Arts & Entertainment

Chicago-Area Live Music Recommendations for Sept. 23-29

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. 23: 
The Belair Lip Bombs, Armlock at Subterranean. Tickets. 
Buoyant indie pop from Australia. 

Elizabeth Moen at Judson and Moore. Tickets. 
The local songwriter and friends tackle Bruce Springsteen’s catalog. 

Jacob Collier at Ravinia. Tickets. 
Your aunt from the North Shore will likely have an extra ticket. 

STRFKR, Discus at Outset. Tickets. 
This band is also playing a sold-out Salt Shed show as an opener. 

YHWH Nailgun, nudo at Reggies Rock Club. Tickets. 
Percussion-first post-punk hits the South Loop. 

Thursday, Sept. 24: 
Beth Orton at Old Town School of Folk Music. Sold out. 
This acclaimed U.K. folk songwriter released her breakthrough debut 30 years ago. 

Brother Bird, OK Cowgirl, Disaster Kid at Subterranean. Tickets. 
Two rising acts of hooky and introspective indie pop. 

Ear, Quiet Light at Epiphany Center for the Arts. Sold out. 
See why this electronic duo is getting so much buzz. 

Two Door Cinema Club, STRFKR at Salt Shed. Sold out. 
2010s nostalgia is stronger than you think. 

Friday, Sept. 25: 
Ali, Junegrass, Andrew Harper at Sleeping Village. Tickets.
Get there early for the local instrumental rock act. 

Cate Le Bon, Horsegirl, Kitship at Bohemian National Cemetery. Tickets. 
A rock show in a cemetery? It’s a perfect bill for that. 

Nick Hakim, Arima Ederra at Lincoln Hall. Tickets. 
The soulful, experimental pop of this Queens musician gets a showcase in Lincoln Park. 

Sun Ra Arkestra at Constellation. Sold out. 
Space jazz staples have sold out two shows in one night in Roscoe Village. 

Two Runner, Maisy Owen at Hideout. Tickets. 
Two of the most exciting Americana acts team up at a cozy venue. 

Saturday, Sept. 26: 
BASIC, Ibesis, Luca Cimarusti at Constellation. Tickets. 
This instrumental supergroup is at the intersection of indie rock, jazz and electronic. 

Liam Kazar, Max Subar at Empty Bottle. Tickets. 
The Chicago-raised folk rock artist returns home. 

Russian Circles, Pelican at Bohemian National Cemetery. Tickets. 
Gorgeous and pummeling instrumental metal in a cemetery. 

Sera Cahoone, Edie McKenna at Hideout. Tickets. 
The Pacific Northwest folk musician just released another solo album. 

Sunday, Sept. 27: 
Rocketship, Good Flying Birds, sunshy, the Laughing Chimes at Subterranean. Tickets. 
Windy Pop Weekender collects some of the best jangly pop acts in the Midwest and more. 

Smut, Dirt Buyer, Cusp at Subterranean Downstairs. Tickets. 
Head downstairs at the Wicker Park venue for another stellar indie rock show. 

Monday, Sept. 28: 
Horse Lords, Mute Duo, Bonnie Han Jones and Allen Moore at Empty Bottle. Tickets. 
Experimental rock and jazz from a talented Baltimore group. 

Múm, Paige Alice Naylor at Constellation. Tickets. 
The Icelandic experimental group will celebrate 30 years as a band next year. 

Wide Orbit, Two Shoes, Disiac at the Burlington. Tickets. 
The rowdy young local rock band takes its cues from Twin Peaks and classic rock. 

Tuesday, Sept. 29: 
Bahamas, Sister Ray Davies at Lincoln Hall. Tickets. 
The Canadian crooner brings out the best of folk and rock. 

Lampchop at Old Town School of Folk Music. Tickets. 
Kurt Wagner’s longrunning songwriting project is still a critical darling 17 albums in. 

Lambrini Girls, Big Special, Big Girl at the Vic Theatre. Tickets. 
Raucous U.K. punk in Lakeview. 

Mon Rovia, Sydney Rose, Sarah Julia at Salt Shed. Tickets. 
The Liberia-born singer-songwriter is a breakout star in 2026. 

Poolish, Daundry, Double Extra Large at Empty Bottle. Tickets. 
Under-the-radar indie rock in Ukrainian Village. 

Simon Joyner, David Nance at Hideout. Tickets. 
Two songwriters’ songwriters. 

Sturgill Simpson at United Center. Tickets. 
The country star’s “Johnnie Blue Skies” alter ego plays an arena show. 

Sunny War at SPACE. Tickets. 
The genre-bending artist makes a stop in Evanston. 

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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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