Thursday 8/20/26
There are some great Thursday music event options in Chicago and the surrounding areas
Read on for the details, and get out to enjoy some of the great shows if you can…
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Onsales & Presales
x Tue 10/20 7:30 Richard Shindell acoustic at SPACE Evanston, all ages, 6:30 door, presale Wed 8/19 10:00
x Thu 10/22 8:00 Maggie Rose at SPACE Evanston, all ages, 7:00 door, presale Wed 8/19 10:00
x Sat 10/31 8:00 Dumpstaphunk at Garcia’s, presales Thu 8/20 10:00a, onsale Fri 8/21 10:00a
x Sun 11/1 8:00 Dumpstaphunk at Garcia’s, presales Thu 8/20 10:00a, onsale Fri 8/21 10:00a
x Mon 11/9 7:30 Bill Callahan solo at SPACE Evanston, $30-54 SRO, all ages, 6:30 door
x Sat 11/21 7:30-10:00 The Flat Five at Stoughton Opera House Stoughton WI, $27-33, stream $20-21
x Sat 11/28 5:00, 8:00 Susan Werner at SPACE Evanston, all ages, 4:00, 7:00 doors, presale Wed 8/19 10:00
x Thu 12/3 8:00 Over the Rhine acoustic at OTSFM Maurer Hall, $45-56, onsale members Wed 8/19, public Fri 8/21, online 9:00a, in person & phone 10:00a
Today’s Thursday 8/20/26 Shows
x Thu 8/20-Sat 8/22 Fretboard Summit 2026 at OTSFM Lincoln Square, 3-day All Access $350-375
x 10:00a-11:00a Arcomusical at Chicago Botanic Garden McGinley Pavilion Glencoe, Afro-Brazilian Berimbau
x 12:00n-3:00 Mike Reeb at Gayle V’s Best Ever Grilled Cheese
1:30 Afternoon of Art Song fellows of the Singing Program at Ravinia Bennett Gordon Hall Highland Park, free with RSVP, 12:30 gates, Steans Institute Series
x 5:00-7:15 Andy Brown at Green Mill, tip the artist
5:00-8:00 DJ Mwelwa at Epiphany Center, free RSVP, Golden Hour
x 5:00 Pat Reedy, Meg & The Wheelers at Navy Pier
Thursday Night Out Bluegrass & Rock Night Oak Park on Marion between Lake and North Blvd
5:00-7:00 The White Saddle Band, bluegrass, americana
7:00-9:00 Thunderhead, rock
5:00-7:30 Elaine Dame Trio at Prime & Provisions Steakhouse
5:00-8:30 Leroy Winn Power Trio at Innovator Hale Street Tents Center Stage Wheaton
5:00 early listening event for Interpol “This Mirror Weighs a Ton” at The Records Department Woodstock, free RSVP
x 5:30 Jocey at FitzGerald’s Patio, free RSVP, all ages, 5:00 door, Pachanka Music presents
x 5:30-8:00 Matt Hendricks acoustic at Buddy Guy’s Legends, free
x 6:00-7:15, 8:15-9:30 Mario Abney at Andy’s, $20, RSVP required
x 6:00-2:00a Rico McFarland Blues Band/Omar Coleman Blues Band, Studebaker John acoustic set at Kingston Mines, $15-18
6:00-10:00 Windy City Rev Ups at House of Blues Restaurant & Bar, free, all ages
6:00 Steve Knight solo at Saddle & Cycle Club
6:00-8:00 Meagan McNeal at Tiny Tapp Riverwalk, soul, jazz, r&b
6:00-2:00a Selections by the Clipper Bartenders at California Clipper, lovers rock, dub, punk, minimal, synth, new wave, dark wave
x 6:00-9:00 Joel Paterson Duo with Natalie Scharf at Gale Street Inn
x 6:00-7:30 Charlie Berry at Willie Dixon’s Blues Heaven Foundation at Chess Records 2120, free, Record Row Concerts Thursdays through 9/10
6:00-9:00 Jessica Lopez at JW Marriott Chicago, Social Series
6:00-9:00 Greg Dudzienski Trio at Labriola Ristorante Oak Brook, WDCB Jazz Night & Patio Party
6:00-9:00 Michael Shebar Duo at Adelle’s Modern Kitchen & Bar Wheaton, WDCB Jazz Thursdays
6:00-9:00 Open Mic at Church Street Brewing Taproom Itasca, 5:30 signup
6:00-9:00 Josh Merritt at Red Barn Mt Prospect
6:00-12:00m Open Jam at Main Street Outfitters Pub Wauconda
6:00-9:00 Jon Rand Duo at Lindy’s Landing Wauconda
6:00-8:00 Windy City Ramblers at Fountain Square Evanston
6:00-8:00 Return2Soul at Palos Park Recreation Center Green, 5:00 grounds
6:00 Dueling Pianos at Harmony Square Tinley Park, Make Music Night
6:30 Ink & Dagger, Self Defense Family, Stress Positions, Slow Mass at Metro, $30-38, all ages, 5:30 door
6:30 Feelgood with Matty Alou and the Reggae Regaila at Reggies on the Beach at 63rd, free, 5:00 door, reggae
x 6:30, 8:30 Jeremy Kahn Trio with Spider Saloff “Basie Swings, Spider Sings!” with Rob Kassinger, Eric Schneider at Winters Jazz Club, $24-29, one drink minimum $10 per set
x 6:30-8:30 Brian Krumm and His Barfly Friends, Scott & Odie at Colvin House Courtyard, $18+
6:30-8:00 Eriick Starr at BandWith Chicago, free, Summer Concert Series
6:30-9:30 Abigail Riccards Trio at Eddie V’s Oak Brook
x 6:30-9:00 Righteous Rooster Organ Trio at Bubblehouse Brewing Company Lisle, WDCB Jazz in the Bubble, 3rd Thursdays
6:30 By the Thousands, Next to Eternity, Thutch, Zero Point at WC Social Club West Chicago, $15-31+, all ages, 5:30 door
6:30-9:30 Dan Maguire at Preservation Geneva Patio, acoustic variety
