Exploring Cheap Music Near Elmhurst
Whether you’re a die-hard Metallica fan, in the top 1% of John Summit listeners, or a Sabrina Carpenter enthusiast, there’s one thing every music lover can agree on… Live music is more fun.
Don’t get me wrong, there’s no one who loves driving around blasting music more than me, but the experience of hearing a song you love played live is something that can’t be recreated.
Even if you’re just looking for something to do on a Friday night, going to some sort of local live music event is always entertaining. Luckily for you, Chicago and the surrounding area has many options for live music lovers, especially for those of us trying to ball on a budget.
The walk from Elmhurst University’s A.C. Buehler Library to the Elmhurst Metra train station is roughly eight minutes, and a one-way ticket is $5.50. Most small live music events throughout the year are in the city of Chicago.
To find the live shows you really want to go to, all you have to do is look on social media for events that have previously happened. Use key words when searching for these events. For example, “emo night Chicago” is the perfect way to see previous or upcoming events in the city that you’d be interested in.
The best, and most affordable, places for more of an alternative and metal crowd are Subterranean and Casa Cafe. For more of a variety of local music, check out Beat Kitchen and Sleeping Village. Cole’s Bar hosts a free event once a month hosted by Rocknite.
Most of the locations in the city do require ID at the door or with the purchase of tickets; however, these locations are usually 18-plus. Venues and bars in the surrounding area typically only host 21-plus events.
If you are looking for something more casual and not as much of a traditional “show” setting, there are also many events around Elmhurst and surrounding towns to check out. There are local bands and venues that host casual live music events like karaoke, open mic nights, and musical trivia.
Emma Cismesia, the 24-year-old front woman of the band Emma and the Dilemma, offered some advice to people interested in the local music scene.
“My biggest tip would be to attend a lot of open mics! When I first started, I had no clue that basically every day of the week there is a different open mic at all different kinds of places in the area,” said Cismesia. “That is where I met my manager, bandmates, and a lot of times, I end up getting gigs at places that host open mics.”
So whether you’re just looking for some fun and cheap entertainment or a fun new hobby to pick up, there are many places near campus that offer both. These places include Demito’s Saloon and Cemitas in Villa Park. There is karaoke every Wednesday night at Tivoli Bowl in Downers Grove. There is also an open mic night at Corridor Kitchen & Tap in Lombard every Monday night.
If you aren’t a fan of alternative, metal, and rock music, there are other options worth exploring as well. The Forge is a small music venue in Joliet that also hosts some widely popular artists across many genres. If you’re interested in rap and/or hip-hop, the rapper Blueface is set to perform at The Forge on Sept. 26.
The best avenue to finding details about events is on specific acts’ social media platforms, as well as the venues themselves. (When in doubt, check Instagram!)
