Live Acoustic Music Near McHenry, 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 McHenry 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 McHenry 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 McHenry 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 24
SPACE (Listening Room)
Evanston, 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
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 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 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 25
SPACE (Listening Room)
Evanston, IL
February 1
Gorton Center (Listening Room)
Lake Forest, IL
February 8
SPACE (Listening Room)
Evanston, IL
February 20
SPACE (Listening Room)
Evanston, IL
February 21
Hey Nonny (Listening Room)
Arlington Heights, 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 22
4-piece Celtic-infused, Americana-inspired, Folk/Rock Fusion
Maple Street Concerts (Folk Music Coffeehouse)
Lombard, IL
Get notified of upcoming shows!
Join the Undiscovered Music community now to start receiving our weekly newsletter of upcoming acoustic concerts near you and to discover new artists you might like. It's free to join!
Places to see live acoustic music in and around McHenry, Illinois

House Concerts

Molly's House Concert (Lincolnwood)

Listening Rooms

Gorton Center (Lake Forest)
Hey Nonny (Arlington Heights)
SPACE (Evanston)
St Tim's Coffeehouse (Skokie)
Stage Left Cafe (Woodstock)
The Venue Aurora (Aurora)
The White Lilac (Kenosha)
Two Way Street Coffee House (Downers Grove)
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

Concerts on The Creek (Rockford)
Maple Street Concerts (Lombard)

Cafes, Restaurants & Coffee Shops

Adelle's Fine American Fare (Wheaton)

Libraries

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

Small Theaters

Old Town School of Folk Music (Chicago)

Bars & Nightclubs

Mackey's Hideout (McHenry)
Montrose Saloon (Chicago)