Arts & Entertainment

Chicago-Area Live Music Recommendations for Dec. 3-Dec. 9

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, Dec. 3: 
Erykah Badu at Chicago Theatre. Tickets.. 
The pioneering “Queen of Neo Soul” makes an appearance downtown for two shows at an iconic venue. This is night two. 

Advance Base, Kristin Daelyn at Color Club. Tickets.
Chicago songwriter Owen Ashworth hosts his annual Christmas show.  

Mini Trees, Pictoria Vark at Schubas. Tickets. 
This Los Angeles band teams up with a Chicago songwriter in Lakeview. 

Béla Fleck & The Flecktones at Salt Shed. Tickets. 
The jazz fusion mainstays hit Chicago on their “Jingle All the Way” tour. 

Foxing, Pool Kids at Thalia Hall. Sold out. 
An adventurous and experimental St. Louis emo band says farewell with two sold out shows in Pilsen. This is night one. 

Thursday, Dec. 4: 
Foxing, Pool Kids at Thalia Hall. Sold out. 
An adventurous and experimental St. Louis emo band says farewell with two sold out shows in Pilsen. This is night two. 

Friday, Dec. 5: 
Fort Frances at Hideout. Tickets.
Veteran local folk rockers always put on an incredible show at this cozy Bucktown venue. 

The Lawrence Arms, Samiam at Metro. Tickets.  
For 11 years, this Chicago punk group has hosted career-spanning “War On Xmas” shows. This is night one of two. 

Adamn Killa at Reggie’s Rock Club. Tickets. 
It’s not every day a recent “Chicago Tonight” guest plays Reggie’s Rock Club. 

Saturday, Dec. 6: 
Universal Togetherness Band at Empty Bottle. Tickets. 
This long-running disco group has had a resurgence thanks to local archival label Numero Group. 

The Lawrence Arms, The Flatliners at Metro. Tickets. 
For 11 years, this Chicago punk group has hosted career-spanning “War On Xmas” shows. This is night two of two. 

Sunday, Dec. 7: 
Cusp, Sleeper’s Bell, Uniflora, Answering Machines at Empty Bottle. Tickets. 
Two pillars of independent music journalism—The Ugly Hug and Post Trash—team up for this stacked show of local indie rock acts to benefit the OCAD Mutual Aid Fund. 

Dijon at Salt Shed. Tickets.
This artist is behind Pitchfork’s number two album of the year. 

Jason Narducy at SPACE. Tickets. 
The Evanston native celebrates his new book “Mostly The Van: A Collection of Stories” with a solo gig at a hometown venue. 

​​Monday, Dec. 8: 
Chris Coleslaw, Old Pup, Dark Canyon at Empty Bottle. Free. 
Twangy solo tunes from the Tobacco City frontman. 

Andrew Bird, Macie Stewart, Lia Kohl and Whitney Johnson Trio at Fourth Presbyterian Church. Tickets.
What might be the best Chicago holiday tradition for live music is this talented songwriter’s intimate “Gezelligheid” shows at a historic church. This is night one of five. 

Tuesday, Dec. 9: 
Golden Smog at the Vic Theatre. Tickets. 
A rock’n'roll supergroup known for its rotating lineup now features Jeff Tweedy, Gary Louris, Kraig Johnson, Dan Murphy, Marc Perlman and Steve Gorman. 

Andrew Bird, Macie Stewart, Lia Kohl and Whitney Johnson Trio at Fourth Presbyterian Church. Tickets.
What might be the best Chicago holiday tradition for live music is this talented songwriter’s intimate “Gezelligheid” shows at a historic church. This is night two of five. 

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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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