The final Grateful Dead “Fare Thee Well” reunion shows at Soldier Field in Chicago are just around the corner! However, the music never stops — Chicago will be filled with pre- and post-parties galore throughout the eventful July 4th weekend. Here’s our complete guide to partying before and after the official Dead shows go down July 3-5.
*=L4LM Top Pick
~Thursday, July 2~
*Without a Net: A Night of Sonic Exploration ft. Marcus Rezak, Todd Stoops, Fareed Haque, Steve Molitz, Clay Parnell, Greg Foundis, Dan Moulder
Emporium Wicker Park
Doors at 8 // Show at 9 // Tix $18 ($20 d.o.s.) // More Info
*Thievery Corporation, Beats Antique
Aragon Ballroom
Doors at 8 // Show at 9 // Tix $45 // More Info
*Greensky Bluegrass, Keller Williams, and Infamous Stringdusters Present “High Steppin’ Into Town”
Chicago Theatre
8 PM // Tix $38-$68 // More Info
*”Busted On Bourbon Street” ft. Ivan Neville, Papa Mali, Big Chief Monk Boudreaux, Tony Hall, Willie Green, Marc ‘Buddha’ Balsam
Metro
Doors at 8 // Show at 9 // Tix $41 // More Info
*Gene Ween with Mariachi El Bronx
Concord Music Hall
Doors at 8 // Show at 9 // Tix $25 ($30 d.o.s.) // More Info
moe.
House of Blues
Doors at 8 // Show at 9 // Tix $52.50
Dark Star Orchestra
The Vic
Doors at 7 // Show at 8 // Tix $44
SuperJam ft. Leo Nocentelli, Rob Wasserman, Stanton Moore, Bernie Worrell, Bill Evans
Portage Theater
Doors at 7:30 // Show at 8 // Tix $35
U2
United Center
Doors at 7:30 // Tix $40-$110
Antibalas
Downtown Sound at Millennium Park
Doors at 6:30 // Free Show
Leftover Salmon
Park West
Doors at 8 // Show at 9 // Tix $32.50
Jonathan Wilson & Friends
City Winery
Doors at 6 // Show at 8 // Tix $50
~Friday, July 3~
*Karl Denson’s Tiny Universe, Robert Randolph
Concord Music Hall
Doors at 10 // Show at 11 // Tix $25 ($28 d.o.s.) // More Info
*Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros
Thalia Hall
Doors at 9 (Sold Out)
Steve Kimock & Jerry Joseph Pre-Party
City Winery
Doors at 11 AM // Show at 12 PM (Sold Out)
moe.
House of Blues
Doors at 11:30 // Show at 12:30 (Sold Out)
Dark Star Orchestra
The Vic
Doors at 8 // Show at 9 // Tix $34
Rebirth Brass Band Pre-Party
House of Blues Back Porch Stage
Doors at 2 // Show at 3 // Tix $35
Rebirth Brass Band After-Party
House of Blues Back Porch Stage
Doors at 11 // Show at 12 // Tix $35
*Stu Allen & Mars Hotel Present Front Left-A-Fare ft. Col. Bruce Hampton, Rob Barraco, Todd Stoops and DJ Logic + Live Fare Thee Well Webcasts
Redmoon Theater
1 PM – 2 AM // Tix $50 // More Info
Alex Bleeker & The Freaks + Special Guests
City Winery
Doors at 11 // Show at 12 // Tix $28
Leftover Salmon + Fare Thee Well Webcast
Park West
Doors at 6 // Show at 7 // Tix $32.50 // More Info
Kung Fu
Hard Rock Cafe
Doors at 11 // Show at 11:30 // Tix $15 ($20 d.o.s.)
Jackie Greene
Space
Doors at 8 // Show at 9 // Tix $40
Roister and the Zappa Jam Down ft. Ed Mann
Abbey Pub
Doors at 9 // Show at 10 // Tix $20
Grateful Ball w/ The Mantras & More
Congress Plaza Hotel Great Hall
Midnight-3 AM (Sold Out)
New Riders of the Purple Sage Present The Psychedelic Last Supper
The Bottom Lounge
Doors at 8 // Show at 9 // Tix $29
~Saturday, July 4~
*Pink Talking Fish Are Dead Pre-Party
Reggie’s Rock Club
3-6 PM (Sold Out) // More Info
*Pink Talking Fish Are Dead After-Party
Reggie’s Rock Club
12 AM (Sold Out) // More Info
*The Werks & RAQ
1st Ward/Chop Shop
Doors at 10 // Show at 11 // Tix $25 // More Info
*Railroad Earth
Concord Music Hall
Doors at 11 // Show at 12 // Tix $45 // More Info
*Particle
Lincoln Hall
Doors at 10 // Show at 11 // Tix $20 // More Info
*Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros
Thalia Hall
Doors at 9 (Sold Out)
Steve Kimock & Jerry Joseph Pre-Party
City Winery
Doors at 11 AM // Show at 12 PM (Sold Out)
Jazz & Colors: Wave That Flag
Chicago Museum
12:30 PM & 2 PM // More Info
moe.
