Chicago live music

Rock Shows in Chicago

Live rock 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

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 →
SPACE·Evanston

Ouray

Ouray is a Chicago based Americana/Rock band founded by brothers Frank and Bo Pirruccello. After being named by Playboy magazine as one of the best-unsigned bands in the United States, Ouray found itself a staple on club and concert stages throughout the country. The band was regularly seen supporting acts like The New Riders Of The Purple Sage, Sea Level, Commander Cody, Marshall Tucker Band, Asleep At The Wheel, and The Dixie Dregs. Ouray was in regular rotation on WXRT-FM Chicago, where they performed several XRT shows including a live , "rdquo" -> UnConcert" simulcast. Originally founded in 1975, brothers Frank (guitar) and Bo Pirruccello (guitar and pedal steel), established Ouray as one of the most , "rdquo" -> rock-oriented, tight and skillful" country rock groups in the region, (as described by Playboy). Ouray today reflects their ever-relevant Americana sound and includes the addition of third brother John Pirruccello (guitar). John Forrest (bass) and Rick Barr (drums) complete the current Ouray line up. Ouray then, as now, features original music and great musicianship.

FreeRock
Dec 21
7:30 PM
FitzGerald's·Berwyn

Motown Holiday Dance Party ft. GERALD McCLENDON!

FITZGERALDS NIGHTCLUB PRESENTS: Motown Holiday Dance Party ft. GERALD McCLENDON $20 General Admission / Reserved Tables Available Gerald, known in Chicago as the , "rdquo" -> Soulkeeper." One of the most reminiscent and versatile soul, R&B, singer/songwriter/performer in the recording industry. Gerald McClendon has graced the stage to sellout crowds to practically all the major entertainment venues throughout the Midwest area. In addition, his unique performance has allowed him to captivate audiences internationally in locations such as Asia and Sidney, Australia. If you love R&B Soul music, you'll truly fall in love with Gerald McClendon and his extraordinary style of performing R&B standards such as classic soul music and sounds of Motown, Stax and Atlantic records. He draws from the everlasting era of artist such as Ottis Redding, The Temptations, Smokey Robinson, Marvin Gaye, The Chi-Lites, Stevie Wonder and even songs of the Frank Sinatra jazz era. Gerald McClendon's love for music screams out loud with his passion and love of entertaining his audiences. Grab dinner before the show at BABYGOLD BARBECUE (link to restaurant website) Or enjoy full service dining inside the club when doors open. ***PARKING*** There is rather limited street parking in the area, we recommend arriving by rideshare, bicycle, or rickshaw. ***AGE RESTRICTIONS*** 21+, minors admitted with guardian

R&b / SoulJazz / BluesRock
Dec 22
8:00 PM
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
FitzGerald's·Berwyn

CLASSICAL BLAST: Dark Side of the Yule

FITZGERALDS NIGHTCLUB PRESENTS: Classical Blast: Dark Side of the Yule $35 General Admission / Reserved Tables Available Christmas Meets Classic Rock in this unique take on the holidays, combining rock hits from Metallica to Pink Floyd to Moody Blues to Evanesence and more with traditional carols, popular classical, holiday standards and beyond. Classical Blast has created one of the most unusual and enjoyable holiday shows around. It's eye and ear candy the Sugarplum Fairy herself would be proud of. Grab dinner before the show at BABYGOLD BARBECUE Or enjoy full service dining inside the club when doors open. ***PARKING*** There is rather limited street parking in the area, we recommend arriving by rideshare, bicycle, or rickshaw. ***AGE RESTRICTIONS*** 21+, minors admitted with guardian

PopRock
Dec 27
1:00 PM
Martyrs'·North Center

PriMary - The Cure Tribute

This is PriMary...The Cure are one of the more colourful faces on Post-Punk's Mount Rushmore. Romantic, dramatic, mischievous and potent they are a natural and logical assignment to be covered. Globe trotting power pop sons Who's This Mary? are only too pleased to present their legacy for your concert-going pleasure.Spawn as a lark and guilty by reason of intensity Who's This Mary? chose to replicate songs by The Cure fully in 2010. Who's This Mary? are a modern beat combo that live and breathe in the Chicagoland area. Performing tip top original power pop as well as inspired cover versions of Britpop and other classics from 60's to present day. Their sound consists of bright melodies, tight harmonies, upbeat guitar work, and a healthy respect for catchy grooves. Known for their dedicated cover versions they have fully tackled The Jam (as "All Mods Conned"), The Beatles and now The Cure.Brought to you and comprised of members of London Calling (The Clash Tribute) and All Mods Conned (The Jam Tribute) so you may expect quality. Still IL - Celebrating The Smiths, Morrissey, Marr, Manchester and more via Chicago. Invoking the spirit of Hatful Of Hollow - stripped down, passionate and vital.

