Chicago live music

Folk Shows in Chicago

Live folk events across Chicago-area venues on RUE. Listings come from venue calendars — open a show for tickets and details.

Upcoming events

Garcia's Chicago·West Loop

Jarrod Walker

Event features a General Admission Dance Pit in front of the stage! All sales are final, no refunds/exchanges permitted, but tickets may be transferred through your TM Account. Garcia's is fully ADA compliant featuring wheelchair lifts and ramps between the various levels of the venue, assisted listening devices upon request, and allows official service animals. Premium Table seating is located closest to the stage offering the most intimate music experience for guests and includes table service. Reserved Table seating is located on our main floor, behind the Premium section, and also includes table service. Both Premium and Reserved table seating is cabaret style which means you may be sitting with other fans. Private Booths are available and depending on the booth seats 1 to 4, 5, or 6 guests. General Admission/Standing Room is located around the sides of the room on an elevated level for quality viewing and easy bar access.

Folk / RootsRock
Dec 15
8:00 PM
Price TBADetails →
Garcia's Chicago·West Loop

Relix Presents: An Intimate Evening with Moe. - 3-DAY GEN ADM PASS

The 3-DAY PASS is good for all 3 shows of moe at Garcia's Chicago, Friday through Sunday, December 18 through 20, all shows are at 7:00pm, doors open at 5:30pm Event features a General Admission Dance Pit in front of the stage open to all! All sales are final, no refunds/exchanges permitted, but tickets may be transferred through your TM Account. Garcia's is fully ADA compliant featuring wheelchair lifts and ramps between the various levels of the venue, assisted listening devices upon request, and allows official service animals.

RockPopFolk / Roots
Dec 17
6:00 PM
Price TBADetails →

Into It. Over It.

Doors open at 530PM. Performance begins at 630PM. This show is for ALL AGES. House of Blues Chicago is a standing room only venue, all tickets are General Admission unless otherwise stated. *All support acts are subject to change without notice.* Upgrade Your Experience: https://www.sevenrooms.com/events/hobchicago/hobwebsite

RockMetalPop
Dec 18
5:30 PM
Price TBADetails →
Garcia's Chicago·West Loop

Relix Presents: An Intimate Evening with Moe.

Event features a General Admission Dance Pit in front of the stage open to all! All sales are final, no refunds/exchanges permitted, but tickets may be transferred through your TM Account. Garcia's is fully ADA compliant featuring wheelchair lifts and ramps between the various levels of the venue, assisted listening devices upon request, and allows official service animals.

RockPopFolk / Roots
Dec 18
7:00 PM
Price TBADetails →
Martyrs'·North Center

The Local Honeys

Though many artists are defined by place, only a handful of artists come to define the places they're from. The Local Honeys are Kentucky and Kentucky runs through their veins like an unbridled racehorse. When a master songsmith like Tom T Hall calls an artist "a great credit to a wonderful Kentucky tradition" it's time to pull up a chair and pay attention. As it pertains to The Local Honeys he was right on the money. For almost a decade the duo (Montana Hobbs and Linda Jean Stokley) have been an integral part of the Kentucky musicscape. They've paid their dues, garnering countless accolades and accomplishments (tours with Tyler Childers, Colter Wall, praise from the New York Times) and have become the defining sound of real deal, honest-to-god Kentucky music.

Folk / RootsRock
Dec 18
8:00 PM
Martyrs'·North Center

Martyrs' >> Fri, Dec 18th - Doors 7PM - Show 8PM - $20

Though many artists are defined by place, only a handful of artists come to define the places they're from. The Local Honeys are Kentucky and Kentucky runs through their veins like an unbridled racehorse. When a master songsmith like Tom T Hall calls an artist "a great credit to a wonderful Kentucky tradition" it's time to pull up a chair and pay attention. As it pertains to The Local Honeys he was right on the money. For almost a decade the duo (Montana Hobbs and Linda Jean Stokley) have been an integral part of the Kentucky musicscape. They've paid their dues, garnering countless accolades and accomplishments (tours with Tyler Childers, Colter Wall, praise from the New York Times) and have become the defining sound of real deal, honest-to-god Kentucky music.

Folk / RootsRock
Dec 18
8:00 PM
Garcia's Chicago·West Loop

Relix Presents: An Intimate Evening with Moe.

Event features a General Admission Dance Pit in front of the stage open to all! All sales are final, no refunds/exchanges permitted, but tickets may be transferred through your TM Account. Garcia's is fully ADA compliant featuring wheelchair lifts and ramps between the various levels of the venue, assisted listening devices upon request, and allows official service animals.

RockPopFolk / Roots
Dec 19
7:00 PM
Price TBADetails →
Garcia's Chicago·West Loop

Relix Presents: An Intimate Evening with Moe.