House of Blues
Doors at 11:30 // Show at 12:30 (Sold Out)
Dead on the Water Yacht Party W/ Leo Nocentelli, Bernie Worrell, Oteil Burbridge, Allen Aucoin
Spirit of Chicago Yacht at Navy Pier
Boards at 12:45 AM // Departs at 1:15 AM // Tix $100 (Includes Free Buffet)
Brunch w/ Del McCoury Band
Palmer House Hilton
Doors at 3 // Tix $97.50
Rebirth Brass Band Pre-Party
House of Blues Back Porch Stage
Doors at 2 // Show at 3 // Tix $35
Rebirth Brass Band After-Party
House of Blues Back Porch Stage
Doors at 11 // Show at 12 // Tix $35
Matisyahu w/ Marc Brownstein, Chris Chew, DJ Logic
City Winery
Doors at 11:30 // Show at 12 // Tix $38
Leftover Salmon + Fare Thee Well Webcast
Park West
Doors at 6 // Show at 7 // Tix $32.50 // More Info
Stu Allen & Mars Hotel Present Front Left-A-Fare ft. Col. Bruce Hampton, Rob Barraco and DJ Logic + Live Fare Thee Well Webcasts
Redmoon Theater
1 PM – 2 AM // Tix $50 // More Info
Roister and the Zappa Jam Down ft. Ed Mann
Abbey Pub
Doors at 9 // Show at 10 // Tix $20
Grateful Ball w/ The Mantras & More
Congress Plaza Hotel Great Hall
Midnight-3 AM (Sold Out)
Runaway Gin – a Tribute To Phish with Sprocket
Hard Rock Cafe
Show at 10 // Tix $15
The Magic Beans
Subterranean
Doors at 11 // Show at 11:30 // Tix $10
Jackie Greene
Space
Doors at 8 // Show at 9 // Tix $40
New Riders of the Purple Sage Present The Psychedelic Last Supper
The Bottom Lounge
Doors at 8 // Show at 9 // Tix $29
~Sunday, July 5~
*Pink Talking Fish Are Dead
Reggie’s Rock Club
3-6 PM (Sold Out) // More Info
*Fiyawrapper All-Star Jam ft. Jennifer Hartswick, Oteil Burbridge, Eric Krasno, David Shaw, Natalie Cressman, Jeremy Salken, Sput Searight, Borham Lee + The Main Squeeze
Concord Music Hall
Doors at 11:30 // Show at 12:30 // Tix $30 ($35 d.o.s.) // More Info
Jerry Garcia Tribute ft. Steve Kimock, Jackie Greene Pre-Party
House of Blues
Doors at 3 // Show at 3:30 (Sold Out)
Jerry Garcia Tribute ft. Steve Kimock, Jackie Greene After-Party
House of Blues
Doors at 11:30 // Show at 12 (Sold Out)
Joan Osborne Brunch Show
City Winery
Doors at 11 AM // Show at 12 PM // Tix $35
Railroad Earth
City Winery
Doors at 11:30 // Show at 12 // Tix $60
Dead Phish Orchestra Pre-Party
House of Blues Back Porch Stage
Doors at 1 // Show at 2 // Tix $25
Dead Phish Orchestra After-Party
House of Blues Back Porch Stage
Doors at 11 // Show at 12 // Tix $25
Stu Allen & Mars Hotel Present Front Left-A-Fare ft. Col. Bruce Hampton, Rob Barraco and DJ Logic + Live Fare Thee Well Webcasts
Redmoon Theater
1 PM – 2 AM // Tix $50 // More Info
Roister and the Zappa Jam Down ft. Ed Mann
Abbey Pub
Doors at 9 // Show at 10 // Tix $20
Grateful Ball w/ The Mantras & More
Congress Plaza Hotel Great Hall
Midnight-3 AM (Sold Out)
The Magic Beans
Reggie’s Music Joint
12 PM // Free w/ RSVP
New Riders of the Purple Sage Present The Psychedelic Last Supper
The Bottom Lounge
Doors at 8 // Show at 9 // Tix $29