Whether it's your first Bonnaroo or you’re a music festival veteran, we welcome you to Inforoo.
Here you'll find info about artists, rumors, camping tips, and the infamous Roo Clues. Have a look around then create an account and join in the fun. See you at Bonnaroo!!
Everyone else gets their own thread and there's enough of us here. Come here to post the unique shows at our great clubs and street festival and share all the local bands and DJs that make this city so great.
Arc - A house/techno festival with more underground acts. Union Park, first weekend of September. Near the Ashland Pink/Green Line stop
Chicago Blues/Gospel/House/Jazz Music Festival - Every year, the city puts on free music genre-specific festivals in Millennium Park. More details offered the closer it gets to each specific festival.
Chicago Pride Fest - A free festival (with a suggested donation) the weekend before the pride parade that features a mix of drag queens, DJs, and an occasional 80s/90s performer. In Northalsted/Boystown, near the Addison Red Line station.
Do Division - A free festival in West Town on Division street between Damen and Leavitt that features music selected by Subterranean and Empty Bottle. Typically in early June.
Heatwave - A new big room EDM festival. Taking place at Northerly Island in 2023.
Lollapalooza - The big one. Its reputation is that the quality of the lineups have been steadily decreasing over the past few years, and it's true it's a haven for suburban teens, but the location can't be beat and it's still usually a lot of fun. Grant Park, typically the first weekend in August. There's a lot of different public transit options for getting here.
Market Days - Pride's sexier cousin that also features drag queens, DJs, and the occasional LGBTQ artist/band. In Northalsted, near the Addison Red Line station.
North Coast - This used to be a multi-genre jam/indie/electronic festival but they pivoted hard into generic EDM within the past few years, which is not great. SeatGeek Stadium, Bridgeview, IL
Pitchfork - The festival associated with the famed music website that has a great selection of indie artists and the longest lines for water you will see at any festival (2023 update: not anymore!). Union Park, typically the second weekend of July. Near the Ashland Pink/Green Line stop
Pride In the Park - A paid festival in June that features drag queens and big room EDM DJs. Grant Park, typically the last weekend of June.
Ravinia - A summer concert series that takes place in Highland Park each year, usually booking classical music and rock/R&B acts that appeal to an older audience. You can bring food and drinks onto the grounds, which gives it a sort of garden party/picnic vibe. 200 Ravinia Park Rd, Highland Park, IL 60035, near the Ravinia Park Metra station on the Union Pacific-North line.
Riot Fest - A punk/emo/ska/metal festival that primarily appeals to an older crowd. Douglass Park, near the California and Kedzie Pink line stops. (Be prepared when taking transit to this festival: the trains and the buses get very crowded very quickly.)
Ruido Fest - A Latin rock/alternative festival that in 2023 has moved to Little Village. At the Chicagoland Fairgrounds, 2801 S Washtenaw Ave. Edit: Cancelled for 2023
Sueños - A new Latin festival with an emphasis on reggaeton. In Grant Park during Memorial Day weekend.
Taste of Randolph - A food-themed street fest in the West Loop in mid-June that features a surprisingly wide array of music, including a stage dedicated to local/national house DJs. 900 W Randolph Street, near the Morgan Green/Pink line stop.
West Fest - a free festival in West Town that features local vendors and usually a really good music lineup with indie acts and local bands. Chicago Ave & Damen Ave
Wicker Park Street Festival - A free street festival that shuts down Milwaukee Avenue and turns it into a crowded mess. But there's good music for free there, so it evens out. Usually the third weekend of July, between the Damen/Division Blue Line stops
Windy City Smokeout - The annual country/barebecue festival. Outside the United Center, near the Illinois Medical District Blue Line stop.
The arenas:
Allstate Arena - In Rosemont. Home of the Wolves. Often hosts a lot of big name Latin acts, along with its sister venue, the Rosemont Theater. Allstate Arena: 6920 Mannheim Road, Rosemont, IL 60018 Rosemont Theater: 5400 N River Road, Rosemont, IL 60018 You can take the Blue Line all the way up here. Whether you want to is another question entirely
Hollywood Casino Credit Union 1 Amphitheatre: It’s the big amphitheater in the suburbs. You may want to leave here early because the parking at this place is a fucking nightmare. You can age someone based on what they call this place! 19100 Ridgeland Avenue, Tinley Park, IL 60477
Credit Union 1 Arena: The arena at UIC; often hosts rap/rock acts that aren’t big enough to play Allstate/United Center. 525 S Racine Avenue. Near Racine Blue Line stop.