Event features a General Admission Dance Pit in front of the stage open to all! All sales are final, no refunds/exchanges permitted, but tickets may be transferred through your TM Account. Garcia's is fully ADA compliant featuring wheelchair lifts and ramps between the various levels of the venue, assisted listening devices upon request, and allows official service animals.

RockPopFolk / Roots
Dec 20
7:00 PM
Price TBADetails →
Martyrs'·North Center

Shoe Fest Holiday Jam!

Shoe Fest Holiday Jam 2026Come celebrate the holiday season and another wonderful year of Shoe Fest with some of our most favorite people.One big set of music and collaboration featuring our host band Old Shoe with VERY SPECIAL GUESTS!!

RockFolk / Roots
Dec 26
9:00 PM
Salt Shed·Bucktown

Greensky Bluegrass 2 Day GA Pass (Valid 12/30 - 12/31)

A string band with a big, expansive sound, Michigan's Greensky Bluegrass rode their regional D.I.Y. roots to national success in the late 2000s after years of hard touring and a succession of finely crafted independent releases. Approaching classic Americana styles with an exploratory, progressive spirit, the group's members claim to have come to bluegrass through the back door, citing rock influences as their gateway into more traditional acoustic styles. Through releases like 2014's bluegrass chart-topping breakout If Sorrows Swim and 2016's Shouted, Written Down & Quoted, Greensky Bluegrass have continued to fuse the energy of rock with the earthy spirit of string music. Following an outpouring of archival live releases, the group returned in early 2022 with the eclectic Stress Dreams.

Folk / RootsRock
Dec 30
8:30 PM
Price TBADetails →
Salt Shed·Bucktown

Greensky Bluegrass

A string band with a big, expansive sound, Michigan's Greensky Bluegrass rode their regional D.I.Y. roots to national success in the late 2000s after years of hard touring and a succession of finely crafted independent releases. Approaching classic Americana styles with an exploratory, progressive spirit, the group's members claim to have come to bluegrass through the back door, citing rock influences as their gateway into more traditional acoustic styles. Through releases like 2014's bluegrass chart-topping breakout If Sorrows Swim and 2016's Shouted, Written Down & Quoted, Greensky Bluegrass have continued to fuse the energy of rock with the earthy spirit of string music. Following an outpouring of archival live releases, the group returned in early 2022 with the eclectic Stress Dreams.

Folk / RootsRock
Dec 30
8:30 PM
Price TBADetails →
Salt Shed·Bucktown

Greensky Bluegrass

A string band with a big, expansive sound, Michigan's Greensky Bluegrass rode their regional D.I.Y. roots to national success in the late 2000s after years of hard touring and a succession of finely crafted independent releases. Approaching classic Americana styles with an exploratory, progressive spirit, the group's members claim to have come to bluegrass through the back door, citing rock influences as their gateway into more traditional acoustic styles. Through releases like 2014's bluegrass chart-topping breakout If Sorrows Swim and 2016's Shouted, Written Down & Quoted, Greensky Bluegrass have continued to fuse the energy of rock with the earthy spirit of string music. Following an outpouring of archival live releases, the group returned in early 2022 with the eclectic Stress Dreams.

Folk / RootsRock
Dec 31
9:30 PM
Price TBADetails →
Metro·Wrigleyville

Portugal. The Man: In the Mountain In The Cloud – 15 Year Anniversary Tour

Wednesday, January 13 Portugal. The Man: In the Mountain In The Cloud – 15 Year Anniversary Tour with Anthony Green $50 / 18+ / Doors: 7pm / Show: 8pm $1 from every ticket sold goes to support Portugal . The Man’s community initiatives Pass The Mic and Frances Changed My Life . PORTUGAL. THE MAN are celebrating the 15-year anniversary of the album, IN THE MOUNTAIN IN THE CLOUD, with their new tour across cities in North America in 2027. They will be performing the album in its entirety, plus the album SHISH . Portugal. The Man ’s career has been a long series of surprises. They are, after all, the rare Alaskan rock band who became a mainland American institution. They are a hard-touring cult favorite who always seemed to make unapologetically idiosyncratic records, even on a major label. More than a decade deep into their discography, they had a massive pop hit with “Feel It Still,” a success they channeled not into making more music that sounded just like it but instead to make their two most diverse records ever, including this one. With SHISH , the 10th album from the band, Gourley uses Portugal. The Man to sing about the more righteous world he has witnessed at home and that he now envisions for the rest of us—taking only what we need, advocating for others at every turn, and sharing the best of what we’ve learned to give everyone a chance to be better still.

