About Locals Only

Locals Only was founded by journalism student Nikki Roberts in February 2017. The online music blog featured brief write-ups and interviews with Chicago musicians until November 2017 when Roberts decided to expand her coverage by hosting a radio show through her college’s radio station, Radio DePaul.

Our mission is to support the thriving DIY music communities that exist in Chicago with an emphasis on heavy rock, punk, metal, and hardcore musicians, and to report on news and upcoming events that occur within these communities. Locals Only strives to be a community-driven platform that publishes work from contributors, regardless of their background or experience with digital media.

Although the Locals Only radio show ended in June 2019, the blog continues to report on local music and highlight the work of Chicago musicians through feature stories, in-depth interviews, social media promotion & collaboration with Chicago creatives.

About Nikki Roberts

Nikki Roberts is a freelance culture writer, punk blogger, and reporter. Her writing has appeared in Riot Fest, Chicago Reader, Chicago magazine, South Side Weekly, No Echo and other indie music blogs.

Find her on Twitter and Instagram: @bynikkiroberts.