Fall 2021 Concert Guide

Live music is back! COVID is still here.

There are a lot of amazing acts coming through Chicago this fall. Most of these venues will require a proof of vaccine or a recent negative COVID-19 test to enter. In order to enjoy the shows and make sure they happen, music lovers should plan to mask-up, even if you’re vaccinated! It will help prevent the spread of the Delta variant, keep the music playing and keep our city safe. There should be something for everyone in this mix of recommended acts coming through town.

October 1

Cimafunk

Thalia Hall 8:30 pm $22 1807 S. Allport St.

Do you believe in the power of the groove? If yes, then go dance to Cuba’s visionary funk ensemble led by former med student Erik Iglesias Rodríguez. The press has not been shy to call Rodríguez a visionary and the Chicago Tribune praised Cimafunk’s show saying, “His band has all the chops to make it all go, and the set was less a series of songs than a nonstop river of rhythm.” About the name, “CIMAFUNK is a cimarrón, a free being defying classification, a pilgrim in search of new musical miscegenation and the reunion of Black music. He believes in nothing but the power of the Groove and the cathartic communion of dancing bodies. A renaissance man, conscious of his roots and musical ancestry, CIMAFUNK’s music looks firmly to the future,” Rodríguez states. A UFO in Cuba’s music scene!

Cimafunk

Cimafunk photo courtesy of Magnus Media.

October 2 + 3

Josh Ritter

Old Town School Of Folk Music 8 pm $45 4544 N. Lincoln Ave.

As the NY Times put it, “Harking back to Bob Dylan, Bruce Springsteen and maybe a little Mark Knopfler, Mr. Ritter has always been a slinger of serious ideas and high-flown imagery.” Two decades into his career, there are no signs of his momentum slowing down. My personal favorite tune: “Love Is Making Its Way Back Home.”

Josh Ritter

Josh Ritter Davis McClister photo.

October 7

J. Cole

United Center 8 pm $129 + 1901 W. Madison St.

Grammy-winning rapper, songwriter and producer Jermaine Lamarr Cole just released his sixth studio album, The Off- Season. Pitchfork called the new album “refreshing and lively” and noted that it is more relaxed than his previous works. J. Cole made his name as a thoughtful lyricist and storyteller and it will be interesting to see how he delivers his newest work live on one of the biggest stages in town.

October 8

Idles

Riviera Theatre 7:30 pm $27.50 4746 N. Racine Ave.

British rock band Idles invade Uptown with their hardcore show that cannot be described as punk or post-punk even when you really want to describe them that way. Singer Joe Talbor has repeatedly rejected the tempting label saying, “we’re not a fucking punk band.” So who is Idles? In their words: “At a point of uncertainty, Idles bring you concise carnage. At a time of lies, Idles bring you honesty. At a time of body shaming and Photoshop, Idles bring you a visceral barrage of joyous bile. At a time of The Kardashians, Idles bring you a story of working hard for what and who you love. In a time of polarized politics and murky waters; Idles and bands like them are needed to remind people that it's OK to dance and laugh and sing in the face of adversity.” Gustaf will open.

IDLES

IDLES Ania Shrimpton photo.

October 9

Kitchen Dwellers

Martyrs' 9 pm $20 3855 N. Lincoln Ave.

What was once a group of friends jamming cover tunes in a kitchen have evolved into a high-energy, psychedelic, progressive live act. The Kitchen Dwellers have had noteworthy collaborations with Railroad Earth and the Infamous Stringdusters. This year they released a live album, Live at Pine Creek, which is an excellent preview of what to expect on October 9.

October 13

Noga Erez

Thalia Hall 8 pm $22 1807 S. Allport St

Israeli singer-songwriter Noga Erez counts Bjork, Frank Ocean, Radiohead, Missy Elliott, PJ Harvey and Kendrick Lamar among her influences and her music is as eclectic as you’d expect hearing that. The music she produces is contemporary, political and catchy. This year she released the acclaimed album KIDS. As Flood Magazine put it, “The album’s 13 tracks are a collision of familial importance and generationrearing with the bliss and burnout of the pandemic restructuring everything.”

Noga Erez

Noga Erez Tonje Thilesen photo.

October 15

Moneybagg Yo

Riviera Theatre 7:30 pm $54+ 4746 N. Racine Ave.

Known to be one of the hardest working artists in the rap genre, his rise to recognition has consisted of relentlessly releasing mixtapes over the past decade. This past spring his work paid off when A Gangsta’s Pain debuted at number one on Billboard 200. The album features a collaboration with Chicago's Polo G on the track “Free Promo." This tour promises to be a celebration of a decade of hard work being recognized and realized.

October 15

Garcia Peoples

Schubas Tavern 10 pm $15 3159 N. Southport Ave.

