Chicago-Area Live Music Recommendations for July 23-29

Josh Terry | July 22, 2025, 2:04 pm

Pelican (Credit: Mike Boyd)

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

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Wednesday, July 23:
Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Gia Margaret at Chicago Theatre. Tickets.
A Chicago artist opens for the New York alternative legends.

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Beck with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Molly Lewis at Ravinia. Tickets.
The veteran alternative artist enters his orchestral era.

Kim Deal, Bnny at Thalia Hall. Tickets.
Former Pixies member, The Breeders frontwoman and rock royalty has an excellent solo career.

Thursday, July 24:
Sylvan Esso, Bully, Case Oats at Illinois Science + Technology Park Field (Out of Space). Tickets.
Out of Space is an outdoor festival highlighting major acts in folk, indie rock and Americana.

Open Mike Eagle, Cavalier, Rhys Langston at Schubas. Tickets.
Cerebral and adventurous rap music in Lakeview.

Friday, July 25:
Teklife Crew at Empty Bottle. Tickets.
Want to learn more about the Chicago-bred genre of electronic dance music called footwork? Go to this show.

Uniflora, Feller, Lotties at Metro. Tickets.
Check out the younger generation of local indie rock.

Hotline TNT, Liquid Mike, Sour Widows at Wicker Park Fest. $10 suggested donation.
Another summer weekend, another well-booked neighborhood street festival.

Saturday, July 26:
Pelican, Coalesce, Porcelain at Thalia Hall. Tickets.
Chicago post-metal veterans will soon celebrate their 25th year.

Thomas Dollbaum, Glass-Beagle, Sonny Falls at Hideout. Tickets.
If you’re a fan of MJ Lenderman and artists like him, try this bill. Lenderman played drums on the headliner’s new EP.

White Denim, Tagua Tagua at Lincoln Hall. Tickets.
Austin psych-rockers are still going strong.

Vandoliers, Nate Bergman at Schubas. Tickets.
Where Americana meets punk.

Car Seat Headrest, Stomach Book at Salt Shed. Sold out.
The ambitious indie rocker plays his biggest Chicago show yet.

Sunday, July 27:
Rose City Band, Powers / Rolin Duo at Empty Bottle. Tickets.
Are you a fan of breezy jams and the Grateful Dead? If so, buy tickets now.

Mol Sullivan, Ulna, Shoulderbird at Hideout. Tickets.
Tasteful indie rock songwriting exudes throughout this bill.

Glare, MSPAINT, Lip Critic at Wicker Park Fest. $10 suggested donation.
Another summer weekend, another well-booked neighborhood street festival.

MSPAINT, Lip Critic, Pat and the Pissers at Beat Kitchen. Tickets.
The standout act of Wicker Park Fest headlines the Roscoe Village dive.

Monday, July 28:
Horsegirl, Lala Lala at Millennium Park. Free.
Two excellent Chicago songwriters headline Jay Pritzker Pavilion.

Rose City Band, Powers / Rolin Duo at SPACE. Tickets.
Are you a fan of breezy jams and the Grateful Dead? If so, buy tickets now.

The Decemberists, Kevin Morby, Craig Finn at Illinois Science + Technology Park Field (Out of Space). Tickets.
Out of Space is an outdoor festival highlighting major acts in folk, indie rock and Americana. Get there early for Morby.

Clickbait, Grocer, Plum at Empty Bottle. Free.
You have to be at least 21 but the Empty Bottle’s Free Monday series is always excellent.

Tuesday, July 29:
Ducks Ltd., Good Flying Birds, Discus at Empty Bottle. Tickets.
Jangly indie rock is the theme of this show.