Grab your earplugs, find comfortable shoes and book a sitter now: This summer is teeming with an abundance of big-name shows bound to push past normal bedtimes. Plus, a promising slate of concerts at mid- and small-sized venues means you don’t need to consider taking out a second mortgage for tickets.
Whether the spike in high-profile standalone dates owes to Lollapalooza increasingly stacking a majority of its slots with lesser-known acts, a renewed desire by established artists to control their own production or the cyclical nature of touring, the options evoke an era before Chicago became Festival Central. In particular, the area’s larger music destinations feature a diverse roster of recognizable names worthy of consideration — provided you can handle sticker shock.
First up, significant dates at the United Center. In addition to hosting the annual Windy City Smokeout country and BBQ extravaganza in its north parking lots July 8-12, which includes a first-ever Wednesday concert, the home of the Bulls and Blackhawks welcomes T-shirt season with a two-night stand by country-pop vocalist Megan Moroney June 2-3. Fresh from a Coachella performance that drew attention for a video condemning U.S. foreign policy, The Strokes arrive June 17, nine days before the band’s seventh album, “Reality Awaits,” drops.
You get only one shot, June 20, to catch Rosalía, the innovative international phenomenon who blew up shortly after the release of last fall’s “Lux.” If you missed him last year at Ravinia or Riot Fest, “Weird Al” Yankovic continues his “Bigger & Weirder” tour on June 27. Rush shocked everyone last October when the trio announced it would tour, its first since 1974 without late drummer Neil Peart. Four shows spanning July 16-22 put the Canadian legends back in the limelight.
Ariana Grande comes closest to equaling Rush’s residency with three shows Aug. 3-6. Named “The Eternal Sunshine Tour” after her 2024 LP, it will probably also feature material from “Petal,” due July 31. Also in the greater pop ecosphere: Rapper J. Cole ends an eight-year touring hiatus with Aug. 11-12 dates. Making an intentional return to her roots on her “Middle of Nowhere” record, Kacey Musgraves brings Texas-reared country to the UC on Aug. 20-21.
The Bears might shuffle away from Soldier Field, but marquee mainstream acts love the stadium. Record-breaking country star Morgan Wallen leads his “Still the Problem Tour” on June 19-20. British nice guy Ed Sheeran returns June 27. Having graduated to a level of fame that eclipses her status when she became the first Latina to headline Lollapalooza in 2023, Karol G presides over a massive dance party July 24-25. Foo Fighters top a high-energy bill with Queens of the Stone Age and Mannequin Pussy on Aug. 8. Hitmakers Usher and Chris Brown team up for an R&B marathon Aug. 21-22. And K-pop fans, rejoice: BTS makes its post-military-service comeback Aug. 27-28.
It’s been a long minute since the hulking facility located off I-80 in Tinley Park moved the needle. But if you’re after a balance of some newness and lots of nostalgia with the potential to be performed with soulfulness and edge, this could be the year you again tolerate the traffic headaches — along with parking fees, a first for what’s now Credit Union 1 Amphitheatre.
That added tax aside, the 28,000-capacity facility goes big on rock veterans by way of Muse (July 10), the Black Crowes (July 24) and Guns N’ Roses (July 29). The latter date marks the Los Angeles band’s debut at Tinley. It comes 35 years after a planned Fourth of July 1991 concert there was canceled after a riot erupted at the group’s show in St. Louis less than 48 hours earlier. Fans seeking an even older vintage can see John Mellencamp — filmed in January getting in shape for the trek by jogging on a treadmill while smoking a cigarette — survey his greatest hits on July 11.
Legacy also remains the name of the game for hip hop kingpins Wu-Tang Clan. Modeled after countless rock farewells, its “The Final Chamber” tour bows with an encore run on Sept. 4.
Regarding heritage, we’d be remiss not to mention the roots-themed triple feature with Bob Dylan, Lucinda Williams and John Doe on July 8 at Huntington Bank Pavilion. A 93-years-young Willie Nelson spearheads the Outlaw Music Festival there on Aug. 25. Meanwhile, up at the Friendly Confines, neo-traditionalist Tyler Childers goes honky-tonkin’ on July 12, while burgeoning Vermont singer-songwriter Noah Kahan performs July 14-15.
What about shows that don’t demand as much from your bank account? Here are 10 such concerts that should be on your radar.