Garcia Peoples is a psychedelic indie rock band that is uniquely fronted by three guitars and a seemingly incalculable number of effects on that sound. Their sound emulates a 1960’s Haight Street vibe and guitarist Danny Arakaki has described the music as “the Acid quiz” but don’t be fooled by these details and their name, they are not a Grateful Dead cover band. Their experimental sound is uniquely their own but they do carry on Jerry Garcia’s tradition of creating distinctive adventurous rock n’ roll.

October 17

Black Pumas

Thalia Hall 8:30 pm $35+ 1807 S. Allport St.

This may be your only opportunity to see the Black Pumas in a cozy room such as Pilsen’s Thalia Hall. Four 2021 Grammy nominations for their debut self-titled album “Black Pumas” and a thunderous performance at the award show have thrust them to the brink of household name status. They are an Austin, Texas-based psychedelic and theatrical soul band, led by singer Eric Burton, who was busking on the Santa Monica Pier not long ago. The story of their deserved success is romantic and their music will make you move your feet.

Black Pumas

Black Pumas Jody Domingue photo.

October 27

Sistazz Of The Nitty Gritty

Old Town School Of Folk Music 8:30 pm Free 4544 N. Lincoln Ave.

The Sistazz of the Nitty Gritty is a Chicago trio of improvisational musicians formed during lockdown who are quickly establishing themselves as one of Chicago’s most enthralling live music experiences. They are multi-instrumentalist Angel Bat Dawid, pianist/vocalist Anaiet and bassist Brooklyn Skye Scott. Emerging from the great Black music traditions of Chicago, these artists and active Chicago Black Artist Union Members perform intoxicating improvisational music. Angel Bat Dawid, who counts both Mozart and George Clinton among her influences, steers the ship with her clarinet and commanding vocals.

October 27

H.E.R.

Aragon Ballroom 6:45 pm $89.50+ 1106 W. Lawrence Ave.

H.E.R. (pronounced “her”) is an acronym for “Having Everything Revealed.” At only 24 years old, Gabi Wilson has risen to singer/songwriter stardom over the past 5 years. Considered a child prodigy, she was featured on the Today Show at the age of 10 and had a record deal by 14. Today, her destiny has come to fruition as an accomplished and fully realized R&B artist.

October 29

Low Cut Connie

Thalia Hall 8:30 pm$25+ 1807 S. Allport St.

Low Cut Connie is among the many artists who didn’t give up live performances during the COVID lockdowns, they just adapted to a new format. As we were all cooped up in our homes, they streamed performances to the gratitude of their fans. Their most recently released album is Tough Cookies: Best of the Quarantine Broadcasts. It features covers of classic songs like Prince’s “Little Red Corvette” and Neil Young’s “Helpless.” They also released a 2020 album called Private Lives which sounds more like classic rock than the hard rocking sound the band is known for. It’ll be interesting to see how they combine both sounds into a live show.

November 2

Haru Nemuri

Sleeping Village 9 pm $12 3734 W. Belmont Ave.

Japanese “poetry rapper” Heru Nemuri mixes J-pop, rap, rock and electronica in her music. This North American tour is long-awaited, postponed for over a year and a half. Her album LOVETHEISM arrived at the same time COVID-19 stopped live performances. Plan on this show selling out, get tickets in advance!

Haru Nemuri

Haru Nemuri courtesy photo.

November 3

Elvis Costello & The Imposters

Chicago Theatre 7:30 Pm $43.50+ 175 N. State St.

Elvis Costello’s acclaimed 40-plus year career and his multiple Grammys earned Costello a spot on Rolling Stone’s 100 Greatest Artist of All Time list. As Liz Phair wrote to celebrate him with that honor, “If you love Elvis Costello, it’s because you love what he’s thinking - the depth and breadth of his notice is astounding. He’s a poet with a punk’s heart.” His most recent project has been remaking his 1978 album This Year’s Model in Spanish for the album Spanish Model. The album features the original instrumentals with Spanish-speaking artists performing the vocals.

Elvis Costello

Elvis Costello Paul Moore photo.

November 4

Melvin Seals & Jgb

Park West 8 pm $35 322 W. Armitage Ave.

Melvin Seals is best known for his high spirited Hammond B-3 organ/piano work and long-tenure with the Jerry Garcia Band. There are several beloved keyboardists who have played with Jerry and a regular topic among his fans is discussing their favorite. During the debate, you’ll hear the names of founding Grateful Dead member Ron “Pigpen” McKernan and Keith Godchaux and Brent Mydland but nobody played with Jerry for as many years as Melvin. There are many people carrying on the music of Jerry Garcia today but very few had as long an experience of friendship and collaboration as Melvin Seals.

November 4 - 6

My Morning Jacket

Auditorium Theatre 7 pm $45.50+ 50 E. Ida B. Wells Drive

My Morning Jacket will be touring on their self-titled album which will be released on October 22. More than two decades into their career, My Morning Jacket has cemented their reputation as one of the most consistently enjoyable rock bands to see live. They are surprising, funky, and have an at times whimsical sound that is rounded out by Jim James’ haunting vocals. Their latest single “Love Love Love” hints that they are returning to the world of live performance ready to spread the love and help others do the same.

