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Chicago Tribune
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Chicago Tribune
25 outdoor concerts for what's left of summer, all with tickets available
This is the time of year when you look around and think, I haven't accomplished summer yet and now it's on its way out. Time to get to some outdoor live music. Even as Lollapalooza wraps up in Grant Park, there are promising nights ahead at Ravinia Festival, on Northerly Island, at Wrigley. Below are 25 outdoor concerts and festivals around Chicago from now until mid-September. Autumn begins the Monday after Riot Fest. Sold-out shows such as Oasis at Soldier Field aren't on this list; all concerts listed here have standard tickets still available as of press time. Cyndi Lauper: The longtime hitmaker's last two big projects were a 12th studio album ('Detour') and composing the music and lyrics for the Broadway musical 'Kinky Boots,' which had its world premiere in Chicago in 2012. Lauper announced in 2024 that she would retire from touring with one final go-around; her 'Girls Just Wanna Have Fun Farewell Tour' comes to Credit Union 1 Amphitheatre in Tinley Park on Aug. 5; King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard: Tribune contributing critic Bob Gendron included this show in his top 10 for summer 2025: 'At this ambitious outing, the Chicago Philharmonic helps the collective bring it to life. Expect fireworks without the boom.' At Ravinia Festival on Aug. 6; Rod Stewart: Now 80, the British singer-songwriter has nothing left to prove, but he's still recording new material, including a 2024 album of big band music ('Swing Fever') with Jools Holland. His 'One Last Time Tour' comes to Credit Union 1 Amphitheatre in Tinley Park on Aug. 8; LatiNxt: What has become an annual free weekend festival of contemporary Latin music returns to Navy Pier Aug. 9-10; Goo Goo Dolls: The '90s band is traveling with Dashboard Confessional on their 'Summer Anthem Tour,' coming to Huntington Bank Pavilion on Northerly Island on Aug. 13; Nelly with Ja Rule: The rapper and reality TV star's 'Where The Party At Tour' will also include Eve, St. Lunatics and Chingy at Credit Union 1 Amphitheatre in Tinley Park on Aug. 13; Billy Idol: The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame nominee is back on the road with Joan Jett & the Blackhearts. 'It's A Nice Day To … Tour Again' comes to Credit Union 1 Amphitheatre in Tinley Park on Aug. 14; Indigo Girls and Melissa Etheridge: They'll play their own songs and together on stage in their 'Yes We Are' tour. Many shows at Jay Pritzker Pavilion in Millennium Park are free, but this one on Aug. 17 requires a ticket; Chicago House Music Festival: The annual free celebration of the Chicago art form begins with an Aug. 21 conference at the Cultural Center. Then Jay Pritzker Pavilion in Millennium Park Aug. 22-23; John Legend: His current tour celebrates the 20th anniversary of his acclaimed debut album 'Get Lifted.' At Ravinia Festival Aug. 23-24; Lil Wayne: The rapper is touring behind 'Tha Carter VI,' his 14th solo studio album, performing with Tyga and Belly Gang Kushington at Credit Union 1 Amphitheatre in Tinley Park on Aug. 24; Jonas Brothers: After a quick ticket reversal in June, the 'JONAS20 Greetings From Your Hometown' tour is coming to Credit Union 1 Amphitheatre in Tinley Park on Aug. 26 instead of Wrigley; Neil Young: This concert with new backing band Chrome Hearts brings Young to the lakefront after a 2024 show with Crazy Horse was postponed due to illness. At Huntington Bank Pavilion at Northerly Island on Aug. 27; Chris Brown: His all-stadium 'Breezy Bowl