Skip to Main Content
The independent student newspaper at the University of Illinois since 1871

The Daily Illini

The independent student newspaper at the University of Illinois since 1871

The Daily Illini

The independent student newspaper at the University of Illinois since 1871

The Daily Illini

The independent student newspaper at the University of Illinois since 1871

The Daily Illini

Maaike Niekerk

Maaike Niekerk, Arts & Entertainment Editor

My name is Maaike Niekerk, and I am a sophomore majoring in English with minors in music and journalism. I began working with The Daily Illini during the fall semester of my freshman year as a buzz staff writer, and joined the editorial team summer of 2023. I love bringing live event coverage to you from Champaign-Urbana’s vibrant music scene and sharing stories of local artists and musicians. Outside of The Daily Illini, you’ll find me performing at every football game with the Marching Illini or cycling with the 2024 Illini 4000 bike America team.

buzz weekly new music rundown

buzz weekly new music rundown

By Maaike Niekerk, Arts & Entertainment Editor November 30, 2024
Beyoncé sets record with 2025 Grammy nominations

Beyoncé sets record with 2025 Grammy nominations

By Maaike Niekerk, Arts & Entertainment Editor November 8, 2024
Zakir Hussain to perform Krannert tribute set with Rahul Sharma

Zakir Hussain to perform Krannert tribute set with Rahul Sharma

By Maaike Niekerk, Arts & Entertainment Editor October 10, 2024
Elevator maintenance occurs after an electrical fire ignites within an elevator inside the Chemistry Annex located on South Matthews Avenue on the night of Oct. 4.

Elevator electrical issue causes evacuation at Chemistry Annex

By Maaike Niekerk, Arts & Entertainment Editor October 4, 2024
Divino Niño play at the Rose Bowl Tavern in Urbana during PYGMALION 2023 on Sept. 22, 2023.

Pygmalion founder talks beginnings ahead of 20th anniversary 

By Maaike Niekerk, Arts & Entertainment Editor September 10, 2024
Divino Niño play at the Rose Bowl Tavern in Urbana during PYGMALION 2023 on Sept. 22, 2023.

C-U music guide for this fall

By Maaike Niekerk, Arts & Entertainment Editor August 15, 2024
Sabrina Carpenter performs on the second day of Lollapalooza 2023.

buzz wrapped 2023-2024 

By Maaike Niekerk, Arts & Entertainment Editor May 2, 2024
Pop culture moments that swept this academic year

Pop culture moments that swept this academic year

By Maaike Niekerk, Arts & Entertainment Editor May 1, 2024

This year’s hottest spots in CU 

By Maaike Niekerk, Arts & Entertainment Editor April 30, 2024
Concert attendees pull out their phones as a Boogie Wit Da Hoodie’s set begins at the State Fam Center on Sept. 9. NLE Choppa’s Spring Jam set will be moved to the State Farm Center.

UPDATE: Spring Jam moved indoors to State Farm Center

By Maaike Niekerk, Arts & Entertainment Editor April 25, 2024
Ryan Roach, graduate student studying mathematics, gets a Dilly Bar from the pop-up Dairy Queen in Altgeld Hall on Monday.

There’s a Dairy Queen at Altgeld Hall.

By Maaike Niekerk, Arts & Entertainment Editor April 22, 2024
An energetic crowd enjoys a Taylor Swift song at Canopy Club, located on South Goodwin Avenue, on Feb. 2.

Shows to catch in CU this April

By Maaike Niekerk, Arts & Entertainment Editor April 3, 2024
Friends dance together during the battle of the bands concert held at Canopy Club on Thursday night.

Local shows to catch this March

By Maaike Niekerk, buzz Editor March 1, 2024
Enthusiastic audience members enjoy a Taylor Swift tune at Canopy Club on Friday.

CU shows you can’t miss this February 

By Maaike Niekerk, buzz Editor February 1, 2024
Jamie Foxx in 2017 Baran bo Odar film "Sleepless."

Actor Jamie Foxx sued for sexual assault

By Maaike Niekerk, Assistant buzz Editor November 22, 2023
Divino Niño plays at the Rose Bowl Tavern's outside stage in Urbana during Pygmalion on Friday night.

Divino Niño imbue psychedelic vibe into Pygmalion day 2

By Maaike Niekerk, Assistant buzz Editor September 23, 2023
Steve Harwell, lead singer of Smashmouth, performs in Las Vegas on June 30, 2010.

Smash Mouth singer Steve Harwell dies at 56

By Maaike Niekerk, Assistant buzz Editor September 4, 2023
CU community come together during Pygmalion performance on Sept. 27, 2018. Pygmalion will be kicking off on Friday with performances from Kangaroo Court and Divino Niño.

Pygmalion Festival returns to CU for 2023

By Maaike Niekerk, Assistant buzz Editor August 27, 2023
Getting involved with music on campus

Getting involved with music on campus

By Maaike Niekerk, Assistant buzz Editor August 21, 2023
Twitter rebrands as "X"

Twitter rebrands as “X”

By Maaike Niekerk, Summer Editor July 24, 2023

Emmy Awards announce 2023 nominations

By Maaike Niekerk, Summer Editor July 12, 2023
ILLordle: Play now