Friday 5/8/26
with Onsales and Presales, Future Highlights
Friday!
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Check out the Onsales and Presales up top and the Future Highlights after Jerome’s Highlights near the bottom
There are some great Friday music event options up in Chicago and the surrounding areas. Read on for the details, and get out to enjoy some of them if you can and want to…
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Onsales and Presales
x Thu 7/9 8:30 Cowboy Mouth at FitzGerald’s Nightclub, $35-45+, 7:30 door, onsale Fri 5/8 10:00a
x Sat 7/11 8:00 JT Nero at SPACE Evanston, $20-54, all ages, 7:00 door, presale flowers
x Sun 7/12 5:00 Margo Price at FitzGerald’s Outdoors, all ages, 3:00 door, onsale Fri 5/8 10:00a
x Sun 7/12 7:00 Luke Wygodny tribute to Yusef/Cat Stevens at SPACE Evanston, $25-54, all ages, 7:00 door, presale flowers
x Wed 7/29 7:30 The Wilder Flower at SPACE Evanston, $15-34, all ages, 6:30 door, presale flowers
x Mon 8/3 7:30 Alastair Greene at SPACE Evanston, $15-34 SRO, all ages, 6:30 door, presale flowers
x Sat 8/8 8:00 Oliver Hazard at SPACE Evanston, $25-34, all ages, 7:00 door, presale flowers
x Fri 8/14 8:00 Braxton Cook at SPACE Evanston, $25-47, all ages, 7:00 door, presale flowers
x Wed 9/23 8:00 Son Volt at SPACE Evanston, $45-60 SRO, all ages, 7:00 door, presale flowers
x Thu 9/24 8:00 Son Volt at SPACE Evanston, $45-60 SRO, all ages, 7:00 door, presale flowers
x Tue 9/29 8:00 Lambchop, Daughter of Swords at OTSFM Maurer Hall, $35-45, onsale members now, public Fri 5/8, online 9:00a, in person or phone 10:00a
Today’s Friday 5/8/26 Shows
x 11:30a-12:30 Spring Quarter Carillon Tower Tour, Rockefeller Memorial Chapel University of Chicago, late tour canceled
12:00n-4:00 Chris Martin at Mariano’s Ravenswood
12:00n-3:00 Todd Allison at Gayle V’s Best Ever Grilled Cheese
4:00-8:00 tbd at Mariano’s Bucktown
4:00-8:00 Peter Schwendener Trio at Mariano’s Crystal Lake
4:00-8:00 Phil Baron’s Dueling Pianos at Mariano’s Des Plaines
4:00-8:00 Brian James Trio at Mariano’s Lakeshore East
4:00-8:00 tbd at Mariano’s Lakeview East
4:00-8:00 Geoff Lowe Trio at Mariano’s Lombard
4:00-8:00 Mario Dueñas Trio Trio at Mariano’s Naperville
4:00-8:00 tbd at Mariano’s New City
4:00-8:00 Planet Flippo Trio at Mariano’s Northbrook
4:00-8:00 tbd at Mariano’s Oak Lawn
4:00-8:00 Paul Johnson Trio at Mariano’s Orland Park
4:00-8:00 Jim Callen Trio at Mariano’s Ravenswood
4:00-8:00 tbd at Mariano’s West Loop
4:00-8:00 Casey Myles Trio at Mariano’s Westchester
4:00-8:00 Jim Sellers Trio at Mariano’s Westmont
4:00 Lisa Thomen at Hey Nonny Arlington Heights, free, Heyday Happy Hour
5:00-7:00 Sam Robinson Quintet at Montrose Saloon, $10 suggested donation, hit the tip bucket
x 5:00-7:30 Chris Foreman at Green Mill, tip the artists
x 5:00-8:30 Nicholas Barron at House of Blues Restaurant & Bar
5:00-10:00 Shala at Epiphany Center, free RSVP, Golden Hour
x 5:30 Hillbilly Frolic with Jon Williams, Rick “Cookin’” Sherry, Kip Rainey at FitzGerald’s Patio, free RSVP, all ages, 4:00 door
x 5:30-7:30 The Hoyle Brothers at Empty Bottle, free RSVP, Honky Tonk Happy Hour
5:30-7:30 Maxwell Street Blues Revival acoustic at Buddy Guy’s Legends, free, 4:00 door
x 6:00-7:15, 8:15-9:30 Juli Wood’s Carmen Sings Monk at Andy’s, $20, RSVP required
6:00-8:30 Moonbird, Impulsive Hearts, Pyre Blue at Cafe Mustache
x 6:00-10:00 Tom at Tom aka Tom McKeon Art Show hosted by Diane Soubly with Craig Urban piano at Tom Robinson Gallery
6:00-8:00 Andrew Cooney at Bobby’s Eastside Forest Park, free, tip the artist
x 6:00 listening party for Social Distortion “Born to Kill” at Val’s Halla Records, free, online preorders
6:00-9:00 DJ Charlie at Bubblehouse Brewing Lisle
6:00-9:00 Jim Perona guitar at Adelle’s Modern Kitchen & Bar Wheaton
x 6:00-8:00 Dave Ramont at Brother Chimp Brewing St Charles
6:00-9:00 JBC The Brothers at The Wine Exchange St Charles
6:00-9:00 Mark Steinbraker at Church Street Brewing Taproom Itasca
6:00-9:00 Double Brewed Duo at Sew Hop’d Brewery Huntley
6:00-9:00 CK & The Gray at Hailstorm Brewing Tinley Park
6:30 Disclosure, Laurence Guy at Salt Shed Outdoor Fairgrounds, sold out, 17+, 6:00 door, dance, electronic
6:30 The Amity Affliction, August Burns Red, Boundaries, Heavensgate at Riviera Theatre, $52-87, all ages, 5:00 door
6:30-9:30 Jeannie Tanner Trio at Eddie V’s Oak Brook
6:30-9:00 Micheal Aponte at J. Fleming’s Westmont, tip the artist