XX Stadium World Tour' brings him to Wrigley Field with guests Summer Walker and Bryson Tiller on Aug. 28; Jazz Fest: Headliners this year include the Grammy-winning vocalist Esperanza Spalding, pianist Monty Alexander, and trumpeter and vocalist Kermit Ruffins. Cuban guitarist and singer Eliades Ochoa will close the fest on Sunday night. The annual free festival over Labor Day weekend is programmed by the nonprofit Jazz Institute of Chicago, presented at Jay Pritzker Pavilion in Millennium Park Aug. 28-31; My Chemical Romance: They'll play their 2006 album 'The Black Parade' and were last in Chicago for Riot Fest in 2022. Soldier Field on Aug. 29; North Coast: The EDM festival's lineup for 2025 includes a return for deadmau5, the Grammy winner ZEDD, dubstep artist Excision, Chris Lake, Kaskade and Louis The Child. At SeatGeek Stadium in Bridgeview Aug. 29-31; ARC: This three-day EDM festival boasts Eric Prydz, Jamie xx, John Summit, Amelie Lens and Richie Hawtin in Union Park in Chicago Aug. 29-31; System of A Down: The longtime Armenian American heavy metal band is joined by Avenged Sevenfold for two nights at Soldier Field, Aug. 31-Sept. 1; Evanston Folk Festival: Headliners include Margo Price and Iron & Wine, and don't miss the Chicago Public Media Talk Tents, with appearances by Rosanne Cash and others. In Evanston's Dawes Park Sept. 6-7; The Miracle in Mundelein: The cannabis-friendly, ages 21+ music festival includes Damian 'Jr. Gong' and Stephen Marley, Dark Star Orchestra and Umphrey's McGee in Mundelein Sept. 6-7; Beach Bunny Pool Party Festival: With a title that says 'summer,' the lineup also includes Soccer Mommy, Sidney Gish and Great Grandpa at Salt Shed Fairgrounds on Sept. 7; Waxahatchee: Katie Crutchfield's latest indie music project performs with Jessica Pratt and Sharp Pins on the Salt Shed Fairgrounds on Sept. 9; Pixies: The '90s alt-rockers are on tour with guest artists Spoon & Fazerdaze at Salt Shed on Sept. 15; Riot Fest: This year's headliners in Douglass Park include Blink-182 on Friday, Weezer and Jack White on Saturday and Green Day on Sunday, along with sets by the Sex Pistols and The Beach Boys (current lineups), Weird Al Yankovic, Idles, Alkaline Trio and All Time Low, Sept. 19-21;
Time Out
05-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Time Out
The world's biggest free blues festival is back in Chicago this weekend
One of the biggest (literally!) names of summer festival season in Chicago is back again: The Chicago Blues Festival 2025, the largest free blues music festival in the world, is horn-blowing its way into the Windy City for its 40th installment (the only year it skipped was 2020, naturally), taking over Ramova Theatre, Jay Pritzker Pavilion and Millennium Park from tonight, June 5 through Sunday, June 8. This outdoor festival is a great way to enjoy the city and Chicago's culture and history, closely tied to its music scene. You're sure to hear some quintessential Chicago blues, a specific electric genre that dates back to the 1940s when Mississippi blues artists made their way to the Illinois city, forever influencing its music and culture. The live music event regularly attracts more than 500,000 listeners to Millennium Park and fellow venues across its festival dates. In addition to celebrated professional artists, including real-deal icons like Mavis Staples and Bobby Rush, you can also listen to new and upcoming musicians as they take the stage—some for the first time. This year's lineup includes a B.B. King Centennial Tribute featuring Christone "Kingfish" Ingram, D.K. Harrell, and Jonathan Ellison as well as a Women in Blues Tribute to Denise LaSalle featuring