Artists of the Week
MANOAMANO
Coming from the greater Chicagoland area Manoamano has been making a name for themselves since January of 2024 with their last major release dropping in the form of a split with fellow hardcore band augment in September of 2025. Though only having played 2 shows in 2026 the summer to come is already packed with manoamano showing up and showing out on multiple bills. Vocalist Alex Ledesma often stuns audiences with mid show expressions of frustrations at the systems he sees oppressing his community yet through it all preaches unity as a show of force against those same systems. If you see manoamano on a bill it’s not a show you want to miss.
Instagram: manoamano.hc
Christian Harper
Southside resident Christian harper is a well rounded, multimedia artist best known for his impressive ceramic works. A student at the renown School of the Art Institute of Chicago Harper has been creating world and characters since he was just a young boy. Today he’s known for blending harsh reality with comedic caricatures to highlight government corruption and hyper militarism. Recently being featured on Black Millennial Renaissance, you’ll want to listen when Christian is speaking, though art is subjective the intention and rationality behind some of his pieces like “Private Grout” are pushing the conversation further on our societies complacency with violence.
Instagram: art.in.shambles_
xACHEx
xACHEx is arguably one of the fastest growing hardcore bands in the city of Chicago right now. Coming up to their 1 year anniversary as a band this July 1st it’s been nothing but a pleasure to witness this historic rise to, not just popularity but high acclaim. This due in part to their inability to take a foot off the gas pedal, show after show, zine after zine, and pulling thousands of listens for their PROMO 2026 demo that released in December of last year. Frequently seen at the popular Casa Cafe this not a band for bands sake, vocalist Keni is often expressing the need to be unapologetic in ones individuality and self expression. This straight edge band reps the cities Southside and in interviews are never shy. Any show with xACHEx on is gonna be a certified banger and any any zine featuring them is one you’re gonna want to pick up, don’t sleep on xACHEx.
Instagram: achesxe
What's the reason
There has to be a place that isn’t instagram where artists can come together and show off how sick they are.
Every week this section will be dedicated to uplifting these voices and shining a light on the artists that actively make this world a better place simply by being themselves.