Grant Park/Millennium Park/Jay Pritzker Pavilion: They’re in the middle of the city. You can’t miss ‘em! Grant Park hosts Lollapalooza and the Taste of Chicago (...sort of); there are occasionally other shows at the bandshell too. The Jay Pritzker Pavilion hosts a free concert series in the summer and also features lots of classical music performances. Tip: if you’re at a paid concert in the lawn section, get in early; it’s flat and fills up fast. You can typically get up close for the free shows very easily though.
Soldier Field: The big stadium. Hosts the Bears (until they move to fucking Arlington Heights). 1410 Special Olympics Drive.
United Center: The arena that hosts the most concerts. Home of the Bulls/Blackhawks. 1901 W Madison Street. Near the Illinois Medical District Blue Line stop. (A pro tip: if you're driving here, there's plenty of free street parking in the West Loop nearby if you're willing to walk a few blocks. Don't pay for the lots.)
Wrigley Field: Hosts 3-4 big shows every summer. Home of the Cubs. 1060 W Addison Street. Near Addison Red Line stop.
The big venues:
Aragon Ballroom: The one everyone hates but it isn’t that bad anymore. It’s been around forever and will exist long after we’re all gone. Hosts a lot of EDM these days. They’ve finally got an air conditioner but how much you tolerate the kitschy starry decor will depend on your preference. 1106 W Lawrence Ave. Near the Wilson Red Line stop.
Auditorium Theatre: An insanely tall theatre. Good luck getting floor seats here. If you do come here, get here early - this place has easily the strictest and slowest security of any venue in the city. 50 E Ida B. Wells Drive, near the Jackson Red Line stop/Harold Washington Library Pink/Brown/Purple/Orange Line stop.
Chicago Theatre: One of the most storied theaters in the city, hosts the kind of bands you really should be sitting down to see and a lot of big-name comedians. 175 N State Street, near the State/Lake Red Line station.
Radius: New big, warehouse-style club that hosts EDM and alt rock shows. Contains Cermak Hall, a smaller venue for the more popular underground DJs. 640 W Cermak, walkable from the Cermak-Chinatown Red Line station.
Riviera Theatre: I hate this place but it’s an evil necessity. Hosts a lot of really good mid-size indie/alternative acts, but at what cost? Get here early or risk not being able to see anything at all. 4746 N Racine Ave, near the Wilson Red Line station
Salt Shed: This venue opened in 2022 at the former Morton Salt warehouse near the highway. Features both indoor and outdoor shows. Maybe the single most bougie venue in the city (in a good way). 1357 N Elston Ave, walkable from the North/Clybourn Red Line station.
Vic Theatre: The Riviera Theatre’s less evil twin with better sightlines and waitstaff that will come and get drinks for you during the show. Bookings tend to be all over the place. 3415 N Sheffield Ave, near the Belmont Red/Purple/Brown line station
The mid-size ones:
Avondale Music Hall: New venue that primarily hosts rap shows. 3336 N Milwaukee Ave
Bottom Lounge: Nice bar in front, decent sized room in back. Tends to book a lot of rock bands. 1375 W Lake Street, near the Ashland Pink/Green Line station
Concord Music Hall: Surprisingly well-furbished and modern, considering how shitty it looks on the outside. The de facto replacement for the Congress Theatre. Multi-level venue that primarily books EDM acts. 2051 N Milwaukee Ave, near the Western Blue Line station
Copernicus Center: The premiere Polish-themed music venue in the country. Primarily hosts a wide range of continental European acts that are huge in their respective countries that you’ve never heard of before but still a nice place to check out. 5216 W Lawrence Ave, near the Jefferson Park Blue Line station
Empty Bottle: A very divey venue in Ukranian Village that hosts a wide range of indie bands; currently hosting free Monday shows. Crazy bathroom graffiti and no bad sightlines anywhere in the place. I’m biased because I love this place a lot. 1035 N Western Ave
House of Blues: Every city has one. 329 N Dearborn St, near the Grand Red Line Station
House of Vans: I do not feel optimistic about the future of this place since it hasn't hosted a show in about a year at this point but I'd like to imagine it's coming back so I'm keeping it here. It used to host big names but now primarily hosts local acts and Fake Shore Drive-hosted rap shows. 113 N Elizabeth St, in between the Ashland and Morgan Pink/Green Line station
Lincoln Hall: Classy, smaller, newer club that hosts up and coming indie acts. Good beer selection. Sister venue to Schubas. 2424 N Lincoln Ave, near the Fullerton Red/Brown Line station
Metro: Beloved venue that often hosts punk bands but has a good variety. Smartbar is in the basement of this place. 3730 N Clark St, near the Addison Red Line station
Outset: I don't know anything about it other than it's opening up this year (in 2024), it's around the corner from the Hideout & Salt Shed, and it's using AXS as its ticketing agent. 1675 N Elston, walkable from the North/Clybourn red line station.
