Between our abundance of outdoor concert venues, major music festivals and plethora of smaller auditoriums, Chicago is truly a perfect music city in the summer. (Don’t get us wrong, it’s a perfect city in the winter months too, it just takes a little more energy to remind ourselves of that.)
Below, all the concerts you won’t want to miss, from this week through Labor Day weekend.
The Chicks at Hollywood Casino Amphitheater, June 15
Because you’ve had “Goodbye Earl” stuck in your head for 23 years (and counting)
Rufus Wainwright at City Winery, June 16 & 17
Because if “watching Rufus Wainwright singing a night of Judy Garland covers” isn’t already on your bucket list, it absolutely should be
Common at Ravinia, June 18
Because when else will you get the chance to see one of Chicago’s biggest stars at one of Chicago’s most beloved summer venues?
Dead & Company at Wrigley Field, June 24 & 25
Because that tie-dyed shirt is burning a hole in your closet
Kenny Chesney at Soldier Field, June 25
Because you can tell everyone your pick-up truck is parked out front. (We won’t tell anyone that you really took the Red Line.)
Josh Groban at Hollywood Casino Amphitheater, June 25
Because it turns out Andy’s brother from The Office is also an international superstar
Trombone Shorty with Tank and the Bangas at Ravinia, June 26
Because you wish you could have learned to play trombone like that back in 8th grade band
Barenaked Ladies with the Gin Blossoms and Toad the Wet Sprocket at The Chicago Theater, June 27
Because you don’t need a million dollars to see these legends in concert
Jack Johnson at Huntington Bank Pavilion at Northerly Island, June 30
Because nothing says summer more than an outdoor Jack Johnson concert
Chicago Video Game Music Festival at Beat Kitchen, July 2
Because forget the graphics — we all know the best part of video games are the soundtracks
Musiq Soulchild at City Winery, July 2, 3 and 5
Because you have six chances over a three-night residency to see one of the best artists currently touring, so you might as well go a few times
Sheryl Crow at Ravinia, July 7
Because, even after all these years, all you wanna do is have some fun
Def Leppard with Motley Crue at Wrigley Field, July 8
Because your Uncle Randy is going to be so jealous you went to this show
Bowling for Soup, Less Than Jake and the Aquabats at House of Blues, July 8
Because it’s time to break out those dusty skanking dance skills
Pitchfork Music Festival at Union Park, July 15-17
Because it’s your annual weekend to cosplay as a hipster
Shawn Mendes at Allstate Arena, July 15
Because your niece actually has awesome taste in music
Weird Al Yankovic at the Illinois Symphony Center, July 15-16
Because, let’s be real, the Weird Al versions are better than the originals anyway
George Clinton and Parliament-Funkadelic at The Piazza, July 16
Because you don’t want to miss your last chance to see a legend perform live
Leslie Odom Jr. at Ravinia, July 24
Because Leslie’s a whole lot more than just the Guy From Hamilton
The Weeknd at Soldier Field, July 24
Because you’re still thinking of that Super Bowl halftime show
Chicago and Brian Wilson at Hollywood Casino Amphitheater, July 24
Because you can pretend all of the Beach Boys songs are written about our very own Lake Michigan
Lollapalooza at Grant Park, July 28-31
Because every year, you swear it will be your last time going…until you see how great next year’s lineup is
Backstreet Boys at Hollywood Casino Amphitheater, July 29
Because they just don’t make boy bands like they used to
Elton John at Soldier Field, August 5
Because you don’t want to miss your last time to hear the Rocket Man live. (Not counting at karaoke night.)
Lady Gaga at Wrigley Field, August 15
Because you’ve been looking for an excuse to wear your raw meat dress
Red Hot Chili Peppers at Soldier Field, August 19
Because you finally understand the double entendre to “Californication”
Kendrick Lamar at United Center, August 19
Because 14 Grammys can’t be wrong
Franz Ferdinand at Riviera Theater, August 19
Because we dare you to name a better band that’s also named after an Austrian archduke
Bad Bunny at Soldier Field, August 20
Because Bad Bunny’s worth dealing with the Soldier Field traffic
Alicia Keys at Huntington Bank Pavilion at Northerly Island, August 23
Because if you sing along loud enough, you might end up on the next season of The Voice
Leon Bridges at Credit Union 1 Arena at UIC, August 24
Because there are only two types of people in this world: Leon Bridges fans, and people who haven’t heard Leon Bridges yet
Pitbull at Ravinia, August 25
Because now’s your chance to see Mr. Worldwide right in your own backyard
Michael Bublé at Allstate Arena, September 2
Because he’s more than just your favorite Christmas album
Wu-Tang Clan and Nas at Hollywood Casino Amphitheater, September 2
Because where else will you see two of the most influential acts in hip-hop on the same stage?
Diana Ross at Ravinia, September 4
Because spending Labor Day weekend with The Boss sounds pretty great when The Boss is Diana Ross
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