6:30 Tim Gleason Duo at The Office St Charles
x 6:30-9:45 Storytime Songwriter Showcase hosted by Demi Clara with Equals, Alison Maris, Angus Macaskill, Tom and Erin Hartnett at Black Dog Vinyl Cafe Plainfield, $5
6:45 The Heavy Rotation Session 16 listens to and dicusses Frank Ocean “Channel Orange” at Salt Shed Three Top Lounge, sold out, 5:30 door
7:00 Jimmy Eat World, The Get Up Kids, Sunny Day Real Estate at Huntington Bank Pavilion Northerly Island, $49+, rock
x 7:00, 8:30, 9:30, 11:00 Lil Ed Williams All Star Band with Sumito ‘Ariyo’ Ariyoshi, Joey J. Saye, Avondale Arts at Rosa’s, $15-25, 8:00 door, “Thursday Night Live” Blues
7:00 Jimmy Eat World, The Get Up Kids, Sunny Day Real Estate at Huntington Bank Pavilion at Northerly Island, $49-162, rock
x 7:00 Thursday Night Trad Music Sessions at Fifth Province Pub Irish American Heritage Center, free, 6:00 door, bring your instrument, a friend, love of Irish tradition
7:00 The Hurtin’ Kind at The Dock at Montrose Beach
x 7:00-10:00 Soul Message Band with Chris Foreman, Greg Rockingham, Greg Jung at Le Piano, $15
x 7:00-10:00 Banjo After Dark with Jonas Friddle followed by open mic style jam 8:00-10:00 at Borelli’s Pizza, $5 minimum or $5 BYO
x 7:00 The Interview Show Dinner Party hosted by Mark Bazer with Chef John Manion, Musician Gia Margaret at FitzGerald’s Nightclub, $85-92 includes dinner curated by Chef John Manion in collaboration with Chef Steve Domanik and Team Babygold
x 7:00-10:00 Songwriters In The Round hosted by Matt Scharpf with Chris Siebold, Kathleen Lane at Robert’s Westside Forest Park, $12-16 GA
7:00-9:00 Blackberry Jam at La Barra Riverside, free RSVP
x 7:00 Open Mic Night at The Little Owl Social Pub Brookfield, signup after 6:00
7:00-9:00 JD Kostyk at Milk Money Brewing La Grange
7:00-10:00 James Libera at Jonny Cab’s Burr Ridge
7:00-10:00 ProJam presented by Geoffrey Lowe with Jordan Macarus at Shanahan’s Woodridge
7:00-10:00 Open Mic at Crooked Arm Lisle, 6:30 signup, 3rd Thursdays
7:00-10:00 Infunktious at Potter’s Place Naperville
7:00-10:00 Jimi D’Lux at St Charles Motorcycle Museum
7:00-10:00 Southern Accents tribute to Tom Petty at Parkway Bank Park Rosemont, free, Rosemont Rockin In The Park
7:00-10:00 Shelley Yoelin/Gabriel Datcu Quintet Jam Session at Sabor a Café Steakhouse Niles, RSVP
7:00 Live Pete at Moretti’s Morton Grove
7:00-8:30 The Disco Circus at Harmony Park Arlington Heights, Sounds of Summer Concert Series, disco, funk
7:00 Justin Wallace at Broken Oar Port Barrington
7:00-10:30 Open Mic Night hosted by Kent Lewis at Black Lung Brewing Round Lake Beach, 1st & 3rd Thursdays
7:00-11:00 Open Mic Night at Copper Fiddle Distillery Lake Zurich, all are welcome
7:00-9:00 Ed Gershon at Tighthead Brewing Mundelein
7:00-9:00 Grace & John at North & Maple Kitchen & Bar Tinley Park, RSVP required
7:00 Jukebox Jill at Bailey’s Tinley Park
7:00-10:00 Hillbilly Rockstarz at Hollywood Casino “& Vine” Joliet, high energy country
x 7:00 (8:00 ET) Red Wanting Blue at Acorn Theatre Three Oaks MI, $46-76
x 7:00 Liam Kazar, Sima Cunningham at Cactus Club Milwaukee, $17-20, all ages
7:30 Jtopium, Frank Gappa, Goldheart Mountaintop at Montrose Saloon, $15 door
x 7:30 Jake Xerxes Fussell at OTSFM Maurer Hall, $30-39
7:30-9:30 Asha Egmont Trio with Lara Driscoll, Jesse Lear, Terence Dunphy Septet with Neil Carson, Jimmy Farace, Juliette Gardiner, Henry Sparks, Mary Halm, Colin Dorion at FSC aka Fulton Street Collective in Hubbard Street Lofts, $15 donation, 7:00 door
7:30-9:30 Allen Moore/Norman W Long Duo at Comfort Station, donation, Comfort Music
7:30 Jill Scott at Chicago Theatre, sold out, resale $173+, arrive 6:30, r&b
7:30 Afro Dead “Grateful Dead played Afro-Pop” with London Kay, Josh Olken, Aaron Feder, ++ at Epiphany Center Sanctuary, $25-37+, 5:00 venue door, 7:00 Sanctuary door
7:30 Android Paranoid tribute to Radiohead at City Winery, $30-36, 2 item per person encouraged, 6:00 door
7:30 Indie Showcase with Big Step, Temp Hold, Lingua Fina, Drinking Julia at Lemon Chicago, $10
7:30 LYKN at Copernicus Center, sold out, resale $72+, K-Pop boy band
x 7:30 The Quantum Committee Sextet EP release for “The Quantum Committee” with Jacob Nowakowski, Rohan Marr, Caleb Downey, Colin Woniewski, Joji Klooster at Hawthorne’s Backyard West Chicago
7:30 Free Fallin’ tribute to Tom Petty at Arcada Theatre St Charles, $33-67+, 6:00 door
x 7:30 Jaik Willis at Arcada Theatre Legends Stage St Charles, free RSVP, 6:00 door, blues, one man band
x 7:30-11:00 Johnny Burnett solo at Rox City Grill Hotel Baker St Charles, tip the artist
