On April 8, we brought together Choose Chicago partners and industry leaders for our latest All for the Love of Chicago Roundtable, “Soundtrack of Our City,” hosted at Buddy Guy’s Legends.

The evening was a celebration of Chicago’s rich and ever-evolving music scene and a conversation about how we, collectively, can elevate and promote it to the world. From blues and jazz to house and beyond, Chicago’s sound is as dynamic as the city itself — and it continues to shape culture far beyond our borders.

Why we gathered

This roundtable was designed to bring together voices from across Chicago’s music ecosystem — artists, producers, venue leaders, and cultural advocates — to share insight, spark ideas, and strengthen our collective storytelling.

Our goals were simple but powerful:

  • Deepen our collective understanding of Chicago’s music landscape
  • Strengthen Chicago’s global reputation as a music destination
  • Equip our partners with new ways to talk about and promote our city

What we heard

The conversation was expertly moderated by Jill Hopkins, whose passion for Chicago music set the tone for an engaging and authentic discussion.

Sandra Antongiorgi shared how growing up in Chicago continues to shape her artistry today, with the sounds of the city woven into her work as a performer and a creative artist. She emphasized the depth of talent across Chicago — and the responsibility we all share to support, nurture, and amplify local artists.

DJ White Shadow, Grammy-winning producer and proud Chicagoan, spoke candidly about identity and pride. His message was clear: Chicago needs to own its greatness. He challenged attendees to move beyond “Chicago nice” and fully embrace the city’s cultural impact. He also underscored the enduring power of live music — noting that in a rapidly evolving digital landscape, audiences are craving real, in-person experiences more than ever.

Tony Karman, a longtime leader in Chicago’s cultural scene, highlighted the city’s authenticity as a defining strength. Chicago honors its musical legacy, but it is far from living in the past — there is an incredible amount of activity happening right now in the local scene. That balance of history and innovation is what makes the city stand out on a global stage.

The evening also featured a moving live performance from Sandra Antongiorgi, bringing the conversation to life in a powerful and personal way. Attendees also took part in a quick “hot mic” roundtable, sharing updates from their organizations and ensuring all attendees are informed about what is on the horizon across the city.

Where we go from here

A clear theme emerged throughout the evening: Chicago’s music scene is something to be proud of and something we all have a role in championing.

Panelists encouraged attendees to actively embrace and promote Chicago’s identity as a premier ¹music destination in their work, conversations, and storytelling. Whether highlighting neighborhood venues, emerging artists, or iconic institutions, every voice helps shape how the world sees our city.

As a continuation of that spirit, DJ White Shadow created a custom Chicago playlist inspired by the conversation — offering a curated way to experience the city’s sounds and share it with others.

Most importantly, the energy in the room made one thing clear: this conversation is just getting started.

A big thank you to Randy Hajduk, Carlise Guy, and Buddy Guy’s Legends for hosting this week’s roundtable and for all of their work elevating the music of Chicago.

We look forward to continuing the dialogue at upcoming roundtables:

  • Summer:Let’s Sleigh the Season — planning ahead to dominate the holiday season
  • Fall:South Side Field Trip — a South Side experience centered around the Obama Presidential Center
  • Winter:Set Jetting — exploring Chicago’s role in film and television

Chicago’s story is still being written — and its soundtrack is playing louder than ever.