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

 


 


April Events

Wednesday, April 8th

Deadfest Band

28 Mile Distillery, Highwood, $10 cover includes pizza, 7-10p
  
Rock Jam

Madcats, Palatine, 7p
  
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, April 9th

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, April 10th

Louie Zagoras and Rollover

American League Post 42, 1030 Central St, Evanston, 7:30p
  
Pacific Sound Company

Peggy Kinnane’s, Arlington Heights, 8-11p
  
Jeff Anthony Group

(JAG), Madcats, Palatine, 9p
  
Rose Stone and the First Family of Funk

Sly & The Family Stone Tribute, Des Plaines Theatre, Des Plaines, 8p 
  
Antler Chandelier

28 Mile Distillery, Highwood, 8-11p 
  
EMO Night with All American Throwbacks

Austin’s Impact Fuel Room, Libertyville, 9p 
  
Semple

Sideouts Sports Tavern, Island Lake, 8:30p-12a 
  
Pino Farina Band

Jonny Cabs, Burr Ridge, 8p
  
The Petty Kings

Tom Petty Tribute, Theatre at the Center, 1040 Ridge Rd, Munster, IN 7:30p

Saturday, April 11th

Triadd

(7p) opens for

Hi Infidelity

Sundance Saloon, Mundelein, 7p
  
Big Love

Fleetwood Mac Tribute: 

Austin’s Impact Fuel Room Libertyville, 8p
  
Valius

Sideouts Sports Tavern, Island Lake, 8:30p-12a 
  
Whiskey Devil’s Band

Peggy Kinnane’s, Arlington Heights, 8-11p
  
The Saratogas

Madcats, Palatine, 9p
  
Ultimate Salute to Chris Stapleton & Eric Church

Des Plaines Theatre, Des Plaines, 8p
  
Petty Kings

Tom Petty Tribute, Theatre@Center, Munster, In  

Sunday, April 12th

Telstar

Toadstool Pub, Highwood, 2pm
  
Pickin & Grinnin

28 Mile Distillery, Highwood, 4-7p 
  
Lounge Puppets

Broken Oar, Port Barrington,2p 
  
Bluegrass Jam

Madcats, Palatine, 6p 
  
Harriet

Des Plaines Theatre, Des Plaines, 2p

Tuesday, April 14th

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, 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, April 15th

Crook County Blues Band

28 Mile Distillery, $10 cover includes all the pizza you can eat, Highwood, 7-10p 
  
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
                  
Larry Keel’s Electric Larry Land

with opening act

Desmond Jones

Garcia’s Chicago, 1001 W. Washington, Blvd, Chicago, 6:30p  

Thursday, April 16th

Black Diamond Sessions

(Third Thursday’s) Wooden Nickel, Highwood, 8-11p
  
Liam’s Songwriter’s Showcase

28 Mile Distillery, Highwood, 6:30p 
    
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
  
512-The Selena Experience

Des Plaines Theatre, Des Plaines, 7:30p
                  
Tom Hamilton Band

Garcia’s Chicago, 1001 W. Washington Blvd, Chicago, 6:30p

Friday, April 17th

Groovex

Wooden Nickel, Highwood, 8-11p 
  
The Complex

Sideouts Sports Tavern, Island Lake, 8:30p-12a 
  
Modern Day Romeos

Mickey Finn’s Brewery, Libertyville, 9:30p
  
Dueling Pianos with Rock it Man

Austin’s Impact Fuel Room Libertyville, 8p
                  
Sal’s No Name Duo Band

Martini Room, Elgin, 7p
  
Hot and Dirty Brass Band with Mitch the Lip

Schmidty’s Bar. Brookfield, WI, 8p
  
Sugar We’re a Fallout boy tribute & Basketcase

Green Day Tribute, Broken Oar, Port Barrington, 7p
  
Jorma Kaukonen

Garcia’s Chicago, 1001 W. Washington Blvd, Chicago, 6:30p
    
Hoopla

Whiskey River, Glenview, 8-11:30p
  
Bottled Blues

Madcats, Palatine, 9p 
  
Mixed Energy Band

Peggy Kinnane’s, Arlington Heights, 8-11p
  
Uli Jon Roth

Des Plaines Theatre, Des Plaines, 8p 
 
Blink 312

(opens 7:30-8:45p)

There Goes the Neighborhood

(9:15-11:30p), Durty Nellies, Palatine, 8p

Saturday, April 18th

The Funk Out

Toadstool Pub, Highwood, 8pm
  
Pino Farina Band

Broken Oar, Port Barrington, 2p 
  
Jak Tripper

Broken Oar, Port Barrington, 8p 
    
Dancing Queen

Abba Tribute, Austin’s Impact Fuel Room Libertyville, 8p 
  
Vista Cruisers

Irish Mill, Mundelein, 8-11p
  
Rockhouse

(7:30p) opens for

Hairbangers Ball

(9:30p)

