Live Acoustic Music Near Evanston, Illinois

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 Evanston 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 Evanston 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 and around the Evanston area. 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.

Upcoming Acoustic Shows

October 2
City Winery (Listening Room)
Chicago, IL
October 3
Venezuelan-Appalachian fusion by Llanera master and asylum-seeking migrant Larry Bellorín & GRAMMY-nominated bluegrass superstar Joe Troop (Che Apalache). Latingrass: Banjo, cuatro, fiddle, guitar, maracas, upright bass, vocals.
SPACE (Listening Room)
Evanston, IL
October 4
An American singer-songwriter and actress, who was the runner-up on the ninth season of American Idol
Hey Nonny (Listening Room)
Arlington Heights, IL
October 5
SPACE (Listening Room)
Evanston, IL
October 6
When you hear John sing his songs, you'll know why his music and voice have touched so many for over 49 years starting with Batdorf and Rodney, Silver, Michael McLean, James Lee Stanley and now solo.
Wesley's Place (Folk Music Coffeehouse)
La Grange, IL
October 7
Hey Nonny (Listening Room)
Arlington Heights, IL
October 7
The Riviera Theatre (Concert Hall)
Chicago, IL
October 11
Hey Nonny (Listening Room)
Arlington Heights, IL
October 13
Sleeping Village (Bar/Nightclub)
Chicago, IL
October 13
A prolific singer/songwriter, social activist, and painter, Tret's songs tell of daily life, environmental concerns, challenges - personal and universal. She's opened for such bands as Yes, Poco, and the Geils Band.
Two Way Street Coffee House (House Concert)
Downers Grove, IL
October 13
The Riviera Theatre (Concert Hall)
Chicago, IL
October 14
Ruth and Max have performed their style of Acoustic Americana 40 years, with roots in Folk, Bluegrass, and traditional Country music. Ruth is known for her songwriting as well as her strong alto voice
Maple Street Concerts (Folk Music Coffeehouse)
Lombard, IL
October 14
Sleeping Village (Bar/Nightclub)
Chicago, IL
October 14
FitzGerald's Nightclub (Bar/Nightclub)
Berwyn, IL
October 14
Hey Nonny (Listening Room)
Arlington Heights, IL
October 14
Thalia Hall (Small Theater)
Chicago, IL
October 14
Schubas Tavern (Bar/Nightclub)
Chicago, IL
October 14
An Akron, OH based rustbelt folk songwriter. Ben is known for combining lyrically driven songs with charming and quick witted stories. Thumping fingerstlye guitar, blues harmonica, and smooth vocals, bring you a one of a kind performance.
St Tim's Coffeehouse (Listening Room)
Skokie, IL
October 15
Montrose Saloon (Bar/Nightclub)
Chicago, IL
October 17
SPACE (Listening Room)
Evanston, IL
October 17
One of the few remaining original outlaw country music singer/songwriters.
Montrose Saloon (Bar/Nightclub)
Chicago, IL
October 21
SPACE (Listening Room)
Evanston, IL
October 26
Golden Dagger (Bar/Nightclub)
Chicago, IL
October 26
SPACE (Listening Room)
Evanston, IL
October 26
Hey Nonny (Listening Room)
Arlington Heights, IL
October 28
Old Town School of Folk Music (Small Theater)
Chicago, IL
November 2
Thalia Hall (Small Theater)
Chicago, IL
November 2
SPACE (Listening Room)
Evanston, IL
November 3
SPACE (Listening Room)
Evanston, IL
November 4
Hey Nonny (Listening Room)
Arlington Heights, IL
November 4
Gorton Center (Listening Room)
Lake Forest, IL
November 8
From Ithaca NY, Joe Crookston brings foot-stomping rhythms, hilarious stories, and gorgeous melodies for a night of music and art that will leave you feeling more awake and alive. Decide to come!
SPACE (Listening Room)
Evanston, IL
November 9
Uncommon Ground Lakeview (Listening Room)
Chicago, IL
November 10
Songwriter, banjo-piano-uke-guitar player, Rachael Davis is as renowned for her expressive–and explosive–voice as she is for uniting the often disparate worlds of folk, blues, country, and pop.
Old Town School of Folk Music (Small Theater)
Chicago, IL
November 11
St Tim's Coffeehouse (Listening Room)
Skokie, IL
November 12
Maple Street Concerts (Folk Music Coffeehouse)
Lombard, IL
November 16
City Winery (Listening Room)
Chicago, IL
November 16
The FolkRockDiva is a musical polyglot who glides easily between folk, roots, country soul, gospel, and jazz.
City Winery (Listening Room)
Chicago, IL
December 14
Hey Nonny (Listening Room)
Arlington Heights, IL
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Places to see live acoustic music in and around Evanston, Illinois

House Concerts

Molly's House Concert (Lincolnwood)
Route One House Concerts (Flossmoor)
Two Way Street Coffee House (Downers Grove)

Listening Rooms

City Winery (Chicago)
Davenports Piano Bar (Chicago)
Folkstage (Chicago)
Gorton Center (Lake Forest)
Hey Nonny (Arlington Heights)
Lake County Folk Club (Grayslake)
SPACE (Evanston)
St Tim's Coffeehouse (Skokie)
Subterranean (Chicago)
The Venue Aurora (Aurora)
Uncommon Ground Edgewater (Chicago)
Uncommon Ground Lakeview (Chicago)

Folk Music Societies

Irish American Heritage Center (Chicago)
Folk Alliance Region Midwest (FARM) (Lisle)

Folk Music Coffeehouses

Acoustic Renaissance Concerts at Hinsdale Unitarian Church (Hinsdale)
Maple Street Concerts (Lombard)
Wesley's Place (La Grange)

Cafes, Restaurants & Coffee Shops

Adelle's Fine American Fare (Wheaton)
Beat Kitchen (Chicago)
Durty Nellie's (Palatine)

Libraries

Oak Park Library (Oak Park)
Skokie Library (Skokie)
Waukegan Public Library (Waukegan)
Wheaton Public Library (Wheaton)

Small Theaters

Epiphany Center for the Arts (Chicago)
John and Nancy Hughes Theater (Lake Forest)
Old Town School of Folk Music (Chicago)
Thalia Hall (Chicago)
Wentz Concert Hall and Fine Arts Center (Naperville)

Bars & Nightclubs

Brudder's Sports Bar (Chicago)
FitzGerald's Nightclub (Berwyn)
Golden Dagger (Chicago)
Lincoln Hall (Chicago)
Mackey's Hideout (McHenry)
Montrose Saloon (Chicago)
Schubas Tavern (Chicago)
Sleeping Village (Chicago)
The Hideout (Chicago)