Music in Chicago
The soul of Chicago is defined by its diverse music culture, which makes
every street sing in chorus! Music events in Chicago range from intimate
cafe gigs to thrilling concerts in famous venues. Here, music festivals
light up the skyline, while music shows and concerts fill the air with
melodies that linger long after the last chord fades away. Feeling memorized
in the musical streets of Chicago has become a habit, and trust me, it’s a
healthy habit to have in Windy City!
Music Hubs of Chicago
1) Lyric Opera House Chicago
Popularly known as the
Lyric Opera House Chicago
, it has all the beauty of music in Chicago. Started in 1929, the house has
become a family of artists, musicians, directors, and designers! Adding to
the impeccable magic of storytelling through opera performances, the Lyric
House aims to educate the masses about all art forms. They organize concerts
and live performances for all musicians and artists of Chicago!
2) House of Blues Chicago
With a simple motto of Unity and Diversity,
House of Blues Chicago
was established by Issac Tigrett in 1996 to recognize music and musicians
equally! Blues, gospel, jazz, rock' n roll, and rhythm and blues take center
stage with various live performances. The place is filled with eclectic
posters, murals, artwork, stage curtains called “Crazy Quilts,” and Delta
Mississippi mud under the stage, a reminder of “Visual Blues”!
3) The Hideout Inn Chicago
Tucked between Bucktown and Lincoln Park,
The Hideout Inn Chicago
is one of the most frequently visited spots in the city. Also known as the
Hideout Chicago, it owns a tavern and a back room with music—a place well
known for its music performances! Every now and then, music events or other
parties keep on happening in this corner of Chicago.
4) Metro Chicago
One of the city's oldest and most infamous clubs,
Metro Chicago
hosts midsize national touring acts of music ranging from rock to hip-hop to
electronica! It is a beautiful setup, with a space to groove and dance your
heart out to your favorite artist's music. Head downstairs to the Smart bar
after the event to keep the music and partying going into the evening!
Music Festivals in Chicago
1) Chicago Jazz Festival
The weekend of Labor Day turns Chicago into a musical world as the oldest
free lakefront music festival, the
Chicago Jazz Festival
, comes to town! Started in 1974, the four days of the annual fest culminate
in free concerts throughout the city and the main show at Millennium Park!
You can listen to amazing jazz concerts from legends to influential modern
masters and crucial new voices in the industry!
2) Square Roots Festival
Gathered its recognition as the Folk & Roots Festival, now famously
known as
Square Roots
, is the annual summer music festival in Chicago! Focused more on folk
music, it invites amazing bands for live performances including country,
afrobeat, blues, and jazz bands as well. The three-day festival has vendors,
beer tents, and intoxicating energy!
3) Chicago Blues Festival
Chicago's long affiliation with the blues genre is well-known among the
city's residents. So, there is undoubtedly an annual
Chicago Blues Festival
, right? It was started in 1984 in respect to the long bond of Chicago and
Blues! The three-day music festival seeks to honor recently departed blues
musicians and features performers by upcoming and old artists at Millenium
Park every year!
4) Lollapalooza Chicago
A music festival that people wait for with beady eyes of
Lollapalooza Chicago
! Held at Grant Park, this four-day music festival in Chicago is attended by
thousands of people every year. The fantasy of everyone watching some of the
best artists perform live comes true with genres from heavy metal, punk
rock, and rock to hip-hop, electronic music, and alternative rock! Doesn’t
matter how high the price is, music lovers never miss it!
Bars with Live Music in Chicago
1) The Empty Bottle Chicago
With a cozy bar setup,
The Empty Bottle Chicago
is one of the favorite spots in Chicago to catch live music any day! Every
evening, local, regional, or visiting bands turn the place lively with
different genres like punk, indie-rock, metal, electronic, jazz, hip-hop,
rock & roll, experimental, and many more! Anyone aged 21 or above can
tune in to the bar for amazing music while sipping their favorite cocktails!
2) Dorain’s
Pretty unrecognizable, and a tiny record shop with a small vinyl is actually
a hidden speakeasy! A secret, dark, and narrow cocktail lounge has a small
stage and sleep couches. The Afro-Cuban groups, jazz trios, and DJs make the
place beautiful and lively, and great cocktails and an amazing crowd add the
fun element at Dorian’s in
the evenings!
3) Kingston Mines
Entering Kingston Mines transports you to a tangerine-hued, rustic pub off Bourbon Street. For a
night of laughter mixed with exploring, this is one of the Chicago
restaurants with live music that you should have on your list. It has two
stages, leaving no chance of silence, and a menu with southern items to keep
you happy while listening to blues!
Rock Bands from Chicago!
1) Chicago the Band
The band's name is signal enough to indicate its roots.
Chicago the Band
is one of the most successful and longest-running rock bands from the '60s
to now. It has sold over a hundred million records. The most beloved album
is Chicago 17, and its top song, "Free," is a fan favorite. The proud moment
for the band was that Chicago was recognized with a star on the Hollywood
Walk of Fame in 1992!
2) Fall Out Boy
Not long ago, Fall Out Boys started
their journey in 2001 and got their fame in 2005; which was a step towards
becoming the most successful alternative rock band! “Sugar, We’re Going
Down” is still stuck on the radio today as it is one of their best-known
songs! The band further produced seven studio albums and sold 8.5 million
copies globally!
3) Styx
The interesting story of Styx emerged in 1972 when the Panozza twin brothers played music with a neighbor
11 years prior to 1972. Wooden Nickel Records signed with them after a few
new members joined, and it got its breakthrough in 1977. The Grand Illusion
album rose to #6 in America and Canada and contained their #1 hit song,
“Come Sail Away.”! They made 17 studio albums plus live and compilation
albums before some members passed, leaving everyone with memories!