RockHip Hop
Dec 30
7:00 PM
SPACE·Evanston

Ben Kweller w. Case Oats

BK is back and he's not the same. Who could be after the heartbreak he's endured since the sudden passing of his 16-year old son. Instead of hiding away, the beloved indie-rocker is walking through the fire of grief with intention and purpose. This unimaginable journey has led him to his seventh album, Cover The Mirrors, and the accompanying tour which begins on April 15th. , "rdquo" -> Music has been my savior throughout my life but never before has it saved me as much as ithas this past year. My upcoming album, Cover The Mirrors, is a deep dive into my new reality. It's a collage of my good days and my bad days, my highest highs and my lowest of lows. It's the most personal, emotionally raw project I've ever worked on." Kweller has been an open book throughout his illustrious career. His songs hold a nostalgic quality that takes you to a time and a place, happy or sad. He's also one of the rare few who can translate his recordings into captivating concerts that keep his fans coming back again and again. If you've never seen BK live before, the Cover The Mirrors Tour is sure to be his most heartfelt and joyous live show yet. This is a chance for old and new fans to come together and witness one of the great songwriters at his creative peak.

FreePopRock
Dec 30
7:30 PM
Garcia's Chicago·West Loop

Pure Soul Presents: Stop Making Sense

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.

Rock
Dec 30
8:00 PM
Price TBADetails →
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 →
Garcia's Chicago·West Loop

Pure Soul Presents: Stop Making Sense

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.

Rock
Dec 31
8:00 PM
Price TBADetails →
FitzGerald's·Berwyn

New Year's Eve w/ ERIC LINDELL & The West Side Summer League

FITZGERALDS NIGHTCLUB PRESENTS: New Year's Eve w/ ERIC LINDELL & The West Side Summer League! $40 General Admission / Reserved Tables Available Includes Champage Toast! Grab dinner before the show at BABYGOLD BARBECUE (link to restaurant website) Or enjoy full service dining inside the club when doors open. ***PARKING*** There is rather limited street parking in the area, we recommend arriving by rideshare, bicycle, or rickshaw. ***AGE RESTRICTIONS*** 21+, minors admitted with guardian

Rock
Dec 31
9:00 PM
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 →
SPACE·Evanston

Ben Kweller w. Case Oats - NYE Show

BK is back and he's not the same. Who could be after the heartbreak he's endured since the sudden passing of his 16-year old son. Instead of hiding away, the beloved indie-rocker is walking through the fire of grief with intention and purpose. This unimaginable journey has led him to his seventh album, Cover The Mirrors, and the accompanying tour which begins on April 15th. , "rdquo" -> Music has been my savior throughout my life but never before has it saved me as much as ithas this past year. My upcoming album, Cover The Mirrors, is a deep dive into my new reality. It's a collage of my good days and my bad days, my highest highs and my lowest of lows. It's the most personal, emotionally raw project I've ever worked on." Kweller has been an open book throughout his illustrious career. His songs hold a nostalgic quality that takes you to a time and a place, happy or sad. He's also one of the rare few who can translate his recordings into captivating concerts that keep his fans coming back again and again. If you've never seen BK live before, the Cover The Mirrors Tour is sure to be his most heartfelt and joyous live show yet. This is a chance for old and new fans to come together and witness one of the great songwriters at his creative peak.

FreePopRock
Dec 31
9:30 PM
Garcia's Chicago·West Loop

G. Love & Special Sauce

G. Love is excited to offer the Pre-Show Pop Off VIP Meet & Greet option. This is an ALL REQUEST storytellers solo acoustic performance by G. Love and a one of a kind merch package. Includes one General Admission ticket, early entry (time TBD), Q&A and photo opportunity with G. Love, a VIP laminate, an exclusive VIP poster, and early access to the merch booth. Supply of these tickets is limited! With special opener Todd Carey. 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.