My Morning Jacket

My Morning Jacket photo courtesy of Big Hassle PR.

November 6

Glitter Moneyyy

Lincoln Hall 9 pm $15 2424 N. Lincoln Ave.

Queen Trashley and TayyySlayyy made a name for themselves in Chicago as the “equality demanding, pussy poppin, dildo riding, nazi punching, rap duo GLITTER MONEYYY.” This duo gives a fire performance that is built on their love for each other, love for others, and desire to throw the party they want to be at! As TayyySlayyy told SHOUTOUT LA “We wanted to make music that we wanted to party to. We were tired of hearing the same heteronormative bullshit.”

Glitter Moneyyy

Glitter Moneyyy courtesy photo.

November 6

Billy Strings

Aragon Ballroom 8:30 pm $46+ 1106 W. Lawrence Ave.

Billy Strings is a dynamic live performer and rising star in the world of bluegrass string music who just released his newest album Renewal on September 24. His last album, 2019’s Home, won a Grammy. “I called my last record Home, and then a few months later that's where we all got stuck,” Strings says. “Right now, we're heading back into opening back up, and doing some more touring with real concerts and real shows. Hopefully, we can renew everything. I think it's an interesting word. It reminds me of how every morning is a renewed day and another chance.”

November 13 +14

Shovels N’ Rope

Evanston SPACE 8 pm $28 - $48 1245 Chicago Ave., Evanston

This is going to be a tough ticket because Evanston’s Space is a tiny venue and it is pretty well known that Shovels n’ Rope put on an unforgettable live show. This folk duo is composed of wife and husband Cary Ann Hearst and Michael Trent and has received acclaim since they debuted as a pair in 2012 with the album O’ Be Joyful. Both artists play multiple instruments throughout their set, each picking up weight with percussion, guitar, leading vocals, backing vocals and harmonica. It’s a lovely metaphor for the shared responsibilities of any relationship; a band, a friendship, a marriage.

November 19

Mavis Staples

Thalia Hall 8 pm $80+ 1807 S. Allport St.

Iconic Chicago-born activist and singer Mavis Staples will be bringing her powerful voice to the intimate setting of Thalia Hall for a Benefit Concert for Beyond Hunger. As NPR has correctly declared, Mavis is “one of America’s defining voices of freedom and peace.” Her list of collaborators is endless, from Prince, Bob Dylan and Joan Baez to current collaborators Ben Harper, Jeff Tweedy and Brandi Carlile. In a career that has spanned over half a century, Mavis has not stopped releasing songs with messages of survival, love and understanding.

Mavis Staples

Mavis Staples Myriam Santus photo.

November 28

Oux

Subterranean 8 pm $12 2011 W. North Ave.

Oux is a Chicago-based art-pop duo, pronounced “Awe.” During the pandemic, they went to work in the studio, releasing a new single “Rise.” They often perform to fundraise for Black and Trans rights and their joy in performing live is evident at their shows.

December 7 + 8

Allison Russell

Evanston Space 7:30 pm $22 -$35 1245 Chicago Ave., Evanston

One thing the typical StreetWise reader may appreciate about Allison Russell is that she began her adulthood as a social worker, helping the most vulnerable find housing in Vancouver, British Columbia. The Canadian singer has strong ties to Chicago as part of the duo Birds of Chicago, which formed in 2012 with her now-husband, JT Nero. The couple has since moved to Nashville and the group is on hiatus as Russell has just released her first solo album Outside Child, an album that addresses putting past trauma behind her. “It’s an album about art and community and chosen family.”

Allison Russell

Allison Russel Francesca Cepero photo.

December 19

Samantha Fish

Park West 7:30 pm $26.50 - $30 322 W. Armitage Ave.

Fish’s powerful voice and impressive guitar skills draw comparisons to Bonnie Raitt. Her newly released album Faster is a collaboration with producer Martin Kierszenbaum (Lady Gaga, Sting) and is a worthy rock follow-up to her more bluesy-sounding 2019 album Kill or Be Kind. Her noteworthy fashions match the music and add to her stage presence.

Samantha Fish

Samantha Fish Alysse Gafkjen photo.

December 28 + 29

Shakey Graves

Thalia Hall 8 pm $32 - $60 1807 S. Allport Ave.

Shakey Grave's music is a lo-fi mix of rock, country and blues. He rose to recognition 10 years ago as a one-man band with a kick drum, a guitar and a handful of wellwritten songs and he has remained a presence on the touring circuit ever since. He tours on the anniversary of Roll the Bones with the same stripped down kit but with a much larger catalogue and a decade of touring behind him.

Shakey Graves

Shakey Graves Magen Buse photo.

December 30 - January 1

Boy Harsher

Empty Bottle 9:30 pm $35+ 1035 N. Western Ave.

Their music is often described as darkwave, and as NPR put it, their album Careful is “at once groovier and more unnerving than ever.” The music may be dark but you will be dancing.

By Kathleen Hinkel