Next upMusic
Bill Kirchen
Rock
SPACETomorrowThu 6 Aug, 19:30
55Rising
A 4.7-star venue.
Typically updated 9h ago
The place to be in Evanston
The hottest places to be in Evanston right now.
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Also on the radar84
Musicin 3hMindy Smith w. Whitney Mongé
SPACE
Good things, its often said, come to those who wait. And yet, as one of the great poets of our time also famously observed, the waiting is the hardest part.Both truths have been proven once again on the journey to singer-songwriter Mindy Smiths sixth studio album Quiet Town, which brings a treasured musical voice back into the spotlight.Fans can look forward to hearing new songs from Quiet Town as well as beloved tracks from her previous albums during her live performances.A good rule of thumb when going to a Mindy Smith concert, bring a hanky, a tissue or an extra sleeve. Your tear ducts dont know the difference between laughing tears and crying tears and youll likely be doing both. Humor is how I compensate for singing so many sad tunes back-to-back, says Smith.Mindy Smith is a Long Island-born, Americana award winning, Dove nominated, Nashville based singer-songwriter with a clear and honest passion for Americana, jazz, pop, rock, blues, and folk. As a recording artist, she has sold over 750k albums and singles and amassed over 175 million streams to date. She has played some of the most prestigious festivals in the world including Cambridge Folk Festival, Maverick Festival, Newport Folk Festival, Telluride Bluegrass Festival, MerleFest, Austin City Limits, South by Southwest, Bonnaroo and more. Smith has also appeared on The Grand Ole Opry over 20 times.Her original songs have been recorded and released by the likes of Alison Krauss, Lee Ann Womack, Faith Hill and most recently Danny Burns ft Sam Bush. Mindy has performed with and toured alongside the likes of Dolly Parton, Emmylou Harris, Alison Krauss, John Prine (US AND UK Tour), Nickel Creek (US Tour), and Mary Chapin Carpenter (US Tour. Most recently, Smith was the featured vocalist on Kenny Chesneys charting single, Better Boat. Says Chesney, if you just close your eyes and listen to her voice -- Im speaking for me --she brings calm, she brings a sense that its all going to be all right. [T]o me, when I hear her voice, its like an angel, her voice is so--whats the word?genreless. Its bigger than all of us.
- Musicin 3 weeks
Soft Opening presented by Evanston Starlight Series
Independence Park
Heres what to know before you go:Concerts begin at 6:00 PM unless otherwise noted.In the event of rain, concerts will be canceled. The decision to cancel will be made by 4:00 p.m. on the show date. Please check our Facebook page.Bring your own lawn chairs, blankets, and snacks. Location: Independence Park, 2627 Stewart Ave.
Musicin 5 weeksEvanston Folk Festival 2026 - SATURDAY
Dawes Park
Evanston Folk Festival returns to lakefront at Dawes Park: Saturday, September 12th + Sunday, September 13th from 11:30am to 8:30pm. Join us on our spectacular lake front for a celebration of the rich folk music tradition that has guided Space since day one, and has so many roots in our Evanston community. A folky folk festival if ever there was one, and with the most stunning views of Lake Michigan, were honored to be entrusted with this special location and responsibility. Weve got all sorts of fun up our sleeves for this weekend:Three musical stages featuring 30+ artists and pop-up performances throughout the eventEvanstons finest food and beverage offeringsFamily Friendly programming and activitiesSweeping views of Lake Michigan Childrens TicketsChildren under the age of 12 receive free admission to the festival. Children aged 12 - 16 will require a half-priced childrens ticket for admission, which will be available for purchase at the entry gate, even if the event is sold out in advance. ScheduleSaturday, September 12th - Gates open at 11:30 amMusic ends at 8:30pm each dayFor more information and FAQs please visit: www.evanstonfolkfestival.com
Musicin 3 daysOliver Hazard w. Carriers
SPACE
The story of Waterville, OH indie-folk trio Oliver Hazard - Michael Belazis (vocals, guitar) and Devin East (vocals, guitar), joined by Nate Miner (keys, vocals)is a modern take on classic band mythmaking. One member returned home to Ohio after leading camping trips in California and decided to make an album with two childhood friends. They won a Facebook raffle to record one song at a studiobut instead, they played their entire album straight through in a single take, resulting in their 2018 debut LP, 34 N River. The album was hailed as a folk-pop masterpiece by The Fader, and soon after, the band landed slots at Bonnaroo and Mountain Jam. In 2019, they released their 6-track EP, The Flood, which Billboard described as a souvenir. Their self-titled sophomore album followed in July 2023, incorporating music from their earlier Northern Lights EP along with five new songs. Most recently, they released their Raindrop River EP in December 2024. Oliver Hazards next chapter continues to tell the story of Waterville, Ohioa small town with a big heart. Their music serves as a soundtrack to everyday life, lifting spirits and inviting listeners to find beauty in the ordinary.
