Arts & Entertainment
Chicago-Area Live Music Recommendations for April 15-21
Ratboys (Miles Kalchik)
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, April 15:
Haley Heynderickx & Max García Conover at Old Town School of Folk. Sold out.
These two songwriters teamed up on the best folk album of 2025 and now join forces for two sold-out shows.
Art Brut, LP Trixie at Subterranean. Tickets.
The beloved 2000s English rock band is back for a reunion tour.
Thursday, April 16:
Haley Heynderickx & Max García Conover at Old Town School of Folk. Sold out.
These two songwriters teamed up on the best folk album of 2025 and now join forces for two sold-out shows.
Courtney Marie Andrews, Aubory Bugg at Empty Bottle. Tickets.
A voice that warrants comparisons to fellow Arizonan Linda Ronstadt.
The Nude Party, Tobacco City at Lincoln Hall. Tickets.
Get there early for the neon-lit country of the local openers.
Friday, April 17:
Julian Saunders, Samuel Aaron, Orillia at Empty Bottle. Tickets.
The Chicago folkie headliner is celebrating his debut album “Two Geese.”
Yasmin Williams, Samuel Nalangira at SPACE. Tickets.
Expressive fingerstyle guitar in Evanston.
The Hoyle Brothers at Empty Bottle. Free.
Want a matinee show? This honky tonk residency is always on Fridays at 5:30 p.m. and always free.
Saturday, April 18:
Garrett T. Capps, Bobby Conn, Shy Bronco at Judson and Moore. Tickets.
Come see what “San Antonio’s Space Cowboy” brand of twangy rock’n’roll is all about.
Ratboys, Free Range at the Vic. Tickets.
Two of the best Chicago bands also happen to be some of the city’s easiest to root for acts.
Sunday, April 19:
The Convenience, The Lipschitz, Seth Engel, Discus at Cole’s. Tickets.
Angular and anthemic indie rock from New Orleans.
Junegrass, Alive Girl, Jeremy Freeze at Empty Bottle. Tickets.
Swirling grooves and heady jams from the local headliners.
Monday, April 20:
DAVE at Salt Shed. Tickets.
Not Chappelle, not Letterman, not the “Famous” BBQ restaurant chain, but the cerebral and celebrated U.K. rapper.
Tuesday, April 21:
Hayley Williams, Water From Your Eyes at Aragon Ballroom. Tickets.
The Paramore frontwoman enlists one of the coolest New York City bands as an opener.
WTTW News arts coverage is supported by the JCS Arts, Health & Education Fund of the DuPage Foundation.
