Chicago-Area Live Music Recommendations for Aug. 5-11

Josh Terry | August 5, 2026, 5:00 am

Villagerrr (Juliette Boulay)

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. 5:
Dari Bay, Villagerrr, Options at GMan Tavern. Tickets.
Vermont and Ohio’s finest rock bands play the Lakeview dive.

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Thursday, Aug. 6:
Ira Glass, Zastava, Daundry, mail. at Empty Bottle. Tickets.
Loud and largely local punk. Get there early for Detroit’s Zastava.

Al Scorch, Orillia at Hideout. Tickets.
The roots musician and Chicago-centric social media personality continues his “fantastical residency” at the iconic club.

Friday, Aug. 7:
Toadvine, Glass-Beagle, Dogcatcher at GMan Tavern. Tickets.
Catch some of the rising acts in the city’s burgeoning country rock scene.

Daniel Villarreal, V.V. Lightbody at Judson and Moore. Tickets.
While these two songwriters play in a stellar duo called Valebol, this Friday they’re playing two separate solo sets on the same bill.

Young the Giant, Cold War Kids at Northerly Island. Tickets.
Radio-ready alt-rock on the lakefront.

Saturday, Aug. 8:
Chance the Rapper at Ravinia. Tickets.
The local rapper takes the Metra north for a big headlining show.

Motel Breakfast, Fellow Kinsman, Shannon Baker at Thalia Hall. Tickets.
The charming Chicago folk-rock band calls it quits with a big farewell bash.

Cabeza de Chivo at Empty Bottle. Tickets.
The adventurous, genre-fusing band headlines a night of poetry, performance and dancing as a fundraiser for Lit and Luz Festival.

The Psychedelic Furs, Living Colour at Riviera Theatre. Tickets.
See why both of these iconic bands have earned so much longevity in their careers.

Foo Fighters, Queens of the Stone Age, Mannequin Pussy at Soldier Field. Tickets.
No-frills rock ’n’ roll where the Bears and Fire play.

Sunday, Aug. 9:
NA HF, TV-Union, Adam Schubert, Free Range (solo), Mass Text, Jason Balla & Brian Case Duo at Empty Bottle. Tickets.
Your favorite local indie rock act will be playing, if not attending, this excellent benefit show for the Chicago Children’s Advocacy Center.

Zoh Amba at Schubas. Tickets.
This jazz-trained songwriter has been making twangy, heartfelt and powerful indie rock lately.

Tuesday, Aug. 11:
Akenya at Museum of Contemporary Art. Free.
The Streeterville museum’s “Tuesdays on the Terrace” series continues with another local talent.

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