6:30-8:30 Tim Swann at Brother Chimp Brewing North Aurora
6:30-10:00 Billy Nixon at Preservation Geneva, 50s & 60s rock and roll, soul, rhythm & blues
7:00 Shoot The Moon Fest Vol II Night 1 at Reggies, $35-45, 2 day pass $60-71, 6:30 door
Black Eyed Vermillion, Anger, Yes Ma’am, Little Foot at Music Joint
1876, The Goddamn Gallows, The Rumours, Lash Out at Rock Club
x 7:00-4:00a Sheryl Youngblood Blues Band, Nicholas Alexander Blues Band, Studebaker John acoustic at Kingston Mines, $20-23
7:00 Yumi Zouma, Ducks Ltd at Outset, $34-43, 17+, pop
7:00 mtvghosts, VNYTs aka The Vignettes, Moving Sunshine, Fachoso at Cubby Bear, $15-19+
7:00-9:00 Dill Costa Quartet at California Clipper, $5, classic Brazilian, samba, pop, jazz
7:00-10:00 Greg Geary Quartet with Natalie Scharf, Joel Paterson, Neil Hemphill at Gale Street Inn, RSVP
7:00 Frank Quinn, ? at Mrs Murphys, RSVP, irish rock, folk, trad
7:00 Virgin Whores, Down Not Out, Scatterbox, Rotten Finko and The Convicts, Open Fire at Ramova Loft Bridgeport, $10
7:00-9:30 The Chris White Quartet, ++ at Le Piano, $20, 6:00 door
7:00-10:00 Sophie Michael at Briny Swine
x 7:00 Rick King’s Royal Hustle at FitzGerald’s Patio, free RSVP, all ages, 4:00 door, funk, soul, blues
x 7:00-10:00 Chris and Scott Ligon with Heather McAdams, Sharon Rutledge at Friendly Music Community, $20 advance
7:00-9:00 Abeeku & Inga at Compound Yellow Oak Park, $15 BYOB, Side Yard Sounds
7:00 Erik Donner tribute to The Beatles, Juke Box Heroes at Chef Shangri La North Riverside
x 7:00 Mark Dvorak hosts Pete Seeger Birthday Celebration at Wesley’s Place La Grange, suggested donation $20, 12-18 $10, under 12 $5, patron $30
7:00-10:00 Dave Rice Famous Piano Bar at Shanahans Woodridge
7:00-10:00 Cigarai & Studio at Grand Duke’s Restaurant Downers Grove
7:00 Million Dollar Quartet at Paramount Theatre Stolp Island Theatre Aurora, $75
7:00-10:00 Mike Hayes at Pollyanna Brewing Company Roselle
7:00-12:00m SabbOzz, Nitrous Foxide at Durty Nellie’s Pub Palatine, $10
7:00-8:30 J Roddy Walston and The Automatic Band at Pinstripes Northbrook, $5 RSVP, $20 suggested donation, Val’s List
7:00-10:00 Five Acre Flight at Tighthead Brewing Mundelein
x 7:00-10:00 Harmonica Hinds Boiling Point Blues Band at The Quarry Thornton
7:00-10:00 Dave Gibson at Brothership Brewing Mokena
7:00-10:00 Nicole Devine at Pollyanna Brewing Company Lemont
7:00-10:00 Bernie Glim at North & Maple Kitchen & Bar Tinley Park, RSVP
7:00-10:00 Mokena Mike at Ed & Joe’s Pizzeria Tinley Park
x 7:30, 9:30 Chicago Soul Jazz Collective with Dee Alexander, Amr Fahmy, Micah Collier, Joshua Achiron, Keith Brooks, Ryan Nyther, John Fournier at Winters Jazz Club, $30-40, one drink minimum $10 per set
7:30 Francesca Amari “Different Drum: The Music of Linda Ronstadt” at The Checkout Lakeview, $30+, 18+, 6:30 door
7:30 That Handsome Devil, Human Zoo at Cobra Lounge, $26-33+, 17+, 6:30 door
7:30 Gabriel Sanchez “The Prince Experience” tribute to Prince at City Winery, sold out, waiting list, 2 item minimum, 6:00 door
7:30 The Summer of George at Reclaimed Restaurant & Bar, $10
7:30-10:00 R.E.S.P.E.C.T. tribute to Aretha Franklin at Baffes Theatre Beverly Arts Center, $35
7:30 DiDonato performs Neruda Songs at Symphony Center, $39-199
7:30-9:30 The Boils at The Elm Restaurant Rooftop La Grange, RSVP
7:30-10:30 Matt Alfano at Skeleton Key Brewing Woodridge
7:30 Kottonmouth Kings, A Killers Confession, Kung Fu Vampire, Queue Alexander, Slashmastacid, DMT at WC Social Club West Chicago, $25-48+, 18+, 6:30 door
7:30-10:30 Desperate Bastards Acoustic Duo at Pollyanna Brewing Company St Charles
x 7:30 Ward Davis at The Music Box Rockford, $38+
x 7:30-9:30 The Oh Yeahs with Leslie Beukelman, Allison Orobia, Sarah Marie Young, Jim Tashjian, Matt Gold, Bryan Doherty, Michael Caskey at Studio5 Performing Arts Center Evanston, $35-45+
7:30 Chris Trapper & Ari Hest with Pete Muller at Hey Nonny Arlington Heights, $30-38 SRO remain
7:30 Lake County Symphony Orchestra “Roots and Resonance” at James Lumber Center for the Performing Arts, College of Lake County, Grayslake, $30-33, students $11
7:30 Prognosis with Kris Meyers at The Lyric Blue Island, $50, 6:30 door, prog rock
7:30 Ian Andrew and the Implication, Ogden Ave & Jon Q Public at Heroes West Lemont, $8-10+, 7:00 door
7:45 La Dispute, From Indian Lakes, Flooding at Thalia Hall, sold out, 17+, limited number at 6:30 door
x 8:00 Mad Drunken Americans, Bandølier, Dave & Gabe at Montrose Saloon, $15 door