Nellie "Tiger" Travis, Thornetta Davis, Nora Jean Wallace, and Mzz Reese with Jonathan Ellison. Good to know: While the event is indeed free of charge, admission is first-come, first-served so arrive early to secure your spot. Check out the full lineup of Chicago Blues Festival performances below: Thursday, June 5 Ramova Theatre 7:30-8:30 p.m. - Billy Branch and The Sons of Blues 9-10:15 p.m. - Bobby Rush Friday, June 6 Jay Pritzker Pavilion 3:45-4 p.m. - Emcee Intro Remarks + National Anthem + Lift Every Voice 4-5 p.m. - D.K. Harrell 5:15-6:15 p.m. - Dawn Tyler Watson 6:30-7:15 p.m. - John Primer with Steve Bell 7:30-9:00 p.m. - B.B. King Centennial Tribute featuring Christone "Kingfish" Ingram, D.K. Harrell, and Jonathan Ellison with the B.B. King Centennial Band, co-presented with the B.B. King Museum and Delta Interpretive Center. Visit Mississippi Crossroads Stage (South Promenade) Noon-1:15 p.m. - Lady Adrena and LA Band 1:30-2:45 p.m. - Vick Allen featuring the Velvet Soul Band 3-4:15 p.m. - Johnny Rawls Soul Review 4:30-5:45 p.m. - Eddie Cotton Rosa's Lounge (North Promenade) 12:30-1:45 p.m. - Ivan Singh 2-3:15 p.m. - Jamiah "Dirty Deacon" Rogers and the Dirty Church Band 3:30-4:45 p.m. - Rico McFarland 5-6:15 p.m. - Sheryl Youngblood 6:30-7:45 p.m. - The Mike Wheeler Band Saturday, June 7 Jay Pritzker Pavilion 3:45-4 p.m. - Emcee Intro Remarks, National Anthem, Lift Every Voice and Sing 4-5:15 p.m. - Women in Blues Tribute to Denise LaSalle featuring Nellie "Tiger" Travis, Thornetta Davis, Nora Jean Wallace, and Mzz Reese with Jonathan Ellison 5:30-6:15 p.m. - Joey J. Saye, Stephen Hull, and Harrell "Young Rell" Davenport 6:30-7:30 p.m. - Latimore 7:45-9 p.m. - Christone "Kingfish" Ingram Visit Mississippi Crossroads Stage (South Promenade) Noon- 1:15 p.m. - 2 Blues for You 1:30-2:45 p.m. - Jesse Robinson 3-4:15 p.m. - Vickie Baker, The V Souls, and The Groove Crew 4:30-5:45 p.m. - John Primer & The Real Deal Blues Band Rosa's Lounge (North Promenade) 12:30-1:45 p.m. - Stefan Hillesheim Band 2-3:15 p.m. - Michael Damani 3:30-4:45 p.m. - Lynne Jordan and the Shivers 5-6:15 p.m. - Joe Barr and the Platinum Band 6:30-7:45 p.m. - Theo Huff Harris Theater Rooftop Terrace - Next Generation of Blues 11-11:45 a.m. - Wendy & DB Noon-12:45 p.m. - Chicago Blues Revival 1-1:45 p.m. - Curie Metro High School 2-2:45 p.m. - Bandwith 3-4 p.m. - VanderCook College of Music Sunday, June 8 Jay Pritzker Pavilion 3:30-3:45 p.m. - Emcee Intro Remarks + National Anthem + Lift Every Voice and Sing 3:45-5 p.m. - Willie Dixon's Blues Heaven Foundation celebrates the 75th Anniversary of Chess Records with special guest artists, Mud Morganfield, Mitty Collier, Charles Berry, Jr., Charles Berry III, Melvin Taylor, Louisiana Al, Joe Barr, Steve Bell, Rodrigo Mantovani, Dudley Owens, Rick Hall, Simbryt Dortch, Lady Patice, Mae Koen, Sam Chess, and Joe Pratt 5:15-6:15 p.m. - C.J. Chenier and The Red Hot Louisiana Band 6:30-7:30 p.m. - Lurrie Bell and Frank Catalano 7:30-7:45 p.m. - Avery R. Young, Chicago Poet Laureate 7:45-9 p.m. - Mavis Staples Visit Mississippi Crossroads Stage (South Promenade) 4:30-5:45 p.m. - Ms. Jody 3-4:15 p.m. - Jonathan Ellison 1:30-2:45 p.m. - Nellie 'Tiger' Travis Noon-1:15 p.m. - Stevie J and The Blues Eruption Rosa's Lounge (North Promenade) 12:30-1:45 p.m. - Harrell "Young Rell" Davenport 2-3:15 p.m. - Jimmy Burns Band 3:30-4:45 p.m. - Nick Alexander Blues Band 5-6:15 p.m. - Sonia Astacio 6:30-7:45 p.m. - 3 by 3 Crew: Freddie Dixon, John Watkins, Maurice Vaughn with Tim Taylor
Chicago Tribune
16-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Chicago Tribune
Mavis Staples will headline Chicago Blues Fest 2025