Trendiness is led by crowd size, then venue quality, ticket demand, category, and cross-source confirmation. We do not sell tickets, so the rank is honest.
What's on in Evanston, at a glance
85 spots are on the Place to Be radar in Evanston right now. The hottest is South Dakota State Jackrabbits at Northwestern Wildcats at Northwestern Medicine Field at Martin Stadium (hot right now, 73/100), followed by Colorado Buffaloes at Northwestern Wildcats and Penn State Nittany Lions at Northwestern Wildcats. The board leans music and sports, with 6 spots are on this weekend. Every spot is ranked 0 to 100 by how big the crowd is, and Place to Be does not sell tickets, so the order is honest.
Top spots right now
- 1South Dakota State Jackrabbits at Northwestern Wildcats · Northwestern Medicine Field at Martin Stadium · Sat 5 Sept · Hot right now73
- 2Colorado Buffaloes at Northwestern Wildcats · Northwestern Medicine Field at Martin Stadium · Sat 19 Sept · Hot right now73
- 3Penn State Nittany Lions at Northwestern Wildcats · Ryan Field · Fri 2 Oct · Hot right now73
- 4Ball State Cardinals at Northwestern Wildcats · Ryan Field · Fri 9 Oct · Hot right now73
- 5Rutgers Scarlet Knights at Northwestern Wildcats · Ryan Field · Fri 23 Oct · Hot right now73
- 6Iowa Hawkeyes at Northwestern Wildcats · Ryan Field · Fri 6 Nov · Hot right now73
Frequently asked
What's on in Evanston?
85 spots are on the Place to Be radar in Evanston right now. The biggest are South Dakota State Jackrabbits at Northwestern Wildcats at Northwestern Medicine Field at Martin Stadium (73/100), Colorado Buffaloes at Northwestern Wildcats at Northwestern Medicine Field at Martin Stadium (73/100), Penn State Nittany Lions at Northwestern Wildcats at Ryan Field (73/100).
What is the biggest event in Evanston?
South Dakota State Jackrabbits at Northwestern Wildcats at Northwestern Medicine Field at Martin Stadium on Sat 5 Sept. It scores 73 out of 100 on the radar, the hot right now tier.
Is there anything on in Evanston this weekend?
Yes. 6 spots are on this weekend in Evanston, led by Oliver Hazard w. Carriers at SPACE.
What kinds of events does Place to Be track in Evanston?
Right now the Evanston board has 69 music, 16 sports. Everything from arena concerts and league matches to festivals, nightlife and free city moments is on one ranked radar.
How does Place to Be rank events?
Each spot is scored 0 to 100, led by how big the crowd is, then venue quality, ticket demand, category and whether more than one source lists it. Place to Be does not sell tickets, so the ranking is honest and never pay to play.
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No. The Evanston radar is free and needs no sign-in. An account only adds saving spots and an optional weekly email of what is heating up in your city.
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Refreshed through the day from live sources. 85 spots on the Evanston radar right now.