Arts & Entertainment

Chicago-Area Live Music Recommendations for Aug. 6-12

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, August 6: 
King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard with the Chicago Philharmonic at Ravinia. Tickets. 
Ravinia has yet to see a band quite like these energetic and adventurous Australians.

Death Cab For Cutie, Nation of Language at Chicago Theatre. Tickets. 
Relive the indie rock explosion of the 2000s with these Washington state pioneers.

Gemma Laurence, Hannah Frey, Pictoria Vark at Hideout. Tickets. 
Three excellent songwriters team up in Bucktown.

Roy Kinsey, Mister Wallace, Ameer the DJ at Empty Bottle. Tickets. 
One of the city’s best and most unique rappers makes a stop in Ukrainian Village.

Thursday, August 7:
Ten City, Caramelo Haze, DJ Emmaculate at Millennium Park. Free. 
Chicago house history graces the Jay Pritzker Pavilion.

Jonny Fritz, Edie McKenna at Hideout. Tickets. 
The Montana alt-country artist who used to go by Jonny Corndawg returns to Chicago.

Uhlmann Johnson Wilkes at Constellation. Sold out. 
This jazz and experimental trio plays the best venue for jazz and experimental music.

Krill 2, Clifford, Patter, Bursting at Empty Bottle. Tickets. 
Like indie rock? There’s no better bill for that this week than this one.

Toad the Wet Sprocket, The Jayhawks, Sixpence None the Richer at Salt Shed. Tickets. 
Like the ‘90s? There’s no better bill for that this week than this one.

Friday, August 8: 
Ryan Davis + The Roadhouse Band, Tobacco City at Hideout. Sold out. 
If you were lucky enough to snag tickets, see why the New Yorker says Davis’ new album is “a beautiful and wildly smart record about making do in an upside-down world.”

Jamila Woods, Shawnee Dez, Senite, M.E.H. at Lincoln Hall. Tickets. 
This stacked lineup is a benefit show for Semicolon Books.

Saturday, August 9: 
Black Moth Super Rainbow at Metro. Tickets. 
The Metro gets psychedelic this weekend.

Broncho at Thalia Hall. Tickets. 
One of the most infectious rock bands hits Pilsen.

Sunday, August 10: 
Wilco at Salt Shed. Sold out. 
Spend an evening with Chicago’s best ever band. 

Kate Teague, Max Subar, Sarah Weddle at Hideout. Tickets. 
The Nashville songwriter headlines a night that also features great local talent.

Talib Kweli, NIKO IS, Solene at City Winery. Early show tickets and late show tickets. 
This iconic rapper plays two shows in the West Loop.

Penelope Road, Hollyy at Lincoln Hall. Tickets. 
Get there early for the charming soul of local band Hollyy.

Tuesday, August 12: 
Al Scorch’s Fantastical Residency at Hideout. Tickets. 
A charming and boisterous folk, bluegrass and Americana songwriter from Chicago has a year-long residency at the Hideout.

Options, Soft Surface, Jaff Graffner at Empty Bottle. Tickets. 
The headliner is your favorite Chicago band’s favorite Chicago band.

---