x 7:30 Christian Lopez at SPACE Evanston, $20-41, all ages, 6:30 door
x 7:30, 9:30 Constantine Alexander Firetet with Roy McGrath, Julius Tucker, Ben Dillinger, Greg Essig at Local Note Evanston
7:30-10:00 Miles Minor “Rockin’ The Blues” at Des Plaines Theatre Bourbon ‘n Brass Speakeasy, $5
7:30 Nick Sanzeri at Moretti’s Hoffman Estates
7:30 Retrospect at Moretti’s Barrington
x 7:30 Ricky Martin at Ravinia Hunter Pavilion Highland Park, $88-242, 4:30 donor gates, 5:00 public gates
7:30 M.G. Bailey at Austin Community Tavern Steger, RSVP
x 8:00 8:00 Singer & The Song with Sears Tower of Folk, Thrifty Kid, The Bobcat Boys at Hideout, $12-17, 7:30 door
x 8:00 American Aquarium, Joelton Mayfield at Thalia Hall, $23-46, 17+, 7:00 door
8:00 Jack Moony & The Sun Drops, Parson Dolls, Cameron at Beat Kitchen, $22, 7:00 door
8:00 Lucky Square, Pony Boy & The Idiots, Adorner, Feels Like Karma at Schubas, $15-20, 18+, 7:30 door
8:00 Meltt, Los Eclipses at Lincoln Hall, $25-33+, 18+, 7:00 door
x 8:00 Alan Gresik’s Swing Orchestra at Green Mill, $10
8:00 Pinkii, Robopup at Subterranean Upstairs, $30, 7:00 door
8:00, 10:00 Tim Warfield Quartet with Richard Johnson, Runere Brooks, Dana Hall at Jazz Showcase, $30-45
8:00 Eli at Chop Shop, $25-41, 17+, 7:00 door
8:00 Sheryl Youngblood Blues Band at Blue Chicago
8:00-10:00 Open Jam Thursdays hosted by Ian Valentin and Mimi Martinez tribute to Juan Gabriel at The Tonk Pilsen, 3rd Thursdays
8:00 Borris Hals at Phyllis’ Musical Inn
8:00? The Capra Brothers Band at O’s Tap
8:00 rommulas at Avondale Music Hall, sold out?, waitlist, 7:00 door
8:00 Gannon Fremin & CCREV, KG & The Bad Habits at Carol’s Pub, $12-15
8:00 Touchdown Jesus, Jealous Lot, Background Character at Cole’s Bar, $16, 7:30 door
8:00 Open Mic Night at The Tattler American Legion Post 973
8:00 The Dream Eaters, Plush Crush, Jeremy Weber at Cubby Bear, $15-19+, 7:00 door
8:00 Chamber Music America “A Night at Constellation” with Nicole Mitchell’s Black Earth Ensemble, Huu Bac Quintet, Andy Milne & Unison at Constellation, $30-36 GA, 7:30 door
8:00 The Locals, Ethan Marc Band, Adrian Parris at Bookclub, $13-15+, 7:00 door
8:00? Superfrye & The Delta 88s at Mary Jo McGuire’s, Country Night, 3rd Thursdays
8:00 Mitch Paliga Group with Chris White at The Checkout Lakeview, $18+, 18+, 7:30 door, jazz, Composer Night
8:00 The Basement Party, Duck EP release for “Imprint”, Mode Hexe x Haruhi at Gman Tavern, $12-15+, 7:30 door
8:00 Komrads, melter, My New Sawblade, DJ Veganinblack at The Burlington, $17
8:00-12:00m Open Mic at Gallery Cabaret
8:00 Guardrail, The Rifleman, Universal Public Fiend, Bigger Than Mountains, Sweet Thorns at LiveWire Lounge, $15, 7:00 door
8:00-11:00 Physical Graffiti tribute to Led Zeppelin at Firewater Saloon Edison Park
8:00-10:00 Tim Fleming, Lexi Kennedy and friends at The Galway Arms, Irish
8:00-9:30 Weekly Blues Jam hosted by Mr. Sho G at OTSFM Armitage Concert Hall
x 8:00 Courtesy Patrol at Friendly Music Community
8:00 Cirrus Falcon Duo at Quigley’s Irish Pub Naperville
8:00 Stacy Antonel & Sophie Gault at The Law Office Pub & Music Hall Yorkville, $20, 6:00 door
8:00-11:00 Open Jam Thursday at Uptown Plainfield
8:30 Unvirgin Mary, Cassette Stress, Satin Banshee, The Human Trials at Reggies Music Joint, $15-21, 7:30 door, darkwave, goth, punk
8:30 Jorrit Dijkstra with Jeb Bishop, Mabel Kwan, Michael Zerang, Bishop/Djikstra horn quintet with Keefe Jackson, “Andre Royston”, Ben Zucker at Elastic Arts, $15, $10 students, Improvised Music Series
8:30 Asake at Credit Union 1 Arena at UIC, $82-183+, world
8:30-1:30a Seth at The Zebra Lounge
x 8:30 Nikki O’Neill Band at FitzGerald’s Sidebar, free RSVP, 7:30 door
8:30 She Wears Plaid at Hey Nonny Arlington Heights, free RSVP, Thursday Night After Party
9:00 Plum record release for “Bodies in Motion”, No Men, Girly Pants at Empty Bottle, $12-16, 8:00 door
x 9:00 Quin Kirchner’s Spectral Beings with Marquis Hill, Rob Frye, Matt Gold at Hungry Brain, $21, 7:00 door, residency
9:00 Derek Caruso at Buddy Guy’s Legends, $17
9:00 Open Jam Night hosted by Max Reeve at Thirsty Tavern
9:00 Anastasia Elliot, Anfang, Sunvolume at Liar’s Club, $10-15, 7:00 door
9:00, 10:30 Low Spark at Dorians, $10, 6:00 door, groove, funk
9:00-1:00a Open Jam at Fuller’s Pub, every Thursday
9:00-2:00a Clu(b)rat with Veri Peri, ch4wni at The Whistler, free, 6:00 door, pop-club edits, tekno, latin ++
9:00 Sing Along at Bub City Chicago, RSVP
9:00-2:00a Rock & Roll DJ Emma at Delilah’s
9:00-2:00a Skoli Moly Donut Shop hosted by DJ Skoli at Cafe Mustache, hip hop, rap, and beats
