If you've never experienced hearing talented musicians perform in a small, intimate environment, you are in for a treat.
House concerts are a growing trend across the country, where people invite friends and neighbors into their homes for an up-close concert experience. And there are
several
house concerts being held in and around the Chicago area that you can check out - you just need to contact the host and ask to be invited.
Churches and non-profit community groups around Chicago host occasional coffeehouses that feature traditional folk musicians and other acoustic artists as a way of bringing the community together.
Local libraries
also host free concerts that are open to the general public.
In addition, live acoustic music can be heard in
several
listening rooms
and small theaters
in Chicago.
Local restaurants and cafes
in the area
sometimes host nationally touring musicians as well.
Below you can find a listing of upcoming shows in these smaller venues by nationally and internationally touring artists.
Shawn is an American singer-songwriter who specializes in folk rock, instrumental rock, adult alternative, and Americana music and is best known for the 1998 single "Lullaby", which hit number one on the Adult Top 40.
Catherine Miles & Jay Mafale are two scoops of modern folk with a generous sprinkling of pop-catchiness, topped off with the wit and flair that comes of their theater backgrounds.
“Fink grabs mainstream pop gestures by the throat and shakes them until they say what he wants them to...transformed by Fink’s voice, which has a boyish ring but the heft and life-experience of an adult.” – David Patrick Stearns
The Chicago Tribune has called Mark Dvorak “masterful,” and the Fox Valley Folk Festival describes him as “a living archive of song and style.” In 2012, WFMT 98.7 fm Fine Arts Radio named him “Chicago’s official troubadour.”
Eva Cassel has shared the stage with John Mayer for a songwriting clinic at Berklee College of Music. Currently based in Nashville and touring nationally.
Jack Summers is a songwriter based in KCMO. He writes songs about coal towns, shopping malls, being sad, everything wrong with the world, and smoking weed with Jesus. 2022 NewSong Walnut Valley Contest Winner, 2023 Kerrville New Folk Contest Winner.
Joy Clark, New Orleans singer-songwriter, lyrical guitarist and composer who creates soulful original compositions that celebrate peace and the undeniable power of love.
Joy Clark, New Orleans singer-songwriter, lyrical guitarist and composer who creates soulful original compositions that celebrate peace and the undeniable power of love.
Elexa Dawson is a practitioner of the soul. Her red-dirt honey vocals and rhythmic guitar deliver a sound that hits home. Familiar and intriguing, her songs speak of earth and community, and all relationships, from mother & child to friend & lover.
Pierce Pettis Concert in the intimate Stuart Room at the Gorton Community Center in Lake Forest, IL
"Pierce is a master musical storyteller ... " ?Justin Paul (Grammy/Oscar/Tony-winning lyricist/composer, "La La Land" "Dear Evan Hansen?)
Explore Alternate Guitar Tunings with Pierce Pettis ~ Discover the unique alternate guitar tunings used by legendary artists like Keith Richards, Leo Kottke, Joni Mitchell, Lindsey Buckingham, and Bob Dylan.
We're excited to return to Wesley's Place. We had a great time before and plan on having even more fun the second time around. Ticket prices in the link.
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Places to see live acoustic music
in and around
Chicago, Illinois
