Baseball on the northside. Baseball on the southside. Street fairs. Fireworks. Trixies in their skivvies. And, oh yes, the music. Summer in Chicago truly is like no other. We’ve all been pent up in our apartments and condos for what seems like nine months waiting for Old Man Winter to pack his bags and get the hell out of town. And now, ahhhhh, summer. Walking, biking, swimming, lounging, eating, drinking (a lot) and listening. These are the words that define the what seems to be all-too-short of a summer in Chicago.For die hard and casual music lovers alike, one of the best parts of summer in Chicago is the endless opportunities to see any kind of music in a number of awesome and unique settings. Here are a few highlights from the national acts making stops in town, as well as some great festivals both in town and across the country.
Notable Single Shows
· Neil Young w/ Bert Jansch (May 6-7 – Chicago Theatre)
· Elvis Costello (May 15 – Chicago Theatre)
· Warren Haynes Band (May 16 – Park West)
· Paul Simon (May 16—The Vic; May 17 – Chicago Theatre)
· The Cars (May 18 – Riviera Theatre)
· Grace Potter and the Nocturnals (June 3 – House of Blues)
· Leo Kottke (June 4 – Old Town School of Folk Music)
· Panic at the Disco (June 8 – Riviera Theatre)
· The Beach Boys (June 9 – Auditorium Theatre)
· Robert Plant (June 16 – Ravinia)
· My Morning Jacket w/ Daniel Martin Moore (June 17 – Auditorium Theatre)
· Earth, Wind & Fire (June 21 – Charter One Pavilion at Northerly Island)
· Daryl Hall & John Oats (June 26 – Ravinia)
· Jethro Tull (June 26 – Chicago Theatre)
· Yo La Tengo (June 26 – Subterranean)
· Eddie Vedder & Glen Hansard (June 28-29 – Chicago Theatre)
· Peter Frampton (July 6 – Ravinia) · U2 w/ Interpol (July 5 – Soldier Field)
· The Flaming Lips (July 7-8 – Aragon Ballroom)
· 311 & Sublime (July 14 – Charter One Pavilion)
· Sierra Maestra & Susheela Raman (July 14 – Jay Pritzker Pavilion)
· The Steve Miller Band (Aug 4 – Chicago Theatre)
· Steely Dan (August 12-13 – Ravinia)
· Rufus Wainright w/Chicago Symphony Orchestra (August 14 – Ravinia)
· Phish (August 15-17 – UIC Pavilion)
· Lyle Lovett & His Large Band (August 21 – Ravinia)
· John Hiatt and The Combo (September 11 – Ravinia)
Ravinia Festival
Possibly one of the best summertime attractions in Chicago, Ravinia is a great spot for music and picnic lovers alike. If the featured artist is one of your favorites, pony up the cash for a reserved seat in the pavilion. And if you are okay with simply hearing and not seeing the performance, buy a cheaper lawn ticket and sit on the grass amongst the trees. Bring your food and drink and enjoy an evening under the stars. There is plenty of parking, but if you don’t want to drive Metra drops off and picks up right at Ravinia’s doorstep.
Millennium Park
The Jay Pritzker Pavilion in Millennium Park is not only full of free music, it's a site worth seeing on its own, with its Gehry design paired with the backdrop of the country's greatest skyline. Similar to Ravinia, you are allowed to bring your picnic (and booze) with you, and for Wednesday and Saturday night concerts, be sure to stick around afterwards to watch the Navy Pier fireworks.
Neighborhood Festivals
You can catch any number of 80s and 90s cover bands and tribute acts to Led Zeppelin and Dave Matthews at any of the weekly street and neighborhood festivals around town. However, a few fests have really managed to break away from the mold and attract some great musical acts. Wicker Park Fest (July 23-24) has lead the pack.
Local Festivals
If you like your music in large doses, perhaps one of Chicago’s killer summer music festivals will grab your interest.
Chicago Blues Festival (June 10-12 – Grant Park): Chicago is definitely home to the blues, so it’s only appropriate that we host the world’s largest blues fest. Be sure to make it this year as blues greats from around the country honor Robert Johnson.
Dave Matthews Band Caravan (July 8-10 – Lakeside): Leave it to Dave Matthews to shit on our city and then come back with a kick-ass festival at a sweet location. David Gray, Ben Folds, Sharon Jones & the Dap-Kings and Soulive among others are joining in the fun of the three day fest along Chicago’s south shore of Lake Michigan. Dave may have outdone himself with this one. We’ll see, but all signs are positive at this point.
Pitchfork (July 15-17 – Union Park): Talk to anyone who’s been to Pitchfork and you will be hard pressed to hear anything negative about it. Highlighted by the indie-type bands, you won’t catch any stadium rock at this fest. You can save your hula-hooping and hand-dancing for somewhere else too. Check out Neko Case, Fleet Foxes and TV on the Radio at this year’s gathering.
Lollapalooza (August 5-7 – Grant Park): Celebrating its 20th anniversary, Lolla has called Chicago its home since 2005. The 2011 lineup will be announced April 26th, but never fear, there is always something for everyone.
Chicago Jazz Festival (September 1-3 – Grant Park): Much different from the New Orleans version, Chicago’s jazz fest is more for purists than those looking for their favorite jazzy rock act. If you’re new to the jazz scene, do yourself a favor and take in one of the instructional Q&As offered.
National Festivals
When planning that summer vacation, maybe your travels will take you through one of the hundreds of great and diverse music festivals around the country. Or hell, maybe even plan your vacation around one!
Beale Street Music Fest (April 29-May 1 – Memphis, TN): If there’s one thing besides barbeque that Memphis is good for, it’s the Memphis in May International Festival, and its Beal Street Music Fest.
New Orleans Jazz Fest (April 29-May 8 – New Orleans, LA): With its deep roots in music and constant selection of talent flowing through its venues, it’s amazing that New Orleans is more known for its Mardi Gras celebration than its Jazz Fest. So much music and so many neat places to see it.
Summer Camp (May 27-29 – Chilicothe, IL) Looking for a combination of untz, jam and bluegrass? Look no further than Summer Camp. Just a short drive from Chicago, this newer fest offers plenty in the way of music, but a little less in the way of diversity.
Bonnaroo (June 9-12 – Manchester, TN): Originally a one-stop-shop for all of your jam band needs, Bonnaroo has drastically spread its wings since its 2001 beginning.
Telluride Bluegrass Festival (June 16-19 – Telluride, CO): First and foremost a bluegrass festival, Telluride provides one of the most beautiful musical settings in the country. Nestled in southwest Colorado, Telluride welcomes its music lovers with open arms and hospitable hearts.
All Good Festival (July 14-17 – Masontown, WV): If you can’t make Summer Camp and your travels are taking you out east, never fear for All Good Festival is here. Actually Summer Camp’s older brother, All Good Fest brings much of the same as far as genres, but tends to draw a few bigger name acts.
Outside Lands (August 12-14 – San Francisco, CA): As if San Francisco wasn’t awesome enough on its own, they went and got themselves a music festival. Now in its fourth year, the Outside Lands fest is quickly becoming one of the most enticing draws of the summer with top acts.
Lou Fest (August 27-28 – St. Louis, MO): With only one other year under its belt, Lou Fest is the baby of the family, but shouldn’t be overlooked. Held in beautiful Forest Park in St. Louis, the fest should definitely be on your radar, especially being just a five hour drive from Chicago.
Listen to my broadcast of this piece on The Saturday Night Special.
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