The Live Music Event List
Welcome to the vibrant musical scene of Chicago and the North Shore! The Live Music Event List is a bi-weekly list that brings you the latest and greatest in live performances across the Chicagoland Area. From the bustling streets of downtown Chicago to the serene shores of the North Shore suburbs, music lovers will find something to delight their ears at every turn.
Compiled by a team of passionate music enthusiasts, The Live Music Event List showcases a diverse array of venues, from intimate jazz clubs to sprawling concert halls. Whether you're in the mood for some indie rock vibes in Wicker Park or craving the smooth sounds of blues in Evanston, or fantastic cover bands in Highwood, our list ensures you stay in the loop with the latest happenings. Keep an eye out for regular updates as we strive to provide you with the most up-to-date information on where to catch the hottest acts in town.
Journal note:
“I imagine one of the reasons people cling to their hates so stubbornly is because they sense, once hate is gone they will be forced to deal with pain.” -James Baldwin
Our Contributors:
Shellie, Tommy, LJ, Noah, Mitch the Lip, John, Doug, Bongo Mike and Ira, Leslie M, Annette, Barbara W, Kirsten, Bongo Mike, Louie, Bobby R. Ken S, Larry M, Paul C, Gerry, Noah, Mike C, Bongo Mike, Louie, and Allison
May Events
Thursday, May 28th
Heartache Tonight
Eagles Tribute, Rockin In the Park, Parkway Bank Park, Rosemont, FREE fireworks after the show, 7-10p
Sturtz
folk, Hey Nonny, Arlington Heights, 7:30p
Davidson County Band
Wheeling Town Center, 375 W. Dundee Rd, Wheeling, 6:30p
Open Blues Jam
Wooden Nickel, Highwood, 8-11p
Open Mic Night
Copper Fiddle Distillery, 532 W. IL Rte. 22, Lake Zurich, 7-11p
Shanajam
@ Shanahan’s Food & Spirits, 1999 75th St, Woodridge, IL 7-10PM
Friday, May 29th
Windy City Rev Ups
Toadstool Pub, Highwood, 8pm
Chuck Wilson
(4:15-5:45p) followed by
Bluewater Creek
folk, country, bluegrass, funk, rock n roll, Brews & Views, Beer Garden, Independence Grove, Libertyville, 4-8p
Groovex
NOLA Funk, Whiskey River, Glenview, $5, 8p
Tyler in Live Band
Wooden Nickel, Highwood, 7-10:30p-TBD
The Alta Rockers
Copper Fiddle Distillery, 532 W. IL Rte. 22, Lake Zurich, 8-11p
Kevin Purcell & the Nightburners
Broken Oar, Port Barrington, 8p
Modern Day Romeos
Mickey Finn’s, Libertyville, 9:30p
Wait What?
Variety of hits, Docks, Wauconda, 8-11p
Gerald McClendon
Soul keeper, Untitled Supper Club, Chicago, 8-11p
The Mosquitos
Hot Dog fest, Main Stage, 4000 N. Milwaukee Ave, Chicago - 4 PM - 5:30 pm
Los Perros Cubanos
Havana Nights, Brothers Field, Long Grove, 6:30p
Abby Kay Band
Madcats, Palatine, 9p-midnite
Saturday, May 30th
Pipe Dream
Blarney Island, Antioch, 2:30-6:30p
The Imperial Sound
pop, Hey Nonny, Arlington Heights, 7:30p
Big Brother Vinyl
Toadstool Pub, Highwood, 8pm
No Turn on Red
28 Mile Distilling Co, Highwood, 8-11p
The Mosquitos
Smokin’ Jack’s BBQ, summer kick-off-streets closed all summer long!, 32 E. Park Street, Mundelein, 7-10p-TBD
Out of Storage
Copper Fiddle Distillery, 532 W. IL Rte. 22, Lake Zurich, 8-11p
Atomic Groove
Madcats, Palatine, 9p-midnite
The Cave Dwellers
(dinner show) , Durty Nellies, Palatine, 4-6p
Industrial Drive
Whiskey River, Glenview, 8-11:30p
Tusk
Fleetwood Mac Tribute, Des Plaines Theatre, Des Plaines, 8p
Rumor Hazit
Mickey Finn’s, Libertyville, 9:30p
Genr8r
Docks, Wauconda, 8-11p
Modern Day Romeos
Broken Oar, Port Barrington, 2p
Beyond the Blonde
Broken Oar, Port Barrington, 8p
Seconds to Serenity
best of the Midwest Fest, Sideouts Sports Tavern, Island Lake, 6:40-11p
