It’s time to ditch your North Face puffer, peel yourself out from under your layers of blankets, and get ready to enjoy living in the best city in the world again. (At least until we get our inevitable “late spring blizzard.”)
Here are our top picks for concerts you won’t want to miss.
The Eagles at United Center, March 19
Because “Hotel California” will get stuck in your head whether you go to the show or not
Animal Collective at the Vic Theater, March 20
Because you don’t have to be able to describe their music to know it’s great
Chicago Symphony Orchestra with Jurassic Park in Concert, March 25 and March 27
Because it still counts as going to the symphony, even if you’re watching Jeff Goldblum on the big screen while doing it
Bright Eyes at The Chicago Theater, March 26
Because, deep down, you’ve still got some high school feelings to sort through
Jazmine Sullivan at House of Blues, March 30
Because her voice is somehow even better in person
The Avett Brothers at The Chicago Theater, March 31, April 1 and April 2
Because you know you’re going to want to go all three nights
Lido Pimienta at the Empty Bottle, March 30 and March 31
Because you’re going to be able to say, “I saw her in concert before she got huge”
Candlelight: A Tribute to ABBA at the Stan Mansion, March 31, April 20 and May 25
Because ABBA. By a string quartet. At a mansion. By candlelight
Todrick Hall at House of Blues, April 3
Because 3.6 million YouTube subscribers can’t be wrong
Girl Talk at Metro, April 5
Because why pick just one song when you can hear all of them mashed together?
The Flaming Lips at Riviera Theater, April 6
Because you truly never know what’s going to happen at a Flaming Lips show, but you won’t want to miss it
An Evening of Soul with Patti Labelle, Gladys Knight and Friends at Wintrust Arena, April 8
Because you’ll get to see two legends in concert for the price of one.
Jack White at Credit Union 1 Arena at UIC, April 12
Because you mastered his songs in Guitar Hero, now see them played the right way
Olivia Rodrigo at Byline Bank Aragon Ballroom, April 15 and April 16
Because next time she’s in Chicago, she’ll be playing a venue 4x as big
Lorde at The Chicago Theater, April 22
Because “Happy Lorde” is the vibe we all want this spring
Wilco at Auditorium Theater, April 22
Because the Marina Towers will always be the Wilco Towers to you
John Mayer at United Center, April 28
Because he has 20 Top 100 hits — and you want to hear them all in person
Charli XCX at Byline Bank Aragon Ballroom, April 29
Because we’re finally able to dance around in a room packed with sweaty people again
Lala Lala, Elton Aura and Forest Management at the Garfield Park Conservatory, May 1
Because you can’t post an Instagram picture of another night on your couch watching Netfix — but you absolutely can of seeing rising talent at the Garfield Park Conservatory
Weezer at Byline Bank Aragon Ballroom, May 3
Because they had you at “Weezer featuring a Portillos’ Cheese Fountain”
Justin Bieber at United Center, May 9 and May 10
Because, admit it, you’ve been a fan since “Baby”
Michael Bolton at Arcadia Theater, May 11
Because it turns out your mom actually has pretty good taste in music
The Temptations at Horseshoe Casino, May 14
Because you can see one of the most legendary bands on earth perform — and then hit the slot machine jackpot after.
Simple Plan with Sum 41 at Radius, May 15
Because you’ve been looking for an opportunity to break out your Hot Topic terry cloth wristbands again
The Mountain Goats at Thalia Hall, May 18
Because it’s one of the best bands at one of the most beautiful venues in the city
Kurt Vile at Thalia Hall, May 27
Because the only thing cooler than going to a Kurt Vile show is getting to tell everyone, “Sorry, I’m busy this weekend, I’m going to a Kurt Vile show”
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