Park West: Half-seated, half-standing club. Bookings tend to be all over the place. 322 W Armitage Avenue
Ramova Theatre: Recently renovated theatre in Bridgeport that opened up in 2024 with some famous investors behind it. 3520 S Halsted St
Thalia Hall: Renovated club in a 150-year old meeting hall in Pilsen that hosts primarily indie bands. Cavernous ceilings, great sound. Has a fancy restaurant on the first level and fancy bar in the basement. 1807 W Allport St, near the 18th Pink Line station
The small ones:
Beat Kitchen: Serves good bar food, hosts a lot of indie/punk/alt bands. Try the tater tots! 2100 W Belmont Ave
California Clipper: Longstanding Humboldt Park bar that hosts near-daily live music and DJs, many local. 1002 N California Ave
Carol's Pub: Honky tonk-style bar in Andersonville that often hosts country bands. 4659 N Clark St, near the Wilson Red Line station
Chicago Cultural Center: Has a lot of interesting cultural exhibitions, mostly visual arts but you never who’ll stop by. I saw Caterina Barbieri here once! 78 E Washington St, near the Washington/Wabash Brown Line station or the State/Lake Red Line station
Chop Shop: Bar with a nice little separated room for live music in the back. Bigger than Schubas but slightly less homey. 2033 W North Ave, near the Damen Blue Line station.
City Winery: There’s one in every city. 1200 W Randolph St
Cobra Lounge: Bar/brewery with a small backroom that books primarily punk/metal bands. Their beer is really good! 235 N Ashland Ave, near the Ashland Pink/Green Line Station
Constellation: Club that often hosts avant-garde, folk, and jazz. 3111 N Western Ave
Co-Propserity Sphere: Primarily a visual art venue that occasionally hosts an interesting concert in Bridgeport. 3219 S Morgan St
Cubby Bear: Small Wrigleyville bar that hosts mostly local/cover bands and every once in a while a free Q101 show with a bigger name. 1059 W Addison St, near the Addison Red Line station
The Forge: Way the fuck down south in Joliet, this place hosts a lot of metal and buttrock shows. 22 W Cass Street, Joliet, IL; near the Joliet station on the Rock Island Metra line.
The Hideout: Tiny room with a nice patio. Tends to book indie and local acts. 1354 W Wabansia Ave
Hungry Brain: Lounge in Roscoe Village that often hosts jazz DJs and musicians, many from the local scene. 2319 W Belmont Ave
Joe's on Weed Street: Bar that often hosts country acts and cover bands in its show room. 940 W Weed Street, near the North/Clybourn Red Line station.
Kingston Mines: It would be remiss of me not to mention this Chicago blues institution that features local blues musicians. 2548 N Halsted Street, near the Fullerton Red/Brown/Purple Line station.
Liar’s Club: Dive bar that hosts heavy music. 1665 W Fullerton
Martyrs’: Small North Center bar, often hosts roots-type music. 3855 N Lincoln Ave, near the Irving Park Brown Line station
Old Town School of Folk Music: You are never going to guess what kind of arists they book here. 4544 N Lincoln Ave, near the Western Brown Line station
Patio Theatre: Northwest side venue that hosts both film screenings and a really random assortment of artists. (As I write this, apparently both Latto and Dakhabrakha are booked to play this.) 6008 W Irving Park Rd
The Promontory: Hyde Park club that has a lot of specialized dance nights and sometimes has live music. 5311 S Lake Park Ave W, near the 51st/53rd St (Hyde Park) Metra Electric line station.
Reggies Rock Club: Grungy South Loop club that hosts a lot of metal shows. Has some nice couches on the second level. The Rock Club is the main venue and the Music Joint is the bar area off to the left side of the rock club entrance - pay attention to where your show is! 2015 S State St, near the Cermak/McCormick Place Green Line station/Cermak-Chinatown Red Line station.
Schubas Tavern: Cozy bar with a narrow back room that hosts smaller indie acts. Lots of coat racks. Sister venue to Lincoln Hall. 3159 N Southport Ave, near the Belmont Red/Brown/Purple line station.