Austin’s Impact Fuel Room Libertyville, 7:30p 
  
Libido Funk Circus

Sideouts Sports Tavern, Island Lake, 8:30p-12a 
  
Victor Brown Band

Briny Swine (Lincoln Park), 7pm, no cover
  
Los Perros Cubanos

Q Bar, 8109 S. Cass Ave, Darien, 8p


Genr8r

classic rock, Durty Nellies, Palatine, 4-6p
  
Rod Tuffcurls and the Bench Press

Durty Nellies, Palatine, 9p-midnight 
  
Howard and the White Boys

Madcats, Palatine, 9p
  
Midlife Crisis

Whiskey River, Glenview, 8-11:30p
  
A Sure Thing

Peggy Kinnane’s, Arlington Heights, 8-11p
  
Aly and AJ

Des Plaines Theatre, Des Plaines, 8p

Sunday, April 19th

Johnnie Miller

Toadstool Pub, Highwood, 2pm 
  
St Joe Jack

Bluegrass, 28 Mile Distillery, Highwood, 4-7p
                  
Icons of Country

Broken Oar, Port Barrington, 2p
  
Come Back to Earth

Mac Miller Tribute, hip hop, Durty Nellies, Palatine, fun time 4:20p, music 7p
  
Classical Blast

Rach & Roll with the Lake Shore Symphony Orchestra, DePaul University, Gannon Concert Hall, 2330 N Halsted, Chicago 4p  
https://musicbooking.depaul.edu/EventAvailability?WebEventId=20260419lakeshore
 
Jazz Jam

Madcats, Palatine, 6p
  
Steel Panther

Des Plaines Theatre, Des Plaines, 7:30p  

Tuesday, April 21st

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, hosted by Edgewater Rhythm & Blues Experience, 6156 N. Clark St, Chicago, 8-11p
  
Low-Reen Blues Jam

(3rd Tuesday), Wooden Nickel, Highwood, 7-10p

Wednesday, April 22nd

Ciao Mang

28 Mile Distillery, $10 cover includes all the pizza you can eat, Highwood, 7-10p
  
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
                  
The Ultimate Doors

Doors Tribute, Garcia’s Chicago, 1001 W. Washington Blvd, Chicago, 6:30p

Thursday, April 23rd

Los Lonely Boys with guest Lew Apollo

Genesee Theatre, Waukegan, 7:30p
  
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, April 24th

Diamondback

Toadstool Pub, Highwood, 8pm
  
Liquid Faction

28 Mile Distillery, Highwood, 8-11p 
  
Trippin’ Billies

Dave Matthews Band Tribute, Tickets for Trippin Billies: A Tribute to Dave Matthews Band | TicketWeb - Impact Fuel Room in Libertyville , US Austins, Libertyville, $25-50, 8p 
  
Pearlsnap

Sideouts Sports Tavern, Island Lake, 8:30p-12a
                  
SRT Super Rock Tribute

Broken Oar

Port Barrington, 8p 
  
Black Diamond Sessions

Station 34, Mt. Prospect, 8:30-11:30p
  
Lewzinit

Peggy Kinnane’s, Arlington Heights, 8-11p
  
Electric Dawn

Abby Kay Band, Enchanted, Durty Nellies, Palatine, 7:15p
  
Stone Cold Killers

Madcats, Palatine, 9p
  
King Saturday

Whiskey River, Glenview, 8-11:30p
  
Big Brothers Vinyl

At Work Sports, 1190 E. Higgins Rd, Elk Grove Village, 7:30-10:30p
  
Devon Allman Blue Summit with Ghalia Volt

Des Plaines Theatre, Des Plaines, 8p

Saturday, April 25th

Vista Cruisers

Cuda’s, Antioch 8p-midnight
  
Roger That

California Surf, British Invasion, Americana, Fatmans, Gurnee, 8-11p
  
Marlon and the Shakes

Dance/funk/pop & rock, Mickey Finn’s Brewery, Libertyville, 9:30p
                  
Brass from the Past

Broken Oar, Port Barrington, 2p 
  
Hairnation + Leadfoot

Broken Oar, Port Barrington, 8p 
  
Arra & Stevie McVie

(opens at 7 for ARRA, 9:30p), Austin’s Impact Fuel Room Libertyville, 8p 
  
Bella Cain

Sideouts Sports Tavern, Island Lake, 8-11p 
  
Adam Walsh

Machusla Brewery, 1516 E Lake Ave, Glenview, 7p
  
The Gingers

Madcats, Palatine, 9p
  
Whiskey Kitten

Whiskey River, Glenview, 8-11:30p
  
Ground Level

Peggy Kinnane’s, Arlington Heights, 8-11p

Sunday, April 26th

Jolly Ringwalds

Toadstool Pub, Highwood, 2pm
  
Lucky Pickers Duo

bluegrass, 28 Mile Distillery, Highwood, 4-7p


Bus Stop Radio show

hosted by Kevin Purcell with Mitch the Lip and Tom T, live show and music, 98.3 Lite FM, 7-9p
  
The Chain

Fleetwood Mac Tribute, Broken Oar, Port Barrington, 2p 
  
Madcat Blues Jam

Madcats, Palatine, 6:30-11p 

Tuesday, April 28th

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, 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, April 29th

