Mayor Brandon Johnson and DCASE Announce Winners of the 2025 Chicago Made Music Showcase


Mayor Brandon Johnson and DCASE Announce Winners of the 2025 Chicago Made Music Showcase

Grand Prize Winner Won $10,000; Artists Selected for Major Performance Opportunities at Lollapalooza and Taste of Chicago

CHICAGO — Mayor Brandon Johnson and the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE), in collaboration with Next Showcase USA, are proud to announce the winners of the 2025 Chicago Made Music Showcase, held Saturday, Oct. 25, at the Chicago Cultural Center’s Claudia Cassidy Theater.

After an incredible night of performances from 14 of Chicago’s top emerging artists, Mara Love was named the $10,000 Grand Prize Winner, recognized for her powerful voice, storytelling, and commitment to representing Chicago’s vibrant music culture.

In addition to the grand prize, several artists were selected to perform next year for major performance opportunities through DCASE’s signature summer events:

Lollapalooza Stage Performance Winners:

Corr Kendricks

Free Joel Band

Taste of Chicago Main Stage Winners:

Kristen Lowe — also received an additional $2,500 award

D. Lyles

Adam Ness

Vicki Street

Bryce Melik — also awarded free studio recording time at Classick Studios, courtesy of judge Chris Classick, founder of the legendary Chicago recording studio.

These talented performers will bring their music to some of Chicago’s largest stages in 2026, representing the next wave of local talent for audiences across the city and beyond.

This year’s competition drew more than 150 auditions from across Chicago. From those, a panel of industry professionals selected semi-finalists to perform at the House of Blues before advancing 15 finalists to the showcase finale.

Chicago Made supports local creatives, entrepreneurs, and artisans who highlight Chicago’s role as both an artistic and economic hub. The program provides resources to help emerging artists grow professionally and gain access to high-profile cultural programming across the city — including performances at Lollapalooza, Taste of Chicago, and other DCASE festivals.

For more information on the Chicago Made program, visit ChicagoMade.us and follow @ChicagoDCASE on social media using the hashtag #ChicagoMade.

The City of Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE) supports artists and cultural organizations, invests in the creative economy, and expands access and participation in the arts throughout Chicago’s 77 neighborhoods. As a collaborative cultural presenter, arts funder, and advocate for creative workers, our programs and events serve Chicagoans and visitors of all ages and backgrounds, downtown and in diverse communities across our city — to strengthen and celebrate Chicago. DCASE produces some of the city’s most iconic festivals, markets, events, and exhibitions at the Chicago Cultural Center, Millennium Park, and in communities across the city — serving a local and global audience of 25 million people. The Department offers cultural grants and resources, manages public art, supports TV and film production and other creative industries, and permits special events throughout Chicago. For details, visit Chicago.gov/DCASE and stay connected via our newsletters and social media.


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