x 8:00 Second Hand News tribute to Fleetwood Mac at Martyrs, $25, 7:30 door
8:00 Vial, Scarlet Demore, Girl K at Beat Kitchen, sold out, waitlist, all ages, 7:00 door
8:00 Sluice, Hiding Places at Schubas, $25-33+, 18+, 7:30 door
8:00 Footballhead, Palette Knife, Si Dios Quiere, Excuse Me Who Are You at Lincoln Hall, $20-28, 18+, 7:00 door
x 8:00 Westhead, Billy Fortune Unit, Poolish at Judson and Moore, $15
8:00 Greyboy Allstars at Garcia’s, sold out, 6:30 door
x 8:00-12:00m Karrin Allyson Quartet with Miro Sprague, Larry Kohut, Eric Montzka at Green Mill, $20
8:00 Never Ending Fall, J solomon, Devvy Dub at Subterranean Upstairs, $33, 17+, 7:00 door
x 8:00, 10:00 Donald Harrison Quartet with Dan Kaufman, Yasushi Nakamura, Brian Richburg at Jazz Showcase, $35-50
8:00 James Armstrong, Lauren Dukes at Buddy Guy’s Legends, $27, 21+ after 8:00
8:00 BTS Express with Demetria Taylor at Blues Band Blue Chicago
x 8:00 San Fermin & Eighth Blackbird perform music by Ellis Ludwig-Leone at Athenaeum Center, $55+
x 8:00 These Peaches at The Tonk
8:00 Peso Pluma, Tito Double P & Friends at United Center, $71++, 6:30 gates, Latin
x 8:00 The Webstirs at Phyllis’ Musical Inn
8:00-1:30a DJ P Miller at Lee’s Unleaded Blues, Ladies Night Fridays with Sade & Wayne
8:00 Chicago Jazz String Summit 2026 Night 1 with Zosha Warpeha/Carlo Costa, Ayman Asfour/Marwan Allam/Eric Allen, Laura Ortman at Constellation, $20-31, 7:00 door
8:00 Chicago Fairy Carnival with No Motel, Directrix, Mother, ++? at Bookclub, $13-15, 7:00 door
8:00 KVL aka Kirch/Van/Lux aka Quin Kirchner, Daniel Van Duerm, Matthew Lux at Lemon Chicago, $10, 7:30 door, free jazz, electronic music, rock, funk, hip hop
8:00-10:00 Ben Gage and Nick Wilkinson at Uncommon Ground Lakeview, $23, all ages, 7:30 door
8:00 nnirror, Crystina Windham, Ben Zucker Brass Quartet with Monica Benson, Peter Gillette, Amos Egleston at Elastic Arts, $15, students $10, CLEAT Series
8:00-11:30 DJ Papa G at The Wild Hare Club Level Fulton Market, $10-15, reggae, dancehall, reggaeton, afro beats
8:00 Hit Like A Girl, Em Grace & The Undercuts, Background Character, Sweet Thorns at Burlington Bar, $11, 8:00 door
8:00 Spaceracer, Hobbyist, Modern Crooks at LiveWire Lounge, $15
8:00-11:59 Drake Milligan at Joe’s on Weed, $20-25++, 7:00 door, country, singer songwriter
8:00-10:00 Aaron Leese & the Panhandlers at Clara, NOLA jazz, dixieland
8:00 Félicia Atkinson at Logan Center 9th Floor Performance Penthouse University of Chicago, RSVP required, The Renaissance Society and Villa Albertine present
8:00-10:30 Mauro Frosio piano jazz at Artango Bar & Steakhouse, RSVP, jazz
8:00 Funktastic at Untitled, RSVP
8:00 Emo Night with Fiction at the Disco, Boa & The Constrictors at Goat Village Norridge, $10
8:00-11:00 Southwater at Pub 78 Brookfield, pop, rock, blues
8:00-11:00 Superfly Symphony at Jonny Cab’s Burr Ridge, $10
8:00 Daniel Neihoff at Two Way Street Downers Grove, suggested donation $10, 7:30 door, Friday Night Concert Series
x 8:00 Terrapin Flyer plays 5/8/77 Anniversary Grateful Dead Show at Law Office Pub & Music Hall Yorkville, $36, 6:00 door
x 8:00 Mondo Cortez and Chicago Blues Angels with Dave Gonzalez at The Venue Aurora, $20-30, all ages, 7:00 door
8:00 Dick Diamond and The Dusters at EvenFlow Music & Spirits Geneva, $10
8:00 Geoff Tate’s Operation Mindcrime at Arcada Theatre, sold out, waitlist, 6:30 door
x 8:00 Marc Broussard, Sway Wild at SPACE Evanston, $30-97, all ages, 7:00 door
8:00 Windy City Rev Ups at Whiskey River Glenview, rock, blues, country
x 8:00 Little River Band at Rivers Casino Des Plaines, $68-78, 7:00 door
8:00 The Rock Orchestra By Candlelight at Rosemont Theatre, $30-146++
8:00 Irina Rimes at Joe’s Live Rosemont, $100++
8:00 Toast tribute to Bread at Des Plaines Theatre, $47-67+, 6:30 door
8:00 Kreative Minds at Broken Oar Port Barrington
x 8:00 John Ballantyne’s Crazy Heart at Main Street Outfitters Wauconda
x 8:00-11:00 Pierce Crask at Olive Black Richmond
x 8:00 Leann Rimes “30 Years of Blue” at Genesee Theatre Waukegan, $79-116
8:00-11:00 Killer Mike at Copper Fiddle Distillery Lake Zurich
8:00 Rally Day at Toadstool Pub Highwood
8:00-11:00 SK8ER Boys at 28 Mile Distilling Co Bourbon Lounge Highwood
8:00 Kofi Baker’s Psychedelic Trip at Austin Community Tavern Steger, RSVP
x 8:30-11:30 Dan Ornduff & Barrett Tasky at Cary’s Lounge, tip hard
8:30-1:00a DJ Slot A at Salt Shed Three Top Lounge, free RSVP
