Arts & Entertainment

Chicago-Area Live Music Recommendations for April 22-28

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 22: 
Alice Phoebe Lou, Case Oats at the Vic. Tickets. 
The Chicago folk-rock outfit opens up for the South African singer. 

Hayley Williams, Water From Your Eyes at Aragon Ballroom. Sold out. 
The Paramore frontwoman enlists one of the coolest New York City bands as an opener. 

Grace Ives, Whu Else at Lincoln Hall. Sold out. 
This pop artist has gotten better, weirder and more interesting with each successive LP. 

Thursday, April 23: 
Chris Acker, The Montvales at the Hideout. Tickets.
The New Orleans songwriter makes a stop at Chicago’s coziest venue. 

Thursday, Chris Conley at Metro. Tickets.  
The long-running post-hardcore band Thursday is playing on Thursday. 

Frog, Feller at Thalia Hall. Tickets. 
An uber prolific New York indie rock outfit enlists the rising local band for their Pilsen debut. 

Friday, April 24: 
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. 

Times New Viking, TV Buddha, Temps at Empty Bottle. Tickets. 
Multiple generations of indie rock talent will be on display in Ukrainian Village. 

Heavenly, Swansea Sound, Good Flying Birds at Beat Kitchen. Tickets. 
Multiple generations of indie rock talent will be on display in Roscoe Village. 

GZA at Avondale Music Hall. Tickets. 
The Wu-Tang Clan wordsmith makes another stop in Avondale. 

Stuck, Landowner at Sleeping Village. Tickets. 
This excellent Chicago punk band is celebrating the release of their 2026 album of the year contender, “Optimizer.” 

Saturday, April 25: 
Accessory, Facing, Cancer House at Empty Bottle. Tickets. 
The singer and guitarist in Dehd and NE-HI marks a stellar new LP with his solo project. 

Drugdealer at Lincoln Hall. Tickets. 
A wildly collaborative LA songwriter takes the stage in Lincoln Park. 

Friko, Chaepter at Metro. Tickets. 
This energetic and galvanizing local rock band will release a new album called “Something Worth Waiting For” and celebrate it with a show in Lakeview. 

Field Medic, Georgia Maq at Subterranean. Tickets. 
Perceptive and funny songwriting from artists who combine folk, pop, punk and indie rock. 

Model/Actriz, Agriculture at Thalia Hall. Tickets. 
Noisy rock music in Pilsen. 

Gelli Haha, Big Sis at Schubas. Sold out. 
A charming rising pop artist who thrives in kaleidoscopic technicolor visuals and undeniable hooks. Two shows in one night, and both are sold out. 

Sunday, April 26: 
Maya Hawke at Thalia Hall. Tickets.
The star of “Stranger Things” and “Ken Burns: The American Revolution” also does songwriting. 

Monday, April 27: 
MJ Lenderman & Waxahatchee, Brennan Wedl at the Auditorium. Tickets. 
Name a more iconic trio. 

Telehealth, Axis:sovA, Bog Power at Empty Bottle. Free. 
This Ukrainian Village mainstay gives a boost to the neighborhood with their “Free Monday” series. 

José González at the Vic. Tickets. 
While this Swedish folk artist likely soundtracked your 2000s, he’s still just as good in 2026. 

Tuesday, April 28: 
Broncho at the Empty Bottle. Tickets.  
The infectious and charming Norman, Oklahoma, rock band hit the 10-year anniversary of its album “Double Vanity.” 

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WTTW News arts coverage is supported by the JCS Arts, Health & Education Fund of the DuPage Foundation.

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