Sunday, May 31st
Telstar
Toadstool Pub, Highwood, 2-5pm
Red Panda Band
Traffic Jams Speed Shop, Sharon WI, 8-11p
Libido Funk Circus
Broken Oar, Port Barrington, 2p
Blues Jam
Madcats, Palatine, 6:30-11p
May Events
Monday, June 1st
Pipe Dream
Schaumburg Concert Series, Schaumburg, 6:45-8:15p
Tuesday, June 2nd
Vat of Chocolate
First Tuesday’s-seriously give it a try, great covers and originals, Wooden Nickel, Highwood, 7:15-10:15p
Ronnie Rice, rock
Hey Nonny, Arlington Heights, 7:30p
Open Blues Jam
Fritzy’s Tavern, (1st & 3rd Tuesday’s) hosted by Edgewater Rhythm & Blues Experience, 6156 N. Clark St, Chicago, 8-11p
Pierce Crask
on Tuesday nights, Celtic Knot Public House, 2022 Central Street, Evanston, 5 -7p
Open Mic
Madcats, Palatine, 7:30-10:30p
Open Mic Night
Grandpa’s, Glenview, 7:30p
Wednesday, June 3rd
Raice Latin Jazz
Hey Nonny, Arlington Heights, 7:30p
Highwood’s Weekly Wednesday Evening
returns with Stevie Craig Band, Gourmet Market, Everts Park (111 North Ave.), 6-9p
Panic at the Costco
Fred’s Garage, Winnetka, 7:30p
Highland Park Pops
every Wednesday weather permitting, Sunset Woods Park, Highland Park, 6-8p
Hot Pepper Jam
Whiskey River, Glenview, 8-11:30p
Jam Night at Live Wire Lounge
(every Wednesday) 3394 N Milwaukee Ave, Chicago, IL 8-12PM
What would Wednesday’s be without music at Highwood’s Wooden Nickel? Rotating hosts Joy and Frank make every jam special, 8p
On The Air
Copper Fiddle Distillery, 532 W. IL Rte. 22, Lake Zurich, 7-10p
Thurday, June 4th
Chicago Tribute Anthology
Chicago Tribute, Rockin In the Park, Parkway Bank Park, Rosemont, FREE fireworks after the show, 7-10p
Nikki O’Neill
Hey Nonny, Arlington Heights, 8:30p
2 Jays, Jay Martini & Goeppner
Arlington Heights, covering, Elton, Billy, Beatles, Bee Gees, and more, Lincolnshire Corporate Center, 1 Tower Rd, Lincolnshire, 12n-1p
Big Sky Stringband
Wheeling Town Center, 375 W. Dundee Rd, Wheeling, 6:30p
Intergalactic Honkey Tonk
with Scott Grant, Richard Pettingill, Dan Gordon, Rob Davis, Patrick Rotunno, and Cat Rolfes, 1st Thursday’s, $5 draft special, 28 Mile, Highwood, 7-10p
L.J. Slavin
1st Thursday’s- Grandpa’s Place, 1868 Prairie Ave, Glenview, 7-9p
Open Blues Jam
Wooden Nickel, Highwood, 8-11p
Open Mic Night
Copper Fiddle Distillery, 532 W. IL Rte. 22, Lake Zurich, 7-11p
Shanajam
@ Shanahan’s Food & Spirits, 1999 75th St, Woodridge, IL 7-10PM
Friday, June 5th
Lincoln and Peterson duo
kicks off Lake Bluff farmers market season,
Gazebo, Lake Bluff, 9:30-11:30a
KING SATURDAY
28 Mile, Highwood, 8p-11p
Dixon Bandits
serving up some hot southern rock, Rosefest 7pm
Joseph Arthur
rock, Hey Nonny, Arlington Heights, 7:30p
The Sauce
featuring Joy Valino, Sean Hall, Christopher Alvarado, Mike McCue, Eric Walker, and Rob Davis, Drums, Whiskey River, Glenview 8-11p
Semple
Broken Oar, Port Barrington,
Saturday, June 6th
Mutlu
R&B/Soul, Hey Nonny, Arlington Heights, 7:30p
Sad House Guest
Hey Nonny, Arlington Heights, 9:30p
The Black Diamond Sessions
The Broken Oar, 2-6 pm
Kashmir
Led Zep Tribute, Broken Oar, Port Barrington, 8p
Jami Dawn and Blue Grace
Deerfield Art Fair, 11:30a-1p
Nellie’s Rock Fest
six bands, 6-midnite, Durty Nellies, Palatine, 7:15p
BoDeans
Des Plaines Theatre, Des Plaines, 8p
Sunday, June 7th
Melissa Etheridge
Brookfield Zoo, Chicago, 7pMelissa Etheridge Tickets Brookfield, IL 6/7/2026 7:00PM | Brookfield Zoo
Dixon Bandits
southern rock, Keefs Reef 2:30
Hillbilly Rockstarz
Broken Oar, Port Barrington, 2p
Little Anthony
Des Plaines Theatre, Des Plaines, 3p
Monday, June 8th
Bitter Jester Music Fest
