Chicago-Area Live Music Recommendations for June 17-23

Greg Mendez (Stephen Yang) Greg Mendez (Stephen Yang)

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, June 17:
Memory Card, imy3, The Philadelphia Eagles, Cambodian SIM Card at Empty Bottle. Tickets.
The headliner is one of Chicago’s most exciting indie rock bands.

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The Strokes, Thundercat, Hamilton Leithauser at United Center. Tickets.
An eclectic lineup of beloved artists plays an arena show.

Conway the Machine at Lincoln Hall. Tickets.
The Buffalo rapper makes a pit stop in Lincoln Park.

Thursday, June 18: 
Zander Raymond and Lia Kohl at Judson and Moore. Tickets
Two esteemed local improvisational musicians team up at an Avondale distillery. 

The Hotelier, Graham Hunt at Lincoln Hall. Tickets
The emo band celebrates 10 years of their album “Goodness” in Lincoln Park. 

Mikaela Davis at SPACE. Tickets
The jam band-adjacent harpist mines just as much from Sheryl Crow as the Grateful Dead on her latest album. 

Friday, June 19: 
The Hotelier, The Ophelias at Lincoln Hall. Tickets.
The emo band celebrates 10 years of their album “Goodness” in Lincoln Park.

Joyce Manor, Action/Adventure, Ryan Perdz, Gene Farris, more at Taste of Randolph. Free.
West Loop’s three-day street festival kicks off with a beloved punk headliner.

Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue, Grace Potter, Jonah Kagen, Lily Fitts, Lucero, Mo Lowda and The Humble, more at Winnetka Music Festival. Tickets
This North Shore music festival has become a destination for folk, Americana and more.

The Hoyle Brothers at Empty Bottle. Free.
Want a matinee show? This honky tonk residency is always on Fridays at 5:30 p.m. and always free.

Saturday, June 20: 
Father John Misty, Petey USA, Ben Kweller, Futurebirds, Jonah Kagen, Lauren Watkins, Bayonne, V.V. Lightbody, more at Winnetka Music Festival. Tickets.
This North Shore music festival has become a destination for folk, Americana and more. 

Greg Mendez, Scarlet Rae at Lincoln Hall. Tickets.
This Philadelphia songwriter’s songs are lucid, vulnerable and stunning. 

The Happy Fits, Out In Front, Inept, more at Taste of Randolph. Free. 
West Loop’s three-day street festival happens Saturday. 

Rosalía at United Center. Tickets
The Spanish pop star makes another arena stop in the city. 

Prewn, Pearl Sugar at Schubas. Sold out.
This incredibly talented cellist and indie rocker has Illinois roots.

Tommy Stinson & Friends at Gman Tavern. Sold out.
The Replacements bassist and rock ’n’ roll stalwart hits a Wrigleyville dive bar. 

Sunday, June 21: 
Matt Maeson, Night Moves, Neptune’s Core, OK Cool, more at Taste of Randolph. Free. 
West Loop’s three-day street festival closes out Sunday.

Tigers Jaw, Pool Kids, Bleary Eyed at Thalia Hall. Sold out.
If you got tickets, get there early for the first act, which might be the most exciting young shoegaze band touring. 

Monday, June 22: 
Shelia E., Melody Angel at Millennium Park. Free. 
A chance to see an adventurous pop music legend for free downtown. 

Tuesday, June 23: 
Nora O’Connor at Hideout. Tickets
The veteran local songwriter continues her Tuesday residency.

Kim Gordon at Metro. Tickets.
This icon of underground music first played this venue in 1986 as a founding member of Sonic Youth.

Hazel City, Maxwell Blast at Sleeping Village. Tickets.
Fresh off nine consecutive sold-out nights at Thalia Hall, the Twin Peaks guitarist plays a solo show in Avondale.


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


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