Blues and Brews fest, Liquid Soul, T1 Fest, The Throwbacks and the Chicago Philharmonic summer schedule; plus more from Side Street Studio Arts and Bitter Jester.
This week on the local music scene: Tony Ocean’s 30th Anniversary Extravaganza, an Anti-Cruelty Society benefit show, and band battles with Side Street Studio Arts, Bitter Jester and the Homegrown Arts & Music Festival.
From hometown artists to international acts, Chicago and the suburbs know how to celebrate music when summer festival season hits. Here’s what to watch for.
Highland Park’s Bitter Jester Music Festival is counting down to the opening act of its four-week showcase series, starting its 16th season Friday, May 20.
With tickets for the summer concert season on sale now, Ravinia Festival announced some additions and changes to the lineup this week.
Tickets are on sale now for the new Naperville Music Festival featuring Vanilla Ice, Village People, Smash Mouth, Kool & the Gang and more. Plus, Bitter Jester’s grand finale ends with a bang. And summer festival season keeps on rolling.
A studio recording of “Long Way Home,” a theatrical production by the Q Brothers Collective, becomes available for streaming, and Marina City kicks off one of Wrigley’s hottest concerts of the summer, featuring Green Day, Fall Out Boy and Weezer.
Mackey’s Hideout hosts two Concerts By the Creek, Mike Maimone swings back home for a series of shows, West Town’s Dancing in the Streets fest, Bitter Jester, Ravinia, Slaughter and a night outside the Raue with Corky Siegel and Ernie Watts.
Lollapalooza returns to Grant Park. Homegrown celebrates local artists. Brian McKnight and Ruben Studdard hit Ravinia and Bitter Jester preps for week two of its summer series.
After shifting to a virtual songwriting contest last year, the Bitter Jester Music Festival is back full force and in person this summer.
Post-grunge/nu metal rockers Puddle of Mudd head the lineup at Afterlife Music Hall; the Bitter Jester summer concert/contest series returns; Underbelly Hours host a local showcase; and Tina Jenkins Crawley inspires at Gospelfest.
Elgin hip-hop artist Andrew Moore hosts a listening party/dinner; Dave Grohl features Tom Morello and his mom; Jeff Tweedy plays a drive-in show; Bitter Jester and Punk the Burbs are looking for submissions.
You have until 11:59 p.m. tonight to vote for the Fan Favorite winner in the Bitter Jester finals.
Some of the summer’s big music festivals have officially been called off, but suburban patios are open for live performances.
Aurora’s JDR & the Broadcast plays a release show at The Venue, Take the Reins headlines an ALS benefit at BrauerHouse and Bitter Jester opens submissions for this summer’s music series.
