Over The Rhine will begin their 2025 Christmas Tour with a show this Friday at the Kent Stage in Kent, OH. On Saturday, they’ll perform at the Davidson Theatre, Riffe Center in Columbus, OH; and Sunday brings them to Chicago, IL for a show at The Old Town School Of Folk Music. Additional concerts will take place at venues in Ann Arbor, MI; Lexington, KY; Louisville, KY; and Nashville, TN. The critically acclaimed Americana band—led by Karin Bergquist and Linford Detweiler—will wind up the tour December 19 – 21 at Memorial Hall in its hometown of Cincinnati, OH.
Alejandro Escovedo of Rank And File and True Believers fame will bring his current band The Electric Saints to FitzGerald’s in Berwyn, IL for performances on December 30 and 31. Chicago-based singer-songwriter Nora O’Connor will be the opening act on the first night.
Joel Paterson’s Hi-Fi Christmas, featuring the critically acclaimed, Chicago-based guitarist, returns to Hey Nonny in Arlington Heights, IL this Thursday.
The Black Ensemble Theatre, which has presented several well-crafted and critically acclaimed musicals over the years, is currently staging A Black Ensemble Holiday Spectacular. It opens this Saturday and will run through December 14, offering a blend of traditional, gospel, and modern music.
Chris Ligon and Heather McAdams will stage their annual Country Calendar Show this Saturday at FitzGerald’s In Berwyn, IL. Several performers from the Chicago music scene will be involved, with each act covering a well-known country or rock star. Audience members should also check the merch table for the 2026 edition of Heather’s Lil' Country Calendar; a new Chris Ligon CD; and other unique treasures.
Ring in the new with Old 97s at SPACE in Evanston, IL. The Dallas, TX band’s December 29, 30, and 31 shows will likely feature selections from their 2024 album American Primitive, as well as favorites such as “Champagne, Illinois” and “Big Brown Eyes.”
Fans of The Gin Blossoms can pre-order an autographed copy of the indie rock band’s 1992 album New Miserable Experience on marble colored vinyl for $49.98 from the TalkShopLive! website. That’s the record that includes the hits “Found Out About You” and “Hey Jealousy.”
Kartemquin Films will present the Diverse Voices In Docs Culminating Event And Showcase at 6:00 pm on December 5 at Collaboration Theater on Chicago’s north side.
My Biggest Thrills, a Chicago-based band that pays tribute to English rockers The Mighty Lemon Drops, will perform this Thursday at Montrose Saloon on Chicago’s north side. Violent Themmes and Matt Augustine will also be on the bill.
The Tributosaurus Becomes Supertramp events this Thursday and Friday at Martyrs’ will feature the well-known Chicago tribute band performing songs such as “Give a Little Bit,” “Goodbye Stranger,” and “Bloody Well Right.” Martyrs’ is located in the Lincoln Park area.
In the fine tradition of Chicago area musicians paying homage to adventurous British acts, Reggies Chicago will host Indiscipline: A Tribute To The Music Of King Crimson this Saturday. The show will cover King Crimson “In All Eras: Lake, Wetton And Belew.” Reggies Chicago is located south of the Loop, at 2105 S. State Street, and this production will be staged in the Comedy Shack.