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
October Events
Friday, October 16th
Pipe Dream
28 Mile Distilling, Highwood, Free, 8-11p
Peach Jam
Allman Bros Tribute, Gorton Center, Lake Forest, 7:30p
Acoustiholics
rock, reggae, classic to current, Countryside Saloon, Des Plaines, 8-11:30p
Southwater Band
Whiskey River, Glenview, 8p
The Good Mondays
Madcats, Palatine, 9p
Big Brothers Vinyl
Peggy Kinnane’s, Arlington Heights, 8-11:30p
Saturday, October 17th
Boozy Book Fair
(Think book fair for adults), Toadstool Pub, Highwood, 6-9p
Oh Yes
(7p) followed by ARRA (9:30p) , Sundance Saloon, Mundelein, 7p-11:30p
Pino Farina Band
The Vixen, McHenry, 7p
Oktoberfest
Gorton Center, tix at www.gortoncenter.org, Lake Forest, 6p
Industrial Drive
Stage 119, Elmhurst, 7-10:30p
Midlife Crisis
Whiskey River, Glenview, 8p
Vista Cruisers
Elks Lodge, Des Plaines, 7-10p
6FM, Wooden Nickel, Highwood, 8-11p
The 1957’s
Madcats, Palatine, 9p
Whiskey Devils Band
Peggy Kinnane’s, Arlington Heights, 8-11:30p
Stage 119
Industrial Drive
Elmhurst, 7-10:30p
Sunday, October 18th
Jazz Jam
Madcats, Palatine, 6p
I am, He Said
Neil Diamond Tribute, Des Plaines Theatre, Des Plaines, 3p
Tuesday, October 20th
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
Low-Reen Blues Jam
(3rd Tuesday), Wooden Nickel, Highwood, 7-10p
Wednesday, October 21th
Rally Day
28 Mile, Highwood, $10 includes all you can eat pizza, 7p
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, October 22nd
Intergalactic Honkey Tonk
with Friend Zone, $5 draft special, 28 Mile, Highwood, 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, October 23rd
Mr. Blotto
Sideouts, 4018 Roberts Rd, Island Lake, 8:30p
Craig Campbell Songs & Stories
28 Mile Distilling, Highwood, $30+, 7p
The Generations
Stage 119, Elmhurst, 7:30-10p
Sincerely Sarlacc
Whiskey River, Glenview, 8p
Jag Rocks
Madcats, Palatine, 8p
Matt Claus & The Shakers
Countryside Saloon, Des Plaines, 8-11:30p
Mix Energy Band
Peggy Kinnane’s, Arlington Heights, 8-11:30p
Saturday, October 24th
Jefferson Starship
Runaway Again Tour, Genesee Theatre, Waukegan, 7p
Saratogas
Whiskey River, Glenview, 8p
A Sure Thing
Peggy Kinnane’s, Arlington Heights, 8-11:30p
Physical Graffiti
Led Zep Tribute, Madcats, Palatine, 9p
Sunday, October 25th
Telstar
Toadstool Pub, Highwood, 2pm
Tuesday, October 27th
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 Marc, and Lynette Wooden Nickel, Highwood, 7:30-10:30p
Wednesday, October 28th
Uncle Fungal
28 Mile, Highwood, $10 includes all you can eat pizza, 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, October 29th
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, October 30th
2 men and a tub
(bluegrass/folk), Amvets post 66 wheeling, 7-830p
Terrapin Flyer
28 Mile, Highwood, $20, 8-11p
Dec8de
Whiskey River, Glenview, 8p
The Shades
Peggy Kinnane’s, Arlington Heights, 8-11:30p
InRoads Band
Blue Bayou Bar & Grill, 3734 N. Southport (across from Music Box Theatre, Chicago, 10p-1a
Atomic Groove
Madcats, Palatine, 9p
Moonhole and Seven Soul Band
(7:30-8:30p) followed by
The Generations
(8:30-10:30p) Stage 119, Elmhurst, $10 both shows, 7:30-10:30p
Saturday, October 31st
Tributosaurus becomes The Monkees
Fitzgeralds, Berwyn, Tix Available at: fitzgeraldsnightclub.com 8:30p
TSP Annual Halloween Party with DJ Versage
Toadstool Pub, Highwood, 8pm
Dirty laundry
(rock), PS Pub wheeling 8-10
28 Mile, Highwood, Free, 7p
Deadfest Band
Whiskey River, Glenview, 8p
Replay
Peggy Kinnane’s, Arlington Heights, 8p-midnight
Liquid Faction
Madcats, Palatine, 9p
Hairbangers Ball
Stage 119, Elmhurst, $35 includes two drinks, 8-10:30p
Red Panda Band
Harbor Brewing Co, Lake Villa, 7:30p
November Events
Sunday, November 1st
Louie Zagoras
uke clinic, Skokie Library, 2p
Michael Garcia
Madcats, Palatine, 6p
Tuesday, November 3rd
Vat of Chocolate
First Tuesday’s, Wooden Nickel, Highwood, 7:15-10:15p
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
More Events Coming Soon!
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