RockElectronicFolk / Roots
Jan 13
8:00 PM
Constellation·North Center

Scurvy Jazzby

8:30pm. $15 ADV / $20 DOS Lineup: Ausberto Acevedo (bass) Dan Bitney (drums, electronics, percussion) Jeb Bishop (trombone) Matthew Davis (tuba) Hunter Diamond (tenor saxophone) Dan Fliegel (drums and vocals) Casey Foubert (guitar) Nick Zoulek (alto and bass saxophones) Scurvy Jazzby started as Scurvy (1992-96) in Chicago, playing compositions by Dan Fliegel over several years with a rotating lineup at the old Bop Shop, the original Hot House, Lunar Cabaret, the Tao, and elsewhere. The group's only available recording is a collaboration of "Tell Me Once More" with Tortoise, recorded by John McEntire, and released as part of a Tortoise suite entitled "Cliff Dweller Society" on Stereolab's Duophonic label in 1995, featuring Josh Abrams, Jeb Bishop, Evan Coleman, Fliegel, Chris Lopes, Jeff Parker, and John Sandfort with Dan Bitney, Bundy K. Brown, John Herndon, and Doug McCombs of Tortoise. The recording is also included in the Tortoise box set, A Lazurus Taxon in 2006 from Thrill Jockey. The band stopped performing live around 1996. Scurvy became a catch-all name for Fliegel's solo and collaborative recordings through the next couple decades, including "Louise," recorded with McEntire at his Soma Studio in 2001, featuring many of the above musicians and others (forthcoming in 2027). The reborn project, now Scurvy Jazzby, released Solamente in February 2025 with Fliegel on vocals and drums recorded live without overdubs, in two sessions, in July 2013 (by Wayne Montana) and December 2024 (by Brooks Hannon). A second LP, Friendly Fire (forthcoming in 2027) was recorded and mixed by Hannon at West Town Magnetics during the summers of 2025 and 2026 and features Ausberto Acevedo (bass), Jeb Bishop (trombone), Dan Bitney (additional drums), Matthew Davis (tuba), Hunter Diamond (tenor saxophone), Fliegel (drums and vocals), Casey Foubert (guitar), Damon Locks (vocals), Matthew Lux (bass), Wayne Montana (bass), Takeru Satoh (alto saxophone), Mai Sugimoto (alto saxophone), Lea Tschilds (vocals), and Taylor Zorn (trombone).

Jazz / BluesElectronicRock
Jan 16
8:30 PM
FitzGerald's·Berwyn

HAPPY HOUR in the SIDEBAR: KATHRYN & CHRIS!

FITZGERALDS SIDEBAR PRESENTS: The Kathryn Lachey & Chris Siebold Duo FREE SHOW! Click , "rdquo" -> Book Now" to reserve a table Chicago veteran musicians Kathryn Lachey and Chris Siebold play beautiful jazz, Americana, and vintage pop tunes with style and grace. Lachey is a Chicago singer/songwriter and bandleader who performs regularly around Chicago as a vocalist and keyboard player, using her inviting tone and playful harmonic approach to tell stories across genres. Siebold is a renowned Chicago guitarist and vocalist who has toured with Prairie Home Companion and Howard Levy, and he writes and arranges music for his own bands Psycles and Kick the Cat. Mainstays of the Chicago music scene, Kathryn & Chris use their captivating energy and wide harmonic palette to breathe new life into old favorites. Enjoy dinner from BABYGOLD BARBECUE ***PARKING*** There is rather limited street parking in the area, we recommend arriving by rideshare, bicycle, or rickshaw.

FreeFolk / Roots
Jan 22
5:30 PM
Uncommon Ground·Edgewater

bluefront and Matthew Morgan

Alan Zreczny's songs are narrative poems set to spirited melodies, which he performs on the guitar and piano, solo and with his band bluefront. Over the years Zreczny has created an imaginative and truly original body of work with lyrics that often put a new twist on age-old sayings giving them a fresh, surprising new meaning. Melding the vintage sound of Television, The Modern Lovers and early Talking Heads with the current but equally timeless approach of The War On Drugs, the Chicago outfit celebrate the sound of classic guitar-driven rock. bluefront is Alan Zreczny, Keith Herc and Scott Paeth.

Folk / RootsPopRock
Jan 23
8:00 PM
Price TBADetails →
SPACE·Evanston

Yonder Mountain String Band

Grammy-nominated Yonder Mountain String Band set the tone for a new way forward in acoustic music, carrying bluegrass into rooms and conversations it had never reached before. Nearly three decades later, that same spirit still guides them, alive and present on Good As True (2026), the band's 12th studio album. The record captures Yonder in full stride. It's unguarded and in motion, preserving the spark of musicians playing in real time and leaning into everything they have learned along the way.

FreeFolk / RootsRock
Jan 27
8:00 PM
SPACE·Evanston

Yonder Mountain String Band

Grammy-nominated Yonder Mountain String Band set the tone for a new way forward in acoustic music, carrying bluegrass into rooms and conversations it had never reached before. Nearly three decades later, that same spirit still guides them, alive and present on Good As True (2026), the band's 12th studio album. The record captures Yonder in full stride. It's unguarded and in motion, preserving the spark of musicians playing in real time and leaning into everything they have learned along the way.

