Live Acoustic Music Near Highwood, 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 house concerts being held in and around the Highwood 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 Highwood 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 Highwood 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

November 21
Thalia Hall (Small Theater)
Chicago, IL
November 21
Sleeping Village (Nightclub)
Chicago, IL
November 22
I am a solo musician who writes and plays original Folk-Blues/American Roots style music. I have a new album coming out in 2019 called “Cabin Sessions”. I am based out of Madison and Kickapoo Township, WI in the Driftless Region and have toured throu
Mackey's Hideout (Neighborhood Bar)
McHenry, IL
November 22
Old Town School of Folk Music (Small Theater)
Chicago, IL
November 22
The Outta Space (Listening Room)
Berwyn, IL
November 22
Cutting-edge acoustic duo, hilarious and heartfelt. Both singer-songwriters and instrumentalists.
Two Way Street Coffee House (Listening Room)
Downers Grove, IL
November 24
City Winery (Listening Room)
Chicago, IL
November 24
SPACE (Listening Room)
Evanston, IL
November 30
Harris Theater for Music and Dance (Concert Hall)
Chicago, IL
November 30
SPACE (Listening Room)
Evanston, IL
December 1
“Polished yet rootsy Chicago outfit Empty Pockets” (Rolling Stone) celebrates old-school classic rock, folk, and the blues, skillfully blending singer/songwriter catharsis with rich harmonies and
SPACE (Listening Room)
Evanston, IL
December 2
SPACE (Listening Room)
Evanston, IL
December 3
SPACE (Listening Room)
Evanston, IL
December 5
Old Town School of Folk Music (Small Theater)
Chicago, IL
December 7
FitzGerald's Nightclub (Neighborhood Bar)
Berwyn, IL
December 7
SPACE (Listening Room)
Evanston, IL
December 8
SPACE (Listening Room)
Evanston, IL
December 9
SPACE (Listening Room)
Evanston, IL
December 11
SPACE (Listening Room)
Evanston, IL
December 12
SPACE (Listening Room)
Evanston, IL
December 13
Jonas Friddle is a singer, songwriter & Old-Time banjo player whose tunes bear the mark of a musician who has done his time in pub sessions and square dance halls, and his writing is full of imagery, honesty and humor.
Gorton Center (Listening Room)
Lake Forest, IL
December 13
Irish American Heritage Center (Folk Music Society)
Chicago, IL
December 21
City Winery (Listening Room)
Chicago, IL
December 22
City Winery (Listening Room)
Chicago, IL
December 27
Hey Nonny (Listening Room)
Arlington Heights, IL
January 3
Hey Nonny (Listening Room)
Arlington Heights, IL
January 4
SPACE (Listening Room)
Evanston, IL
January 5
Red hot Bluegrass at its finest, It's Special C's 50th band anniversary year & 19th year at Maple Street!
Maple Street Concerts (Folk Music Coffeehouse)
Lombard, IL
January 12
Beat Kitchen (Cafe, Restaurant or Coffee Shop)
Chicago, IL
January 14
Rainshadow Recording welcomes The Faux Paws, featuring Port Hadlock’s own Chris Miller, Sunday January 15 at 7:30pm at The Palindrome at Eaglemount Cidery, 1893 S. Jacob Miller Rd.
The Hideout (Neighborhood Bar)
Chicago, IL
January 18
The Riviera Theatre (Concert Hall)
Chicago, IL
January 18
Jonas Friddle is a singer, songwriter & Old-Time banjo player whose tunes bear the mark of a musician who has done his time in pub sessions and square dance halls, and his writing is full of imagery, honesty and humor.
SPACE (Listening Room)
Evanston, IL
January 18
FitzGerald's Nightclub (Neighborhood Bar)
Berwyn, IL
January 25
SPACE (Listening Room)
Evanston, IL
January 30
City Winery (Listening Room)
Chicago, IL
January 31
Schubas Tavern (Neighborhood Bar)
Chicago, IL
February 1
Gorton Center (Listening Room)
Lake Forest, IL
February 6
Jessica Lea Mayfield is an American singer-songwriter from Kent, Ohio. She is known for her ominous song writing, with a plaintive minimalist style that draws on both country and rock music
Schubas Tavern (Neighborhood Bar)
Chicago, IL
February 8
SPACE (Listening Room)
Evanston, IL
February 15
A truly authentic folk singer, Francey is a documentarian of the working person who never imagined earning a living from his music.
Acoustic Renaissance Concerts at Hinsdale Unitarian Church (Folk Music Coffeehouse)
Hinsdale, IL
February 20
SPACE (Listening Room)
Evanston, IL
February 21
Lincoln Hall (Nightclub)
Chicago, IL
February 21
Founder of the Irish-American powerhouse band Solas, is now touring as a solo performer, bringing along friends and musical guests.
Old Town School of Folk Music (Small Theater)
Chicago, IL
February 21
Hey Nonny (Listening Room)
Arlington Heights, IL
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Places to see live acoustic music in and around Highwood, Illinois

House Concerts

Molly's House Concert (Lincolnwood)

Listening Rooms

City Winery (Chicago)
Gorton Center (Lake Forest)
Hey Nonny (Arlington Heights)
SPACE (Evanston)
St Tim's Coffeehouse (Skokie)
Stage Left Cafe (Woodstock)
Subterranean (Chicago)
The Outta Space (Berwyn)
The White Lilac (Kenosha)
Two Way Street Coffee House (Downers Grove)
Uncommon Ground (Chicago)
Uncommon Ground Edgewater (Chicago)

Folk Music Societies

Lake County Folk Club (Grayslake)
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)

Libraries

Oak Park Library (Oak Park)
Waukegan Public Library (Waukegan)

Small Theaters

Epiphany Center for the Arts (Chicago)
Old Town School of Folk Music (Chicago)
Thalia Hall (Chicago)

Bars & Nightclubs

FitzGerald's Nightclub (Berwyn)
Mackey's Hideout (McHenry)
Montrose Saloon (Chicago)
Schubas Tavern (Chicago)
The Hideout (Chicago)