Britt Julious

Britt Julious is a freelance critic for the Chicago Tribune.

Zara Larsson performs at the Riviera Theatre in Chicago for her Midnight Sun Tour on March 15, 2026. (Nate Swanson/for the Chicago Tribune)

Review: Zara Larsson deserves to be a superstar at last

March 16, 2026 at 2:37 p.m.

The Swedish pop star has been waiting years for her breakout moment, and her tour behind "Midnight Sun" is finally it.

New Edition performs at the United Center in Chicago on Feb. 4, 2026. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune)

Review: New Edition shares the United Center stage with Boyz II Men and Toni Braxton in a gloriously traditional concert

February 5, 2026 at 2:00 p.m.

At one point, Boyz II Men threw roses to the audience as they sang “I’ll Make Love to You." I almost caught one, but a woman elbowed me for it....

Perfume Genius performs at Lincoln Hall on Jan. 22, 2026 in Chicago. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune)

Review: Perfume Genius at Lincoln Hall was a night of deep tracks and hushed intimacy

January 23, 2026 at 12:42 p.m.

We usually have no clue how the songs we love grew from point A to point B. But Perfume Genius's show felt like a trip back in time to when...

The Rebirth Brass Band performs during Chicago Jazz Festival at Pritzker Pavilion in Millennium Park on Sept. 3, 2017. (Nuccio DiNuzzo/Chicago Tribune)

5 concerts across 5 genres for your MLK weekend

January 14, 2026 at 5:00 a.m.

From Rebirth Brass Band at Thalia Hall to Chicago Sinfonietta's annual tribute concert, our music picks for Martin Luther King Jr. Day weekend.

Brother Davaughn Nicholas and Myron Nicholas of Rich Off Creative Minds at Chicago's Union Station. (Andrii Ivanchenko)

Music-making brothers want their art to be a business venture, calling it Rich Off Creative Minds

December 26, 2025 at 5:45 a.m.

Myron and Davaughn Nicholas have built their own online platform for their music and artistic pursuits. Hustle, they say, is part of the hip hop tradition.

"A Christmas Record" (ZE Records, clockwise from top left); "A Very Special Christmas 2" (A&M Records); "Best of Motown Christmas" (20th Century Masters); Robert Glasper's "In December" (Loma Vista Recordings); "Merry Christmas from José James" (Rainbow Blonde Records); "Christmas Jollies" by Salsoul Orchestra (Salsoul Records).

A music critic’s favorite Christmas albums

December 23, 2025 at 5:00 a.m.

As both a music critic and a seasonal fanatic who writes my own Christmas-themed newsletter, here are a half dozen essentials.

Musician and librarian Roy Kinsey at the Chicago Cultural Center, Dec. 9, 2025, in Chicago. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune)

Chicagoan of the Year for Pop Music: Rapper Roy Kinsey is founder of the Rapbrary

December 18, 2025 at 3:50 p.m.

This year, the Chicago rapper turned 40, released a new album and expanded a library he founded to establish hip hop as a cultural force.

Composer, conductor and producer Steve Hackman is presenting “Beethoven X Beyoncé" with the Chicago Philharmonic and guest musicians at the Harris Theater. (James Mountford)

Mashing up classical and pop with ‘Beethoven X Beyoncé’ at Harris Theater

November 17, 2025 at 5:00 a.m.

Composer and conductor Steve Hackman from Chicago hopes to break down barriers between the classical and pop music worlds. It hasn't been easy.

Bassist Laura Lee Ochoa of Khruangbin performs at the Metro in Chicago on Nov. 13, 2025. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune)

Review: Khruangbin celebrates ‘Universe Smiles Upon You’ at Metro

November 14, 2025 at 10:33 a.m.

The beloved psych-rock band has been on the road celebrating 10 years since the release of its debut album.

Doechii performs at the Aragon Ballroom in Chicago on Oct. 14, 2025. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune)

Review: The fearless, flawless Doechii has outgrown the Aragon Ballroom

October 15, 2025 at 11:20 a.m.

Doechii's "Live From the Swamp Tour" is a theatrical extravaganza that allows her to be the full showwoman she is.

All Stories