Latest news with #summerconcerts
CBS News
27-05-2025
- Entertainment
- CBS News
Crowds flock to Chicago River's North Branch for concerts on concrete pile
You may have seen the posts on social media — some concerts on the Chicago River that are uniquely Chicago. The concerts have become a summer tradition. They draw crowds above and below the Belmont Avenue Bridge that spans the North Branch of the river between North Center and Avondale. People gather on the bridge and below. A crowd of kayakers turned out too for the concert on Monday. All ears are tuned to the musicians who are seemingly stranded on a concrete island. It's actually a pile, also called a dolphin — yes, a dolphin — meant to protect the bridge from being hit by ships. "It's just some structure in the river that seems to be perfectly made," said concertgoer Joe Pelzers. "I've been a musician myself," added concertgoer Michael Kuehler. "I think I'd just be wondering the whole time, like, 'What if I drop my guitar in the water?'" There is really no bad seat on the Chicago River for the occasion. "You can be here. You can be up on the bridge. You can be under the bridge," concertgoer Ari Bennardo said while onboard a boat. "You can be on the water — which we are now, which is awesome." Boats shuttle the bands and their equipment to the stage as the crowd waits. How do they know to be there? Word about the Secret River Show spreads on social media. "You've got to have your ear to the river," said concertgoer Connor Corr, "but I heard it straight from the River King himself." Who is this River King of whom Corr speaks? That would be Ben Kinsinger. Kinsinger crowned himself the River King, but he shares music with the masses as the concert organizer. "This is the first time people are hearing these bands, and then they have this moment where 'I saw them at the River Show,'" Kinsinger said. The Secret River Show isn't so much of a secret anymore. Looks like the word's gotten out a bit. "Doesn't seem like it's very well kept," said concertgoer Drew Reynolds. Indeed, people were seated several deep under the Belmont Avenue Bridge and gathered all along the sidewalk on the bridge. Some were even sitting on the bridge with their legs dangling off. "This is the most people ever," Kinsinger said. This is now the fourth year of music on the river. Bands play from noon until sunset. "It's tough times, but stuff like this makes it easier to go through," Bennardo said. With a captive audience, musicians don't seem to mind a stranded island. "The creative spirit becoming alive," Kinsinger said.
Yahoo
25-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
10 can't-miss summer concerts in Columbia, from country faves to Phantom Planet
Touring acts are set to turn up the heat, as the summer concert season rounds into full form. Recently, we looked at some of the great summer concerts coming to Missouri. But what about the shows closer to home? While the Columbia summer calendar still is filling out, 10 shows are already making noise. Here's a brief glance at the concerts we're anticipating between June and August. More: From Dave Matthews to Post Malone, 25 great concerts hitting Missouri this summer Singles like "Off the Ground" and "Life to Fix" have commended this Los Angeles band to listeners; their marriage of rock, blues and "classic vinyl," as AllMusic describes it, has made them a perfect partner for touring acts such as John Mayer, B.B. King and Bob Seger. Learn more at Local artist Byron Neighbors and his sprawling cast of characters focus on the details and further the spirit of Floyd with concerts that are faithful yet follow their own drums. Neighbors' core band, Mercury Trio, shares the bill. Visit for details. Embrace a distinct era of alternative rock with this double bill featuring I Don't Know How But They Found Me — led by former Panic! At the Disco member Dallon Weekes — and "California" hitmakers Phantom Planet. Visit for more. One of the true mainstays of independent music, Doug Martsch's band continues to create guitar rock that is somehow sprawling and insular in its way. Playdead shares the bill. Learn more at For almost 25 years, Black Stone Cherry has carved out a way of life at the intersection of hard rock and Southern rock. Immerse yourself in heavy riffs and an American rasp. Find more details at Nenni offers up a killer country sound with its roots in jukebox classics, but its restless feet always in motion. Rolling Stone examined last year's "Drive and Cry," calling Nenni's effort "the most exciting hard-nosed honky-tonk record of the year." Find details at More: Bonnaroo, Hinterland and other festivals within a day's drive of Columbia Morgan, a venerable Michigan man, loves the outlaw country life and legacy and his style leans toward that side of the sound. AllMusic rightly called him a descendant to the likes of Waylon Jennings, Merle Haggard and David Allan Coe. Learn more at From its Montana origins to its Nashville home, Tophouse has criss-crossed America and gathered snippets of its sound, resulting in a this harmony-rich, motion-filled string-band approach that's warm and inviting. Learn more at The Kentucky native keeps the music humming with, as AllMusic notes, "a contemporary lyrical outlook with a sound that harks back to country music of the 1950 and '60s." Presley Haile shares the bill. Learn more at Florida-forged Flipturn "deal in a hook-heavy indie rock that's lush, driving, and passionate," as AllMusic's Marcy Donelson noted. The band's sound is dreamy enough both to drive summer's dog days away and wring the most from what's left of them. Odie Leigh shares the bill. Learn more at Aarik Danielsen is the features and culture editor for the Tribune. Contact him at adanielsen@ He's on Twitter/X @aarikdanielsen. This article originally appeared on Columbia Daily Tribune: Here are the 10 best summer concerts happening in Columbia