Uncle Fungal

Dead Tribute, 28 Mile Distillery, $10 cover includes all the pizza you can eat, Highwood,  7-10p 
  
Rusian Bely

Des Plaines Theatre, Des Plaines, 8p 
  
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, April 30th

Dead Floyd

Grateful Dead & Pink Floyd Tribute, Garcia’s Chicago, 1001 W. Washington Blvd, Chicago, 6:30p
    
Julio Iglesias Jr

Des Plaines Theatre, Des Plaines, 7:30p 
  
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

Thursday, April 30th

Dead Floyd

Grateful Dead & Pink Floyd Tribute, Garcia’s Chicago, 1001 W. Washington Blvd, Chicago, 6:30p
    
Julio Iglesias Jr

Des Plaines Theatre, Des Plaines, 7:30p 
  
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


May Events

Friday, May 1st

Electric Phase

UFO Tribute, and Wall of Denial, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Broken Oar, Port Barrington, 7p  
  
Rod Tuffcurls and the Bench Press

Austin’s Impact Fuel Room, Libertyville, 
  
Bad Motor Scooter

Sideouts Sports Tavern, Island Lake, 8-11p  
  
Karla & The Phat Cats

Madcats, Palatine, 9p 
  
The 77 Experience

Des Plaines Theatre, Des Plaines, 8p 

Saturday, May 2nd

Mitch the Lip

Jimmy Buffett Tribute Band, Casino, Hammond, IN
  
Kase Krainer with Mattson Tyler

Wooden Nickel, Highwood, 7-10:30p 
  
Cover Dogs

Broken Oar, Port Barrington, 2p
  
Tom Sawyer

Rush Tribute + Spin Lizzy, Broken Oar, Port Barrington, 7p 
  
The Luxmen

Toadstool Pub, Highwood, 8pm
  
Vista Cruisers

Copper Fiddle, Lake Zurich, 7-10p
  
Reggae Night

Bob Marley and Sublime Tributes, Austin’s Impact Fuel Room Libertyville, 8p 
  
The Buzz Worthys

Madcats, Palatine, 9p  
  
Get The Led Out

Led Zep Tribute, Des Plaines Theatre, Des Plaines, 8p

Sunday, May 3rd

The 3 Amigos

(Pina Farina, Dan Peters, Rich Sawyer, Broken Oar, Port Barrington, 2p  
  
Vista Cruisers

Toadstool Pub, Highwood, 2-5p
  
Corner Boys

Madcats, Palatine, 6-9p 
  
Creedence Revived

Creedence Clearwater Tribute, Des Plaines Theatre, Des Plaines, 5p  

Tuesday, May 5th

Vat of Chocolate

First Tuesday’s, Wooden Nickel, Highwood, 7:15-10:15p 
  
Rico

Santana Tribute, 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, hosted by Edgewater Rhythm & Blues Experience, 6156 N. Clark St, Chicago, 8-11p

Wednesday, May 6th

Salty Dogs

featuring Dave Salzman and Friends, (first Wednesday’s),Toadstool Pub, Highwood, 7:30p  
  
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, May 7th

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 
  
Ward Davis

Austin’s Impact Fuel Room Libertyville, 8p
  
1st Thursday’s-L.J. Slavin

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, May 8th

Kreative Minds

Broken Oar, Port Barrington, 8p 
  
Rally Day

Toadstool Pub, Highwood, 8pm
  
Icons of Country

Sideouts Sports Tavern, Island Lake, 8-11p 
  
R-E-S-P-E-C-T

Aretha Franklin Tribute, Beverly Arts Center, SOLD OUT
  
Pacific Sound Company Corner Boys

Madcats, Palatine, 9p-midnite
  
Toast

The Bread Tribute, Des Plaines Theatre, Des Plaines, 8p

Saturday, May 9th

FunkTonic

Toadstool Pub, Highwood, 8p
  
Tom’s Garage

Wooden Nickel, Highwood, 7-10:30p
  
Creed and Alice in Chains

Austin’s Impact Fuel Room Libertyville, 9p 
  
Freebyrd

Lynryd Tribute, Broken Oar, Port Barrington, 2p 
  
My Metal Heart

Broken Oar, Port Barrington, 8p
  
Jeff

Madcats, Palatine, 9p-midnite
  
The Wise Guys and 7th Heaven

Sideouts Sports Tavern, Island Lake, 7:30-11p  
  
Styx & Stone

tributes with Anthem & Beggars Banquet, Sundance Saloon, Mundelein 7:30p

Sunday, May 10th

Mr. Blotto

Broken Oar, Port Barrington, 2p
  
Rob Lane Acoustic Solo

Madcats, Palatine, 6-9p


More Events Coming Soon!

Looking for an event that is not listed here? Use the links below to look on your own for events

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Tom Perrella
Tom Perrella

Broker Associate | License ID: 475122509

+1(847) 420-8325

566 Chestnut Street 2nd Floor, Winnetka, IL, 60093

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