Arts & Entertainment
Chicago-Area Live Music Recommendations for Jan. 14-20
Greg Freeman (Credit: Steve Gullick)
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, Jan. 14:
Ben LaMar Gay / Macie Stewart Duo, Macie Stewart at Color Club. Sold out.
The Finom member and Chicago music mainstay continues her Wednesday residency at the Old Irving Park venue with two sets: one solo and one with Ben LaMar Gay.
Thursday, Jan. 15:
Richard Lloyd Group, National Photo Committee at Hideout. Tickets.
The Television guitarist enlists a rising Chicago punk band as openers for this Tomorrow Never Knows Festival show.
Mute Duo, Swim Ignorant Fire, ragenap+dathon at Sleeping Village. Tickets.
Psychedelic jams galore at this Avondale gig. Part of TNK Fest.
Tobacco City, Lawrence Peters Outfit at SPACE. Tickets.
Golden harmonies, down-on-your-luck lyrics and neon-lit twang in Evanston.
Friday, Jan. 16:
Smushie, Fast Preacher at Gman Tavern. Tickets.
Love raucous and infectious ‘70s-inspired rock music? Head to Wrigleyville on Friday. Part of TNK Fest.
Adeline Hotel, Dusk, Wishbone at Hideout. Tickets.
Head to Bucktown for a stacked bill of stellar songwriters. Part of TNK Fest.
Real Estate, fantasy of a broken heart, Kali Masi at Metro. Tickets.
The Wrigleyville venue booked an eclectic indie rock show of cross-generational talent. Part of TNK Fest.
Austra, Girl K at Sleeping Village. Tickets.
Like pop music? This is your must-see show of the week. Part of TNK Fest.
Rebirth Brass Brand at SPACE. Tickets.
The New Orleans legends play two shows in the Chicago area. The first is in Evanston.
Racing Mount Pleasant, Villagerrr, Noah Praise God at Schubas. Sold out.
The headliners had a successful run opening for Geese last year. Part of TNK Fest.
Saturday, Jan. 17:
Modern Nature at Constellation. Tickets.
Jack Cooper’s excellent band heads to Roscoe Village.
DIIV, Accessory, This House Is Creaking at Lincoln Hall. Tickets.
Post-punk vets get assists from two stellar Chicago bands.
Equipment Pointed Ankh, Traysh, Chelsea Bridge + Sklyer Rowe at Hideout. Tickets.
This adventurous instrumental rock band features 2025 breakout stars Ryan Davis and His Roadhouse Band. Part of TNK Fest.
Motel Breakfast, Astrachan, Samuel Aaron at Sleeping Village. Tickets.
Three golden boys of Chicago indie rock’s next generation team up in Avondale. Part of TNK Fest.
Rebirth Brass Band at Thalia Hall. Tickets.
The New Orleans legends play two shows in the Chicago area. The second is in Pilsen.
Greg Freeman, Golomb, Minor Moon at Schubas. Sold out.
This long-sold-out show might already be the best indie rock gig of 2026. Part of TNK Fest.
Sunday, Jan. 18:
DMB the Etymology, Calicoloco, Cusp at Schubas. Tickets.
When Devyn Marshall-Brown isn’t making fierce punk with the headliner, he’s a working journalist in Chicago.
WTTW News arts coverage is supported by the JCS Arts, Health & Education Fund of the DuPage Foundation.