classic rock/pop, Botanic Garden, Glencoe, 6-7:30p
Tuesday, June 9th
Jon Tyler Wiley
Hey Nonny, Arlington Heights, 7:30p
Pierce Crask
on Tuesday nights, Celtic Knot Public House, 2022 Central Street, Evanston, 5 -7p
Open Mic
Madcats, Palatine, 7:30-10:30p
Open Mic Night
Grandpa’s, Glenview, 7:30p
Open Blues Jam
Fritzy’s Tavern, (1st & 3rd Tuesday’s) hosted by Edgewater Rhythm & Blues Experience, 6156 N. Clark St, Chicago, 8-11p
Even Tuesdays Jam
hosted by Mike, Marc, and Lynette Wooden Nickel, Highwood, 7:30-10:30p
Wednesday, June 10th
Red Panda Band
Highwood’s Weekly Wednesday Evening Gourmet Market, Everts Park (111 North Ave.), 6-9p
Deadfest Band
Dead Tribute, $10 cover includes all you can eat pizza, 28 Mile, Highwood, 7-10p
Andrea von Kampen
folk, Hey Nonny, Arlington Heights, 7:30p
Six Speed Tranny
rock, Grafelman Park Concert, 112 N 5th St, West Dundee, 7-8:30p
Ravinia Ramblers
Fred’s Garage, Winnetka, 7:30p
Second Hand News
Fleetwood Mac Tribute, Botanic Garden, Esplanade, Glencoe, 6-7:30p
Even Wednesday’s Open Jam
hosted by Earl Rosen, PS Pub, Wheeling 8-11p
Hot Pepper Jam
Whiskey River, Glenview, 8-11:30p
Jam Night
at Live Wire Lounge, (every Wednesday) 3394 N Milwaukee Ave, Chicago, IL 8-12PM
What would Wednesday’s be without music at Highwood’s Wooden Nickel? Rotating hosts Joy and Frank make every jam special, 8p
On The Air
Copper Fiddle Distillery, 532 W. IL Rte. 22, Lake Zurich, 7-10p
Thursday, June 11th
The Black Diamond Sessions
Wheeling Town Center, 375 W. Dundee Rd, Wheeling, 6:30p
American English
Beatles Tribute, Rockin In the Park, Parkway Bank Park, Rosemont, FREE fireworks after the show, 7-10p
Open Blues Jam
Wooden Nickel, Highwood, 8-11p
Open Mic Night
Copper Fiddle Distillery, 532 W. IL Rte. 22, Lake Zurich, 7-11p
Shanajam
@ Shanahan’s Food & Spirits, 1999 75th St, Woodridge, IL 7-10PM
Friday, June 12th
Midlife Crisis
Toadstool Pub, Highwood, 8pm
Kelly Daniels
Rock the Rails, 28 Mile, Highwood, 7-10p
Thankful Dead
Whiskey River, Glenview, 8-11p
Harmonious Wail
Hey Nonny, Arlington Heights, 7:30p
Hairbangers Ball
Broken Oar, Port Barrington, 8p
Todd Rundgren
Damned if I do Tour, Des Plaines Theatre, Des Plaines, 8p
Big Brothers Vinyl
Countryside Saloon, Des Plaines, 7-10:30p
The Mosquitos
Harrer Park, Morton Grove - benefit for the Veterans - 6 pm - 7 pm
Saturday, June 13th
Payton Palooza
Toadstool Pub, Highwood, 2 pm live music featuring Claire-McKenna, Zion Ari, Liam Sheridan and
Davidson County
Special Guest at 8pm Band
Without U2
Tribute, Whiskey River, Glenview, 8-11p
Crooked Moon
followed by Dead Tribute Band, VW Fundraiser, Landmark, Northbook, 5:30p
Jon Gram
Hey Nonny, Arlington Heights, 4p
The 1967 Show
music of Laurel Canyon, Hey Nonny, Arlington Heights, 7:30p
Reely Dan
Steely Dan Tribute, Broken Oar, Port Barrington, 2p
Icons of Country
Broken Oar, Port Barrington, 8p
Victor Brown Band
Grandpa’s in Glenview, 8pm, no cover
Hotel California
Eagles Tribute, Des Plaines Theatre, Des Plaines, 8p
Sunday, June 14th
Whalen and Ivy
Toadstool Pub, Highwood, 2pm
Standard Strings
bluegrass, all you can eat pizza/salad, $10, 28 Mile, Highwood, 4-7p
Hi Infidelity
Broken Oar, Port Barrington, 2p
Joe Abvati
Des Plaines Theatre, Des Plaines, 3p
Monday, June 15th
Dylan LeBlanc
SPACE, 1245 Chicago Ave, Evanston, 7:30p
Bitter Jester Music Fest
classic rock/pop, Botanic Garden Esplanade, Glencoe, 6-7:30p
More Events Coming Soon!
Looking for an event that is not listed here? Use the links below to look on your own for events
GET MORE INFORMATION
Broker Associate | License ID: 475122509