For fans of any genre, live music isn’t hard to come by in Chicago. Check out our highlights for concerts, festivals and live performances in and around the city.
Welcome to our highlights for concerts, festivals and live music in Chicago. From free shows at Millennium Park to large festivals like Ravinia and Lollapalooza, and intimate shows at small local venues, our guide has all the latest music entertainment. Bookmark this page and check back for updates on concerts and events.
Ida Mae
/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/22672799/Ida_Mae_by_Joe_Hottinger.jpeg)
Joe Hottinger
What: Nashville-via-London duo Ida Mae (husband-and-wife Stephanie Jean and Christopher Turpin) perform songs from their new record “Click Click Domino.” From a studio in the wilds of the English countryside, the performance offers track-by-track insight on each song along with never before seen behind-the-scenes tour footage. Rounding out the band are Ethan Johns on drums and Nick Pini on bass.
When: livestreamed concert at 7 p.m. June 24. From a studio in the wilds of the English countryside, the performance offers track-by-track insight on each song along with never before seen behind-the-scenes tour footage. Rounding out the band are Ethan Johns on drums and Nick Pini on bass.
Tickets: $10, $25.
Visit idamaemusic.com.
Denise La Grassa
/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/22672840/Denise_La_Grassa_7.jpeg)
Courtesy of Denise La Grassa Music
What: Singer, songwriter and keyboardist Denise La Grassa performs an evening of original jazz accompanied by guitarist John Kregor with visual artist Sholo (Cheryl Beverly) who, inspired by the song lyrics, paints during the performance. La Grassa unveils new songs written through the eyes of Lady Liberty in a 21st century marked by the confusion over the role of American democracy and original identity.
When: 7 p.m. June 26 and July 10
Where: New Rhythm Arts Center, 1772 W. Lunt
Tickets: $10. Visit deniselagrassa.com
Chicago Philharmonic
/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/22672835/Adrian___black_music_matter_shirt.jpeg)
Courtesy of AdrianDunn.com
What: Chicago Philharmonic returns with a three-concert outdoor chamber series at North Shore Center for the Performing Arts parking lot, 9501 Skokie Blvd, Skokie. The opening performance at 7 p.m. June 27 is “Chicago Phil Brass: Brass with Sass” and features Edward Elgar’s “Chanson du Matin,” Astor Piazzolla’s “Oblivion,” Fats Waller’s “That’s a Plenty,” Bob Dylan’s “Forever Young” and more. There’s also a free streaming concert “Redemption” (June 29-Aug. 27), which features spirituals and gospel songs conducted by Adrian Dunn.
When: Subsequent concerts are July 25 and Aug. 5.
Tickets: $36-$42
Visit: chicagophilharmonic.org
Summer Nights with Northlight
What: Summer Nights with Northlight is a cabaret series held at Evanston restaurants to benefit Northlight Theatre. The performers are Alexis J. Roston and Kelvin Roston Jr. (June 10, Good to Go Jamaican, 711 W. Howard), Linda Solotaire (July 27, Sketchbook Brewing Company, 4901 Main, Skokie) and Heidi Kettenring (Aug. 24, Peckish Pig, 623 W. Howard).
When: Performances times are 6 p.m.
Tickets: $60 includes light dinner and select drinks. Visit northlight.org.
Labyrinth Arts and Performance Collective
What: Labyrinth Arts and Performance Collectivepresents “Emerge,” a new cabaret series featuring music, drag performance, comedy and spoken word.
When: every second Friday of the month
Where: Porkchop, 1132 W. Grand
Tickets: $20. Visit labyrinthartsperformance.com.
‘Raices to Roots’
/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/22553831/Raices_to_Roots_cast___photo_credit_Marlon_Taylor.jpeg)
Marlon Taylor
WHAT: The Chicago Puerto Rican experience is celebrated in “Raices to Roots.” Using “home” as a theme, a cast of artists embody stories of pride, struggle and resilience through original Afro-Latin dance, spoken word and music. The performers are poet Luis Tubens a.k.a. Logan Lu; dancers Maria Luisa Torres, Alyssa Harslton and Angela Townsend; and musicians and performers Peter “Maestro” Vale, Natalie Land and Lester Rey.
WHEN: June 5-6, 24-27
WHERE: Segundo Ruiz Belvis Cultural Center, 4048 W. Armitage.
TICKETS: $30-$50. Visit segundoruizbelvis.org.
Tuesdays on the Terrace
/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/22542523/Screen_Shot_2021_05_26_at_9.36.11_PM.png)
Copyright MCA
When: 5:30 p.m. Tuesdays June 1-Aug. 31
Where: Museum of Contemporary Art’s outdoor sculpture garden, 220 E. Chicago
What: Tuesdays on the Terrace returns to the Museum of Contemporary Art’s outdoor sculpture garden. The popular jazz concert series features an array of Chicago jazz musiciansFirst up on June 1 is Alexis Lombre’s Ancestral Awakenings. Free with advance reservations. Visit mcachicago.org.
Lollapalooza
When: July 29-Aug. 1
Where: Grant Park
What: Lollapalooza returns to Grant Park July 29-Aug. 1 with Foo Fighters, Post Malone, Tyler, the Creator, Miley Cyrus, Dababy, Marchmello, Journey, Megan Thee Stallion, Roddy Ricch, Kaytranada and more. $375+/festival pass. Visit lollapalooza.com.
Pitchfork Music Festival
When: Sept. 10-12
Where: Union Park, 1501 W. Randolph
What: The Pitchfork Music Festival returns to Union Park, 1501 W. Randolph. Performers include Erykah Badu Phoebe Bridgers, St. Vincent, The Fiery Furnaces, Angel Olsen, Kim Gordon Waxahatchee, Flying Lotus, Thundercat and more.
Tickets: $90/day, $195 festival pass. Visit pitchforkmusicfestival.com.
Riot Fest
When: Sept. 17-19
Where: Douglass Park, Chicago
What: Riot Fest is back, this year with Nine Inch Nails, The Smashing Pumpkins, Run the Jewels, Pixies, Faith No More, Devo, Lupe Fiasco and more.
Tickets: $125+/day $155+/festival pass. Visit riotfest.org.