Chicago's Underground Music Scene: Where to Find the Best Shows This Week

# Chicago Live Music This Week: Insider Guide to Thalia Hall, Empty Bottle & Hidden DIY Shows ## Podcast Episode Description Join Beat Map, Chicago's most dedicated live music hunter, for an insider's journey through the city's thriving concert scene. In this jam-packed episode, we explore the best live music happening across Chicago's legendary venues and hidden DIY spaces, from Empty Bottle's gritty underground shows to Thalia Hall's stained-glass elegance. ### This Week's Chicago Concert Highlights **Major Touring Acts & Ticket Prices:** Chicago's concert calendar is overflowing with incredible shows this week. At **the Vic Theatre**, catch rising star **Holly Humberstone** with tickets in the $35-45 range. Over at **Thalia Hall**, **Deer Tick** delivers their acclaimed indie-folk sound in one of Chicago's most acoustically perfect rooms. **Park West** hosts the legendary Peruvian psychedelic cumbia band **Los Mirlos** for approximately $40—expect a packed room of devoted fans despite what they claim about "just stumbling in." **Budget-Friendly Chicago Shows ($15-25):** For music lovers watching their wallets, **Beat Kitchen** and **Cobra Lounge** offer consistently stellar lineups throughout the week. Beat Kitchen features **Morgan St. Jean** and stacked local bills, while Cobra Lounge delivers ear-splitting heavy shows including **King Sans**, **Foul**, and **Dirty**—perfect for those nights when you need guitar tones that make your ears ring until Tuesday. **Reggies Rock Club** on State Street continues its punk and garage rock legacy with shows from **Leftöver Crack** and mixed ska-punk bills ranging $20-30. The venue's diverse programming makes it a must-check destination for anyone serious about Chicago's alternative music scene. ### Chicago's Essential Music Venues **The Holy Trinity:** - **Empty Bottle** - The grimy, beautiful chaos that defines Chicago underground music - **Thalia Hall** - Perfect sound engineering meets architectural drama with stunning stained-glass details - **The Hideout** - Pure Chicago soul in venue form **The Hideout's Weekend Picks:** This legendary Chicago venue showcases **Waco Brothers** on June 19 and an unmissable double bill of **Dead Rider with Pugs Atomz & Codak Smith** on June 20 (approximately $20). The Dead Rider show earns this week's top pick—combining art-rock experimentation with razor-sharp hip-hop in front of Chicago's most attentive audiences. ### Chicago's Local Music Scene **Hip-Hop Rising:** Chicago hip-hop continues its national dominance with artists like **Joey Purp**, who's celebrating a 10-year anniversary show at Reggies. The city's rap scene remains one of America's most innovative and exciting. **Sofar Sounds Chicago:** Secret shows in **Logan Square** and **Pilsen** living rooms and lofts (around $25) offer intimate, BYO experiences where the lineup stays mysterious until arrival—catnip for true music discovery enthusiasts. ### Weekly Chicago Music Routine **Early Week:** Scout new talent at Reggies' open mics and neighborhood bars' rotating Sunday soul nights **Midweek:** Jazz nights, particularly at **Fitzgerald's Side Bar** in Berwyn featuring acts like the **Dave Miller Trio** **Weekends:** Split between major shows (like **Los Mirlos** or arena events such as **The Str