8:30? Luke Frees at O’s Tap
8:30 Jared Hart, Garrett Dale, GB at Gman Tavern, $18-21, 8:00 door, folk guitar, blues harmonica, stories from the American road
8:30-1:30a Katy at The Zebra Lounge
X 8:30 Robbie Fulks “Duets Night” with Joan Collaso, Yvonne Gage, Faith Howard, Kevin Barry, Jenny Scheinman, Matt Flinner, John Cowan at FitzGerald’s Nightclub, $35+, sold out, 7:30 door
x 8:30 Outronaut at FitzGerald’s Sidebar, free RSVP, psymphonic surf noir crime jazz
8:30 Cayenne Blue at Arcada Theatre Legends Stage St Charles, free RSVP, two drink or equivalent minimum, 5:00 door, blues
8:30 Studio 64 Old School DJ Dance Party with Frankie “Hollywood” Rodriguez at Arcada Studio 64, St Charles, free
8:30 Jersey Girls at Club Arcada Speakeasy St Charles, free RSVP, dinner 5:00-10:30, lite bites after
8:30 Mulligan Stew at Celtic Knot Public House Evanston, tip the artists
8:30 Laura Lopardo & The Bootleggers at Des Plaines Theatre Bourbon ‘n Brass Speakeasy, two drink or equivalent minimum, blues
8:30-12:00 Regal Beagles Acoustic Band at Station 34 Mount Prospect
9:00 Tommaso at Schubas Upstairs, free, Meet Me Upstairs presents
9:00-1:00a Matte Blvck with Alex Gonzales, Daniel Corrales, Bidi Cobra, Houses of Heaven, Curse Mackey at Sleeping Village, $20-25+, 8:00 door
x 9:00 Questionable Decisions with Alex Wing, Michael Levin, Preyas Roy, Chris Bernhardt, Paul Abella at Hungry Brain, $15-21, 7:00 door
9:00 Heated Rivalry Rave at Chop Shop, $25-29+, 18+, 8:00 door
x 9:00 The Webstirs at Phyllis’ Musical Inn
9:00 Jack Riedy and the Dealbreakers, Off Belay, Jack Moony and the Sun Drops at Cole’s Bar, $14, 8:30 door
x 9:00 Kent Rose & the Remedies at Broken Hearts Bar, tip the band
9:00, 11:00 Proximity at Dorians, $10 after 8:00, 6:00 door
9:00-12:00m Brand The Band at Fuller’s Pub, rockabilly, rock, blues
9:00-1:30 Antics with Michael Serafini, Hi-Vis, QTC b2b Nate T at California Clipper, $5, minimal, techno, house, ebm, ++
9:00 Kawaii Rave anime-inspired dance party at Bourbon on Division, $25, edm, k-pop, hyperpop, pop anthems
9:00 Más EDM Chicago with Hag Music, Etc Etc, Miriam, Chava at Ramova Theatre Bridgeport, $43
9:00-11:00 Rhea The Second at Tack Room Pilsen
9:00 Reed’s Fest with Kosmic Kicks, 96 Cougar, Bimbo, Sprite at Reed’s Local
9:00 Mostly Mayer tribute to John Mayer, ++?, Arnica Montana? at Ballydoyle Downers Grove
9:00 My 80s Band at Quigley’s Naperville
9:00-11:00 Matt Krahula at Sidecar Supper Club Batavia
9:00 Mother’s Day Juan Gabriel Tribute at Sabor a Café Steakhouse Niles, $25 RSVP required
9:00 7th Heaven at Bannerman’s Sports Grill Bartlett
9:00-12:00m Pacific Sound Company at Madcats Palatine, $7
9:00 Uncharted Waters at Mackey’s Hideout McHenry, campfire reggae grass
x 9:30 Nana Grizol, Kait Elridge & Patrick Jennings, Al Scorch at Hideout, $15-20+, 9:00 door
x 9:30, 11:00 Morry Sochat & The Special 20s at Rosa’s Lounge, $15-25+, 8:00 door, “Let The Good Times Roll”
x 9:30 Daisychain, Blood People, Satin Banshee at Liar’s Club
9:30 The Messengers at Carol’s Pub, $6
9:30 Vibes on Logan presents Classics with DJ D.R.E.A.M. and Shazam Bangles at The Whistler, feel-good house, disco, dance-floor heaters, 2nd Fridays
x 9:30 Mike Wheeler Band at House Pub St Charles
9:30 Good Country at Bub City Rosemont, RSVP
9:30 Pino Farina Band at Mickey Finn’s Libertyville
10:00 Rickshaw Billie’s Burger Patrol, American Sharks, Pink Fuzz at Empty Bottle, $15-20, 9:00 door
10:00 Lloyd Snyder and The Big Rig Band at Bub City Chicago, RSVP
10:00-2:00a DJ Boathouse at aliveOne
10:00 Funky Space Monkeys at Mom’s Place
10:00-12:00m Yankee Cowboy at 115 Bourbon Street Front Stage Merrionette Park, $6+, 8:00 door, ‘80s
10:00-12:00m Caution tribute to The Grateful Dead at 115 Bourbon Street Performance Hall Merrionette Park, $6+, 8:00 door
10:30-11:45 Kyle Brooks at Andy’s, $20, RSVP required
10:30-12:30a Everything Rhymes with Orange at Clara, jazz
10:30 Velvet and Smoke at Untitled, Stardust set
x 11:00 Henry Carpender Quintet at Lemon Chicago, $5, 10:30 door, Late Night Jazz
Jerome’s highlights for Today’s Friday 5/8/26 Shows
x 11:30a-12:30 Spring Quarter Carillon Tower Tour, Rockefeller Memorial Chapel University of Chicago, late tour canceled
x 5:00-7:30 Chris Foreman at Green Mill, tip the artists
x 5:00-8:30 Nicholas Barron at House of Blues Restaurant & Bar
x 5:30 Hillbilly Frolic with Jon Williams, Rick “Cookin’” Sherry, Kip Rainey at FitzGerald’s Patio, free RSVP, all ages, 4:00 door
