Arts & Entertainment
Chicago-Area Live Music Recommendations for Aug. 13-19
Bonny Doon (Credit: Trevor Naud)
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.
Thursday, August 14:
Babehoven, youbet at Empty Bottle. Tickets.
Avrom Farm Party is a music festival happening in Green Lake, Wisconsin, this weekend. If you can’t make it, this official pre-party is a great slice of the lineup.
OK Cool, Truth Or Consequences New Mexico, Superdime at Subterranean. Tickets.
This Chicago rock duo celebrates the release of their debut LP “Chit Chat.”
Friday, August 15:
Macie Stewart + Zander Raymond Duo, Sarah Clausen at Hideout. Tickets.
Expect expansive soundscapes and improvised arrangements from some of Chicago’s most talented players.
Tenci, Sima Cunningham, Half Gringa, Samuel Aaron at Schubas. Tickets.
Check out a collection of some of Chicago’s best songwriters.
FACS, Mass Text at Fitzgerald’s. Tickets.
Chicago post-punk and experimental stalwarts get an assist from an opening set from Meat Wave’s Chris Sutter.
The O’Mys, Ganser, Junegrass, more at Glenwood Avenue Arts Fest. Free.
Is the best-booked Chicago street festival happening in Rogers Park this weekend?
Saturday, August 16:
Bonny Doon, Mass, Fran at Empty Bottle. Tickets.
Detroit folk rock heroes make a welcome return to Ukrainian Village.
The Flaming Lips, Modest Mouse, Friko at Salt Shed. Tickets.
While both headliners have had storied and influential careers, the most exciting band on the lineup is these Chicago openers.
Pictoria Vark, Samuel Aaron, Astrachan, more at Glenwood Avenue Arts Fest. Free.
I think the best-booked Chicago street festival is happening in Rogers Park this weekend.
Sunday, August 17:
Sharp Pins, Fib, Good Flying Birds, Feller at Empty Bottle. Tickets.
If you like indie rock, this is the bill for you.
Melissa Etheridge, Indigo Girls at Millennium Park. Tickets.
Celebrate these iconic songwriters at the Jay Pritzker Pavilion Sunday.
Smut, Neptune’s Core, Family Junket, more at Glenwood Avenue Arts Fest. Free.
The best-booked Chicago street festival is happening in Rogers Park this weekend.
Monday, August 18:
Seth Beck, Hell Trash, If We Wait at Empty Bottle. Free.
The West Michigan native has lived in Chicago for a few years now, but his new album “Soft Heaven” is sure to make a mark on his adopted city.
Tuesday, August 19:
Madeline Kenney at Schubas. Tickets.
“Kiss From the Balcony,” the brand new album from the Oakland indie songwriter, comes highly recommended by this newsletter producer.
Nine Inch Nails, Boys Noize at United Center. Tickets.
Go see Nathan Fielder’s favorite band where the Bulls and Blackhawks play.
Coheed and Cambria, Taking Back Sunday, Foxing at Northerly Island. Tickets.
If you go, get there early for St. Louis rock innovators Foxing.
