Things to do in Chicago for music fansMary Houlihan - For the Sun-Timeson June 18, 2021 at 2:01 am 2024 Events Concerts Things To Do

Music fans (like those pictured at Lollapalooza 2019) will have plenty to cheer about this summer as live music returns to Chicago. | Santiago Covarrubias/For the Sun-Times

For fans of any genre, live music isn’t hard to come by in Chicago. Check out our highlights for concerts, festivals and live performances in and around the city.

Welcome to our highlights for concerts, festivals and live music in Chicago. From free shows at Millennium Park to large festivals like Ravinia and Lollapalooza, and intimate shows at small local venues, our guide has all the latest music entertainment. Bookmark this page and check back for updates on concerts and events.

The Old Town School of Folk Music

What: The venue presents a free stream of “Freedom Songs Juneteenth Celebration” featuring a performance by the Original Chicago Blues All Stars Revue, which includes members of blues great Willie Dixon’s band. The evening begins with singer-poet Ugochi and the Afro Soul Ensemble.

When: Livestreams at 8 p.m. June 19

Visit: oldtownschool.org

Anthony Hamilton

What: Grammy Award-winning R&B singer-songwriter Anthony Hamilton, known for such songs as “Comin’ From Where I’m From,” “You’ve Got the Love I Need” and “Pray for Me,” performs a livestream concert. During an encore segment, Hamilton will perform for the first time in concert his new single “You Made a Fool of Me.”

When: 8 p.m. June 19

Tickets: $9.99-$129.99. Visit sessionslive.com/anthonyhamilton/tickets

Paul Winter

What: The summer solstice is celebrated with “Light of the Sun,” saxophonist Paul Winter’s annual concert this year presented virtually from the loft of Winter’s barn in the hills of Northwest Connecticut. Special guests are vocalist Theresa Thomason and cellist Eugene Friesen, who is joined by pianist Henrique Eisenmann and bassoonist Jeff Boratko.

When: The performance livestreams at 3:30 a.m. June 19 ($20) and is available on demand to Aug. 31 ($15).

Visit: paulwinter.com

Denzel Tsopnang

What: American Blues Theater ensemble member Denzel Tsopnang performs “An Evening of Legends,” featuring the music of Sammy Davis Jr., Dinah Washington, Nina Simone and more.

When: Streams at 7 p.m. June 18

Tickets: $25 suggested donation. Visit americanbluestheater.com

Summer Nights with Northlight

What: Summer Nights with Northlight is a cabaret series held at Evanston restaurants to benefit Northlight Theatre. The performers are Alexis J. Roston and Kelvin Roston Jr. (June 10, Good to Go Jamaican, 711 W. Howard), Linda Solotaire (July 27, Sketchbook Brewing Company, 4901 Main, Skokie) and Heidi Kettenring (Aug. 24, Peckish Pig, 623 W. Howard).

When: Performances times are 6 p.m.

Tickets: $60 includes light dinner and select drinks. Visit northlight.org.

Labyrinth Arts and Performance Collective

What: Labyrinth Arts and Performance Collectivepresents “Emerge,” a new cabaret series featuring music, drag performance, comedy and spoken word.

When: every second Friday of the month

Where: Porkchop, 1132 W. Grand

Tickets: $20. Visit labyrinthartsperformance.com.

‘Raices to Roots’

Poet Luis Tubens a.k.a. Logan Lu (from left), dancer Alyssa Harslton, singer Lester Rey, choreographer and dancer Maria Luisa Torres, dancer Angela Townsend, and musicians Natalie Land and Peter “Maestro” Vale celebrate Puerto Rican stories of pride and resilience through original Afro-Latin dance, spoken word, and music in “Raices to Roots.” — Poet Luis Tubens a.k.a. Logan Lu (from left), dancer Alyssa Harslton, singer Lester Rey, choreographer and dancer Maria Luisa Torres, dancer Angela Townsend, and musicians Natalie Land and Peter “Maestro” Vale celebrate Puerto Rican stories of pride and resilience through original Afro-Latin dance, spoken word, and music in “Raices to Roots.”

WHAT: The Chicago Puerto Rican experience is celebrated in “Raices to Roots.” Using “home” as a theme, a cast of artists embody stories of pride, struggle and resilience through original Afro-Latin dance, spoken word and music. The performers are poet Luis Tubens a.k.a. Logan Lu; dancers Maria Luisa Torres, Alyssa Harslton and Angela Townsend; and musicians and performers Peter “Maestro” Vale, Natalie Land and Lester Rey.

WHEN: June 5-6, 24-27

WHERE: Segundo Ruiz Belvis Cultural Center, 4048 W. Armitage.

TICKETS: $30-$50. Visit segundoruizbelvis.org .

Tuesdays on the Terrace

When: 5:30 p.m. Tuesdays June 1-Aug. 31

Where: Museum of Contemporary Art’s outdoor sculpture garden, 220 E. Chicago

What: Tuesdays on the Terrace returns to the Museum of Contemporary Art’s outdoor sculpture garden. The popular jazz concert series features an array of Chicago jazz musiciansFirst up on June 1 is Alexis Lombre’s Ancestral Awakenings. Free with advance reservations. Visit mcachicago.org.

Lollapalooza

When: July 29-Aug. 1

Where: Grant Park

What: Lollapalooza returns to Grant Park July 29-Aug. 1 with Foo Fighters, Post Malone, Tyler, the Creator, Miley Cyrus, Dababy, Marchmello, Journey, Megan Thee Stallion, Roddy Ricch, Kaytranada and more. $375+/festival pass. Visit lollapalooza.com.

Pitchfork Music Festival

When: Sept. 10-12

Where: Union Park, 1501 W. Randolph

What: The Pitchfork Music Festival returns to Union Park, 1501 W. Randolph. Performers include Erykah Badu Phoebe Bridgers, St. Vincent, The Fiery Furnaces, Angel Olsen, Kim Gordon Waxahatchee, Flying Lotus, Thundercat and more.

Tickets: $90/day, $195 festival pass. Visit pitchforkmusicfestival.com.

Riot Fest

When: Sept. 17-19

Where: Douglass Park, Chicago

What: Riot Fest is back, this year with Nine Inch Nails, The Smashing Pumpkins, Run the Jewels, Pixies, Faith No More, Devo, Lupe Fiasco and more.

Tickets: $125+/day $155+/festival pass. Visit riotfest.org.

Things to do in Chicago for music fansMary Houlihan – For the Sun-Timeson June 18, 2021 at 2:01 am