Klaus Mäkelä/Photo: Todd Rosenberg

1
Klaus Mäkelä Conducts Mahler 3
(Chicago Symphony Orchestra)
The wunderkind conductor leads the CSO through the earthly delights of Mahler’s sprawling work, split into six movements.
April 24-26

2
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds
(The Salt Shed)
Read Anne K. Ream and R. Clifton Spargo’s profile of the band as they go on tour following last year’s critically acclaimed “Wild God.”
April 28-29

3
Chicago Jazz String Summit 
(Constellation/Hungry Brain)
The Tomeka Reid-founded summit seeks to showcase the “past, present and future” of string players across three nights, with a focus on improvisational and experimental jazz.
April 25-27

4
Subhumans
(Reggies)
The seminal punk band born of Thatcher’s Britain brings a message that meets the moment. All these years later, these anarcho punks remain mysterious (and prophetic).
April 6

5
Apollo’s Fire: Bach’s Mass in B Minor
(St. James Cathedral/First Presbyterian Church)
Bach’s monumental work is led by conductor Jeannette Sorrell, who calls it the composer’s “most exuberant choral work and probably his most virtuosic piece.”
April 11-12