September 2023 events calendar for Chicago

Charli XCX is the kind of artist that could only exist in today's increasingly fragmented world of streaming platforms, fluid genre classifications and poptimism. Listen to the bouyant club beats and catchy refrains of her latest album 'Brat' and it's clear that this larger-than-life performer is a true pop star with the ability to fill arenas.

Pulp’s modern life-skewering, poignant and brilliantly crafted pop songs still hit their mark decades on and sexagenarian frontman Jarvis Cocker still twists the night away like an enthusiastic newbie half his age. Expect to be thoroughly charmed by wittily dry banter and more hooks than a fishing factory on their current tour, 'This is What We Do for an Encore', featuring major singalongs including 'Disco 2000', 'Do You Remember the First Time' and, of course, 'Common People'.

Hans Zimmer’s bombastic, brass-heavy scores for the likes of The Dark Knight trilogy, Interstellar and, most recently, Denis Villeneuve's Dune saga, have not only reshaped the sound of modern cinema, they’ve also influenced pop. Need proof? Just check out how often hip-hop artists lift the blaring horns in Inception’s score. Here’s your chance to experience the German-American genius’s work firsthand, with a full orchestra in one of NYC’s most famous venues.