RockPop
Jan 8
8:00 PM
Price TBADetails →
SPACE·Evanston

Antje Duvekot and David Berkeley

Originally born in Germany and transplanted to the U.S. as a young teen, Antje Duvekot began honing her observational skills through a lens of biculturalism when she picked up a guitar in high school. Some years later, the confessional folk of Dar Williams and Ani DiFranco gave her license to share those observations, no matter how personal, in her first emerging songs. She has never let go of the tenet of vulnerability, building a celebrated career around songs that transform deeply personal experiences into something universal. Antje has released six studio albums, including her latest, No, produced by Seth Glier, as well as five previous albums produced by Mark Erelli, Seamus Egan of SOLAS, Richard Shindell, and Scott Petito. Her recordings feature support from Anaïs Mitchell, Dar Williams, Rose Cousins, Heather Maloney, John Gorka, Meg Hutchinson, Lucy Kaplansky, Sean Mullins, Liz Longley, and others. _________________ David Berkeley's gift as a songwriter and storyteller is that he sees the tragedy and comedy in life, writing songs capable of both breaking and healing the heart. Berkeley has been called a , "rdquo" -> musical poet," by the San Francisco Chronicle, and the New York Times praises his , "rdquo" -> lustrous, melancholy voice with shades of Tim Buckley and Nick Drake." That voice and his gift with words is what first sets Berkeley apart from all other guitar-slinging songwriters. But it is his onstage charisma and unparalleled between-song repartee that truly puts him in a class by himself. Each show is completely unique, and David's humanity shines through every note he sings and every word he speaks. Berkeley has released seven studio albums, one live album, and authored two books, each of which pairs with one of his albums. He was a guest on This American Life,telling an outrageous story of a private serenade he was once hired to perform, and he has won many songwriting awards and honors including ASCAPs Johnny Mercer Songwriting Award. His 2017 release was a never-before tried concept: a novella comprising ten intertwining stories and an album of ten accompanying songs (one for each story). His latest release is Oh Quiet World, an album written during the lockdown. It's an intimate, uplifting collection that we all should hear.

FreeRockFolk / Roots
Jan 13
7:30 PM
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
FitzGerald's·Berwyn

ALLISON MAHAL & BEN MULWANA in the SIDEBAR!

LIVE IN SIDEBAR! ALLISON MAHAL AND BEN MULWANA! FREE SHOW! Allison: Allison Mahal is an Americana artist based out of Milwaukee, WI. Over the past year, she's performed at staples like Summerfest, Mile of Music, The Sh*tty Barn, Val's List and Brady Street Festival, and has opened up for the likes of Ira Wolf, Savannah Conley and Sway Wild. Her newest EP, Backbone, is set to be released by Nashville's Tone Tree Music on September 18th. A look at her live sound here. Ben: Ben Mulwana is a Ugandan-born and raised artist residing in Wisconsin. Expanding on his singer- songwriter roots, Ben's recent project "Ben Mulwana and the Village" is a 5 piece Afro-soul rock band that fuses dance worthy grooves with hard hitting lyrics to produce uniquely soulful songs about love, loss, and the spaces in between. With the help of multiple creative influences by the diverse backgrounds of the band's musicians, Ben's songs have been hailed as "goosebump-inducing nourishment" by the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, and are sure to leave you wanting more. A look at his live sound here. Enjoy dinner from BABYGOLD BARBECUE ***PARKING*** There is rather limited street parking in the area, we recommend arriving by rideshare, bicycle, or rickshaw.