Amyl and the Sniffers
Amyl and the Sniffers constitute a throwback to when punk rock didn’t care. Not about rubbing people the wrong way. Not about fashion. Not about trends. Anchored by irrepressible vocalist Amy Taylor, the Australian quartet channels frustration, defiance and anger surrounding big-picture issues with snarling cleverness, rabble-rousing fun and tidal hooks. Its live shows explode with emotional catharsis. Before you try keeping up with Taylor’s animated moves and tongue-wagging antics, put a physical therapist on speed dial. At 7 p.m. June 14 at Salt Shed, 1357 N. Elston St.; tickets from $103.85 at saltshedchicago.com
High on Fire and Lord of the Minotaur
Few amplifier-worshipping guitarists have rattled as many skulls as Matt Pike. As the chief architect for both Sleep and High on Fire, the oft-shirtless Pike dispenses the kind of rumbling decibel levels you feel in your chest. His seasoned sludge-metal trio crushes with lashing, abrasive riffs and crashing percussion that reside in a forbidden underground. Not just the name of a tasty burger at Kuma’s Corner, local heavies Lair of the Minotaur reemerge after a long hiatus with “I Hail,” their first LP in 16 years. 9:30 p.m. At June 20 at Ramova Theatre, 3520 S. Halsted St.; tickets (ages 18+) from $56.86 at ramovachicago.com
Kim Gordon
In the nearly 15 years since Sonic Youth quietly disbanded, Kim Gordon has been a one-woman wrecking crew. Her creative spree — visual art projects, experimental collaborations, a memoir, acting roles and adventurous solo records — comprises a multimedia oeuvre arguably on a par with that of the revered David Byrne. Gordon, however, adds insurgent, feminist and protest spices to the mix. A firebrand at 73, she’d probably shrink from the term “legend,” yet the compliment fits. At 8 p.m. June 23 at Metro, 3720 N. Clark St.; tickets (ages 18+) from $42.89 at metrochicago.com
The Fleshtones
Though their 50th anniversary will largely escape notice in the mainstream, the Fleshtones endure as the rock ‘n’ roll equivalent of Route 66: An artifact forgotten or unknown to millions of travelers who whiz along on big, slick, fast-food-lined highways that lack the history, curiosity and soulfulness of the road less taken. Few bands that cut their teeth at New York’s CBGB club during its heyday remain. Fewer still make such a joyful, quirky, dance-friendly noise. At 8:30 p.m. June 25 at Fitzgerald’s, 6615 Roosevelt Road, Berwyn; tickets (ages 21+) from $29.53 at fitzgeraldsnightclub.com
Jack White
Due to his pedigree and penchant for coming across as the sort of person everyone in the industry should emulate — leaving Olivia Rodrigo a hidden note of encouragement before her “Saturday Night Live” appearance will always score goodwill points — Jack White seems like a no-brainer choice. Maybe, but it took the Detroit native approximately a decade to get his groove back. His latest album, new single and current band indicate he did so in a major way. At 6 p.m. July 23 at Radius, 640 W. Cermak Ave.; radius-chicago.com; then 7 p.m. July 24 at Salt Shed, 1357 N. Elston St.; saltshedchicago.com
St. Vincent with the CSO
Outside of Rosalía and Mitski, does any other contemporary female artist push more sonic boundaries, take as many chances and stay as accessible as St. Vincent? The multi-hyphenate, who in her spare time co-writes for folks like Taylor Swift, paired last September with the 60-piece Jules Buckley Orchestra for a simultaneously majestic and fierce re-imagining of selections from her catalog. Here, she teams with the CSO and showcases a facet that often takes a back seat to her guitar and lyrics: an otherworldly voice. At 8 p.m. July 25 at Ravinia Festival, Lake Cook and Green Bay Roads, Highland Park; tickets from $55 at ravinia.org
Tomahawk and the Melvins
Tomahawk celebrates a quarter-century as an on-again, off-again collective with its first tour since 2013. Anniversary aside, the primary reason to catch the uncategorizable quartet owes to the proficiency and lineage of its members: Vocalist Mike Patton (Faith No More, Mr. Bungle, Fantomas); bassist Trevor Dunn (Mr. Bungle, Fantomas); guitarist Duane Denison (The Jesus Lizard); and drummer John Stanier (Helmet). Proto-grunge subversives the Melvins have been disobeying rules and championing eccentricity for 43 years. Who’s counting? At 7:30 p.m. Aug. 4 at Riviera Theatre, 4746 N. Racine Ave.; tickets from $58.74 at jamusa.com
Tori Amos
Tori Amos dove headfirst into her career advocating on behalf of sexual assault victims at a time when female musicians were expected to keep silent. Nearly four decades into a journey in which the classically trained pianist covered topics ranging from the patriarchy to gender inequality, she brandishes outspokenness as a weapon against tyranny on “In Times of Dragons.” The transparently political album finds Amos especially fiery and focused, the combination of indignation and inspiration fueling her most vital outing in decades. At 8 p.m. Aug. 14 at Auditorium Theatre, 50 E. Ida B. Wells Drive; tickets from $47.80 at auditoriumtheatre.org
Jill Scott
“Who Is Jill Scott?” asks the title of the R&B singer’s stellar turn-of-the-century debut. Between then and now, we got a pretty decent idea, even if she continues to evade simple description. Thank heavens for that. “To Whom This May Concern,” her first effort in 11 years, features arrangements, performances and collaborators that encompass soul, house, blues, hip-hop and jazz. Poet, actor, vocalist, humanist, wordsmith: Scott brims with the type of life and insight no AI will ever scrape. On that topic: prepare to check your phone at the door at these gigs. At 8 p.m. Aug. 20, 22 and 23 at Chicago Theatre, 175 N. State St.; tickets from $139.23 at msg.com
Magnolia and Johnson Electric Co.
When singer-songwriter Jason Molina died in 2013 at the tender age of 39, his band Magnolia Electric Co. ceased to exist. Former Centro-Matic leader and current 400 Unit member Will Johnson, who partnered with Molina on an eponymous LP in 2009, realized the Ohio native’s bracing Midwestern-rooted compositions deserved further recognition. He’ll join the surviving Magnolia Electric Co. cast at what should be a worthy tribute. At 8 p.m. Aug. 28 at Lincoln Hall, 2424 N. Lincoln Ave.; tickets (ages 18+) from $33.25 at lh-st.com
Bob Gendron is a freelance critic.
