Arts & Entertainment
Chicago-Area Live Music Recommendations for Dec. 10-16
SML (Charlie Weinemann)
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, Dec. 10:
Andrew Bird, Macie Stewart, Lia Kohl and Whitney Johnson Trio at Fourth Presbyterian Church. Tickets.
What might be the best Chicago holiday tradition for live music is this talented songwriter’s intimate “Gezelligheid” shows at a historic church. This is night three of five.
Thursday, Dec. 11:
The Bug Club, Tuff Sudz at Empty Bottle. Tickets.
These Welsh garage-pop geniuses return to the Ukrainian Village dive for two shows. This is night one.
Andrew Bird, Macie Stewart, Lia Kohl and Whitney Johnson Trio at Fourth Presbyterian Church. Tickets.
What might be the best Chicago holiday tradition for live music is this talented songwriter’s intimate “Gezelligheid” shows at a historic church. This is night four of five.
Andrew Sa’s Lonesome Holiday at Hideout. Tickets.
Chicago’s most impressive country crooner kicks off a Christmas residency in Bucktown. This is night one of four.
Earl Sweatshirt, Liv.E, ZelooperZ at Ramova Theatre. Tickets.
The cerebral and adventurous rapper makes a stop in Bridgeport.
Third Eye Blind, Yellowcard at Aragon Ballroom. Tickets.
The ‘90s and ‘00s radio rockers team up for a big show in Uptown.
Friday, Dec. 12:
Liam Kazar, V.V. Lightbody at Lincoln Hall. Tickets.
A Chicago folk-rocker celebrates his joyful new album “Pilot Light.”
Teethe, Villagerrr, Joyer at Schubas. Tickets.
The Texas headliners make a particularly dreamy brand of indie rock. Get there early for the two openers.
The Bug Club, Universal Automation at Empty Bottle. Tickets.
These Welsh garage-pop geniuses return to the Ukrainian Village dive for two shows. This is night two.
Andrew Bird, Macie Stewart, Lia Kohl and Whitney Johnson Trio at Fourth Presbyterian Church. Tickets.
What might be the best Chicago holiday tradition for live music is this talented songwriter’s intimate “Gezelligheid” shows at a historic church. This is night five of five.
The Armed, Prostitute, Latter at Thalia Hall. Tickets.
Michigan punks team up for a raucous night in Pilsen.
Andrew Sa’s Lonesome Holiday at Hideout. Tickets.
Chicago’s most impressive country crooner kicks off a Christmas residency in Bucktown. This is night two of four.
Acid Bath, High on Fire, Weedeater at Salt Shed. Tickets.
It’s never too late in the year for a loud-as-heck metal show.
Saturday, Dec. 13:
Ryan Davis and the Roadhouse Band, Mike Polizze at Empty Bottle. Sold out.
This Louisville songwriter spent his formative years in Chicago and now has his breakthrough album in “New Threats From the Soul.” The first of two sold-out shows.
Billie Marten, Núria Graham at Thalia Hall. Tickets.
The U.K. artist behind one of 2025’s most gorgeous folk albums comes to Pilsen with a phenomenal opening act.
Case Oats, Oyeme at Schubas. Tickets.
Charming folk-rock from a local pillar of the city’s indie scene.
Jay Som, fanclubwallet at Lincoln Hall. Tickets.
The recently released “Belong” is the Filipino-American indie rocker’s first solo album in six years.
Sunday, Dec. 14:
SML at Thalia Hall. Tickets.
An innovative Los Angeles jazz supergroup with several Chicagoans among its ranks plays two sets “in the round” at the Pilsen theater: one with its mainstay members and another with an expanded “XL” lineup.
Ryan Davis and the Roadhouse Band, Styrofoam Winos at Empty Bottle. Sold out.
This Louisville songwriter spent his formative years in Chicago and now has his breakthrough album in “New Threats From the Soul.” The second of two sold-out shows.
Monday, Dec. 15:
Protomartyr, Accessory at Thalia Hall. Tickets.
The Detroit post-punks celebrate 10 years of their album “The Agent Intellect.”
Tuesday, Dec. 16:
Cameron Winter at Rockefeller Chapel. Sold out.
Good luck getting a ticket to this idiosyncratic and masterful songwriter’s solo shows in Hyde Park.
WTTW News arts coverage is supported by the JCS Arts, Health & Education Fund of the DuPage Foundation.