x 5:30-7:30 The Hoyle Brothers at Empty Bottle, free RSVP, Honky Tonk Happy Hour
x 6:00-7:15, 8:15-9:30 Juli Wood’s Carmen Sings Monk at Andy’s, $20, RSVP required
x 6:00-10:00 Tom at Tom aka Tom McKeon Art Show hosted by Diane Soubly with Craig Urban piano at Tom Robinson Gallery
x 6:00 listening party for Social Distortion “Born to Kill” at Val’s Halla Records, free, online preorders
x 6:00-8:00 Dave Ramont at Brother Chimp Brewing St Charles
x 7:00-4:00a Sheryl Youngblood Blues Band, Nicholas Alexander Blues Band, Studebaker John acoustic at Kingston Mines, $20-23
x 7:00 Rick King’s Royal Hustle at FitzGerald’s Patio, free RSVP, all ages, 4:00 door, funk, soul, blues
x 7:00-10:00 Chris and Scott Ligon with Heather McAdams, Sharon Rutledge at Friendly Music Community, $20 advance
x 7:00 Mark Dvorak hosts Pete Seeger Birthday Celebration at Wesley’s Place La Grange, suggested donation $20, 12-18 $10, under 12 $5, patron $30
x 7:00-10:00 Harmonica Hinds Boiling Point Blues Band at The Quarry Thornton
x 7:30, 9:30 Chicago Soul Jazz Collective with Dee Alexander, Amr Fahmy, Micah Collier, Joshua Achiron, Keith Brooks, Ryan Nyther, John Fournier at Winters Jazz Club, $30-40, one drink minimum $10 per set
x 7:30 Ward Davis at The Music Box Rockford, $38+
x 7:30-9:30 The Oh Yeahs with Leslie Beukelman, Allison Orobia, Sarah Marie Young, Jim Tashjian, Matt Gold, Bryan Doherty, Michael Caskey at Studio5 Performing Arts Center Evanston, $35-45+
x 8:00 Mad Drunken Americans, Bandølier, Dave & Gabe at Montrose Saloon, $15 door
x 8:00 Second Hand News tribute to Fleetwood Mac at Martyrs, $25, 7:30 door
x 8:00 Westhead, Billy Fortune Unit, Poolish at Judson and Moore, $15
x 8:00-12:00m Karrin Allyson Quartet with Miro Sprague, Larry Kohut, Eric Montzka at Green Mill, $20
x 8:00, 10:00 Donald Harrison Quartet with Dan Kaufman, Yasushi Nakamura, Brian Richburg at Jazz Showcase, $35-50
x 8:00 San Fermin & Eighth Blackbird perform music by Ellis Ludwig-Leone at Athenaeum Center, $55+
x 8:00 These Peaches at The Tonk
x 8:00 The Webstirs at Phyllis’ Musical Inn
x 8:00 Terrapin Flyer plays 5/8/77 Anniversary Grateful Dead Show at Law Office Pub & Music Hall Yorkville, $36, 6:00 door
x 8:00 Mondo Cortez and Chicago Blues Angels with Dave Gonzalez at The Venue Aurora, $20-30, all ages, 7:00 door
x 8:00 Marc Broussard, Sway Wild at SPACE Evanston, $30-97, all ages, 7:00 door
x 8:00 Little River Band at Rivers Casino Des Plaines, $68-78, 7:00 door
x 8:00 John Ballantyne’s Crazy Heart at Main Street Outfitters Wauconda
x 8:00-11:00 Pierce Crask at Olive Black Richmond
x 8:00 Leann Rimes “30 Years of Blue” at Genesee Theatre Waukegan, $79-116
x 8:30-11:30 Dan Ornduff & Barrett Tasky at Cary’s Lounge, tip hard
X 8:30 Robbie Fulks “Duets Night” with Joan Collaso, Yvonne Gage, Faith Howard, Kevin Barry, Jenny Scheinman, Matt Flinner, John Cowan at FitzGerald’s Nightclub, $35+, sold out, 7:30 door
x 8:30 Outronaut at FitzGerald’s Sidebar, free RSVP, psymphonic surf noir crime jazz
x 9:00 Questionable Decisions with Alex Wing, Michael Levin, Preyas Roy, Chris Bernhardt, Paul Abella at Hungry Brain, $15-21, 7:00 door
9:00 Heated Rivalry Rave at Chop Shop, $25-29+, 18+, 8:00 door
x 9:00 The Webstirs at Phyllis’ Musical Inn
x 9:00 Kent Rose & the Remedies at Broken Hearts Bar, tip the band
x 9:30 Nana Grizol, Kait Elridge & Patrick Jennings, Al Scorch at Hideout, $15-20+, 9:00 door
x 9:30, 11:00 Morry Sochat & The Special 20s at Rosa’s Lounge, $15-25+, 8:00 door, “Let The Good Times Roll”
x 9:30 Daisychain, Blood People, Satin Banshee at Liar’s Club
x 9:30 Mike Wheeler Band at House Pub St Charles
x 11:00 Henry Carpender Quintet at Lemon Chicago, $5, 10:30 door, Late Night Jazz
Future Highlights through next Sunday 5/17/26
x Sat 5/9 1:00-3:00 Tom @ Tom aka Tom McKeon Art Show hosted by Diane Soubly with Craig Urban piano at Tom Robinson Gallery
x Sat 5/9 4:00-7:00 Dueling Teles with Brian Wilkie and Steve Doyle at Cary’s Lounge, tip hard
x Sat 5/9 4:00 Groove Witness at FitzGerald’s Patio, free RSVP, all ages, 11:00a door
x Sat 5/9 5:00, 8:00 Steep Canyon Rangers at OTSFM Maurer Hall, $40-50
x Sat 5/9 7:00 Peter Cunningham and the Bread and Butter Band with Steve Strunk, Jim Fujimoto, Vince Varco, Rich Parenti at Hungry Brain, $15-21, 6:30 door
x Sat 5/9 7:00? The Leah Shoshanah Band, Meg Anderson at Jarvis Square Pottery, arrive early and hungry, BYOB, donation, music at 8:00?
