Arts & Entertainment

Chicago-Area Live Music Recommendations for Sept. 24-30

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, Sept. 24: 
Bass Drum of Death, Farmer’s Wife at Beat Kitchen. Tickets. 
The Mississippi garage rockers recorded their 2024 concert album “Live... and Let Die” at Chicago’s Cobra Lounge. 

The World Is A Beautiful Place & I Am No Longer Afraid To Die, ASkySoBlack, Sleepwalk at Cobra Lounge. Tickets.
The influential emo collective makes a stop in the West Loop. 

She’s Green, Daarling at Empty Bottle. Tickets. 
If you enjoy shoegaze, try this bill. 

Nation of Language, Greet Death at Thalia Hall. Sold out. 
This danceable and inventive art-rock band recently opened up for Death Cab for Cutie in the city. Now they’re back with a sold-out headlining show. 

Thursday, Sept. 25: 
Tobacco City, Silver Synthetic, Grace Rogers at Judson and Moore. Tickets. 
Front-to-back, the best indie rock bill of the week. Get there early and stay late. 

Friko, Oyeme, CRASHprez at Empty Bottle. Sold out. 
The rising indie rock band sold out this iconic Ukrainian Village dive in minutes. 

Reneé Rapp, Rayn Lenae at United Center. Tickets. 
For the talented opener, this arena show will be a homecoming. 

Deltron 3030, Kid Koala at House of Blues. Tickets. 
Hip-hop legends in River North. 

Knifeplay, Euphoria Again, Interlay at Hideout. Tickets. 
This Philadelphia shoegaze band’s live show comes highly recommended. 

Friday, Sept. 26: 
Turnstile, Mannequin Pussy, Speed, Jane Remover at Northerly Island. Tickets. 
A big venue and a stacked bill for this breakout popular hardcore rock band. 

Russian Circles, Young Widows at Thalia Hall. Tickets. 
Instrumental riffs and immersive metal soundscapes from a band with Chicago roots. 

Deerhoof, Blood Nymph, Dorothy Carlos at Chop Shop. Tickets. 
Indie music’s premier experimentalists take a trip to Wicker Park. 

Múm, Mr. Silla at Old Town School of Folk Music. Tickets. 
A long-running Icelandic group that combines electronic, pop, ambient and yes, folk, plays an intimate show in Lincoln Square. 

Cut Worms, Christian Wargo at SPACE. Tickets. 
Classic songwriting and 60s-inflected folk-rock. 

Saturday, Sept. 27: 
Mountain Goats at Salt Shed. Tickets. 
Folk-punk icons and songwriting legends take the stage with no openers at the city’s best venue.

Brent Cobb & the Fixin’s at Joe’s on Weed. Tickets. 
Like twang, breezy tunes and an airtight country rock band? Try this one. 

Godspeed You! Black Emperor, Dry Cleaning at Bohemian National Cemetery. Sold out. 
One of experimental music’s foremost acts takes the stage at an unlikely venue. 

American Football, Hinds, Sonido Gallo Negro, Local Memory at Goose Island Brewery. Free. 
Part of Goose Island’s annual 312 Block Party celebrations. 

Material Issue, Tamar Berk at Schubas. Tickets. 
Yes, it’s the Chicago ‘80s band. 

Sunday, Sept. 28: 
Hand Habits, Fashion Club at Empty Bottle. Tickets. 
“Blue Reminder,” the new LP from the L.A. guitarist and songwriter, is one of 2025’s best. 

Corinne Bailey Rae at Cahn Auditorium. Tickets. 
Just go ahead, let your hair down. 

The Raveonettes, Shallowater at Bottom Lounge. Tickets. 
Go for the cavernous indie rock of the Texas openers. 

Willi Carlisle, The Lowest Pair at Lincoln Hall. Tickets. 
This might be your last chance to see an acclaimed Americana artist in an intimate venue before he plays bigger and bigger rooms. 

Tuesday, Sept. 30: 
Ludovico Einaudi at Auditorium Theatre. Tickets. 
This Italian pianist and composer might be behind your favorite film score. 

Mei Ehara, Smushie at Empty Bottle. Tickets. 
A Japanese songwriter and a Chicago pop-rock wizard team up for a great show at the city’s best music dive bar. 

Oddisee, Ifeanyi Elswith at Lincoln Hall. Tickets. 
Tasteful, introspective hip-hop. 

Maruja, Ganser at Thalia Hall. Tickets. 
Go early for the stellar Chicago art punks.  

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