Arts & Entertainment
Chicago-Area Live Music Recommendations for Nov. 26-Dec. 2
Saba (Mark Clennon)
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, Nov. 26:
Billy Corgan at Lyric Opera House. Tickets.
The Smashing Pumpkins frontman teams up with Lyric Opera of Chicago to celebrate 30 years of his band’s classic album “Mellon Collie and Infinite Sadness.” The third of six shows.
Algernon Cadwallader, Gladie, Walter Mitty and His Makeshift Orchestra at Thalia Hall. Tickets.
The emo band’s first album in 14 years, “Trying Not to Have a Thought,” sees the group catch a second wind.
Friday, Nov. 28:
Billy Corgan at Lyric Opera House. Sold out.
The Smashing Pumpkins frontman teams up with Lyric Opera of Chicago to celebrate 30 years of his band’s classic album “Mellon Collie and Infinite Sadness.” The fourth of six shows.
Saba, Pivot Gang at Metro. Tickets.
This collaborative rap concert is called “John Walt Day,” which honors the Pivot Gang member who was murdered in February 2017.
Raekwon, Mobb Deep at Riviera. Tickets.
Two hip-hop legends team up for a show in Uptown.
Saturday, Nov. 29:
Billy Corgan at Lyric Opera House. Sold out.
The Smashing Pumpkins frontman teams up with Lyric Opera of Chicago to celebrate 30 years of his band’s classic album “Mellon Collie and Infinite Sadness.” The fifth of six shows.
Neal Francis, the Heavy Heavy, the Dead Bolts at Salt Shed. Tickets.
Like classic rock? Like jams? This Chicago-area piano man might be your new local hero.
Sunday, Nov. 30:
Billy Corgan at Lyric Opera House. Sold out.
The Smashing Pumpkins frontman teams up with Lyric Opera of Chicago to celebrate 30 years of his band’s classic album “Mellon Collie and Infinite Sadness.” The sixth of six shows.
Snocaps, Bonny Doon at Thalia Hall. Sold out.
Sisters Katie Crutchfield (Waxahatchee) and Allison Crutchfield (Swearin’) have a new band with MJ Lenderman, Brad Cook and Chicago’s Colin Croom. It makes its local debut for three shows in Pilsen. This is the first night.
Chaepter, Blunt, The Courts at Empty Bottle. Tickets.
It’s a local showcase in Ukrainian Village with the indie rock headliner celebrating a new album called “Companion Music.”
Claire Rousay, Zander Raymond at Constellation. Tickets.
A night of experimental and ambient music at the local venue best suited for experimental and ambient music.
Monday, Dec. 1:
Snocaps, Cloakroom at Thalia Hall. Sold out.
Sisters Katie Crutchfield (Waxahatchee) and Allison Crutchfield (Swearin’) have a new band with MJ Lenderman, Brad Cook and Chicago’s Colin Croom. It makes its local debut for three shows in Pilsen. This is the second night.
Tuesday, Dec. 2:
Snocaps, Graham Hunt at Thalia Hall. Sold out.
Sisters Katie Crutchfield (Waxahatchee) and Allison Crutchfield (Swearin’) have a new band with MJ Lenderman, Brad Cook and Chicago’s Colin Croom. It makes its local debut for three shows in Pilsen. This is the final night.
Erykah Badu at Chicago Theatre. Tickets.
The pioneering “Queen of Neo Soul” makes an appearance downtown for two shows at an iconic venue. This is night one.
Cursive, AJJ at SPACE. Tickets.
Head to Evanston for two veteran acts who have combined folk with punk, emo and rock.
WTTW News arts coverage is supported by the JCS Arts, Health & Education Fund of the DuPage Foundation.
