Arts & Entertainment
Chicago-Area Live Music Recommendations for Aug. 12-18
Big Thief (Michael Buishas)
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, Aug. 12:
Oneida, Kinski, BCMC at Empty Bottle. Tickets.
Expect heady, improvisational folk rock in Ukrainian Village.
Modest Mouse, Califone at Salt Shed. Tickets.
The indie rock lifers play a big club.
Thursday, Aug. 13:
Big Thief, Ben LaMar Gay at Salt Shed. Tickets.
See one of indie music’s most acclaimed acts by the riverside.
Chicago Symphony Orchestra: “The Music of Quincy Jones” at Ravinia. Tickets.
Take the Metra to see the CSO pay tribute to an American songwriting legend.
Holy Wave, Surgery Boys, Fast Preacher at Empty Bottle. Tickets.
Psych-rock on the West Side.
Friday, Aug. 14:
American Football, Rainer Maria, Afternoon Bike Ride at Salt Shed. Tickets.
Emo icons play the indoor room at one of the city’s best big venues.
Tori Amos, Bartees Strange at Auditorium Theatre. Tickets.
Two generations of excellent songwriters team up in the Loop.
Chicago Symphony Orchestra: “Brahms X Radiohead” at Ravinia. Tickets.
Classical merges with alt-rock at this unique mashup symphony show.
Fiddlehead, Narrow Head, Knumears, the Sissy Boys at Thalia Hall. Tickets.
Head to Pilsen for a packed night of punk rock.
Saturday, Aug. 15:
Just Penelope, Starcharm, Current Union TM at GMan Tavern. Tickets.
Get there early for Chicago’s most explosive and exciting young rock band.
Consensus Madness, The Hell, Bungee Jumpers, Navaja at Empty Bottle. Tickets.
The local punks are celebrating their debut LP called “Endeavors.”
moe., Umphrey’s McGee at Ravinia. Tickets.
Jam bands invade Highland Park.
Sunday, Aug. 16:
Rodeo Boys, Rust Ring, Budget Cut at GMan Tavern. Tickets.
The self-described “Blue collar queer rock n’ roll band from Lansing, MI” takes over the Lakeview dive bar.
Tuesday, Aug. 18:
Steve Earle at Cahn Auditorium. Tickets.
The alt-country icon is celebrating “51 years of songs and stories.”
Citizen, Anxious, Hotline TNT, Rocket at Thalia Hall. Tickets.
Loud, riff-heavy American rock music in Pilsen.
WTTW News arts coverage is supported by the JCS Arts, Health & Education Fund of the DuPage Foundation.
