Mayor Brandon Johnson and DCASE Announce the 2025 Chicago Made Music Showcase Finalists — Grand Prize Winner Receives $10,000

Fifteen Finalists to Perform in Hopes of Being Selected by Panel of Music Industry Executives in Showcase of Chicago Talent at Chicago Cultural Center

CHICAGO - Mayor Brandon Johnson and the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE), in collaboration with Next Showcase USA, announce the 12 finalists selected to perform in the 2025 Chicago Made Music Showcase Finale.

The finalists will perform before a live audience and panel of industry professionals for a chance to win career development consultations, performance opportunities or a $10,000 grand prize on Saturday, Oct. 25, at 7 p.m. in the Chicago Cultural Center's Claudia Cassidy Theater (78 E. Washington St.).

This year, 150 musicians from across Chicago auditioned for the showcase. From those auditions, semi-finalists performed at the House of Blues on October 7. A panel of industry professionals then selected the 15 finalists advancing to the finale.

2025 Chicago Made Music Showcase Finalists

• Adam Ness
• Andie & The Bandits
• Bryce Melik
• B.J. Fisher
• Celeste Iris
• Corr Kendricks
• Denton Arnell
• D.Lylez
• Free Joel
• Kristen Lowe
• Liam Taylor
• Mara Love
• Mike DFG
• Soul Tribe
• Vicki Street

In 2024, more than 150 musicians from across Chicagoland auditioned for the Chicago Made Music Showcase, with 20 semi-finalists performing at the House of Blues. M.E.H. won the $10,000 grand prize, later expanding her career to national performances while continuing her musical work in Chicago. Other finalists also gained major opportunities such as Clarice and Mike Lawry Baby who performed at Lollapalooza, and Da Legend, King Limitless, Songbird, Zia Jenaye and Soh Darling, who was booked to perform at the 2025 Taste of Chicago in Grant Park.

Chicago Made supports local creatives, entrepreneurs and artisans who underscore Chicago as an artistic and economic hub. Chicago's TV and film, music and other creative industries jumpstart neighborhood growth, drive cultural identities and lead ingenuity that is felt worldwide. The Chicago Made program supports Chicago's emerging talent by providing necessary resources to launch and sustain professional growth. through access to some of the city's most prominent festivals, events and cultural programming.

The event is free and open to the public. Seating is first-come, first-served. To learn more about Chicago Made Showcase, visit ChicagoMade.us and follow @ChicagoDCASE on social media to join the conversation using #ChicagoMade.

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Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events
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.

Next Showcase USA is a nonprofit Chicago organization that provides a platform to educate, motivate, and accelerate artists in their careers. For more information, visit NextShowcaseUSA.com.