Playlist

Discoveries from 2021: Some of our favorite releases from the year

Fresh from 2021

Discoveries of 2020: The Playlist

Playlist: Chicago Sound Check 2020.v7

Playlist: Chicago Sound Check 2020.v6

Playlist: Chicago Sound Check 2020.v5

Playlist: Chicago Sound Check 2020.v4

  • Columns
  • Concerts

Sound check: Magic City Hippies back in Chicago; Hey Nonny’s Blues Week

By Brian Shamie 2 days ago
  • Features
  • Music

Upcoming documentary captures the persevering spirit of Libertyville’s Ike Reilly

By Brian Shamie 3 days ago
  • Concerts

Miranda Lambert, Chainsmokers to headline July NASCAR weekend in Chicago

By Brian Shamie 4 days ago
  • Concerts
  • Features
  • Music

‘It was like survival’: Mike Vinopal discusses Local Motive’s new album and his ties between music, mental health

By Brian Shamie 2 weeks ago
  • Features

Northbrook native JORDY earns a GLAAD nomination

By Brian Shamie 2 weeks ago
  • Columns
  • Concerts

Sound check: Glory Days headlines Rockin’ Robin memorial show; Tomorrow Never Knows; Scotch the Filmmaker and more

By Brian Shamie 2 weeks ago

Recent features

An in-depth look at the bands, the music and the events you need to know

  • Features
  • Music

Upcoming documentary captures the persevering spirit of Libertyville’s Ike Reilly

By Brian Shamie 3 days ago
  • Concerts
  • Features
  • Music

‘It was like survival’: Mike Vinopal discusses Local Motive’s new album and his ties between music, mental health

By Brian Shamie 2 weeks ago
  • Features

Northbrook native JORDY earns a GLAAD nomination

By Brian Shamie 2 weeks ago
  • Columns
  • Features

Cheers to good tunes: A look at some 2022 Chicago, suburban discoveries fans should keep an eye on in the new year

By Brian Shamie 1 month ago
  • Concerts
  • Features

Marie Osmond bringing holiday cheer to Genesee Theatre

By Kevin Schmit 2 months ago
  • Features
  • Music

Midcentury Llama feels grateful to release a new single ‘November’ in time for Thanksgiving

By Dave Oberhelman 2 months ago

In pictures

Bands on stage

  • Features
  • Galleries

Bitter Jester wraps up its 16th season with tribute to Highland Park community

By Brian Shamie 5 months ago
  • Galleries

Gallery: Open mic night at Pollyanna Brewing – 8/25/22

By Brian Shamie 5 months ago
  • Galleries

Gallery: Glory Days — Sideouts 8/6/22

By Brian Shamie 6 months ago
  • Galleries

Gallery: Three Oh Go — Sideouts 8/6/22

By Brian Shamie 6 months ago
  • Concerts
  • Galleries

Concerts in the park: The Student Body and the summer lineup for Northbrook, Glenview and Deerfield

By Brian Shamie 7 months ago
  • Galleries

Gallery: Careless Sanctions at The WC Social Club 5/17/22

By Denis Cheng 8 months ago

Listen up

Local music on Spotify

  • Music
  • Playlists

Discoveries of 2022 // The Playlist

By Brian Shamie 3 weeks ago
  • Music
  • Playlists

Fresh from 2022

By Sound Check 12 months ago
  • Music
  • Playlists

Discoveries of 2021: The Playlist

By Sound Check 1 year ago
  • Features
  • Music
  • Playlists

Discoveries from 2021: Some of our favorite releases from the year

By Brian Shamie 1 year ago
  • Music
  • Playlists

Fresh from 2021

By Sound Check 2 years ago
  • Music
  • Playlists

Discoveries of 2020: The Playlist

By Sound Check 2 years ago
  • Music
  • Playlists

Playlist: Chicago Sound Check 2020.v7

By Sound Check 2 years ago
  • Music
  • Playlists

Playlist: Chicago Sound Check 2020.v6

By Sound Check 2 years ago
  • Music
  • Playlists

Playlist: Chicago Sound Check 2020.v5

By Sound Check 3 years ago
  • Music
  • Playlists

Playlist: Chicago Sound Check 2020.v4

By Brian Shamie 3 years ago
  • Music
  • Playlists

Playlist: Chicago Sound Check 2020.v3

By Brian Shamie 3 years ago
  • Music
  • Playlists

Playlist: Chicago Sound Check 2020.v2

By Brian Shamie 3 years ago
  • Playlists

Playlist: Chicago Sound Check 2020.v1

By Brian Shamie 3 years ago
  • Music
  • Playlists

Sound Check: Surprises of 2019

By Brian Shamie 3 years ago
  • Music
  • Playlists

AUX Favorites of 2019

By Andy King 3 years ago
  • Music
  • Playlists

Holiday Sound Check 2019

By Brian Shamie 3 years ago
  • Playlists

North Coasting 2019

By Neal Zeleznak 3 years ago
  • Music
  • Playlists

Chicago Sound Check 2019v6: Trickshooter Social Club

By Brian Shamie 4 years ago
  • Playlists

The Sounds of Homegrown 7

By Sound Check 4 years ago
  • Music
  • Playlists

Chicago Sound Check 2019v5: The Darling Suns

By Brian Shamie 4 years ago

Now hear this

Recent releases from the Chicago scene

Fresh tracks

New local singles, albums & videos

  • Features
  • Music

Upcoming documentary captures the persevering spirit of Libertyville’s Ike Reilly

By Brian Shamie 3 days ago
  • Concerts
  • Features
  • Music

‘It was like survival’: Mike Vinopal discusses Local Motive’s new album and his ties between music, mental health

By Brian Shamie 2 weeks ago
  • Music
  • Playlists

Discoveries of 2022 // The Playlist

By Brian Shamie 3 weeks ago

Concert highlights

What's going on this week

  • Columns
  • Concerts

Sound check: Magic City Hippies back in Chicago; Hey Nonny’s Blues Week

By Brian Shamie 2 days ago
  • Concerts

Miranda Lambert, Chainsmokers to headline July NASCAR weekend in Chicago

By Brian Shamie 4 days ago

About Sound Check

The who, what, when and where of the Chicago and suburban music scene. Chicago Sound Check is a collaborative look by Daily Herald local music writer Brian Shamie and concert photographers Neal Zeleznak and Denis Cheng into the world of up-and-coming musicians working hard to express themselves, entertain others and make their mark.

Find us

Sound Check
c/o Daily Herald
P.O. Box 280
Arlington Heights, IL 60006

Reach us:
soundcheck@dailyherald.com

Still haven’t found what you’re looking for?

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