9:00 The Trenches at Bourbon on Division, free before 11:00 with RSVP, presented by Ignant
9:00-2:00a TomCat Trumpet Experience at aliveOne
9:00-11:00 Open Mic Blues Jam hosted by Wes Tabayoyong at Johnny’s Blitz Westmont, after the car show
9:30 Sidequest with Lance Lazarus at Subterranean Downstairs, free, ghetto tech, uhg, house, tech house, Mosaic presents
9:30 Rick King’s Royal Hustle at Mom’s Place, yacht rock, ++
10:00 Charlie Foxtrot at Bub City Rosemont, RSVP
10:30-11:45 Marion Mallard at Andy’s, $20, RSVP required
Jerome’s highlights for Today’s Thursday 8/20/26 Shows
x Thu 8/20-Sat 8/22 Fretboard Summit 2026 at OTSFM Lincoln Square, 3-day All Access $350-375
x 10:00a-11:00a Arcomusical at Chicago Botanic Garden McGinley Pavilion Glencoe, Afro-Brazilian Berimbau
x 12:00n-3:00 Mike Reeb at Gayle V’s Best Ever Grilled Cheese
x 5:00-7:15 Andy Brown at Green Mill, tip the artist
x 5:00 Pat Reedy, Meg & The Wheelers at Navy Pier
x 5:30 Jocey at FitzGerald’s Patio, free RSVP, all ages, 5:00 door, Pachanka Music presents
x 5:30-8:00 Matt Hendricks acoustic at Buddy Guy’s Legends, free
x 6:00-7:15, 8:15-9:30 Mario Abney at Andy’s, $20, RSVP required
x 6:00-2:00a Rico McFarland Blues Band/Omar Coleman Blues Band, Studebaker John acoustic set at Kingston Mines, $15-18
x 6:00-9:00 Joel Paterson Duo with Natalie Scharf at Gale Street Inn
x 6:00-7:30 Charlie Berry at Willie Dixon’s Blues Heaven Foundation at Chess Records 2120, free, Record Row Concerts Thursdays through 9/10
x 6:30, 8:30 Jeremy Kahn Trio with Spider Saloff “Basie Swings, Spider Sings!” with Rob Kassinger, Eric Schneider at Winters Jazz Club, $24-29, one drink minimum $10 per set
x 6:30-8:30 Brian Krumm and His Barfly Friends, Scott & Odie at Colvin House Courtyard, $18+
x 6:30-9:00 Righteous Rooster Organ Trio at Bubblehouse Brewing Company Lisle, WDCB Jazz in the Bubble, 3rd Thursdays
x 6:30-9:45 Storytime Songwriter Showcase hosted by Demi Clara with Equals, Alison Maris, Angus Macaskill, Tom and Erin Hartnett at Black Dog Vinyl Cafe Plainfield, $5
x 7:00, 8:30, 9:30, 11:00 Lil Ed Williams All Star Band with Sumito ‘Ariyo’ Ariyoshi, Joey J. Saye, Avondale Arts at Rosa’s, $15-25, 8:00 door, “Thursday Night Live” Blues
7:00 Jimmy Eat World, The Get Up Kids, Sunny Day Real Estate at Huntington Bank Pavilion at Northerly Island, $49-162, rock
x 7:00 Thursday Night Trad Music Sessions at Fifth Province Pub Irish American Heritage Center, free, 6:00 door, bring your instrument, a friend, love of Irish tradition
x 7:00-10:00 Soul Message Band with Chris Foreman, Greg Rockingham, Greg Jung at Le Piano, $15
x 7:00-10:00 Banjo After Dark with Jonas Friddle followed by open mic style jam 8:00-10:00 at Borelli’s Pizza, $5 minimum or $5 BYO
x 7:00 The Interview Show Dinner Party hosted by Mark Bazer with Chef John Manion, Musician Gia Margaret at FitzGerald’s Nightclub, $85-92 includes dinner curated by Chef John Manion in collaboration with Chef Steve Domanik and Team Babygold
x 7:00-10:00 Songwriters In The Round hosted by Matt Scharpf with Chris Siebold, Kathleen Lane at Robert’s Westside Forest Park, $12-16 GA
x 7:00 Open Mic Night at The Little Owl Social Pub Brookfield, signup after 6:00
x 7:00 (8:00 ET) Red Wanting Blue at Acorn Theatre Three Oaks MI, $46-76
x 7:00 Liam Kazar, Sima Cunningham at Cactus Club Milwaukee, $17-20, all ages
x 7:30 Jake Xerxes Fussell at OTSFM Maurer Hall, $30-39
x 7:30 The Quantum Committee Sextet EP release for “The Quantum Committee” with Jacob Nowakowski, Rohan Marr, Caleb Downey, Colin Woniewski, Joji Klooster at Hawthorne’s Backyard West Chicago
7:30 Free Fallin’ tribute to Tom Petty at Arcada Theatre St Charles, $33-67+, 6:00 door
x 7:30 Jaik Willis at Arcada Theatre Legends Stage St Charles, free RSVP, 6:00 door, blues, one man band
x 7:30-11:00 Johnny Burnett solo at Rox City Grill Hotel Baker St Charles, tip the artist
x 7:30 Christian Lopez at SPACE Evanston, $20-41, all ages, 6:30 door
x 7:30, 9:30 Constantine Alexander Firetet with Roy McGrath, Julius Tucker, Ben Dillinger, Greg Essig at Local Note Evanston
x 7:30 Ricky Martin at Ravinia Hunter Pavilion Highland Park, $88-242, 4:30 donor gates, 5:00 public gates
x 8:00 8:00 Singer & The Song with Sears Tower of Folk, Thrifty Kid, The Bobcat Boys at Hideout, $12-17, 7:30 door
x 8:00 American Aquarium, Joelton Mayfield at Thalia Hall, $23-46, 17+, 7:00 door
x 8:00 Alan Gresik’s Swing Orchestra at Green Mill, $10
x 8:00 Courtesy Patrol at Friendly Music Community
x 8:30 Nikki O’Neill Band at FitzGerald’s Sidebar, free RSVP, 7:30 door
