Chicago-Area Live Music Recommendations for Oct. 1-7

Water From Your Eyes (Credit: Adam Powell) Water From Your Eyes (Credit: Adam Powell)

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, Oct. 1: 
Makaya McCraven, Tom Skinner at Thalia Hall. Tickets
The boundary-pushing Chicago jazz drummer enlists an English artist who’s played with Sons of Kemet and The Smile to open for him in Pilsen. 

Thanks to our sponsors:

View all sponsors

Thursday, Oct. 2:
Water From Your Eyes, Her New Knife, This House Is Creaking at Sleeping Village. Sold out. 
Rachel Brown, one-half of this critically acclaimed art-rock band, hails from Chicago. 

Laura Stevenson, Oceanator, Katie Malco at Schubas. Tickets
A night of understated and excellent songwriting in Lakeview. 

Destroyer, Jennifer Castle at Thalia Hall. Tickets
Dan Bejar’s wordy, sophisticated and enthralling songs headline Pilsen. 

Lynyn, easygoingtech, Fingy at Empty Bottle. Tickets
Glitchy and immersive electronic music from a local artist. 

Friday, Oct. 3: 
Ribbon Skirt, Godstar Megamix at Color Club. Tickets
The Montreal indie rock duo’s debut album received high marks from publications like Pitchfork. 

Thou, Black Nail, Djunah at Beat Kitchen. Sold out. 
Critically acclaimed Southern sludge metal. 

White Reaper, Lip Critic, Worlds Worst at Cobra Lounge. Sold out. 
Like unfussy rock ’n’ roll? This Louisville band might do the trick. 

Pool Kids, Truth Club, PONY at Lincoln Hall. Tickets
Get there early for North Carolina’s Truth Club. Their 2023 album “Running From the Chase” is basically perfect indie rock. 

Winter, A Country Western at Schubas. Tickets
Two buzzy acts take the stage in Lakeview. 

Saturday, Oct. 4: 
The Psychedelic Furs, Gary Numan at the Auditorium Theatre. Tickets
English rock royalty team up downtown. 

Bitchin Bajas, Jeremiah Chiu and Marta Sofia Honer at Empty Bottle. Tickets
The Chicago experimental band just released a hypnotic LP called “Inland See.” 

Getdown Services, Problems at Sleeping Village. Sold out. 
See why this duo calls themselves “Britain’s Best Band.” 

Bob Mould, David Barbe at Old Town School of Folk Music. Tickets
The Hüsker Dü and Sugar frontman does a solo electric show. 

Sunday, Oct. 5: 
Air at Auditorium Theatre. Tickets
The French experimentalists will play their debut album “Moon Safari” in full. 

Dummy, TV Buddha, Ira Glass at Empty Bottle. Tickets
Dizzying, Sterolab-indebted grooves headline this stacked bill. 

Os Mutantes, Rudy De Anda at Garcia’s. Tickets
The long-running group will play Chicago’s newest small venue. 

Bob Mould (in conversation with Greg Kot) at Old Town School of Folk. Tickets
After the interview, the Hüsker Dü and Sugar frontman will play a solo electric set. 

Swervedriver, FACS, Frankie Rose at Thalia Hall. Tickets
Shoegaze legends hit Pilsen. 

Monday, Oct. 6: 
Ellie Ruth, Shoulderbird, Aunt Kelly at Hideout. Tickets
A night of winsome folk and intimate songwriting. 

Elbow, Mike Kota at Riviera Theatre. Tickets
U.K. alt-rock icons take on Uptown. 

Tuesday, Oct. 7: 
Far Caspian, A Beacon School. Tickets
This Irish songwriter makes atmospheric and dreamlike rock songs. 

Grandaddy, Greg Freeman at Thalia Hall. Tickets
The Vermont-based opener has an album of the year contender in the searing rock LP “Burnover.” 


Thanks to our sponsors:

View all sponsors

Thanks to our sponsors:

View all sponsors