x Sat 5/9 7:00 Jon Langford & Kelly Hogan at FitzGerald’s Patio, free RSVP, all ages, 11:00a door
x Sat 5/9 7:00 Mark Erelli at Molly’s House Concerts Lincolnwood, RSVP, $25+ prepaid donation to artist, BYO, 6:00 door
x Sat 5/9 7:00 Rambling Deano & Jo Walston at Kiki’s House of Righteous Music Madison WI, email RSVP, 6:00 door
x Sat 5/9 8:00 The Long Goodbye, The Spindles, Go Time at Montrose Saloon, $15 door
x Sat 5/9 8:00 Second Hand News tribute to Fleetwood Mac at Martyrs, $25, 7:30 door
x Sat 5/9 8:00 Garnet Rogers at OTSFM Szold Hall, $32-41
x Sat 5/9 8:00 Afghan Whigs 40th Anniversary, Mercury Rev at Metro, $45-53+, sold out, 18+, 7:00 door
x Sat 5/9 8:00 Michael McDermott album preview at Garcia’s, $20-45, 6:30 door
x Sat 5/9 9:00 Billy Branch, Mary Lane at Buddy Guy’s Legends, $27, 21+ after 8:00
x Sat 5/9 8:00 Poi Rogers with Gerard Egan and Carolyn Sills at Tobias Music Downers Grove, $30, 7:00 door, roots, western swing, Hawaiian steel guitar, vivid storytelling
x Sat 5/9 8:00 Heartsfield at The Venue Aurora, $20-30, all ages, 7:00 door
x Sat 5/9 8:00 Little Feat “The Last Farewell Tour” at Arcada Theatre, $109-239, 6:30 door
x Sat 5/9 8:00 Marc Broussard, Sway Wild at SPACE Evanston, $30-97, all ages, 7:00 door
x Sat 5/9 8:00 Expo ‘76 & The Total Pro Horns at Austin Community Tavern, RSVP, Phil’s Birthday Bash and 5th Anniversary Party
x Sat 5/9 8:00 Kofi Baker’s Psychedelic Trip with Scott Tipping, Chris Lohn at Mary’s Place Rockford
x Sat 5/9 8:00 Foghat, Nazareth at Hard Rock Live Rockford, $49-89, 7:00 door
x Sat 5/9 8:30 33 & 1/3rd “Annual” St. Timothy’s Day Party with Kevin Purcell and the Nightburners, Timbo Dancing, the Parade of Tims at Hideout, $20-26, 8:00 door
X Sat 5/9 8:30 Robbie Fulks “Then Now Then” with Jenny Scheinman, Kevin Barry, Gerald Dowd, Casey McDonough, Alex Hall, Robbie Gjersoe at FitzGerald’s Nightclub, $35+, sold out, 7:30 door
x Sat 5/9 9:00-2:30a Todd Day Wait at Broken Hearts Bar, tip the band
x Sat 5/9 9:00 The Vaughan Building at FitzGerald’s Sidebar, free RSVP
x Sat 5/9 9:30 Wild Earp at Carol’s Pub, $10
x Sun 5/10 3:00 Al Scorch’s Big Fantastical Residency celebrates Mother’s Day with Kelly Hogan and Jon Langford at Hideout, $20-38 sliding scale, benefits ICIRR aka Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights, outside if it’s nice
x Sun 5/10 7:00 Al Rose with Steve Doyle, Steve Hashimoto & Lance Helgeson, opening set from John Szymanski at Montrose Saloon, 2nd Damn Sunday of The Fucking Month Residency
x Sun 5/10 7:00 Hannah Frances at OTSFM Szold Hall, $27-34
x Sun 5/10 7:00 Shout Section Big Band at FitzGerald’s Nightclub, free RSVP, 6:00 door, Big Band & BBQ
x Sun 5/10 7:00 Artemis at SPACE Evanston, $30-65, all ages, 6:00, 9:00 doors
x Sun 5/10 8:30 Nicholas Barron & the Galaxy 5 at Simon’s, tip the band
x Mon 5/11 7:30 Decoy Prayer Meeting at Montrose Saloon
x Tue 5/12 7:00 The Quin Kirchner Trio at FitzGerald’s Patio, free RSVP, all ages, 5:00 door
x Tue 5/12 7:30 Samara Joy & the CSO at Symphony Center Orchestra Hall, $69-279
x Tue 5/12 7:30 Vance Gilbert, Sam Robbins at SPACE, $20-41, all ages, 6:30 door
x Wed 5/13 6:30 The Chris Greene Quartet at FitzGerald’s Patio, free RSVP, all ages, 5:00 door