x 9:00 Quin Kirchner’s Spectral Beings with Marquis Hill, Rob Frye, Matt Gold at Hungry Brain, $21, 7:00 door, residency
Future Highlights through next Sunday 8/30/26
x Fri 8/21 3:30 Outlaw Festival with Willie Nelson, Avett Brothers, Lukas Nelson, ++ at Alpine Valley East Troy WI, $78+
x Fri 8/21 5:00 The Jarod Bufe Quartet at FitzGerald’s Patio, free RSVP, all ages, 4:00 door, happy hour jazz
x Fri 8/21 5:30-7:30 The Hoyle Brothers with Gerald Dowd at Empty Bottle, free RSVP, Hard Country Honky Tonk
x Fri 8/21 6:30 Joe Pug, DJ Lawrence Peters at Robert’s Westside Forest Park, $40-68, under 21 with guardian, 6:30 door, Food Aid Festival benefits A House In Austin, Austin Eats Initiative, Best Of Proviso Township, Beyond Hunger, The Community Fridge Project, Westchester Food Pantry
Fri 8/21 7:00 Usher Raymond & Chris Brown at Soldier Field, $184+++
x Fri 8/21 7:00 The Handcuffs at FitzGerald’s Patio, free RSVP, all ages, 5:00 door
x Fri 8/21 7:00-9:00 Ernie Hendrickson on Sainte Genevieve Riverboat Ottawa, $37, seniors & vets $33, children 3-12 $27, infants free, sunset cruise
x Fri 8/21 7:00 Abigayle Oakley & Remi Goode at Molly’s House Concerts Lincolnwood, $25+ RSVP donation, 6:00 door and pot luck
x Fri 8/21 7:30 Kacey Musgraves, Midland at United Center, $171++, country
x Fri 8/21 7:30 Alabama Shakes, Liam Kazar at Ravinia Hunter Pavilion Highland Park, $78-159, 4:30 donor gates, 5:00 public gates
x Fri 8/21 8:00 Phil Angotti & Friends, Venus Darling at Martyrs, $15, 7:00 door
x Fri 8/21 8:00 Deep Sea Diver solo, Hand Habits at OTSFM Maurer Hall, $28-36
x Fri 8/21 8:00 Michael Daves & Jacob Joliff, Frank Solivan and Jack Dunlap at OTSFM Szold Hall, $25-30
x Fri 8/21 8:00 Will Sheff at Lincoln Hall, $30-47, 7:00 door
x Fri 8/21 8:00 Superchunk, Joe Glass at SPACE Evanston, $30-41 SRO, all ages, 7:00 door
x Fri 8/21 8:00 Real Pretenders at Countryside Saloon Des Plaines, free, tip the band
x Fri 8/21 8:00-11:00 G Love & Special Sauce at Hollywood Casino Joliet, $40+
x Fri 8/21 8:00 New Duncan Imperials at Kiki’s House of Righteous Music Madison WI, $20, email RSVP
x Fri 8/21 8:30-11:30 The Henry Carpender Quartet at Cary’s Lounge, tip hard
x Fri 8/21 8:30 Lost Bayou Ramblers at FitzGerald’s Nightclub, $25-38, 7:30 door
x Fri 8/21 9:00 The Joel Paterson Swing Quartet with Natalie Scharf, Dan Anderson, Alex Hall at Hungry Brain, $15-21, 6:00 door
x Fri 8/21 9:00-1:30a Meg & The Wheelers at Broken Hearts Bar, tip the artists, country western
x Fri 8/21 9:00 The Meadowlark Lemons at FitzGerald’s Sidebar, free RSVP, 7:30 door
x Fri 8/21 10:00-1:00a Lawrence Peters DJ Set at Salt Shed Three Top Lounge, free RSVP, classic country
x Sat 8/22 11:00a-1:00 Kent D. Rosenwald at City News Cafe, tip the artist
x Sat 8/22 12:00n Drag Brunch hosted by Eva Styles with Nutmegan, Toby Blunt at FitzGerald’s Patio, $10-12, all ages, 11:00 door
x Sat 8/22 12:00n-6:30 2nd Annual Food Aid Block Party with High & Lonesome, Strawdaddy, Pipes, GirlCade, Rock Hands Music at Robert’s Westside Forest Park, parking lot across Circle Ave, free, suggested donations $20-100, Food Aid Block Party benefits A House In Austin, Austin Eats Initiative, Best Of Proviso Township, Beyond Hunger, The Community Fridge Project, Westchester Food Pantry
x Sat 8/22 Northfield Centennial Celebration at Clarkson Park Northfield
3:30-4:30 Justin Roberts and the Not Ready for Naptime Players with Gerald Dowd, Liam Davis
5:30-7:00 King Saturday
8:00-10:00 Dick Holliday and the Bamboo Gang with Gerald Dowd
x Sat 8/22 3:30-10:30 Rockopelli 2026 hosted by Joe Marcinek with Robert Randolph, Delvon Lamarr, ++ at Bulldog Park Crown Point IN
x Sat 8/22 6:30 Shemekia Copeland, Vinyl DJ tba at Robert’s Westside Forest Park, $55-81, under 21 with guardian, 6:30 door, Food Aid Festival benefits A House In Austin, Austin Eats Initiative, Best Of Proviso Township, Beyond Hunger, The Community Fridge Project, Westchester Food Pantry
x Sat 8/22 6:30 Mötley Crüe, Tesla, Extreme at Credit Union 1 Amphitheatre Tinley Park, $26-247+
Sat 8/22 7:00 Usher Raymond & Chris Brown at Soldier Field, $184+++
x Sat 8/22 7:00 Union Avenue at FitzGerald’s Patio, free RSVP, all ages, 11:00a door
x Sat 8/22 7:00-9:00 David Greely with Amelia Biere at Friendly Music Community Listening Room Berwyn, $25-27, cajun
x Sat 8/22 7:30 Bonnie Raitt at Ravinia Hunter Pavilion Highland Park, $60-139, 4:30 donor gates, 5:00 public gates
x Sat 8/22 8:00 Nitzer Ebb, Dopplereffekt at Metro, $45+, 18+, 7:00 door
x Sat 8/22 8:00 Melody Angel album release for “Disturbia” at SPACE Evanston, $30-41, all ages, 7:00 door