The Grammy-winning singer and civil rights activist Mavis Staples will headline the final night of this summer's Blues Fest, according to an announcement Wednesday by the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events. The 2025 Chicago Blues Festival is slated for June 5-8 in Millennium Park, as well as opening concerts and events at the Ramova Theatre (3520 S. Halsted St.) in Bridgeport and a Sunday series on Maxwell Street. All performances and events are free and open to the public. The full schedule: June 5 Ramova Theatre 4 p.m.: 'Living Blues Panel Discussion' with Jim O'Neal, Scott Barretta, Brett Bonner, Bruce Iglauer and Deitra Farr, moderated by Dick Shurman. 5:30 p.m.: 'Up Close & Personal with Bobby Rush,' led by Julia Miller of Delmark Records. 7:30 p.m.: Billy Branch & The Sons of Blues in concert. 9 p.m.: Bobby Rush in concert. June 6 Jay Pritzker Pavilion 4 p.m.: D.K. Harrell 5:15 p.m.: Dawn Tyler Watson 6:30 p.m.: John Primer with Steve Bell 7:30: B.B. King Centennial Tribute with Christone 'Kingfish' Ingram, D.K. Harrell and Jonathan Ellison with the B.B. King Centennial Band Visit Mississippi Crossroads Stage (South Promenade) Noon: Lady Adrena and LA Band 1:30 p.m.: Vick Allen featuring the Velvet Soul Band 3 p.m.: Johnny Rawls Soul Review 4:30 p.m.: Eddie Cotton Rosa's Lounge Stage (North Promenade) 12:30 p.m.: Ivan Singh 2 p.m.: Jamiah 'Dirty Deacon' Rogers and the Dirty Church Band 3:30 p.m.: Rico McFarland 5 p.m.: Sheryl Youngblood 6:30 p.m.: The Mike Wheeler Band June 7 Jay Pritzker Pavilion 4 p.m. – Women in Blues Tribute to Denise LaSalle with Nellie 'Tiger' Travis, Thornetta Davis, Nora Jean Wallace and Mzz Reese with Jonathan Ellison. 5:30 p.m.: Joey J. Saye, Stephen Hull and Harrell 'Young Rell' Davenport 6:30 p.m.: Latimore 7:45 p.m.: Christone 'Kingfish' Ingram Visit Mississippi Crossroads Stage (South Promenade) Noon: 2 Blues for You 1:30 p.m.: Jessie Robinson 3 p.m.: Vickie Baker, The V Souls and The Groove Crew 4:30 p.m.: John Primer & The Real Deal Blues Band Rosa's Lounge Stage (North Promenade) 12:30 p.m.: Stefan Hillesheim Band 2 p.m.: Michael Damani 3:30 p.m.: Lynne Jordan and The Shivers 5 p.m.: Joe Barr and The Platinum Band 6:30 p.m.: Theo Huff Harris Theater Rooftop Terrace – Next Generation of Blues 11 a.m.: Wendy & DB Noon: Chicago Blues Revival 1 p.m.: Curie Metropolitan High School 2 p.m.: Bandwith 3 p.m.: VanderCook College of Music June 8 Jay Pritzker Pavilion 3:45 p.m. – Willie Dixon's Blues Heaven Foundation celebrates the 75th anniversary of Chess Records 5:15 p.m.: C.J. Chenier and The Red Hot Louisiana Band 6:30 p.m.: Lurrie Bell and Frank Catalano 7:45 p.m.: Mavis Staples Visit Mississippi Crossroads Stage (South Promenade) Noon: Stevie J and The Blues Eruption 1:30 p.m.: Nellie 'Tiger' Travis 3 p.m.: Jonathan Ellison 4:30 p.m.: Ms. Jody Rosa's Lounge Stage (North Promenade) 12:30 p.m.: Harrell 'Young Rell' Davenport 2 p.m.: Jimmy Burns Band 3:30 p.m.: Nick Alexander Blues Band 5 p.m.: Sonia Astacio 6:30 p.m.: 3 by 3 Crew with Freddie Dixon, John Watkins, Maurice Vaughn and Tim Taylor Harris Theater Rooftop Terrace – Next Generation of Blues 11 a.m.: Wiggleworms featuring Amanda Payne and Will Fancher of Old Town School of Folk Music Noon: Fernando Jones Presents the Knott Us Band 1 p.m.: Kenwood Academy High School 2 p.m.: Nicholas Senn High School 3 p.m.: A Patch of Blues Maxwell Street between Halsted Street and Union Avenue 10 a.m.: DJ James Porter 11 a.m.: Marty 'Big Dog' Mercer Duo Noon: DJ James Porter 12:30 p.m.: Omar Coleman Westside Soul 1:30 p.m.: DJ James Porter 2 p.m.: Harmonica Hinds Duo Originally Published: April 16, 2025 at 11:40 AM CDT
