Arts & Entertainment

Chicago-Area Live Music Recommendations for July 29-Aug. 4

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, July 29:  
Blood Orange at House of Blues. Tickets. 
The acclaimed songwriter makes a rare stop in Chicago. A Lollapalooza aftershow. 

Ben Folds and the Grant Park Symphony Orchestra at Jay Pritzker Pavilion. Free. 
The piano bard behind “Brick,” “Army” and “Song for the Dumped” will be backed up by a massive orchestra. 

The Smashing Pumpkins at Riviera Theatre. Tickets. 
The Chicago alt-rock heroes haven’t played Lollapalooza in 32 years. A Lollapalooza aftershow. 

Wet Leg, Smut at the Vic Theatre. Tickets. 
The English duo enlists a Chicago-based indie rock band for their late-night gig in Lakeview. A Lollapalooza aftershow. 

Thursday, July 30: 
Lorde, Wet Leg, Blood Orange, Little Simz, more at Lollapalooza. Sold out. 
The nearly sold-out four-day massive festival takes over Grant Park this weekend. 

The Army, The Navy at Garcia’s. Tickets. 
The indie pop duo plays an intimate West Loop venue with perfect sound. A Lollapalooza aftershow.

Suki Waterhouse at House of Blues. Tickets. 
The pop star and actress heads to River North. A Lollapalooza aftershow.

Finn Wolfhard, Kim Theory at Subterranean. Sold out. 
The talented musician and actor has a band featuring Chicago musicians. A Lollapalooza aftershow.

High Vis at Cobra Lounge. Sold out.
Head to the West Loop for loud guitars and shoegaze-inflected punk. A Lollapalooza aftershow. 

Slayyyter at Salt Shed. Sold out. 
One of the most-hyped concerts surrounding the festival. A Lollapalooza aftershow. 

Friday, July 31: 
Charli XCX, the Smashing Pumpkins, Suki Waterhouse, Freddie Gibbs, more at Lollapalooza. Sold out.
The nearly sold-out four-day massive festival takes over Grant Park this weekend. 

CRASHwolves (CRASHprez + Manwolves), Starcharm at Kilbourn Park. Free. 
The best music festival this weekend is a free Friday concert at a cozy Northwest Side park. 

Clipse, Mick Jenkins at Riviera Theatre. Tickets. 
The best rap gig this weekend is in Uptown. A Lollapalooza aftershow.

Chicago, Styx at Allstate Arena. Tickets. 
Want to avoid the young people attending Lollapalooza? A Rosemont trip to see these two bands is a foolproof escape plan. 

Momma, Porch Light at Lincoln Hall. Sold out. 
The talented indie rock band makes a stop in Lincoln Park. A Lollapalooza aftershow. 

Saturday, August 1: 
Olivia Dean, Jennie, Geese, Ethen Cain, Clipse, more at Lollapalooza. Sold out. 
The nearly sold-out four-day massive festival takes over Grant Park this weekend. 

After, Sunshy at Empty Bottle. Tickets. 
After the festival wraps up, go see the band After. A Lollapalooza aftershow.

Freddie Gibbs at Ramova Theatre. Tickets. 
Head to Bridgeport for a set from the Gary, Indiana rapper. A Lollapalooza aftershow. 

Hot Mulligan, Footballhead at Metro. Sold out. 
Punk music at a venue best suited for that. A Lollapalooza aftershow. 

Sunday, August 2: 
Tate McRae, The xx, Turnstile, Water From Your Eyes, Squirrel Flower at Lollapalooza. Tickets. 
The only day still on sale from the four-day massive festival taking over Grant Park this weekend. 

Kaycie Satterfield, Morpho, Jane Hobson at Cole’s. Tickets. 
Head to Logan Square for a low-key but excellent bill of indie rock songwriters. 

Cory Hanson at Hideout. Tickets. 
The best rock show of the week is here. 

Watchhouse, Gwenifer Raymond at Cahn Auditorium. Tickets. 
Trek north to Evanston for an open-to-the-public show at Northwestern University.  

Ethel Cain, Squirrel Flower at Metro. Sold out. 
This might be the best Lollapalooza aftershow. 

Water From Your Eyes, Anthony Fremont’s Garden Solutions at Empty Bottle. Sold out.
This also might be the best Lollapalooza aftershow. 

Monday, August 3: 
This House Is Creaking, Plush, Giant Pit of Glass at Empty Bottle. Free. 
There’s nothing better than a free Monday show at the Ukrainian Village venue. 
 
The Budos Band, Zeshan B at Jay Pritzker Pavilion. Free. 
OK, maybe a free Monday concert in Millennium Park might be better. 

Tuesday, August 4: 
Finom at the Museum of Contemporary Art. Free. 
Expect harmonies, fantastic songs and decade-long chemistry from one of Chicago’s best duos. 

---

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

---