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
Saturday May 3rd
Diamondback
Madame ZuZu’s, Highland Park, 11a-2p
The Mosquitos
Broken Oar - 2:30-6 pm
The Lennon Project
starring Jay Goeppner
Raue Center for the Arts, Crystal Lake, 7p
Head’s All Empty
Dead Tribute
first Saturday through May 4th
Mackey’s Hideout, 2601 S. River Rd, McHenry, $10, 9p
Rollover
House of Blues, Rockford, 7p
The Gingers
Madcats, Palatine, 9p
Ginger Road
28 Mile Distillery, Highwood, 8-11p
Sunday May 4th
Gerald Dowd Duo
Madame ZuZu’s, Highland Park, 11a-2p
Alfonso Ponticellli
Ed Burns, Davide Ilarde, Madcats, Palatine, 6-9p
Monday May 5th
Rico Jams
Hey Nonny, Arlington Heights, 7:30-9:30p
Pino Farina Trio
Broken Oar, Port Barrington, 6p
Tuesday May 6th
Vat of Chocolate
Wooden Nickel, Highwood, 7:15-10:15p
Pierce Crask
Celtic Knot Public House, 2022 Central Street, 5 - 7 PM
Open Mic
Madcats, Palatine, 7:30-10:30p
Open Mic Night
Grandpa’s, Glenview, 7:30p
Open Blues Jam
Fritzy’s Tavern, hosted by Edgewater Rhythm & Blues Experience, 6156 N. Clark St, Chicago, 8-11p
Wednesday May 7th
Jagaloons
Madcats, Palatine, 8p
Joy, Joy Open Jam
(1st and 3rd Wednesday’s)
hosted by Joy from Red Panda Band
Wooden Nickel, Highwood, 8p
Lost Pyramids
28 Mile Distillery, Highwood, 7-10p
Jam Night at Live Wire Lounge
(every Wednesday) 3394 N Milwaukee Ave, Chicago, IL 8-12PM
Hot Pepper Jam
Whiskey River, Glenview, 8-11:30p
Thursday May 8th
Tom’s Garage
Wheeling Town Center, Wheeling, 6:30p
Petty Kings
Firewater Saloon, Edison Park, 8p
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 9th
The Mosquitos
Mickey Finns Libertyville - 9 PM - 12
Sucker Punch
Madcats, Palatine, 9p
Scott Grant’s Crooked Moon
Green Tavern on the Rock, Waukegan, 7p
Pearlsnap
28 Mile Distillery, Highwood, 8-11p
Saturday May 10th
The Racket
Double Clutch, Evanston, 8p
David Salzman & friends
Toadstool Pub, Highwood, 8pm
"Jazzman" Jeff
guitar instrumental, MORTON GROVE CRAFT FAIRE,
Prairie View Community Center
6834 Dempster Road in Morton Grove, 9am-1p
Diamondback
Madame ZuZu’s, Highland Park, 11a-2p
Wall of Denial
Whiskey River, Glenview 9p
Triadd
Madcats, Palatine, 9p-12 midnight
Hersteria
All female Def Leppard Tribute
Durty Nellie’s, Palatine, 9-10:30p
Sunday May 11th
Gerald Dowd Duo
Madame ZuZu’s, Highland Park, 11a-2p
Tuesday May 13th
Pierce Crask
Tuesday nights
Celtic Knot Public House, 2022 Central Street, 5 - 7 PM
Open Mic
Madcats, Palatine, 7:30-10:30p
Open Mic Night
Grandpa’s, Glenview, 7:30p
Open Blues Jam
Fritzy’s Tavern, hosted by Edgewater Rhythm & Blues Experience, 6156 N. Clark St, Chicago, 8-11p
Wednesday May 14th
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 8-11p
Even Wednesday’s
Scott Grant's Splash Zone Friends co-hosted Hump Day Jam
hosted by Frank, Kevin, Leo and Sergei
Wooden Nickel, Highwood, 7:30 ish
Deadfest
28 Mile Distillery, Highwood, 7-10p
On The Air
Copper Fiddle Distillery, 532 W. IL Rte. 22, Lake Zurich, 7-10p
Thursday May 15th
Black Diamond Sessions
(Third Thursday’s)
Wooden Nickel, Highwood, 8-11p
Ladies Night
28 Mile Distillery, Highwood, 6-10p
Open Mic Night
Copper Fiddle Distillery, 532 W. IL Rte. 22, Lake Zurich, 7-11p
Highway 45
Wheeling Town Center, Wheeling, 6:30p
Shanajam
Shanahan’s Food & Spirits, 1999 75th St, Woodridge, IL 7-10PM
Friday May 16th
Vista Cruisers
Cudas, Antioch, 8p
Samuel Yusim Band
Whiskey River, Glenview, 9p-12:30a
Melvin Seals & JGB
with special guests Jennifer Hartswick & Luna Ticks
Park West, 322 W. Armitage, Chicago, 7:30p
Tributosaurus
is doing their second annual all 80’s Prom (80’s dress optional), Theatre on the Lake, 2401 N Dusable Lake Shore Dr, Chicago, 8:30p tix click Eventbrite
Animation
Rush Tribute, Madcats, Palatine, 9:45p
Saturday May 17th
Goin’ Live
Wheeling Town Center, Wheeling, 6:30p
Girls Inc
Teddy O’Brian’s, Highwood, 8-11p
TBD
Toadstool Pub, Highwood,
Roger That
Fatmans, Gurnee, 7:30p
Jaktripper
Madcats, Palatine, 9p-midnight
Noah Hicks
28 Mile Distillery, Highwood, 6:30-11p
Victor Brown Band
at Briny Swine in Chicago, 8pm
Melvin Seals & JGB
with special guests Jennifer Hartswick & Joe Marcinek Band
Park West, 322 W. Armitage, Chicago, 7:30p
Derrick Procell & All Star Mojo Band
A Blue Eyed Soul Session
at Raue Center in Crystal Lake, IL 7pm
KING SATURDAY
Mickey Finn’s, Libertyville, 8:30p
Cave Dwellers
Copper Fiddle Distillery, 532 W. IL Rte. 22, Lake Zurich, 8-11p
Sunday May 18th
Diamondback
Toadstool Pub, Highwood, 2pm
Jazz Jam
Madcats, Palatine, 6p
Open Jam
Copper Fiddle Distillery, 532 W. IL Rte. 22, Lake Zurich, 4-7p
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