Arts & Entertainment

Chicago-Area Live Music Recommendations for Aug. 19-25

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, Aug. 19:  
Born at Midnite, Paycheque at Schubas. Tickets. 
Playful, off-the-wall pop from a Montreal duo. 

Citizen, Anxious, Hotline TNT, Rocket at Thalia Hall. Tickets. 
A loud night of American rock ’n’ roll in Pilsen. 

Gregory Alan Isakov at Ravinia. Tickets. 
The veteran singer-songwriter makes a stop on the North Shore. 

Hazel City, Nolan Chin at Hungry Brain. Tickets. 
Twin Peaks’ Clay Frankel headlines a solo show in Roscoe Village. 

Victoryland, Drook, Godstar Megamax at Empty Bottle. Tickets. 
Eclectic and cathartic indie rock at one of Chicago’s best venues. 

Thursday, Aug. 20: 
Jake Xerxes Fussell at Old Town School of Folk. Tickets. 
This folk artist writes patient, introspective and stunning songs. 

Jill Scott at Chicago Theatre. Tickets. 
The R&B icon stops in the Loop for three nights to celebrate her new album, “To Whom This May Concern.” The first of three.

Jimmy Eat World, The Get Up Kids, Sunny Day Real Estate at Northerly Island. Tickets. 
Influential punk bands gather by the lakefront. 

Meltt, Los Eclispes at Lincoln Hall. Tickets. 
Heady and immersive psych-rock heads to Lincoln Park. 

Plum, No Men, Girly Pants at Empty Bottle. Tickets. 
The local post-punk trio is gearing up to release a new album. 

Friday, Aug. 21: 
Alabama Shakes, Liam Kazar at Ravinia. Tickets.
The hometown hero opens up for the Southern rock juggernaut.  

Deep Sea Diver, Hand Habits at Old Town School of Folk. Tickets. 
Get there early for the opener, who is one of the best guitarists and songwriters touring. 

Joe Pug at Robert’s Westside. Tickets. 
Head to the ‘burbs for a cozy show with the folk troubadour. 

Kacey Musgraves, Midland at United Center. Tickets. 
The country star takes her show to the West Loop arena. 

Scout Gillett, Jackie West, Ava Brennan at the Hideout. Tickets. 
Several excellent songwriters can be found on this bill. 

Superchunk, Joe Glass at SPACE. Tickets. 
The veteran punk outfit enlists a rising local opener. 

Will Sheff, James Elkington, Damsel. at Lincoln Hall. Tickets. 
See the artist behind Okkervil River play a solo show. 

Saturday, Aug. 22: 
Bonnie Raitt at Ravinia. Tickets. 
The country icon is still going strong. 

Iris Temple, NnamdÏ, No-Fi RPM at Empty Bottle. Tickets. 
Celebrate 10 years of the Chicago label Sooper Records with a stacked bill. 

Jill Scott at Chicago Theatre. Tickets.
The R&B icon stops in the Loop for three nights to celebrate her new album, “To Whom This May Concern.” The second of three. 

Shemekia Copeland at Robert’s Westside. Tickets.
This soul vocalist can wow any audience. 

Sunday, Aug. 23: 
Frankie Cosmos, Grace Bloom at Empty Bottle. Sold out. 
The indie pop artist Greta Kline celebrates a decade of her LP “Next Thing.” 

Jill Scott at Chicago Theatre. Tickets. 
The R&B icon stops in the Loop for three nights to celebrate her new album, “To Whom This May Concern.” The third of three. 

Kay Krull, Kitship at the Hideout. Tickets. 
Get there early for the local folk artist. 

Swervedriver, the Life and Times, Slow Fiction at Thalia Hall. Tickets. 
Shoegaze and riffs abound in Pilsen. 

Monday, Aug. 24: 
Wild Thyme at Empty Bottle. Free. 
There’s nothing better than a free Monday show in Ukrainian Village. 

Tuesday, Aug. 25: 
Willie Nelson, The Avett Brothers, Lukas Nelson, Stephen Wilson Jr., more at Northerly Island. Tickets. 
Come see a songwriting legend who, at 93, can still put on a heck of a show.

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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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