Winter 2022 Concert Guide

The past 2 years have been a challenging time for all of us, especially musical artists who have not been able to perform in front of live audiences. For many artists, COVID has been a time to reflect on the state of the world and create art accordingly. Multiple artists in this guide have created fresh work in the pandemic, and this year will be their first time on the road to test out new material developed while on lockdown. Chicago has no shortage of impressive bands that come through town as a stopping point on their tour, and there is also a long list of beloved local venues where we can wander out and catch music any night of the week. Here are a few suggestions of shows to check out this winter.

November 10

BETH ORTON

Irish American Heritage Center | 7:30 pm | $40

4626 N. Knox Ave. English singer and songwriter Beth Orton has announced her first US headlining tour in over five years. Orton is known for her “folktronica” music, creating a unique blend of both folk and electronica. Her newest single, "Friday Night," from her upcoming album Weather Alive, was just released this September. Come support her as she performs in the Mayfair Theatre inside the Irish American Heritage Center.

November 11

Cody Johnson

NOW Arena | 7 pm | $44+ 5333 Prairie Stone Pkwy,

Hoffman Estates

Known for his explosive live shows and electrifying stage presence, Cody Johnson will be stopping in Chicagoland with special guest Randy Houser. Johnson is a country singer who has self-released six albums, including country album chart topper Gotta Be Me, as well as two additional albums released under major labels. His newest album, Human: The Double Album, was released just last Fall, and featured hit songs such as “'Til You Can’t,” which reached #18 on the Hot 100, and #1 on Billboard's Country chart. He has also collaborated with fellow artists such as Reba McEntire and of course, in his upcoming concert, Randy Houser.

November 15

Smallpools

House of Blues | 6:30 pm | $25+

329 N. Dearborn St. Smallpools is an indie pop band featuring vocalist/keyboardist Sean Scanlon, guitarist Mike Kamerman, and drummer Beau Kuther. The band had its debut single “Dreaming” chart number one on the popular music blog The Hype Machine, and number 23 on Billboard’s alternative songs chart when it released in 2013. With its newest album Life is a Simulation released just last year, this band has a lot of fantastic new music to discover.

November 15

AFI (A Fire Inside)

The Riviera Theater | 7 pm | $41+ 4746 N. Racine Ave.

Award-winning rock veterans AFI (A Fire Inside) will perform live as a part of their Bodies tour. Bodies, their latest album, was released June 2021 and is finally coming to the stage. The band is currently composed of four members: Davey Havok, Adam Carson, Hunter Burgan and Jade Puget, who are ready to rock your world with their new sound.

November 16

Steve Vai

Copernicus Center | 7:30 pm | $50+ 5216 W. Lawrence Ave.

Grammy-winning guitarist Steve Vai will perform as a part of his Inviolate tour. After being rescheduled from earlier this year, he will finally be coming to Chicago to show off his skills as a guitarist, composer, and songwriter. Best known for his album Passion and Warfare, Steve Vai has been nominated for a Grammy 15 times, and has won thrice! From the '80s to today, Vai continues to rock our worlds. See the artist who was voted one of the top 10 greatest guitarists in Guitar World Magazine on tour to celebrate his newest album.

November 18

The Garden

Metro Chicago | 7 pm | Resale only 3730 N. Clark St.

Started by Wyatt and Fletcher Shears, experimental rock band The Garden has been touring since 2012 and has played all over the world including in the UK, Europe, Asia, Australia, Mexico, Canada and the United States. The band describes its music as “Vada Vada,” a term they created in back in 2011 that represents total freedom of expression without guidelines. Tickets for their Chicago show are sold out, but available for resale.

November 18

Streetlight Manifesto

Radius | 8 pm | $45+ 640 W. Cermak Rd.

Streetlight Manifesto is a ska punk band that will be performing as a part of its The Calm Before the Chaos tour. Many of the band’s members are well known for their roles in the third wave ska community and previous ska bands. If you are a fan of ska music, or know someone who is, check out this awesome group this month.

November 19

Bad Omens

Concord Music Hall | 5:30 pm | $25

2051 N. Milwaukee Ave. Formed in 2015, metalcore band Bad Omens has released three albums in the past seven years, including their newest album The Death of Peace of Mind, which was released just this year. Their song “Like a Villian” hit number 10 on the Mainstream Rock Billboard chart shortly after the album released. Along with Bad Omens, Concord Music Hall will also be hosting bands Dayseeker, Make Them Suffer, and Thousand Below.

