Arts & Entertainment

Chicago-Area Live Music Recommendations for Sept. 16-22

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, Sept. 16: 
Altın Gün, Alex Maas at the Vic Theatre. Tickets. 
Turkish psych-rock in Lakeview. 

Cabaret Voltaire, I Speak Machine at Metro. Tickets. 
If you once bought this long-running English industrial band’s records at Wax Trax, you’re probably already going. 

Luna, Sister Ray Davies at Lincoln Hall. Tickets. 
Dean Wareham’s post-Galaxie 500 band is still going strong. 

Thursday, Sept. 17: 
The B-52s, Devo at Credit Union 1 Amphitheatre. Tickets. 
Expect awkward, herky-jerky dancing from the crowd for these alt rock legends. 

Big Freedia at Outset. Tickets. 
New Orleans bounce hits Bucktown. 

Black Flag, the Crosses at Reggies Rock Club. Tickets. 
It might be a totally new lineup, but you can catch these hardcore icons in the South Loop. A Riot Fest aftershow. 

Dutch Interior, Racecourse at Constellation. Tickets. 
This wildly collaborative Los Angeles folk rock band makes knotty but relatable songs. 

Liz Phair, Sleater-Kinney at Salt Shed Fairgrounds. Tickets. 
Headlined by a former New Trier graduate and Rainbo Club regular. 

Sugar, J. Robbins, Violet Grohl at Metro. Sold out. 
The Bob Mould-led rock group makes a triumphant return to Chicago. A Riot Fest aftershow. 

Friday, Sept. 18: 
Aldous Harding, Sam Burton at Thalia Hall. Sold out. 
This folk songwriter from New Zealand headlines the Pilsen theater. 

The Beths, Lunar Vacation at Concord Music Hall. Tickets. 
New Zealand alt-rockers hit Logan Square. A Riot Fest aftershow. 

Chanel Beads, Horse Vision, Anastasia Coope at Outset. Tickets. 
The adventurous New York City pop band headlines this show. 

Chat Pile, Soul Glo at Empty Bottle. Sold out. 
Good luck getting into this Ukrainian Village gig. A Riot Fest aftershow. 

Iggy Pop, Pixies, Rise Against, Sex Pistols, Santigold, more at Douglass Park. Tickets. 
Riot Fest returns for three nights of eclectic punk and rock in Douglass Park. Day 1 of 3.

L’Rain, Akai Solo at Constellation. Tickets. 
This acclaimed experimental composer and instrumentalist hits Roscoe Village. 

Phoebe Bridgers, Alex G at United Center. Tickets. 
The folk star headlines an arena. Night 1 of 2. 

PUP, Destroy Boys at Metro. Tickets. 
Canadian punk excellence in Lakeview. A Riot Fest aftershow. 

Thrice, Hot Rod Circuit at Bottom Lounge. Sold out. 
Relive the records you love from this shapeshifting punk band. A Riot Fest aftershow. 

Yard Act, the Armed at Cobra Lounge. Sold out.
The U.K. post-punk outfit makes a West Loop pit stop. A Riot Fest aftershow.  

Saturday, Sept. 19: 
Alkaline Trio, NOBRO at Metro. Sold out. 
Hometown pop-punk heroes return to their favorite venue. A Riot Fest aftershow. 

Hana Stretton, Austin Cash at Constellation. Tickets. 
This ambient folk artist has one of the best albums of 2026. 

Phoebe Bridgers, Alex G at United Center. Tickets. 
The folk star headlines an arena. Night 2 of 2. 

REZN, Airiel, Dim at Thalia Hall. Tickets. 
This local metal group makes songs so good you’ll like it even if you’re not into the genre.

Tool, Morrissey, Nas, Sugar, Bright Eyes, PUP, Kiwi Jr., more at Douglass Park. Tickets. 
Riot Fest returns for three nights of eclectic punk and rock in Douglass Park. Day 2 of 3. 

Sunday, Sept. 20: 
Alanis Morissette, Elvis Costello & the Imposters, The Format, Patti Smith & Her Band, Twin Peaks, Taking Back Sunday, more at Douglass Park. Tickets. 
Riot Fest returns for three nights of eclectic punk and rock in Douglass Park. Day 3 of 3. 

Alejandro Escovedo, Clem Snide at Old Town School of Folk. Tickets. 
The veteran singer-songwriter chose a fitting venue. 

Brown Horse, Poolish at FitzGerald’s. Tickets. 
This talented U.K. group is inspired by Jason Molina, Neil Young and classic country. 

She & Him, Jordana at Riviera Theatre. Tickets. 
Get there early for the delightful indie pop of the opener. 

Starcleaner Reunion, National Photo Committee at Schubas. Tickets.
See a rising indie rock group before everyone else catches on. 

Monday, Sept. 21: 
Graham Hunt, Jawdropped at Subterranean. Tickets.  
This Wisconsin maestro cleverly combines pop-punk with ‘90s alt-rock. 

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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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