x Sat 8/22 8:30 Madam Radar at FitzGerald’s Nightclub, $20-38, 7:30 door
x Sat 8/22 8:30 Ani Mari, The Keynote Sisters at FitzGerald’s Sidebar, free RSVP, 7:30 door
x Sat 8/22 9:00-2:30a Reilly Downes, Dani Rae at Broken Hearts Bar, tip the band
x Sun 8/23 10:00a-12:00n Victoria Storm at Friendly Music Community, free, tip the artist, Friendly Sunday Church of the Singer-Songwriters
x Sun 8/23 1:00-3:00 Greg Ward’s Rogue Parade at Palmer Square Park, free, tip the artists, Live on Logan
x Sun 8/23 1:00-3:00 Sunday Sessions at Guinness Open Gate Brewery Chicago, trad Irish, all welcome
x Sun 8/23 2:00-4:00 Great Moments in Vinyl tribute to Genesis, Phil Collins, Peter Gabriel at Metropolis Performing Arts Center Arlington Heights, $40
x Sun 8/23 3:00-5:00 Peter Joly Group at Friendly Music Community, tip the artist
x Sun 8/23 4:00 7th Period at SPACE Patio, tickets/RSVP soon?, all ages, Summer Patio Series, jazz/funk/soul/pop covers, originals
X Sun 8/23 5:00 Fats Kaplin & Kristi Rose, Naomi Ashley & Jon Williams at Jarvis Square Pottery, $20 door, arrive early & hungry, music at 6:00
Sun 8/23 5:00 LLN Trio at FitzGerald’s Patio, free RSVP, all ages, 11:00a door
x Sun 8/23 6:00 Grease Sing-Along with ‘78 soundtrack and film, on-screen lyrics at Ravinia Hunter Pavilion Highland Park, $35, 3:30 donor gates, 4:00 public gates
x Sun 8/23 7:00 British Buddy Big Band at FitzGerald’s Nightclub, free RSVP, all ages, 6:00 door, Big Band & BBQ
x Sun 8/23 7:00-9:00 Ro(b)//ert Lundberg’s Addendum with Will Greene, Robbie Lynn Hunsinger, Caroline Jesalva, Tyler Wagner at Compound Yellow, Side Yard Sounds
x Sun 8/23 8:00 Peter Himmelman at SPACE Evanston, $25-86, all ages, 7:00 door
x Sun 8/23 8:30 Phil Angotti & Friends tribute to Cat Stevens at Simon’s Tavern, tip the band
x Sun 8/23 8:00-1:30a Demi Clara Band at Broken Hearts Bar, tip the band
x Mon 8/24 7:30 Bywater Call at SPACE Evanston, $20-41, all ages, 6:30 door
x Mon 8/24 8:00-12:00m Joel Paterson & Friends with Chris Foreman, Natalie Scharf, Joe Policastro, Alex Hall at Green Mill, $10
x Tue 8/25 3:20 Willie Nelson, The Avett Brothers, Lukas Nelson, Stephen Wilson Jr., Don Was, ++? at Huntington Bank Pavilion Northerly Island, $51-208++, Outlaw Festival
x Tue 8/25 5:30-8:00 Billy Branch at MCA Tuesdays on the Terrace, free, all advance tickets reserved, limited number of standby tickets at 4:30 at museum back gate
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 Tue 8/25 6:30 DC and The Love at FitzGerald’s Patio, free RSVP, all ages, 5:00 door
x Tue 8/25 7:00 Deep Purple, Kansas at Ravinia Hunter Pavilion Highland Park, $60-124, 4:30 donor gates, 5:00 public gates
x Tue 8/25 8:00 John Szymanski & Friends at Montrose Saloon, hit the tip bucket
x Wed 8/26 6:00 Songwriter Showcase hosted by Al Rose with James Moeller & Carla Hayden at Kopi Cafe, tip the artists
x Wed 8/26 6:30 Joe Policastro & Friends at FitzGerald’s Patio, free RSVP, all ages, 5:00 door, jazz
x Wed 8/26 7:00-9:00 Cecy Santana at Lot Jams, free, S side of Lawrence, just W of Kimball
x Wed 8/26 7:00 Brandi Carlile, I’m With Her at Ravinia Hunter Pavilion Highland Park, $98-267, 4:30 donor gates, 5:00 public gates
x Wed 8/26 7:30 The Pinkerton Raid, Brandon Reisdorf at Hideout, $12-17, 7:00 door
Wed 8/26 7:30 Ken Carson, Xaviersobased, Prettifun, DJ Moon at Huntington Bank Pavilion Northerly Island, $78+, hip hop, rap
x Wed 8/26 7:30 Sunny Sweeney, Kayla Ray at Robert’s Westside Forest Park, $22-42, under 21 with guardian, 6:30 door
x Wed 8/26 7:30 Cimarron 615 with Rick Lonow, Jack Sundrud, Michael Webb, Ronnie Guilbeau at SPACE Evanston, $25-47, all ages, 6:30 door
x Wed 8/26 7:30 Anna Fermin’s Trigger Gospel at Hey Nonny, $18-50, 6:30 door
x Wed 8/26 8:30 Matt Gold & Storms of Love at Simon’s Tavern, tip the band, instrumental delights
x Wed 8/26 8:30 Aval Stanley Zaucha Organ Trio at FitzGerald’s Sidebar, free RSVP, 7:30 door, jazz
x Thu 8/27 5:30-7:00 Joe Policastro Sextet perform Miles Davis “Kind of Blue” with Chad McCullough, Alex Beltran, Rich Moore, Kevin Fort, George Fludas at Cheney Mansion Oak Park, $62 RSVP includes 2 drinks, hors d’oeuvres, 5:00 door, presented by FitzGerald’s
x Thu 8/27 7:00 Kool & The Gang, Morris Day and The Time, ConFunkShun at Ravinia Hunter Pavilion Highland Park, $60-101, 4:30 donor gates, 5:00 public gates
x Thu 8/27 7:00 Ropa Viejo “El Circo” at FitzGerald’s Patio, free RSVP, 5:00 door
x Thu 8/27 7:30 Chicken Wire Empire plays “Old and in the Way” ++ with Don Stiernberg at SPACE Evanston, $15-34, all ages, 6:30 door
Thu 8/27 8:00 BTS at Soldier Field, sold out?