x Wed 5/13 7:30 Mehrnam Restegari at OTSFM Maurer Hall, free RSVP, $10 suggested donation, World Music Wednesdays
x Wed 5/13 8:00 Joe Pernice, Pete Mancini at OTSFM Szold Hall, $35-45
x Wed 5/13 8:00 Sue Foley’s Guitar Women with Rory Block & Cindy Cashdollar at Garcia’s, $20-57, 6:30 door
x Wed 5/13 8:00 Rodrigo y Gabriela at Chicago Theatre, $66-216
x Wed 5/13 8:00 Carsie Blanton, Nathan Evans Fox at SPACE Evanston, $30-41, sold out, all ages, 7:00 door
x Wed 5/13 8:30 Expo 76 at Simon’s, tip the band, rockin’ delights
x Wed 5/13 8:30 The Leon Lewis-Nicol Trio at FitzGerald’s Patio, free RSVP, all ages, 7:30 door
x Thu 5/14 7:00 Ward Davis solo acoustic, Myron Elkins at Law Office Pub & Music Hall Yorkville, $36, 6:00 door
x Thu 5/14 7:30 Karla Bonoff at City Winery, $46+, 2 item minimum, 6:00 door
x Thu 5/14 7:30 Tenille Townes, Corrina at SPACE Evanston, $25-47, 6:30 door
x Thu 5/14 8:00 Twin Peaks at Thalia Hall, sold out, limited number at 7:00 door, 17+
x Thu 5/14 8:00 JD Simo & Luther Dickinson at Garcia’s, $20-45, 6:30 door
x Thu 5/14 8:30 Jackie Venson residency night 2 at FitzGerald’s Nightclub, $25-38, 7:30 door
x Thu 5/14 8:30 Bardware, Joey Acopiado at FitzGerald’s Sidebar, free RSVP, 7:30 door
x Fri 5/15 7:00 Omar Coleman and Igor Prado album release for “Old New Funky and Blue” at FitzGerald’s Patio, free RSVP, all ages, 4:00 door
x Fri 5/15 7:00 (8:00 ET) JD Simo & Luther Dickinson at Acorn Theatre Three Oaks MI, $35-76, blues
x Fri 5/15 7:30-10:30 Fox Crossing Stringband album release at Robert’s Westside, $15-20+, under 21 with guardian, 6:30 door
x Fri 5/15 7:30 Howard Levy 4 with Chris Siebold, Joshua Ramos, Luiz Ewerling at NEIU Recital Hall Northeastern IL University Parking Lot F, $12-29
x Fri 5/15 8:00 “Please SKA!” with Androgynous Mustache play The English Beat, Patois Six at Montrose Saloon
x Fri 5/15 8:00 Twin Peaks at Thalia Hall, sold out, limited number at 7:00 door, 17+
x Fri 5/15 8:00 Old Shoe, Horseshoes & Hand Grenades at Garcia’s, $36, GA remain, 6:30 door
x Fri 5/15 8:00 Alyssa Allgood at Athenaeum Theatre, $14-20, all ages, 7:30 door, Strictly Chicago Series
x Fri 5/15 8:00-11:00 Beth Bombara solo acoustic at Friendly Listening Room aka Community Room, $20-30, 7:00 door
x Fri 5/15 8:00 Soul Asylum acoustic trio, Jason Narducy at SPACE Evanston, $67-89, all ages, 7:00 door
x Fri 5/15 8:00 Real Pretenders at Countryside Saloon Des Plaines
x Fri 5/15 8:30-11:30 The Henry Carpender Quartet at Cary’s Lounge, tip hard
x Fri 5/15 8:30 Billy Allen & The Pollies, Half Gringa at Fitzgerald’s Nightclub, $20-33, 7:30 door
x Fri 5/15 9:00 The Meadowlark Lemons at FitzGerald’s Sidebar, free RSVP, 5:00 door
Sat 5/16 2:00 Civic String Quartet with Civic Orchestra of Chicago members play Haydn & Schumann, ++ at Indian Boundary Park, free and open to all, no RSVP needed
x Sat 5/16 4:00-7:00 Cheap Talking Wine at Cary’s Lounge, tip hard
x Sat 5/16 4:00 Rainy Day Women with Jenny Bienemann, Naomi Ashley, Jodi Walker at FitzGerald’s Patio, free RSVP, all ages, 11:00a door
x Sat 5/16 6:00 (7:00 ET) Corky Siegel’s Chamber Blues, Ernie Watts at Acorn Theatre Three Oaks MI, $50-92, blues
x Sat 5/16 7:00? Al Rose and Rachel Drew at Jarvis Square Pottery, arrive early and hungry, BYOB, donation, music at 8:00?
