City of Chicago :: Chicago Made

Upcoming Event

Chicago Made Music Showcase Finale

Presented by DCASE in collaboration with Next Showcase, USA.

Saturday, October 21, 7-10pm, Doors open at 6pm

Chicago Cultural Center, Claudia Cassidy Theater, 2nd Floor North

Seating is first come, first served

The annual 2023 Chicago Made Music Showcase is a DCASE program that provides Chicagoland based local musical talent the opportunity to showcase their work live in front of top executives and talent buyers from the music industry.

The 16 finalists were selected by a panel of industry professional judges during three pre-qualifying audition dates this past September. More than 140 live auditions were held with more than 300 applications submitted to DCASE. The selected artists will perform live in front of industry professionals at the 2023 Chicago Made Music Showcase Finale to be considered for opportunities including a chance to win $10,000.

Red star

Music in the Key of Chicago.

Chicago is a global music leader. Our musical heritage is legendary as the birthplace of house and gospel music, urban blues and modern jazz. And today’s Chicago music scene is as strong as ever, across genres including hip-hop, indie rock, experimental, jazz, classical and more. We are a city of stunning music halls, authentic neighborhood clubs, world-class festivals and a youth music scene that is lively and inspiring. Chicago is the city that knows how to strike a chord. It’s the city that overflows with rhythm and warmth, even during the coldest winters. It’s a city that knows how to find its harmony in the hustle.

Industry Resources

Consider using the following Music in the Key of Chicago Marketing Toolkit:

In partnership with Choose Chicago and marketing agency FCB, Chicago has unveiled its first ever music brand, “Music in the Key of Chicago,” positioning Chicago as one of the greatest world music capitals.

Chicago Music Brand Name:

Music in the Key of Chicago
(To be used alone as a slogan or in combination with your particular efforts (“Jazz in the key of Chicago,” “EDM in the key of Chicago”, “Dropping my album in the key of Chicago.”)

Chicago Music Brand Manifesto:

Chicago is the city that knows how to strike a chord. It’s the city that overflows with rhythm and warmth, even during the coldest winters. It’s a city that knows how to find its harmony in the hustle. It’s a city where everyone knows how to move to their own beat, yet everyone comes together to play in the same key – The Key of Chicago.

What does the Key of Chicago sound like? It sounds like performers belting their hearts out. It sounds like riffs filling bars, like beats interacting with the music of our 77 neighborhoods – sounding big, bold, and proud. It sounds like home. It sounds like Chicago.

Wherever you encounter it – whether it’s at a club, on the street or in your home or in your home – Music in the Key of Chicago speaks to your soul. It speaks to the breadth of knowledge, of rhythm, and history. Chicago continues to transform and elevate their sound into a new era of Chicago Music. You’ll always feel it, because our notes always ring true in the Key of Chicago.