Here is the text without any unnecessary formatting or extraneous information:
AJR & Wet Leg
If you have to pick just one of Q101’s Twisted shows this year, let it be this one. AJR headlines, bringing the zany indie pop of the Met brothers back to the stage with songs like “World’s Smallest Violin” and “Weak” that meet in a Venn diagram of whimsical musicals and passionate street busking. Just don’t be late for Wet Leg — the savagely sarcastic English rock band is one of the best live acts of the moment and will rightfully be on everyone’s 2025 “best of” lists for their album “Moisturizer.” (If you have room for more Twisted, Cake on Dec. 10 is another good pick.)
Aragon, 1106 W. Lawrence Ave. $82.50.
Case Oats
One day, Casey Gomez Walker was taking journalism and creative writing classes at Columbia College Chicago, and the next, she recorded one of the best indie folk albums of the year for Merge Records. OK, so there were many steps and years in between to make “Last Missouri Exit.” But the 10-track stunner — a coming-of-age narrative about love lost and life lessons gained, set in the Midwest with a soundtrack of acoustic guitar, fiddle and percussion from personal/professional partner Spencer Tweedy — does feel that effortless and meant-to-be. Go early for the beautiful atmospherics of Oyeme.
Schubas, 3159 N. Southport Ave. $27.
Gods of Chaos Christmas
For those looking for a nightmare before Christmas, the Gods of Chaos spectacular stands ready to deliver with a combination of metal, hip-hop and horror all in one lineup. Headlined by rapper Gucci Mane and the ever-entertaining Insane Clown Posse, the show will be anything but a silent night when the Juggalos come out to play. Adding to the bill are hardcore acts (and Chicago’s own) Harm’s Way, Trash Talk and Haywire 617, as well as a special appearance by rapper Kingpin Skinny Pimp. The only question left is: Do they make peppermint-flavored Faygo?
Aragon, 1106 W. Lawrence Ave. $75.25+.
Old 97’s with Rhett Miller
The Old 97’s may be from Dallas, but their heart (and presence) is often in Chicago. It’s a relationship forged long ago with the homegrown Bloodshot Records as both were entering their infancy in the mid-’90s. Now 30 years later, after rambling on with some kind of mini-residency from the band and lovably verbose frontman Rhett Miller before 2025 is over. They bring snapshots of their latest album, “American Primitive,” inspired by, of all things, a Stephen King novel. Two of the shows of the three-night New Year’s stand are sold out but Dec. 31 is still available.
SPACE, 1245 Chicago Ave., Evanston. $80.35.
Dehd’s Bye Bye ’25 NYE Run
Chicago’s DIY scene lives and breathes with bands like Dehd, the indie wunderkinds who found glory with their hit “Bad Love” in 2022 and have been maintaining the momentum ever since. The band’s latest album, “Poetry” — full of minimalist splendor, reverb effects and surf rock interplay on songs like “Mood Ring” — was the result of a creative road trip, but there’s no place like home for the trio who ride out 2025 at Thalia Hall. As they bid adieu to another banner year, full of opening gigs for The Flaming Lips and Modest Mouse, a European run and a performance at Riot Fest, we can only imagine what’s in store for the band in 2026.
Thalia Hall, 1807 S. Allport St. $39.96+.
Local H
While “Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve” is set to broadcast in Chicago for the first time this year, if you want a real rock show, head to Local H’s annual soiree. The “Bound for the Floor” and “California Songs” duo packs in a ton of fury for a two-man project and remains a living, breathing icon of Chicago’s halcyon ’90s rock scene while still rewriting the script. This year, in honor of the 30th anniversary of their debut “Ham Fisted,” front man Scott Lucas reworked the originals for a special “ReFISTED” edition that shows the band still at its prime.
Bottom Lounge, 1375 W. Lake St. $39.60+.
AJR & Wet Leg
If you have to pick just one of Q101’s Twisted shows this year, let it be this one. AJR headlines, bringing the zany indie pop of the Met brothers back to the stage with songs like “World’s Smallest Violin” and “Weak” that meet in a Venn diagram of whimsical musicals and passionate street busking. Just don’t be late for Wet Leg — the savagely sarcastic English rock band is one of the best live acts of the moment and will rightfully be on everyone’s 2025 “best of” lists for their album “Moisturizer.” (If you have room for more Twisted, Cake on Dec. 10 is another good pick.)
Aragon, 1106 W. Lawrence Ave. $82.50.