Sleeping Village: Newer bar with a small room in Logan Square. Hosts a variety of bands, many local. 3734 W Belmont Ave
SPACE: Small club in Evanston. Occasionally gets really big names to perform intimate shows at exorbitant prices. Hosts a really good outdoor concert series in Evanston every year. 1245 Chicago Ave, Evanston, IL, near the Dempster Purple Line station
Subterranean: Ironically, the main club’s on the second floor of the building. Hosts a wide variety of bands and themed dance nights. 2011 W North Ave, near the Damen Blue Line station
Dance clubs:
Podlasie Club: Once a popular Polish club, this place had a surprising post-COVID rebirth as a hotbed for underground DJs. 2918 N Central Park Ave, near the Belmont Blue Line station
Smartbar: Legendary club that hosts underground techno/house DJs, with some famous current and former residents, like Derrick Carter, Blessed Madonna and Eris Drew. (oh, and Frankie Knuckles.) 3730 N Clark St, near the Addison Red Line station
Smoke & Mirrors: Speakeasy-type club in the same building as Concord that hosts DJs that often have more of an indie appeal. 2045 N Milwaukee Ave, near the Western Blue Line station
Sound Bar: Club that tends to host bigger name EDM DJs. 226 W Ontario St, near the Chicago Brown/Purple Line station
Spybar: Hosts a lot of house music, often of the deep variety. 646 N Franklin St, near the Chicago Brown/Purple Line station
PRYSM: Featuring shows by a lot of mid-size DJs. 1543 N Kingsbury St, near the North/Clybourn Red Line station
TAO: The wildly expensive and probably not worth it NYC import. Often hosts a lot of big name artists doing smaller shows/appearances, especially during Lollapalooza weekend. 632 N Dearborn St, near the Grand Red Line station
For a highly complete accounting of all shows happening in the city, I cannot recommend enough the Chicago Show Calendar Instagram account, which updates weekly.
Post by stlallison on Oct 16, 2021 23:15:38 GMT -5
I feel like this stems much from my conversations with you about how jealous I am that you get all the good shows up there and STL is left in the dust.
I feel like this stems much from my conversations with you about how jealous I am that you get all the good shows up there and STL is left in the dust.
Also, Malort sucks.
I actually created this because stinky and I were talking on Friday and he had no idea about a free block party at Empty Bottle last weekend; I wanted a space to collect random stuff like that.
4/25: Oneohtrix Point Never 6/9: Gary Clark Jr.? 6/23: Brittany Howard? 7/13: elrow 7/20: Mt. Joy 7/28: Justice 7/31: Romy 8/2: The Marias? 8/18: Mitski? 8/19: Taylor Swift 8/23: Crumb? 8/29: Pearl Jam? 9/5: L'Impératrice 9/7: Bruce Springsteen? 9/12: Pearl Jam? 9/23: Khruangbin 9/24: Khruangbin? 9/26: Charli XCX/Troye Sivan? 9/28-9/29: All Things Go 9/30: Vampire Weekend
shuck
Bleary-Eyed Bonnawook Recap King & Upcoming Shows MVP
Definitely might have to make a trip to go to the Kaytranada NYE show.
Lots of good stuff still on sale NYE weekend too; Goose at the Riv on Thursday hasn’t sold out, neither has Boy Harsher at the Empty Bottle on the 1st.
Quite a few of these had already been announced; Best Coast obviously the big name here.
Edit: individual days
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 19 Best Coast, Rosie Tucker @ Metro Thee Sacred Souls @ Lincoln Hall Water From Your Eyes @ Sleeping Village Hana Vu, Burr Oak, Emily Jane Powers @ Schubas Valebol @ Golden Dagger
THURSDAY, JANUARY 20 Lomelda, CARM, Alexalone @ Lincoln Hall Sen Morimoto, Blake Saint David @ Sleeping Village underscores, TYGKO, Folie @ Schubas Waltzer @ Golden Dagger
FRIDAY, JANUARY 21 Wolves In The Throne Room, Full Of Hell, Uada @ Metro Genesis Owusu, Air Credits, Roy Kinsey @ Lincoln Hall Muzi @ Sleeping Village Sam Evian @ Schubas Macie Stewart @ Golden Dagger
SATURDAY, JANUARY 22 Geese, Gustaf, Native Sun @ Lincoln Hall Dawn Richard @ Sleeping Village Skin Tag @ Sleeping Village Dante Elephante + Early Eyes @ Schubas DJ Zolita, Magin @ Golden Dagger
SUNDAY, JANUARY 23 Diet Cig, Izzy True @ Lincoln Hall Another Michael @ Sleeping Village Skin Tag @ Sleeping Village Matthew E White, Benét @ Schubas
Yeah it seems good but I’m holding off for a bit on getting show tickets so I’m not sure at the moment if I’ll be going, especially considering that Honey Dijon is also doing a set at Radius like three days before and I kind of want to go to that too.
Post by 10goldbees on Oct 22, 2021 15:09:59 GMT -5
Damn! That's a nice run of shows for you! I was going to skip MMJ for money reasons but after hearing their new album I think I gotta go. Plus my gf loves Bedouine so that'll be nice for both of us.
