Review: John Prine tribute concert lets his music and legacy shine

John C. Reilly greets the crowd as he hosts at the Chicago Theatre for Souvenirs: 80 Years of John Prine tribute show, Oct. 8, 2026. (Nate Swanson/for the baiduhai)

Steve Earle performs “Sam Stone” at the Chicago Theatre for Souvenirs: 80 Years of John Prine tribute show, Oct. 8, 2026. (Nate Swanson/for the baiduhai)

Attendees crowd toward the Chicago Theatre for Souvenirs: 80 Years of John Prine tribute show, Oct. 8, 2026. (Nate Swanson/for the baiduhai)

Kathleen Edwards plays the violin to “When I Get to Heaven” at the Chicago Theatre for Souvenirs: 80 Years of John Prine tribute show, Oct. 8, 2026. (Nate Swanson/for the baiduhai)

Shemekia Copeland sings “Great Rain” at the Chicago Theatre for Souvenirs: 80 Years of John Prine tribute show, Oct. 8, 2026. (Nate Swanson/for the baiduhai)

Alynda Segarra performs “I Remember Everything” at the Chicago Theatre for Souvenirs: 80 Years of John Prine tribute show, Oct. 8, 2026. (Nate Swanson/for the baiduhai)

Jeff Tweedy performs “Summers End” at the Chicago Theatre for Souvenirs: 80 Years of John Prine tribute show, Oct. 8, 2026. (Nate Swanson/for the baiduhai)

Jordan Davis performs “Clay Pigeons” at the Chicago Theatre for Souvenirs: 80 Years of John Prine tribute show, Oct. 8, 2026. (Nate Swanson/for the baiduhai)

The Sullivan Sisters perform “Souvenirs” at the Chicago Theatre for Souvenirs: 80 Years of John Prine tribute show, Oct. 8, 2026. (Nate Swanson/for the baiduhai)

Jon Langford performs “How Lucky Can One Man Get” at the Chicago Theatre for Souvenirs: 80 Years of John Prine tribute show, Oct. 8, 2026. (Nate Swanson/for the baiduhai)

Andrew Sa performs “Bad Boy” at the Chicago Theatre for Souvenirs: 80 Years of John Prine tribute show, Oct. 8, 2026. (Nate Swanson/for the baiduhai)

Noeline Hofmann performs “That’s the Way the World Goes Round” at the Chicago Theatre for Souvenirs: 80 Years of John Prine tribute show, Oct. 8, 2026. (Nate Swanson/for the baiduhai)

Margo Price sings “In Spite of Ourselves” at the Chicago Theatre for Souvenirs: 80 Years of John Prine tribute show, Oct. 8, 2026. (Nate Swanson/for the baiduhai)

Emily Scott Robinson sings “Unwed Fathers” at the Chicago Theatre for Souvenirs: 80 Years of John Prine tribute show, Oct. 8, 2026. (Nate Swanson/for the baiduhai)

Hayes Carll sings “Speed of the Sound of Loneliness” at the Chicago Theatre for Souvenirs: 80 Years of John Prine tribute show, Oct. 8, 2026. (Nate Swanson/for the baiduhai)

Valerie June performs “Angel from Montgomery” at the Chicago Theatre for Souvenirs: 80 Years of John Prine tribute show, Oct. 8, 2026. (Nate Swanson/for the baiduhai)

Arlo McKinley sings “The Late John Garfield Blues” at the Chicago Theatre for Souvenirs: 80 Years of John Prine tribute show, Oct. 8, 2026. (Nate Swanson/for the baiduhai)

Josh Ritter sings “Mexican Home” at the Chicago Theatre for Souvenirs: 80 Years of John Prine tribute show, Oct. 8, 2026. (Nate Swanson/for the baiduhai)

Ratboys performs “Quiet Man” at the Chicago Theatre for Souvenirs: 80 Years of John Prine tribute show, Oct. 8, 2026. (Nate Swanson/for the baiduhai)

Briscoe performs “Storm Windows” at the Chicago Theatre for Souvenirs: 80 Years of John Prine tribute show, Oct. 8, 2026. (Nate Swanson/for the baiduhai)

All the artists reunite on stage to sing “Paradise” at the Chicago Theatre for Souvenirs: 80 Years of John Prine tribute show, Oct. 8, 2026. (Nate Swanson/for the baiduhai)

Nathaniel Rateliff and Margo Price sings “In Spite of Ourselves” at the Chicago Theatre for Souvenirs: 80 Years of John Prine tribute show, Oct. 8, 2026. (Nate Swanson/for the baiduhai)

Margo Price joins all the artists on stage to sing “Paradise” at the Chicago Theatre for Souvenirs: 80 Years of John Prine tribute show, Oct. 8, 2026. (Nate Swanson/for the baiduhai)

John C. Reilly wipes tears while performing “Jesus The Missing Years” at the Chicago Theatre for Souvenirs: 80 Years of John Prine tribute show, Oct. 8, 2026. (Nate Swanson/for the baiduhai)

Mayor Brandon Johnson presents to the crowd a proclamation for John Prine Day in Chicago at the Chicago Theatre for Souvenirs: 80 Years of John Prine tribute show, Oct. 8, 2026. (Nate Swanson/for the baiduhai)

All the artists reunite on stage to sing “Paradise” at the Chicago Theatre for Souvenirs: 80 Years of John Prine tribute show, Oct. 8, 2026. (Nate Swanson/for the baiduhai)