ANDREW BIRD

12/7–10 at 8 Lake Forest’s foremost indie violinist mounts his annual Gezelligheid shows. The formats change a bit every year, but routinely focus on Bird’s classical catalog, with lights by Ryan Murphy and sculptures by Ian Schneller. Sold out. Fourth Presbyterian Church, 126 E. Chestnut. etix.com

BRANDI CARLILE

12/30–31 This folk-rock songstress tours behind The Firewatcher’s Daughter, her first album since 2012’s Bear Creek, a rocked-up departure from her earlier porch-folk releases. Hear the unabridged version during her two-night stop at this Pilsen venue. $52–$910. Thalia Hall, 1807 S. Allport. ticketweb.com

JAY FARRAR

12/18 at 7 The Belleville native celebrates 20 years of Trace, the album he penned with band Son Volt after he and Jeff Tweedy disbanded Uncle Tupelo in 1994. $33–$35. Old Town School of Folk Music, 4544 N. Lincoln. oldtownschool.org

THE WACO BROTHERS

12/26–27 The country side project of the Mekons’ frontman Jon Langford infuses the genre with raucous, shaggy weirdness at its 12th annual Waco Weekend in Chicago. $14–$15. Schubas, 3159 N. Southport. lh-st.com

RYLEY WALKER

12/18 at 9 The local psych-folk guitarist spent the better part of 2015 touring behind his stellar March LP Primrose Green and made his fest debut at Pitchfork in July. But his improvisational live show (backed by a band of local avant-jazz players) is best seen in small spaces like this one. $5. Empty Bottle, 1035 N. Western. ticketweb.com