FreeFolk / RootsRock
Jan 28
8:00 PM
Garcia's Chicago·West Loop

Sicard Hollow & Chicken Wire Empire

Event features a General Admission Dance Pit in front of the stage! All sales are final, no refunds/exchanges permitted, but tickets may be transferred through your TM Account. Garcia's is fully ADA compliant featuring wheelchair lifts and ramps between the various levels of the venue, assisted listening devices upon request, and allows official service animals. Premium Table seating is located closest to the stage offering the most intimate music experience for guests and includes table service. Reserved Table seating is located on our main floor, behind the Premium section, and also includes table service. Both Premium and Reserved table seating is cabaret style which means you may be sitting with other fans. Private Booths are available and depending on the booth seats 1 to 4, 5, or 6 guests. General Admission/Standing Room is located around the sides of the room on an elevated level for quality viewing and easy bar access.

Folk / RootsRock
Feb 12
8:00 PM
Price TBADetails →
FitzGerald's·Berwyn

HAPPY HOUR in the SIDEBAR: KATHRYN & CHRIS!

FITZGERALDS SIDEBAR PRESENTS: The Kathryn Lachey & Chris Siebold Duo FREE SHOW! Click , "rdquo" -> Book Now" to reserve a table Chicago veteran musicians Kathryn Lachey and Chris Siebold play beautiful jazz, Americana, and vintage pop tunes with style and grace. Lachey is a Chicago singer/songwriter and bandleader who performs regularly around Chicago as a vocalist and keyboard player, using her inviting tone and playful harmonic approach to tell stories across genres. Siebold is a renowned Chicago guitarist and vocalist who has toured with Prairie Home Companion and Howard Levy, and he writes and arranges music for his own bands Psycles and Kick the Cat. Mainstays of the Chicago music scene, Kathryn & Chris use their captivating energy and wide harmonic palette to breathe new life into old favorites. Enjoy dinner from BABYGOLD BARBECUE ***PARKING*** There is rather limited street parking in the area, we recommend arriving by rideshare, bicycle, or rickshaw.

FreeFolk / Roots
Feb 26
5:30 PM
SPACE·Evanston

The Last Revel

Much like their sorrowful, purposeful melodies, the members of The Last Revel contain this thick thread of self, and of place, when it comes to the underlying trait in the sounds and scope of their intent, onstage and in the studio --- survival mode. , "rdquo" -> Honestly, I don't know if we would've been able to do this career for as long as we have without persistence," says guitarist Lee Henke. , "rdquo" -> By living in a challenging place, it's definitely conditioned us to have a high tolerance for discomfort, a certain toughness to push ahead." That sentiment of tenacity and passion lies at the heart of The Last Revel's latest album, Gone for Good. Produced by Trampled by Turtles lead singer Dave Simonett, the record is a multilayered ode to the life of an artist, life on the road, and what it means to be a human being in uncertain times. , "rdquo" -> This is a step in our careers that feels like there's no going back," says banjoist Ryan Acker. , "rdquo" -> There's a level of commitment now that, just a couple of years ago, we didn't fathom we could take on. The boat is off the shore and you can't see land anymore --- we're in it now." Based in Minneapolis, Minnesota, the Americana/indie-folk outfit harkens to the trials, tribulations, and triumphs of what it means to pursue your dreams in real time. The foundation of which is conjured by a deep appreciation and genuine respect for the vast landscape and sometimes-harsh realities of what it means to emerge from the Midwest. , "rdquo" -> We grew up in the Midwest and we've all kind of stayed in this region of the country," Henke notes. , "rdquo" -> This place has imprinted itself on who we are, and that challenge of life here is part of who we are now." Alongside Henke and Acker is fiddler Vinnie Donatelle. When the ensemble finds themselves behind the microphone, it's the culmination of their vocal talents that truly showcases the mission of The Last Revel --- harmony. , "rdquo" -> There's no better feeling [when we're singing together]," Acker says. , "rdquo" -> And it makes you understand something primal, these melodies and these harmonies. It's internal and it's really powerful to sing your heart out with the people you love and your best friends."

FreeFolk / RootsRock
Apr 23
8:00 PM

Hazlett

Doors open at 7PM. Performance begins at 8PM. This show is for AGES 17 AND OLDER. Valid Photo ID is required for age restricted shows. Forms of valid ID are current and non-expired Driver's License, State ID, or Passport. House of Blues Chicago is a standing room only venue, all tickets are General Admission unless otherwise stated. *All support acts are subject to change without notice.* Upgrade Your Experience: https://www.sevenrooms.com/events/hobchicago/hobwebsite

RockFolk / Roots
May 13
7:00 PM
Price TBADetails →