x Sat 5/16 7:00 Paul Cebar Tomorrow Sound at FitzGerald’s Patio, free RSVP, all ages
x Sat 5/16 8:00 Ricky Triple Threat with Ricky Liontones, Ricky Canning, Ricky Drugan at Montrose Saloon, Ricky’s bringin’ the Rawk
x Sat 5/16 8:00 Twin Peaks at Thalia Hall, sold out, limited number at 7:00 door, 17+
x Sat 5/16 8:00-10:30 Second Hand News tribute to Fleetwood Mac at Robert’s Westside, $25-35+, under 21 with guardian, 6:30 door
x Sat 5/16 8:00 Soul Asylum acoustic trio, Jason Narducy at SPACE Evanston, $67-89, all ages, 7:00 door
x Sat 5/16 8:30 The Demetria Taylor Band at FitzGerald’s Nightclub, free RSVP, 7:30 door
x Sat 5/16 9:00 Little Victory at FitzGerald’s Sidebar, free RSVP, 7:30 door
x Sun 5/17 12:00n Phil Angotti and Friends “A Hard Day’s Beatles Tribute Brunch” at City Winery, $24+, plus optional $25 brunch buffet, 2 item per person minimum, 10:30a door
x Sun 5/17 12:00n Ben Paterson Organ Trio at FitzGerald’s Patio, free RSVP, all ages, 11:00a door, jazz brunch
x Sun 5/17 4:00 Sunday Daydream tribute to The Grateful Dead at FitzGerald’s Nightclub, free RSVP
x Sun 5/17 5:00 Christone “Kingfish” Ingram, Samantha Fish at Des Plaines Theatre, $57-109, 4:00 door
x Sun 5/17 5:30 Rambling Deano at Friendly Music Community Berwyn, tip the artist
x Sun 5/17 6:00 Easy Girl, Gnomes, Mike Felten Band at Montrose Saloon
x Sun 5/17 6:00 Yorkville Big Band with Marie Bartolotto, Emmie Anderson at Yorkville American Legion, $10, under 19 $5, Monthly Swing Dance, 6:00 swing dance lesson
x Sun 5/17 7:00 Sons of The Never Wrong at OTSFM Szold Hall, $35-45
x Sun 5/17 7:00 Ann Wilson “In My Voice” screening and live Q&A with Ann Wilson and director Barbara Hall at City Winery, $54+, 2 item per person minimum, 5:30 door
x Sun 5/17 7:00 Chicago Skyliners with Bill O’Connell at FitzGerald’s Nightclub, free RSVP, Big Band & BBQ
x Sun 5/17 7:00 Corky Siegel’s Chamber Blues with Ernie Watts at SPACE Evanston, $35-74, all ages, 6:00 door
x Sun 5/17 8:00 Twin Peaks at Thalia Hall, sold out, limited number at 7:00 door, 17+
x Sun 5/17 8:30 Hashimoto 5 with Dan Hesler, Pat Fleming, Leandro Lopez-Varady, Heath Chappell at Simon’s, tip the band, jaaaaaaazzzzzzzzz
Newly Added Future Highlights for Shows added after next Sunday 5/17/26
x Wed 5/20 7:00 Phil Angotti, Irene Phillips at Montrose Saloon, $10 suggested donation, hit the tip bucket
x Wed 5/20 8:30 Real Pretenders with Naomi Ashley, Andon Davis, Ralph Baumel, John Carpender at Simon’s, tip the band, Pretenders, ++
x Sat 5/23 8:30 Lauren Anderson/Nathan Graham acoustic duo at FitzGerald’s Nightclub, free RSVP, 7:00 door
x Sun 5/24 4:00-7:00 Greasy Gravy with Matt Hendricks & Rick “Cookin’” Sherry at Cary’s Lounge, tip hard
x Wed 5/27 8:30 Heavy Sounds at Simon’s, tip the band, instrumental delights
x Sat 5/30 8:30 DD3 at Simon’s, tip the band, eclectic electric jams
x Fri 6/5 8:00 Cabeza De Chivo ‘In the Round’, Vatos Tristes, Eva Maria DJ Set at Thalia Hall, $25-34, 17+, 7:00 door
x Fri 6/5 8:30 Rocks Off tribute to The Rolling Stones at FitzGerald’s Nightclub, $25-30, 7:30 door
x Wed 6/17 8:30 The Mulligan Mosaics Nonet preform Miles Davis “Birth of the Cool” with Chad McCullough, Rich Moore, Ryan Schulz, Momo Hasselbring Seko, Ted Hogarth, John Blane, Kevin Fort, Joe Policastro, Todd Howell at FitzGerald’s Nightclub, $15-23, 7:30 door
x Sat 6/20 8:00 Mars Venus Moon, Pipes, Liz & The Baguettes at Montrose Saloon, $15 door
x Thu 6/25 8:00 East Nash Grass at Martyrs, $15-20, 7:00 door
x Fri 6/26 8:00 Taz, Brandon Niederauer at Martyrs, $25, all ages, 7:00 door
x Fri 6/26 8:00 Daniel Donato’s Cosmic Country at Thalia Hall, $31-47, two day pass $55-73, 17+, 7:00 door
x Fri 6/26 8:00 Tracy Bonham at OTSFM Szold Hall, $35-45
x Sat 6/27 7:30 Omar Hakim and Rachel Z “Generations Deconstructed” with Ozmosys, The Rock ‘N’ Roll Collective at Martyrs, $35-45, all ages, 6:30 door
x Sat 6/27 8:00 Daniel Donato’s Cosmic Country at Thalia Hall, $31-47, two day pass $55-73, 17+, 7:00 door
x Sat 6/27 8:30 Webb Wilder & The Beatnecks at FitzGerald’s Nightclub, $25-33, 7:30 door
x Fri 7/10 8:00 Rebirth Brass Band at Martyrs, $40, 7:00 door
x Sat 7/11-Sun 7/12 Frankfort Bluegrass Festival with 3 stages at Breidert Green Park Frankfort, free
x Sat 7/11 8:00 Rebirth Brass Band at Martyrs, $40, 7:00 door
x Wed 7/15 8:00 Jay Blakesberg and Steve Poltz “Workingmans’s Dead” at Garcia’s, $29 GA remain, 6:30 door
x Sun 7/26 8:30 40,000 Headmen tribute to Traffic, Blind Faith, Spencer Davis Group, Dave Mason, Steve Winwood at Martyrs, $20, 8:00 door
x Sun 8/9 8:00 Steel Pulse at Thalia Hall, $43-56, 17+, 7:00 door
x Tue 8/25 6:00-8:00 Soft Opening at Independence Park Evanston, free RSVP, all ages, 5:30 gates, bring lawn chairs, blankets, snacks, presented by SPACE
x Sun 10/18 8:00 Jon Scofield’s “Electrospective” with Oteil Burbridge, Larry Goldings, Adam Deitch at Thalia Hall, $40-86, 17+, 7:00 door
x = recommended, interested, notable to me or friends
X = the plan, though that can change
? = uncertainty, likely good to call ahead to verify
(date)? happening that date? conflicting sources?
(time)? time uncertain?
++ = and more
194/46