Chicago’s Top Summer Concerts

1) DAVE MATTHEWS BAND CARAVAN | July 8–10 | Lakeside
Stellar supporting lineup (Emmylou Harris, Sharon Jones, the Flaming Lips) plus nightly sets by DMB mark the first concert at the scenic former site of U.S. Steel South Works. $195 for three-day pass. 800-594-8499, dmbcaravan.com

http://www.youtube.com/v/5uhx8x8Q_2s?fs=1&hl=en_US

http://www.youtube.com/v/i0raNP4q8WA?fs=1&hl=en_US

http://www.youtube.com/v/cZB7Eb77oS0?fs=1&hl=en_US

2) TV ON THE RADIO AND CUT COPY | July 17 | Pitchfork
The indie rock gathering comes to a funky finish with TV on the Radio’s heady mix of electronic art-rock and soul. Stake your spot early and catch Cut Copy, an Aussie dance-pop group banging out slinky grooves and confectionary melodies. $45 per day. pitchforkmusicfestival.com

http://www.youtube.com/v/AkZyWZG8FWo?fs=1&hl=en_US

3) THE 5 BROWNS PERFORM NICO MUHLY | August 9 | Ravinia
Five pianos, 440 keys. Siblings Ryan, Melody, Gregory, Deondra, and Desirae—all Juilliard grads—perform a world premiere by contemporary classical “It” guy Nico Muhly. $10–$50. ravinia.org

http://www.youtube.com/v/4bZ0gBBZnCI?fs=1&hl=en_US

4) JERRY LEE LEWIS | July 9 | Congress Theater
Now 75 years old and as ornery as ever, the Killer gives his first Chicago performance in 13 years on the heels of a live record produced by Jack White. From $25. 773-276-1235, ticketfly.com

http://www.youtube.com/v/4bB5xL577r4?fs=1&hl=en_US

5) IRON AND WINE | June 6 | Millennium Park
Acclaimed songwriter Sam Beam weaves intricate stories with the threads of emotional harmonies in a rare outdoor appearance. FREE. millenniumpark.org

http://www.youtube.com/v/M_NyrFTc03o?fs=1&hl=en_US

6) FLORENCE AND THE MACHINE | June 18 | Aragon
The 2011 Grammy-nominated singer brings her unmatched lungs for a long-awaited return. Sold out.

http://www.youtube.com/v/y_jYgS8VmD4?fs=1&hl=en_US

7) YEMEN BLUES AND ETRAN FINATAWA | July 21 | Millennium Park
A dazzling double bill of bands from Israel and Niger. Each combines the soaring sound of chant with the blues, plus jazz horns and tribal drumming, respectively. FREE.

http://www.youtube.com/v/vaNzfP_YAvA?fs=1&hl=en_US

8) ITZHAK PERLMAN AND LEON FLEISHER | August 6 | Ravinia
These two lions have played together before, but this time Perlman steps behind the podium to conduct the piano savant. Such a treat would cost you dearly at Symphony Hall. Here, reserved seats are $25—and the lawn is FREE.

http://www.youtube.com/v/xUozVQVt1xI?fs=1&hl=en_US

http://www.youtube.com/v/VzLYxiLNJj8?fs=1&hl=en_US

9) OTIS CLAY | August 4 | Millennium Park
Backed by horns, the great Chicago soul and gospel singer pays tribute to towering legends Mahalia Jackson and Sam Cooke. FREE.

http://www.youtube.com/v/X8Rx0Z9W2pY?fs=1&hl=en_US

10) GRACE POTTER & THE NOCTURNALS | June 3 | House of Blues
The standout of 2010’s Chicago Bluegrass and Blues Fest finally nabs a headlining spot, the perfect opportunity to shed those Tina Turner comparisons. $25–$30. 866-448-7849, houseofblues.com/chicago

http://www.youtube.com/v/7iwzLLLW9Xk?fs=1&hl=en_US

11) SADE AND JOHN LEGEND | August 5–7 | United Center
The global Soldier of Love proves some things are worth the wait as she returns to touring after ten years for a residency with John Legend. From $49.50. 800-745-3000, unitedcenter.com

http://www.youtube.com/v/ODb_wJ6kkKo?fs=1&hl=en_US

12) BLONDE REDHEAD | July 18 | Millennium Park
The only thing more haunting than Blonde Redhead’s 15-year collection of psychedelic dreamscapes is listening to it under the stars. FREE.

http://www.youtube.com/v/JxkCIETUIPo?fs=1&hl=en_US

13) CHICAGO BLUES: A LIVING HISTORY | July 1 | Buddy Guy’s Legends
Five staples of the blues scene—harmonica players Billy Boy Arnold and Billy Branch with guitarists Lurrie Bell, Carlos Johnson, and John Primer—come together in a thrilling celebration of a new CD. $20. 312-427-1190, buddyguys.com

http://www.youtube.com/v/iTzRmh9-ohg?fs=1&hl=en_US

14) ROBERT PLANT | June 16 | Ravinia
The rocker is arguably only the third-best singer in his group Band of Joy, which includes the vocalist Patty Griffin and singer-guitarist Buddy Miller. Expect rootsy renditions of Plant’s recent folk-rock material and Led Zeppelin classics. From $22.

http://www.youtube.com/v/pB9bvqDZcbo?fs=1&hl=en_US

15) EIGHTH BLACKBIRD | August 22 | Millennium Park
In February, this local sextet’s performance of Steve Reich’s masterpiece Music for 18 Musicians sold out the MCA. Now it’s back—with Reich’s Pulitzer-winning Double Sextet (a piece he wrote for them) added to the bill. FREE.

http://www.youtube.com/v/Ry-Dqf_cMeg?fs=1&hl=en_US

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Photography: (Florence of Florence and the Machine) Mark Allan/AP; (Fleisher) courtesy of Ravinia Festival; (Kazu Makino of Blonde Redhead) Pier Nicola D’Amico