Chicago Gets First Major John Prine Tribute Concert

John Prine’s legacy comes full circle this October. The city where a singing mailman first picked up a guitar and caught the ear of Kris Kristofferson will host Souvenirs: 80 Years of John Prine on October 8 at the Chicago Theatre—just days before what would have been Prine’s 80th birthday. It’s a homecoming concert six years in the making, and it’s already packed with the kind of lineup that honors his influence across generations of songwriters.

Steve Earle, Margo Price, Amos Lee, Josh Ritter, Shemekia Copeland, Joy Oladokun, Kathleen Edwards, Noeline Hoffman, Ratboys, Andrew Sa, and Jon Langford are all set to perform. Actor and musician John C. Reilly will host and also take the stage. More artists are expected to be announced, turning what’s already a powerhouse bill into something even bigger.

For Prine’s family, this moment carries real weight. His widow, Fiona Prine, explained to Rolling Stone that Chicago shaped everything John became. He attended classes at Old Town School of Folk Music, grew up in nearby Maywood, Illinois, and maintained deep roots in the city throughout his life. Even when John traveled elsewhere, Chicago remained a pull—a place he’d return to, eager for Italian beef sandwiches and time with family still in the area. His son Jack put it plainly: This year, the celebration comes full circle as they recognize his roots in Chicago, honoring his career and celebrating his life in the city where it all began.

Since John Prine’s death from complications of Covid in 2020, his family has kept his memory alive through the Hello in There Foundation, hosting annual weeklong birthday tributes in Nashville. This summer brings a major celebration at Wolf Trap in Virginia. But Souvenirs: 80 Years of John Prine marks the first official salute to his music in Chicago itself—the place that made him. Additional Chicagoland celebrations and events will be announced in the coming months, suggesting this October concert is just the opening act of something larger.