x Thu 8/27 8:30 Grelley Duvall presents “RIPLEY” with music direction by Aunt Kelly, choreography by Alix Schillaci, puppetry by Lolly Extract at Empty Bottle, $22-29, 8:00 door
X Thu 8/27 8:30 The Sadies at FitzGerald’s Nightclub, $30-38, 7:30 door
x Thu 8/27 8:30 Gerald Dowd’s Song Of The Month Club with Lisa P. Medina at FitzGerald’s Sidebar, free RSVP, 7:00 door
x Fri 8/28 5:00 Kathryn & Chris at FitzGerald’s Patio, free RSVP, all ages, 4:00 door, singer songwriter
x Fri 8/28 7:00? Ochin Pahki, Ultra Violet Archer, Lucien at Jarvis Square Pottery, arrive early & hungry, music at 8:00?
x Fri 8/28 7:00 The Ready Freddies sing-a-long tribute to Queen at FitzGerald’s Patio, Free RSVP, tip the band
x Fri 8/28 7:00-11:30 Mr. Blotto, Phire at The Pyramid aka The Gold Pyramid Wadsworth, $29
x Fri 8/28 7:30 Alabama at Ravinia Hunter Pavilion Highland Park, $70-159, 4:30 donor gates, 5:00 public gates
x Fri 8/28 8:00 Josh Rouse at OTSFM Szold Hall, $35-45
x Fri 8/28 8:00 Peter Hook & The Light at Metro, $45-53, 18+, 7:00 door
Fri 8/28 8:00 BTS at Soldier Field, sold out?
x Fri 8/28 8:00 Rick Estrin & The Nightcats at SPACE Evanston, $15-34, all ages, 7:00 door
X Fri 8/28 8:30 Haiku Milieu After Dark celebrates “25 Concerts and 500 Songs!” with Jenny Bienemann, backing band Gerald Dowd, Jon Paul, Scott Tipping, guests John Abbey, Naomi Ashley and Jon Williams, Robin Bienemann, Jenny Bienemann/Robin Bienemann/Gerald Dowd, John Carpender and Henry Alden Carpender, Tim Cavanaugh, Andon Davis, Liam Davis, Gerald Dowd, Rachel Drew and Peter Joly, Klem Hayes, Kelli Owens Hutton and Cheryl Tomblin, Kara Kesselring and Patrick Williams, Stephen Kohler, Michael Krayniak, Deborah Maris Lader, Jon Langford, Ron Lazzeretti and Jodi Walker, Cathie Menard, Chris Neville, Nora O’Connor Kean, Nikki O’Neill and Rich Lackowski, Fred Simon, Scott Tipping at FitzGerald’s Sidebar, $10-24
x Fri 8/28 10:00 Grelley Duvall presents “RIPLEY” with music direction by Aunt Kelly, choreography by Alix Schillaci, puppetry by Lolly Extract at Empty Bottle, $22-29, 9:00 door
x Sat 8/29 10:00 World Wide Play Music on the Porch Day for Peace with Mark Dvorak, ++, you? at Loca Mocha Cafe Brookfield, no cover fee, bring your acoustic instrument, voice, non-perishable food for Share Food Share Love Food Pantry
x Sat 8/29 12:00n Righteous Rooster at FitzGerald’s Patio, free RSVP, all ages, 11:00a door, organ brunch
x Sat 8/29 2:00 JoeFest XXVIII hosted by Joey Zuzich with The Baby Magic, Dangerous Chairs, Torpedo Los, HyperVolume, The Hyss, Weird Bananas, ThunderShirt, B.L.T., Dragon Noodles at Friendly Music Community Berwyn, tip the bands
Sat 8/29 6:45 The Fray, Dashboard Confessional, Colony House at Huntington Bank Pavilion Northerly Island, $34+, rock
x Sat 8/29 7:00 Corey Dennison Band at FitzGerald’s Patio, free RSVP, 5:00 door
x Sat 8/29 7:00 Ray LaMontagne, The Weather Station at Ravinia Hunter Pavilion Highland Park, $60-159, 4:30 donor gates, 5:00 public gates
x Sat 8/29 8:00 Meg and The Wheelers, Wire & Nail at Martyrs, $15, 7:00 door
x Sat 8/29 8:00 Peter Hook & The Light at Metro, $45-53, 18+, 7:00 door
x Sat 8/29 8:00 Robert Lester Folsom, Corey Parsons at SPACE Evanston, $25-47, all ages, 7:00 door
x Sat 8/29 8:30 Funkadesi at FitzGerald’s Nightclub, $22-33, 7:30 door, 30th Anniversary
x Sat 8/29 9:00 Grelley Duvall presents “RIPLEY” with music direction by Aunt Kelly, choreography by Alix Schillaci, puppetry by Lolly Extract at Empty Bottle, $22-29, 8:00 door
x Sun 8/30 12:00n Diamondback at FitzGerald’s Patio, free RSVP, 11:00a door, Country Brunch
x Sun 8/30 1:00-3:00 Christian Larumbe at Palmer Square Park, free, tip the artists, Live on Logan
x Sun 8/30 1:00-3:00 Sunday Sessions at Guinness Open Gate Brewery Chicago, trad Irish, all welcome
x Sun 8/30 3:00-5:00 Three Sheets with Lisa DeRosia, Cathie Van Wert, Linda Weseman at Friendly Music Community, tip the artists
x Sun 8/30 5:00 Ryan Joseph Anderson & Gerald Dowd at FitzGerald’s Patio, free RSVP, 11:00a door, “together again at last”
x Sun 8/30 7:00 Asleep at the Wheel at OTSFM Maurer Hall, $48-59
x Sun 8/30 7:00 The Dana Legg Stage Band, The Addison Trail High School Band at FitzGerald’s Nightclub, free RSVP, 6:00 door, Big Band & BBQ
x Sun 8/30 7:00 Mike Clark Organ Trio with Jerry Z and Dave Stryker at SPACE Evanston, $20-41, all ages, 6:00 door
x Sun 8/30 7:00 Miranda Lambert at Ravinia Hunter Pavilion Highland Park, $70-204, 4:30 donor gates, 5:00 public gates
x Sun 8/30 8:30 Joey Acopiado at Simon’s Tavern, tip the band
