Chicago-Area Live Music Recommendations for June 18-24

Josh Terry | June 18, 2025, 5:00 am

MJ Lenderman and the Wind (Photo Credit: Josh Darr)

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, June 18:
MJ Lenderman and the Wind, Colin Miller at Salt Shed. Sold out.
This rising indie rock star continues his deserved ascent with a sold-out show at Salt Shed.

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Colleen Green and Rozwell Kid, Tweens at Beat Kitchen. Tickets.
The Los Angeles indie pop artist enlists the West Virginia punk band to perform her 2015 LP “I Want to Grow Up.”

Karate, Uniflora at Lincoln Hall. Tickets.
This Boston punk outfit formed over a decade before its Chicago openers were born.

Thursday, June 19:
Preservation Hall Jazz Band at Garcia’s. Tickets.
New Orleans legends make the trek up to Chicago’s newest venue for four shows.

Friday, June 20:
Neptune’s Core, Moontype at Schubas. Tickets.
Two great, women-led indie rock outfits from Chicago.

The Revivalists, Carter Faith, Natasha Bedingfield, more at Winnetka Music Festival. Sold out.
An eclectic mix of talent at the two-day North Shore music festival.

Steve Earle at the Vic Theatre. Tickets.
Alt-country pioneer hits Lakeview for a night of solo acoustic tunes and stories from a 50-year career.

Preservation Hall Jazz Band at Garcia’s. Tickets.
New Orleans legends make the trek up to Chicago’s newest venue for a second show.

Aunt Kelly, Creaturefight, Josephine at Hideout. Tickets.
An all-local bill at Chicago’s coziest venue.

Saturday, June 21:
Cold War Kids, Eggy, Pete Yorn and more at Winnetka Music Festival. Tickets.
Eggy is a fantastic jam band from Connecticut whose drummer and singer, Alex Bailey, hails from Oak Park.

Resavoir & Matt Gold at Constellation. Tickets.
These two local jazz stalwarts team up for a fantastic new album called “Horizon.”

Preservation Hall Jazz Band at Garcia’s. Tickets.
New Orleans legends make the trek up to Chicago’s newest venue for a third show.

Iris DeMent at Old Town School of Folk Music. Tickets.
An acclaimed folk storyteller with an indescribable voice was also a John Prine collaborator.

Chase Rice, Tyler Halverson at Salt Shed. Tickets.
It’s bro-country but relatively tasteful. This newsletter producer has a soft spot for the tune “Bad Day to Be a Good Beer.”

Edith Frost, Sima Cunningham, Fran at Hideout. Tickets.
This songwriter recorded at Chicago’s Loft for her first album in 20 years.

Future, Sexyy Red, Lil Tecca, Destroy Lonely, SahBabii, Soulja Boy and more at Summer Smash. Tickets.
Head down to Bridgeview for this weekend-long fest highlighting hip-hop’s biggest names.

Sunday, June 22:
Sleeper’s Bell, Widemouth at Color Club. Tickets.
This great Chicago band is fronted by a local librarian.

Young Thug, Chance the Rapper, Saba, G Herbo and more at Summer Smash. Tickets.
Head down to Bridgeview for this weekend-long fest highlighting hip-hop’s biggest names. Its final night showcases several local acts.

Luke Titus, Elton Aura, Qari at Schubas. Tickets.
If you’re a fan of local label Sooper Records, this show is for you.

Preservation Hall Jazz Band at Garcia’s. Tickets.
New Orleans legends make the trek up to Chicago’s newest venue for a fourth show.