The songs that last — Robyn's "Dancing on My Own," Beyoncé's "Love On Top," Mariah Carey's "Fly Like a Bird," Raye's recent "I Know You're Hurting" — share something essential: they are honest to the point of discomfort. They reveal longing, desperation, and loneliness without the usual sheen of celebrity protection. Featuring a live DJ set, interactive stations, a panel discussion, and an after-event dance party, this program explores why vulnerability in song is not just an artistic choice but the mechanism by which art lasts and legacy is born.

This program curated and hosted by Britt Julious, 2023 Chicago Critics Table Cohort member.

This is part of a series of public programs co-designed between Chicago Critics Table alumni and the APL team to provide more public access to the deeper critical conversations our critics are having. You can learn more about CCT here

About Britt Julious

Britt Julious is a writer, editor, essayist, and storyteller. A firm believer in the underground, the avant-garde and the underdog, Britt currently serves as a music critic for the Chicago Tribune. As a journalist, she has written for Harper’s Bazaar, ELLE, Glamour, The Cut, Pitchfork, the New York Times and many others. Her debut book, Queens of Soul, comes out in 2027. In 2023, Britt was a member of the Chicago Critic’s Table. She is also a recipient of the Studs Terkel award in journalism.