Arts & Entertainment

Local Live Music Recommendations for April 30-May 6

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.

Wednesday, April 30: 
Mamalarky, Kennedy Mann, Josephine at Schubas. Tickets. 
With members based in Los Angeles, Atlanta and Austin, this inventive and playful indie rock outfit calls itself “tri-coastal.”

Japanese Breakfast, Ginger Root at Salt Shed. Tickets.
Michelle Zauner’s songwriting project debuts her acclaimed new album “For Melancholy Brunettes (& sad women)” at the first of three shows at Salt Shed.

Glyders, Junegrass, National Photo Committee at Hideout. Tickets. 
Heady psychedelic rock from some of the finest local acts.

Alice Longyu Gao, Tommy Fleece at Sleeping Village. Tickets.  
The Chinese DJ and experimental artist returns to Chicago.

Thursday, May 1: 
Japanese Breakfast, Ginger Root at Salt Shed. Tickets. 
Michelle Zauner’s songwriting project debuts her acclaimed new album “For Melancholy Brunettes (& sad women)” at the second of three shows at Salt Shed.

Corridor, Robber Robber at Empty Bottle. Tickets. 
Two of post-punk’s most boundary-pushing acts hit Ukrainian Village. Get there early for the Vermont five-piece.

Lucy Dacus at Chicago Theatre. Tickets. 
Our newsletter producer’s favorite member of boygenius plays the first of two shows at the historic Loop theater.

Friday, May 2: 
Japanese Breakfast, Ginger Root at Salt Shed. Sold out. 
Michelle Zauner’s songwriting project debuts her acclaimed new album “For Melancholy Brunettes (& sad women)” at the third of three shows at Salt Shed.

Lucy Dacus at Chicago Theatre. Tickets. 
Our newsletter producer’s favorite member of boygenius plays the second of two shows at the historic Loop theater.

Frail Talk, Red PK, Sleeper’s Bell at Color Club. Tickets. 
Two of Chicago’s best folk-rock acts open for the Colorado duo.

Phil Cook at Space. Tickets. 
This musician has collaborated with greats in indie rock, Americana and more. Now, he’s touring off his meditative piano album.

Saturday, May 3: 
Prostitute, Rami Gabriel, Wretched Blessing at Sleeping Village. Tickets. 
The Dearborn noise-rock band writes righteous, caustic and political songs.

Puma Blue at Constellation. Tickets. 
This is the brooding pop project of London artist Jacob Allen.

Bria Salmena, Desert Liminal at Hideout. Tickets. 
The singer of Canadian post-punk outfit FRIGS and touring member in Orville Peck’s live band shows off her solo tunes in Bucktown.

Sunday, May 4: 
YHWH Nailgun, Morgan Garrett at Sleeping Village. Tickets. 
This experimental and unpredictable post-punk band from New York has been getting a lot of buzz from outlets like Pitchfork and Stereogum.

Monday, May 5: 
Deafheaven, Gatecreeper, Trauma Ray at Metro. Tickets. 
The long-running and critically acclaimed metal band keeps evolving its sound.

Tuesday, May 6: 
Mereba, anaiis at Metro. Tickets. 
The Alabama-raised singer cites Lauryn Hill, Joni Mitchell and Stevie Wonder as influences.

Ichiko Aoba, Gia Margaret at Thalia Hall. Tickets. 
The acclaimed Japanese songwriter enlists the local folk and ambient artist. 

---