My Top Five Chicago Music Venue

 Music plays a big part of who I am. It's a thing that connects me with my friends, families, and even new people I come in contact with. Chicago has many venues to experience music too. I didn't start attending concerts until my 20th birthday and for the past 10 years, I mostly attended shows I could take public transit to and on two separate occasions I have attended a concert and a festival outside of the city. 

Listed below are my top five favorite venues to go see shows at. 

5. The Vic Theatre

The Vic Theatre (Photo by Nicolas Henderson)

I normally don't go to Vic often, mostly because many of my favorite artists don't play at this venue. My most memorable moment going to this historic venue was when I went to see the band Disturbed in 2018(seen in the GIF below) . The show was going to be the kick-off for the 20th Anniversary of their debut album The Sickness. 

My highlight for that show was when I waited until after the show ended and I got to take a picture with the bassist John Moyer and the guitarist Dan Donegan.

4. The Metro

The Metro Chicago Sign (Photo by Joi Ito)

When I think of a legendary venue my first thought often goes to The Metro located in Wrigleyville on Chicago's north side. It was originally called Stages Music Hall and Cabaret Metro, the club was opened in 1982 and has since been the host of many artists like Chance the Rapper, Pearl Jam, No Doubt, and many others. The 1st time I went to the Metro was to see a band, at the time, I was really getting into a band called Hatebreed(seen in the GIF below).  

This was my first time at the Metro and this was my first time at a "hardcore" show and I knew I didn't want to get in the pit. So I tried to get a good spot up top near the balcony railing. It was a fun show and this was when the band just dropped their 7th studio album The Concrete Confessional. 

3. Riviera Theatre

Riviera Theatre; 4746 N Racine Avenue; Chicago IL (Photo by Goldnpuppy)

The Riviera Theatre is located in the Uptown neighborhood of Chicago. It was built in 1917. It holds a capacity of 2,500, and in my opinion, has a very interesting interior as far as venues go but it is still an amazing location. I can't remember which band I saw when I first came to this venue, but my most memorable experience was seeing the legendary thrash band Slayer(seen in the below GIF) here. 

There was a time between 2014 to 2016 when I went to as many concerts as I could. On my bucket list of shows I wanted to attend was to try and see the Big 4 of Thrash Metal. I have seen three out of four, and when I went with my best friend Porchia we both agreed this was the loudest show we have attended so far. 

2. House of Blues 

House of Blues (Photo by Chicago Architecture Today)

 

Even though the House of Blues is a chain venue like the Hard Rock Cafe, this venue holds a special place for me because this is where I went to my first concert. Located downtown River North near Dearborn and Clark. This is one of the go-to music venues for a lot of bands and brunches. No matter the genre of music, plenty of artists have played a House of Blues, probably many times over. 

There have been many memorable shows for me at this venue, from seeing bands like Tremonti, Parkway Drive, Alter Bridge, and Kirra. But the most anticipated band I wanted to see was Sevendust(seen in the above GIF). I was so excited that I even did the meet and greet.  

1. Byline Bank Aragon Ballroom aka The Aragon 

Aragon Ballroom on December 2nd, 2006. (Photo by David Wilson)

If you have never been to the Aragon I highly recommend you go, because it is truly one of a kind. With a capacity reaching 4,500 this expansive ballroom space, certainly earns the title of "the most beautiful ballroom in the world". I love the wide open space and beautiful architecture. 

My favorite memory of this venue is when my younger brother, my best friend Porchia, and I, went there to go see a co-headline tour featuring Lamb of God and Anthrax. Porchia and I wanted to see Anthrax and my brother wanted to see Lamb of God. It was such a fun night. In the GIF above you can see a circle pit in action.