Live Music Wednesday

Local Live Music Recommendations for Jan. 15-Jan. 21

Each Wednesday, WTTW News producer Josh Terry presents must-see live music shows from indie rock to jazz, country, hip-hop and more.

Daily Chicagoan, the newsletter from WTTW News, sends these picks to your inbox each week along with more essential recommendations from our staff. Sign up here. 

While there’s usually an early January lull for live music, Tomorrow Never Knows the indoor music festival hosted by several of the city’s independent venues fixes that problem. For over 15 years, this event has highlighted rising, independent artists and getting folks out to the gig in the middle of winter. Most of the selections here are from that festival. 

Wednesday, Jan. 15:
urika’s bedroom, Lipticism, Starcharm at Schubas. Tickets.
“I wonder what Nirvana would sound like if Kurt had a Macbook Pro,” the headliner said of their music in a recent interview.

Feller, Sunshy, Alive Girl at Sleeping Village. Tickets.
Local rock bands headline a night in Avondale.

Thursday, Jan. 16:
Lutalo, runo plum, Sleeper’s Bell at Schubas. Tickets.
A talented Vermont-based songwriter headlines this bill in Lakeview.

Cosmic Country Showcase with Cactus Lee at Judson & Moore Distillery. Tickets.
Chicago’s premier country party has a special guest over three nights in Avondale.

Axis: Sova, Desert Liminal, Ovef Ow at Hideout. Tickets.
Local rock finds its outre edge in Bucktown.

Friday, Jan. 17:
V.V. Lightbody, Morinda, Lily Seabird at Gman Tavern. Tickets.
All great singer-songwriters. Get there early for Burlington’s Seabird.

This Is Lorelei, youbet, Options at Schubas. Tickets.
Nate Amos of Water From Your Eyes had one of 2024’s best LPs as This Is Lorelei.

Jamie xx, Numero Group DJs at Aragon Ballroom. Tickets.
Cross-continental music in Uptown.

Cosmic Country Showcase with Cactus Lee at Judson & Moore Distillery. Tickets.
Night two of Chicago’s premier country party has a special guest in Avondale.

Been Stellar, Malice K, Smut at Lincoln Hall. Tickets.
Here’s your chance to check out New York City’s rising artists (plus a local opener).

Rebirth Brass Band at SPACE. Sold out.
New Orleans’ finest party band hits Evanston.

Saturday, Jan. 18:
Meat Wave, ILLS, Ex-Gold at Empty Bottle. Sold out.
Chicago post-punks headline their hometown venue.

Rebirth Brass Band, Lowdown Brass Band at Thalia Hall. Tickets.
New Orleans’ finest party band hits Pilsen.

Lawn, the Lipschitz at Gman Tavern. Tickets.
The New Orleans indie rock band recorded their forthcoming album in Chicago.

Adeline Hotel, Fran, Dave Vettraino at Hideout. Tickets.
Introspective folk at its most ambient and thoughtful.

Cosmic Country Showcase with Cactus Lee at Judson & Moore Distillery. Tickets.
Night three of Chicago’s premier country party has a special guest in Avondale.

Cameron Winter, Racing Mount Pleasant at Sleeping Village. Sold out.
The frontman of the unpredictable rock band Geese channels Leonard Cohen as a solo act.

Maps & Atlases, Retirement Party at Metro. Tickets.
The long-running Chicago indie rock band reunites with their original guitarist for the first time in over a decade.

Sunday, Jan. 19:
For Frankie: Tedd Patterson, Ralphi Rosario, Derrick Carter, Lori Branch, Duane Powell * Michael Serafini at smartbar. Tickets.
A celebration of the late house DJ Frankie Knuckles. 

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