November 26

Amon Amarth

Byline Bank Aragon Ballroom | 6:30 pm | $57+

1106 W. Lawrence Ave. Nordic metal warriors Amon Amarth are coming to Chicago for their brand new The Great Heathen Army Tour, joined by special guests Carcass, Obituary and Cattle Decapitation. Amon Amarth is a Swedish melodic death metal band that formed in the early 90s, with lyrics that pull from Viking history and mythology. Their tour namesake album The Great Heathen Army, was released just this August. With a unique sound following an epic history, any fans of rock or death metal should give this spin on the genre a listen.

November 29

Beabadoobee

The Riveria Theater | 7:30 pm | $43+ 4746 N. Racine Ave.

As November draws to a close, Filipino- British singer Beabadoobee will be coming to The Riveria Theater for her Beatopia tour. With five EPs under an independent label and what is now two studio albums under her belt, Beabadobee is still a fresh face in the music scene, but one that is quickly gaining fame as she was nominated for the Rising Star Award at the 2020 Brit Awards.

December 2+3

Foals

The Vic Theatre | 7:30 pm | $35+ 3145 N. Sheffield

British indie rock band Foals has released seven albums throughout their career, with their most recent - Life is Yours - just this year. The band has been touring internationally for over a decade and has won several awards, including best live performance at the UK’s 2013 Q Awards. After having their tour postponed due to COVID lockdowns, the band is finally continuing on with their newest international tour.

December 3

Rainbow Kitten Surprise

Byline Bank Aragon Ballroom | 7:30 pm | $46

1106 W. Lawrence Ave. Rainbow Kitten Surprise is an alternative rock indie band from North Carolina, best known for unique harmonies, instrumentation, and lyrics that form a perfect surprise storm. While their latest album, How to: Friend, Love, Freefall, came out in 2018, the band has since released a few singles, including one that came out just this past April.

December 6

Pond

Metro Chicago | 8 pm | $25 3730 N. Clark St.

A psychedelic rock band that originally formed in 2008, Pond has managed to produce nine studio albums in their time as a group. Their newest album, aptly named 9 was released just last year. Pond has been nominated for several awards over the years, including the Australian Independent Record Awards (AIR Awards), the APRA Awards, the EG Awards of 2012, and the West Australian Music Industry Awards- the latter of which the band won two awards.

December 7

Yung Lean

Concord Music Hall | 8 pm | $100+ 2051 N. Milwaukee Ave. Swedish rapper, singer and songwriter Yung Lean is commonly cited as one of the most influential figures in the early cloud rap era after his song “Ginseng Strip 2002” went viral on YouTube in 2013. Yung Lean’s newest album, Starz, was released in 2020, and his newest mixtape Stardust, was released just this year.

December 7

The Soft Moon

Metro Chicago | 9 pm | $25 3730 N. Clark St.

Post-punk/industrial rock artist The Soft Moon has released five albums thus far, with their newest album Exister just this past September. The Soft Moon believes in a full sensory experience when it comes to music, and so their live performances often will integrate visual elements, such as light shows, while they play.

December 9

Mclusky

Metro Chicago | 9 pm | $25 3730 N. Clark St.

First forming in the 1990s under the name Best, this post-hardcore trio first began to release their music in the early 2000s before disbanding in 2004. Now they’re back and on tour! With their raw vocals and intense lyrics, their music may not be for the faint of heart, but it sure packs a punch for those who can handle it. Listen to this band’s 20th anniversary album, Mclusky Do Dallas, as they play old favorites in their first North American tour in 18 years!

December 10

Giant Rooks

House of Blues | 6 pm | $35+ 329 N. Dearborn St.

German indie band Giant Rooks formed in 2014, and is comprised of five members: Frederik Rabe, Finn Schwieters, Finn Thomas, Jonathan Wischniowski, and Luca Göttner. The group has since released three EPs and an album since their formation, with the song “Wild Stare” from the EP of the same name hitting the top 20 radio hits chart in 2019.

December 11

MAX

House of Blues | 5:30 pm | $27+ 329 N. Dearborn St.

American singer, songwriter, and model MAX is best known for his song “Lights Down Low,” which went double platinum in the US, platinum in Canada, and Gold in Australia in 2018. MAX was nominated for iHeart Radio’s ‘Best new pop artist’ in 2018 following the single’s smash success. He was also nominated for and won best pop artist in the Asia Artist Awards in 2020. Along with his hit single, MAX has three studio albums full of songs you’re sure to love, so check him out as he takes the stage!

December 23

Straight No Chaser

Chicago Theatre | 8 pm | $25+ 175 N. State St.

If you love a cappella music, then look no further than Straight No Chaser. Originally gaining attention from a You- Tube video uploaded by original member Randy Stine singing “The Twelve Days of Christmas” in 2006, the group has since been swept up into the world of record labels and professional concerts. Their album sales rack up to over 1.7 million in the U.S. alone, and the group was a big part in bringing a cappella music into the mainstream. Now, with pandemic lockdowns and restrictions lifting, the band is touring once again.