FreeRockFolk / Roots
Jan 14
6:30 PM
Thalia Hall·Pilsen

Anna von Hausswolff presented by Thalia Hall and Empty Bottle

Anna von Hausswolff is a Swedish musician and composer whose work carves out space for the celestial and the transcendent to enter into the modern world. Following her breakthrough album, Ceremony (2012), von Hausswolffs subsequent releases quickly cemented her as an artist of unpredictable and vast creativity, always moving forward, always melding tradition with experimentation in unimaginable ways. Taking the pipe organ, with its ancient whirring character, as her instrument of choice, von Hausswolfs sound has long played with the ethereal qualities of breath: of taking in, holding, and releasing it. This sometimes takes the form of colossal, doom-laden rock songs, and at other times, as intimate organpieces. On ICONOCLASTS, her sound evolves again, bringing a poppier and more vibrant element to her moving songs. ICONOCLASTS is von Hausswolfs sixth LP, and her debut release on Swedish record label YEAR 0001. Produced by von Hausswolf and longtime collaborator Filip Leyman, it is an opus of stirring movement, anthemic ritualism, and maximalist composition, marking a new chapter in von Hausswolffs music and featuring appearances from Ethel Cain, Abul Mogard, Iggy Pop and Maria von Hausswolf.ICONOCLASTS begins with brass heralding out, beckoning listeners into the boundless story that is about to unfold. Before long, von Hausswolfs first beaming vocals ring out: I came to take you back to where you came from, but thats not what you want. From this, the groundwork is set for an album of blistering, mounting tension and hard-fought, euphoric release. Addressing themes of love, freedom, and autonomy, its title, ICONOCLASTS, hints at a shattering and reimagining of the sacred personal symbols that bubble under the surface of contemporary life: commitment, time, dependency, and belief.In this pursuit, von Hausswolff chooses Atlashe who carries the worlds weight upon his shouldersas a sympathetic character. How does one find the strength to prevent collapsing in these trying moments? For von Hausswolff, it is the pursuit of the divine. She finds inspiration in the fears and contradictions that arise when one is faced with monolithic power structures and concepts. The songs on ICONOCLASTS transform these uncertain feelings into kindling for the creation of sonic bonfires of immense scale. Von Hausswolff sows her songs in the borderlands between the gargantuan and the intimate, and it is the ashes of these demolished symbols that fertilise its grounds for new possibilities.Stripping back the metallic qualities that have characterised her sound, on ICONOCLASTS, von Hausswolff breaks open the gates into a warm sound world, rich in organic, gleaming potentials. Between echoing drums, murmuring organs, and reverberating guitars, von Hausswolff herself becomes one figure in this fluttering aural space. On ICONOCLASTS, her ensemble is expanded to include the virtuoso saxophonist Otis Sandsj, who brings his swirling saxophone trills to the core of the record. With a magnetic power, her voice pulls the listener closer, offering glimpses into an emotive world of secrets and madness, of heartbreak and desire, of beauty and life. Although pushing towards new sonic territory, ICONOCLASTS features all of the signature qualities of a von Hausswolff release: mammoth intensity, crystalline iridescence, and lustrous dynamism

PopRockFolk / Roots
Jan 15
8:00 PM
Empty Bottle·Ukrainian Village

*MOVED TO THALIA HALL* Anna von Hausswolff

Doors: 8PM / Show: 9PM / 21+ Anna von Hausswolff is a Swedish musician and composer whose work carves out space for the celestialand the transcendent to enter into the modern world. Following her breakthrough album,Ceremony(2012), von Hausswolffs subsequent releases quickly cemented her as an artist of unpredictable and vastcreativity, always moving forward, always melding tradition with experimentation in unimaginable ways.Taking the pipe organ, with its ancient whirringcharacter, as her instrument of choice, von Hausswolfssound has long played with the ethereal qualities of breath: of taking in, holding, and releasing it. Thissometimes takes the form of colossal, doom-laden rock songs, and at other times, as intimate organpieces. OnICONOCLASTS, her sound evolves again, bringing a poppier and more vibrant element to hermoving songs.ICONOCLASTSis von Hausswolfs sixth LP, and her debut release on Swedish recordlabel YEAR0001. Produced by von Hausswolf and longtime collaborator Filip Leyman, it is an opus ofstirring movement, anthemic ritualism, and maximalist composition, marking a new chapterin vonHausswolffs music and featuring appearances from Ethel Cain, Abul Mogard, Iggy Pop and Maria vonHausswolf.

PopRockFolk / Roots
Jan 15
9:00 PM
Price TBADetails →
SPACE·Evanston

Wild Horses w. The Spine Stealers

Wild Horses are dusty folk trio from Grand Rapids, Minnesota where founding members Jed and Ariana met playing open mic nights at the local VFW. Initially picking up gigs as solo artists, the two realized they shared more than just a love of music and were soon married. Recovering from a broken back, Jed was faced with the reality that he couldn't continue working construction. They gave up the house and moved into their 1989 Chevy van with nothing more than each other, their instruments, and a dream to tour and make music. After selling a few acres they got right to work on their debut album Runaway and hit the road. Jed's longtime friend and fellow singer songwriter, Landon Pahl, quit his day job and hopped on the bus to round out Wild Horses as it is today. Their sound evokes visions of the American West and brings the human experience into dynamic melodies and mournful harmonies. The trio has since covered endless miles headlining shows and opening for the likes of Sam Barber, Charley Crockett, and Trampled By Turtles. Along the way, Wild Horses unveiled their independent full-length debut LP Runaway, and a string of singles leading to their forthcoming album, The In Between (out October 2 via Outlaw Foundry/Atlantic Outpost).

Folk / RootsRockMetal
Jan 16
8:00 PM