What’s better than a stellar concert on a hot summer day? Well, provided it doesn’t involve dropping hundreds on day passes just to wade through a sea of unaccompanied suburban teens. (Here’s looking at you, Lolla.)
Chicago might be known coast-to-coast for its giant A-list festivals, but real Chicagoans know it’s actually the block party stages, one-off headliners and free shows in the park that make those muggy summer nights sing.
Here are 25 to put on your calendar, stat.
Because it’s as close to seeing Nirvana as you’ll probably ever get
Meat Puppets at Do Division Fest, May 31-June 2
Because his voice is smoother than silk
Anderson Paak at Huntington Bank Pavilion, June 4
Because everyone wants to get funky with the King of the Chitlin’ Circuit
Bobby Rush at Chicago Blues Festival, June 7
Because who can resist a 20-minute-long version of Sweet Magnolia?Dead & Company at Wrigley Field, June 14-15
Because ambient indie rock is the perfect life soundtrack
Real Estate and Cults at Taste of Randolph, June 16
Because he’s the GOAT
Yo-Yo Ma at Millennium Park, June 20
Because they literally created reggae
Toots & The Maytals at Temperance Beer Company, June 21
Because your high school glory days need some revisiting
Third Eye Blind and Jimmy Eat World at Huntington Bank Pavilion, June 27
Because their new album is a total banger (OK, a quiet banger)
The National at Huntington Bank Pavilion, June 28
Because we’re all club kids at heart
Steve Aoki at Pride in the Park, June 29
Because catchy lo-fi pairs nicely with cold beer and art
Hop Along and Speedy Ortiz at Logan Square Arts Festival, June 28-30
Because these ladies can shred
Ex Hex at West Fest, July 5-7
Because she’s the Australian lovechild of Kurt Cobain, Chrissie Hynde and Bob Dylan
Courtney Barnett at Taste of Chicago, July 10
Because De La Soul is most definitely not dead
De La Soul at Taste of Chicago, July 12
Because BBQ and bro-country are a match made in tailgate heaven
Old Dominion at Windy City Smokeout, July 13
Because a food festival and award-winning R&B > dinner and a movie
India Arie at Taste of Chicago, July 14
Because this sounds completely insane
Orchestral Interpretations of J Dilla directed by Miguel Atwood-Ferguson at Millennium Park Summer Music Series, July 18
Because they Dem Boyz
Wiz Khalifa and French Montana at Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre, July 27
Because you’ve had Amish Paradise stuck in your head since 1996
“Weird Al” Yankovic + Ravinia Festival Orchestra at Ravinia Pavilion, July 28
Because they’ve got the best falsettos in the biz
Beck and Spoon at Huntington Bank Pavilion, July 31
Because somehow they’re still going The Distance
Cake at Canal Shores Golf Course, August 8
Because Chicago.
Jeff Tweedy and OHMME at Canal Shores Golf Course, August 10
Because we all could use a little culture
Tchaikovsky Spectacular by the Chicago Symphony Orchestra at Ravinia Pavilion, August 18
Because it’s sure to be an “Unforgettable” experience
Tribute to Nat King Cole featuring Freddy Cole at Chicago Jazz Festival, August 29
Because that’s hip-hop royalty right there
Queen Latifah and Common at Ravinia Pavilion, August 31
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