Case Oats
One day, Casey Gomez Walker was taking journalism and creative writing classes at Columbia College Chicago, and the next, she recorded one of the best indie folk albums of the year for Merge Records. OK, so there were many steps and years in between to make “Last Missouri Exit.” But the 10-track stunner — a coming-of-age narrative about love lost and life lessons gained, set in the Midwest with a soundtrack of acoustic guitar, fiddle and percussion from personal/professional partner Spencer Tweedy — does feel that effortless and meant-to-be. Go early for the beautiful atmospherics of Oyeme.
Schubas, 3159 N. Southport Ave. $27.
Gods of Chaos Christmas
For those looking for a nightmare before Christmas, the Gods of Chaos spectacular stands ready to deliver with a combination of metal, hip-hop and horror all in one lineup. Headlined by rapper Gucci Mane and the ever-entertaining Insane Clown Posse, the show will be anything but a silent night when the Juggalos come out to play. Adding to the bill are hardcore acts (and Chicago’s own) Harm’s Way, Trash Talk and Haywire 617, as well as a special appearance by rapper Kingpin Skinny Pimp. The only question left is: Do they make peppermint-flavored Faygo?
Aragon, 1106 W. Lawrence Ave. $75.25+.
Old 97’s with Rhett Miller
The Old 97’s may be from Dallas, but their heart (and presence) is often in Chicago. It’s a relationship forged long ago with the homegrown Bloodshot Records as both were entering their infancy in the mid-’90s. Now 30 years later, after rambling on with some kind of mini-residency from the band and lovably verbose frontman Rhett Miller before 2025 is over. They bring snapshots of their latest album, “American Primitive,” inspired by, of all things, a Stephen King novel. Two of the shows of the three-night New Year’s stand are sold out but Dec. 31 is still available.
SPACE, 1245 Chicago Ave., Evanston. $80.35.
Dehd’s Bye Bye ’25 NYE Run
Chicago’s DIY scene lives and breathes with bands like Dehd, the indie wunderkinds who found glory with their hit “Bad Love” in 2022 and have been maintaining the momentum ever since. The band’s latest album, “Poetry” — full of minimalist splendor, reverb effects and surf rock interplay on songs like “Mood Ring” — was the result of a creative road trip, but there’s no place like home for the trio who ride out 2025 at Thalia Hall. As they bid adieu to another banner year, full of opening gigs for The Flaming Lips and Modest Mouse, a European run and a performance at Riot Fest, we can only imagine what’s in store for the band in 2026.
Thalia Hall, 1807 S. Allport St. $39.96+.
Local H
While “Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve” is set to broadcast in Chicago for the first time this year, if you want a real rock show, head to Local H’s annual soiree. The “Bound for the Floor” and “California Songs” duo packs in a ton of fury for a two-man project and remains a living, breathing icon of Chicago’s halcyon ’90s rock scene while still rewriting the script. This year, in honor of the 30th anniversary of their debut “Ham Fisted,” front man Scott Lucas reworked the originals for a special “ReFISTED” edition that shows the band still at its prime.
Bottom Lounge, 1375 W. Lake St. $39.60+.
. and Dehd's NYE run at Thalia Hall looks like so much fun too 
. but honestly, who cares about dick clark's new year's eve when u can be screaming along to Local H with a pint of Faygo in hand?
Anyway, AJR & Wet Leg are def my top pick for Twisted - they always bring that crazy energy and I'm so down to see them live. And God, I'm excited for Old 97's with Rhett Miller, those guys know how to put on a show! But what's up with all the hip-hop and horror fest, Gods of Chaos Christmas? 
Is that gonna be lit or just a total mess? 
, their live energy is infectious and a must-see! and can we talk about Case Oats' "Last Missouri Exit" it's like she was born to make that album 
- the story behind it is just as beautiful. i'm also low-key hyped for Old 97's with Rhett Miller, who doesn't love a good mini-residency? 
and Dehd's NYE run is gonna be lit 
, they're always so much fun to watch live!
Scott Lucas is such a talented frontman, i love how he brings so much energy to their live shows. and can we talk about Local H's anniversary show? 30 years of "Ham Fisted" is insane!!! i'm gonna be there for sure, even if it's not the NYC version of Dick Clark's 
AJR & Wet Leg is gonna crush it at Aragon! Their indie pop vibes will get this party started 
But honestly, have you listened to Dehd's "Poetry"? That album is like a breath of fresh air 
The way they blend surf rock with reverb effects is pure magic 
. I mean, what's next? A rap battle at the North Pole? And don't even get me started on the Faygo situation - is it just me or do people really think that peppermint flavor is gonna be a thing now? 
I'm gonna grab those tickets ASAP 
. But honestly, can't wait for Dehd's NYE show too