Arts & Entertainment
Chicago-Area Live Music Recommendations for Sept. 3-9
McKinley Dixon (Credit: Dennis Larance)
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, Sept. 3:
Lucky Cloud, Katy Pinke, Astrachan at Hideout. Tickets.
Headliner Chet Zenor has one of the year’s best Chicago albums in “Foreground.”
Finn Wolfhard, The Slaps at Thalia Hall. Tickets.
The “Stranger Things” star is also a great musician who brings a Chicago band to open for him and serve as his backing band.
Thursday, Sept. 4:
NRBQ, Marble Teeth at Lincoln Hall. Tickets.
These seasoned rock musicians put on a loose, rowdy and excellent show.
McKinley Dixon, Rhea the Second at Schubas. Tickets.
The Chicago rapper’s new album “Magic, Alive!” is one of the year’s most acclaimed full-lengths.
Friday, Sept. 5:
Jessica Risker, V.V. Lightbody at Constellation. Tickets.
The Chicago folk-rock songwriter celebrates the release of her new album “Calendar Year.”
PUP, Jeff Rosenstock, Ekko Astral at Salt Shed. Tickets.
The best punk bill of the summer hits the Salt Shed Fairgrounds.
Ani DiFranco, Hurray for the Riff Raff at Cahn Auditorium. Sold out.
Two generations of folk songwriters team up in Evanston.
Shemekia Copeland at Old Town School of Folk Music. Tickets.
The award-winning and Grammy-nominated blues and soul vocalist with a powerhouse voice returns to Chicago.
Dua Lipa, Cil at United Center. Tickets.
The pop star kicks off a two-night stadium show stint on the Near West Side.
Saturday, Sept. 6:
Sam Evian, Elizabeth Moen at Empty Bottle. Tickets.
The in-demand producer and indie rock songwriter plays his lush, heady songs in Ukrainian Village.
Dua Lipa, Cil at United Center. Tickets.
The pop star caps off a two-night stadium show stint on the Near West Side.
Little Lawndale in the Park. Free.
Starting at noon on the corner of Ogden and Sacramento in Douglass Park, there will be a free all-day festival featuring musical guests like DJ Johnny Jones, CMA Student Drumline, Mariachi Sirenas and more.
Iron and Wine, Tune-yards, Sunny War, Ryley Walker, John Moreland, more at Evanston Folk Festival. Tickets.
The Evanston Folk Festival highlights the genre’s most respected tunesmiths over two nights at Dawes Park.
Sunday, Sept. 7:
Beach Bunny, Soccer Mommy, Sidney Gish, Great Grandpa at Salt Shed. Tickets.
Summer isn’t over as long as you attend the Chicago pop-punk band’s annual outdoor bash.
Tenci, Thanya Iyer, Macie Stewart at Empty Bottle. Tickets.
Two adventurous local songwriters bookend this bill.
Margo Price, Bonny Light Horseman, Loudon Wainwright III, Kara Jackson, more at Dawes Park. Tickets.
The Evanston Folk Festival highlights the genre’s most respected tunesmiths over two nights at Dawes Park.
Songs of Bob Dylan: Evanston Folk Fest Aftershow at SPACE. Tickets.
Want more folk music? Come see some festival highlights and local talents pay tribute to Bob Dylan.
Rosanne Cash at Cahn Auditorium. Tickets.
Country music royalty and four-time Grammy winner comes to Evanston.
Monday, Sept. 8:
Great Grandpa, Free Range at Empty Bottle. Tickets.
Intimate and exceptional songwriting in Ukrainian Village.
Clipse, Earthgang at Salt Shed. Tickets.
Hip-hop legends return to Chicago on the heels of an acclaimed new album.
Bonnie “Prince” Billy, Santiparro at SPACE. Sold out.
Will Oldham plays selections from his expansive and unpredictable folk oeuvre in Evanston.
Tuesday, Sept. 9:
Waxahatchee, Jessica Pratt, Sharp Pins at Salt Shed. Tickets.
It might be the indie rock bill of the waning summer.
Tedeschi Trucks Band, Gov’t Mule at Northerly Island. Tickets.
Like the Allman Brothers? Ripping guitar solos? These Southern jam icons join forces on the lakefront.
Bonnie “Prince” Billy, BCMC at SPACE. Sold out.
Will Oldham plays selections from his expansive and unpredictable folk oeuvre for another night in Evanston.