x Sun 8/30 9:00 Grelley Duvall presents “RIPLEY” with music direction by Aunt Kelly, choreography by Alix Schillaci, puppetry by Lolly Extract at Empty Bottle, $22-29, 8:00 door
Newly Added Future Highlights beyond next Sunday 8/30/26
x Thu 8/20 5:00 Pat Reedy, Meg & The Wheelers at Navy Pier
x Thu 8/20 5:30 Jocey at FitzGerald’s Patio, free RSVP, all ages, 5:00 door, Pachanka Music presents
x Thu 8/20 6:00-9:00 Joel Paterson Duo with Natalie Scharf at Gale Street Inn
x Thu 8/20 8:00 8:00 Singer & The Song with Sears Tower of Folk, Thrifty Kid, The Bobcat Boys at Hideout, $12-17, 7:30 door
x Fri 8/21 8:00 Michael Daves & Jacob Joliff, Frank Solivan and Jack Dunlap at OTSFM Szold Hall, $25-30
x Fri 8/21 8:00 New Duncan Imperials at Kiki’s House of Righteous Music Madison WI, $20, email RSVP
x Fri 8/21 8:30-11:30 The Henry Carpender Quartet at Cary’s Lounge, tip hard
x Fri 8/21 9:00-1:30a Meg & The Wheelers at Broken Hearts Bar, tip the artists, country western
x Fri 8/21 9:00 The Joel Paterson Swing Quartet with Natalie Scharf, Dan Anderson, Alex Hall at Hungry Brain, $15-21, 6:00 door
x Sat 8/22 11:00a-1:00 Kent D. Rosenwald at City News Cafe, tip the artist
x Sat 8/22 9:00-2:30a Reilly Downes, Dani Rae at Broken Hearts Bar, tip the band
Sun 8/23 5:00 LLN Trio at FitzGerald’s Patio, free RSVP, all ages, 11:00a door
x Sun 8/23 5:00-7:00 Anna Fermin’s Trigger Gospel at White Lilac Kenosha WI, $20-24
x Sun 8/23 8:00-1:30a Demi Clara Band at Broken Hearts Bar, tip the band
x Tue 8/25 8:00 John Szymanski & Friends at Montrose Saloon, hit the tip bucket
x Thu 8/27 7:00 Ropa Viejo “El Circo” at FitzGerald’s Patio, free RSVP, 5:00 door
x Thu 8/27 8:30 Gerald Dowd’s Song Of The Month Club with Lisa P. Medina at FitzGerald’s Sidebar, free RSVP, 7:00 door
x Sun 8/30 5:00 Ryan Joseph Anderson & Gerald Dowd at FitzGerald’s Patio, free RSVP, 11:00a door, “together again at last”
x Sun 8/30 7:00 The Dana Legg Stage Band, The Addison Trail High School Band at FitzGerald’s Nightclub, free RSVP, 6:00 door, Big Band & BBQ
x Tue 9/1 7:00 John Primer at FitzGerald’s Patio, free RSVP, 5:00 door, WDCB Bluesday Tuesday hosted by Scott “Hambone” Hammer
x Tue 9/1 8:30 Stefan Hillesheim at FitzGerald’s Sidebar, free RSVP, 5:00 door
x Sat 9/5 12:00n-4:00 Labor Day Party for Evanston Folk Fest with DJ Faithful Anchor at SPACE Evanston, free, free hamburgers & hot dogs while they last, ++, all ages, 2 Day wristband pickup
x Sat 9/5 9:00 The John Hanrahan Quartet performs John Coltrane “A Love Supreme” at FitzGerald’s Sidebar, free RSVP, 7:30 door
x Sun 9/6 12:00n Mariachi Sirenas at FitzGerald’s Patio, $15-18 reserved seats, all ages, 11:00a door, Mariachi Brunch
x Sun 9/6 5:00 The Ron Lazzeretti Band at FitzGerald’s Patio, free RSVP, all ages, 11:00a door
x Wed 9/9 8:30 Cha Wa, The Hurtin’ Kind at FitzGerald’s Nightclub, $20-33, 7:30 door
x Fri 9/11 8:00 Songwriter’s Circle celebrating LGBTQIA+ hosted by Ann Powers with She Returns From War, Creekbed Carter Hogan, Anjimile, Growing Boys at SPACE Evanston, $15-34, Evanston Folk Festival Aftershow presented by Bluegrass Situation
x Fri 9/11 8:30 Lydia Cash, The Devil Said Jump at Fitzgerald’s Sidebar, free RSVP, 7:30 door
x Thu 9/24 8:00 Son Volt at SPACE Evanston, $45-60 SRO, all ages, 7:00 door, no longer sold out?
x Thu 9/24 8:30 The Gerald Dowd Band at FitzGerald’s Sidebar, free RSVP, 8:00 door
x Fri 9/25 8:30 Neptune’s Core at FitzGerald’s Sidebar, free RSVP, 7:30 door
x Sat 9/26 7:00 Los Gallos at FitzGerald’s Sidebar, free RSVP
x Sun 10/11 11:30a 5th Honky Tonktoberfest hosted by Wild Earp with at FitzGerald’s Nightclub, fre RSVP, 11:00a door
x Tue 10/20 7:30 Richard Shindell acoustic at SPACE Evanston, all ages, 6:30 door, presale Wed 8/19 10:00a
x Thu 10/22 8:00 Maggie Rose at SPACE Evanston, all ages, 7:00 door, presale Wed 8/19 10:00a
x Sat 10/31 8:00 Dumpstaphunk at Garcia’s, presales Thu 8/20 10:00a, onsale Fri 8/21 10:00a
x Sun 11/1 8:00 Dumpstaphunk at Garcia’s, presales Thu 8/20 10:00a, onsale Fri 8/21 10:00a
x Mon 11/9 7:30 Bill Callahan solo at SPACE Evanston, $30-54 SRO, all ages, 6:30 door
x Sat 11/21 7:30-10:00 The Flat Five at Stoughton Opera House Stoughton WI, $27-33, stream $20-21
x Sat 11/28 5:00, 8:00 Susan Werner at SPACE Evanston, all ages, 4:00, 7:00 doors, presale Wed 8/19 10:00
x Thu 12/3 8:00 Over the Rhine acoustic at OTSFM Maurer Hall, $45-56, onsale members Wed 8/19, public Fri 8/21, online 9:00a, in person & phone 10:00a
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
149/38