Chicago music festivals 2019: Your summer concert guide

The sounds of summer will reverberate across Chicagoland in the coming months, bringing everything from rock, pop and reggae to hip-hop, jazz and gospel to some of the biggest music festivals in the world, all convening across the Windy City.

Just a sampling: Jennifer Lopez, Ariana Grande, Shawn Mendes, New Kids on the Block, Hugh Jackman, Tony Bennett, the Backstreet Boys, the Smashing Pumpkins, Jason Aldean and hundreds more artists — all primed to take a stage near you. Here’s a look at some of what’s playing in Chicago and the ‘burbs this summer:

MAY

May 21: The Who,Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre, 19100 S. Ridgeland, Tinley Park, livenation.com

May 23: Florence and the Machine, Huntington Bank Pavilion at Northerly Island; ticketmonster.com

*Florence Welch, of Florence and the Machine, performs on day three of Lollapalooza in Grant Park in 2015.*

May 24: Chicago House Music Festival,with Reel People, Tony Humphries, Moodymann and more. Through May 25, Millennium Park, Pritzker Pavilion, Michigan and Randolph; chicagohousemusicfestival.us

May 24: Gaelic Park Irish Fest, with Nathan Carter, The Fitzgeralds, Backwest Music, Steel City Rovers, Maggie Speaks and more. Through May 26, 147th Street, two miles west of Cicero or one block east of Ridgeland, Oak Forest; chicagogaelicpark.org

May 25: Belmont-Sheffield Music Festival,through May 26, on Sheffield, from Belmont to Roscoe; chicagoevents.com

May 31: Chicago Gospel Music Festival,through June 1, Millennium Park, Michigan and Randolph; chicagogospelmusicfestival.us

May 31: Do Division Street Fest and Sidewalk Sale,through June 2, on Division between Damen and Leavitt; do-divisionstreetfest.com

May 31: Ramsey Lewis, Ravinia, 418 Sheridan; ravinia.org

JUNE

June 2: Porchfest, Lincoln, Southport and Wellington; lakeviewchamber.com

June 4: Ariana Grande,United Center, 1901 W. Madison; ticketmaster.com

June 5: Ariana Grande,United Center, 1901 W. Madison; ticketmaster.com

Larkin Poe for Summer Guide

Larkin Poe

Appearing at Chicago Blues Fest June 9

Sisters Rebecca & Megan Lovell are the clear standouts on this year’s mostly traditional blues lineup. Dig deeper into their discography, including the phenomenal 2018 album “Venom & Faith” (it hit No. 1 on the Billboard Blues chart late last year), and it’s pretty clear the duo represents the best of the past and future of roots and blues rock. Songs like “Bleach Blonde Bottle Blues” are steeped in high harmonies, southern charm and guitar lines that could rattle the bones of Bo Diddley himself. Just hope they pull out some of their eclectic finger-snapping covers too, like Phil Collins’ “In The Air Tonight.” — Selena Fragassi

June 7: Chicago Blues Festival,with Bobby Rush, Bettye LaVette, Ruthie Foster, Jimmy Johnson Blues Band, Charlie Musselwhite, Billy Boy Arnold and more. Through June 9, Millennium Park, Pritzker Pavilion, Michigan and Randolph; chicagobluesfestival.us

June 7: Spring Awakening Music Festival,with Andrew Bayer, Audien, Brohug, Alan Walker, Blunts 7 Blondes, Armnhmr, Benny Benassi, Cheat Codes and more. Through June 9, Poplar Creek, 5523 Prairie Stone Pkwy, Hoffman Estates; springawakeningfestival.com

June 7: Andersonville Midsommarfest, through June 9, Clark and Foster; starevents.com

June 8: SlimeFest Music Festival,with Pitbull, Bebe Rexha, JoJo Siwa, T-Pain and more. Through June 9, Huntington Band Pavilion at Northerly Island; ticketmonster.com

June 8: John Prine,Ravinia, 418 Sheridan; ravinia.org

June 9: Luis Miguel,Allstate Arena, 6920 N. Mannheim; ticketmaster.com

June 11: Lionel Ritchie,Ravinia, 418 Sheridan; ravinia.org

June 12: Grant Park Music Festival,with the Grant Park Orchestra and Chorus. Through Aug. 17, Millennium Park, Pritzker Pavilion, Michigan and Randolph; gpmf.org

June 12: Lionel Ritchie,Ravinia, 418 Sheridan; ravinia.org

*Lionel Richie performs in Mountain View, California, in 2018.*

June 13: Mt. Joy, Rayland Baxter,Millennium Park, Pritzker Pavilion, Michigan and Randolph; millenniumpark.org

June 14: Dead & Company, Bob Weir, Wrigley Field, Clark and Addison; mlb.com/cubs/tickets/concerts

June 14: Coheed and Cambria, Mastodon, Huntington Bank Pavilion at Northerly Island; ticketmonster.com

June 14: Taste of Randolph Street,through June 16, Randolph and Peoria; starevents.com

June 14: New Kids on the Block,Allstate Arena, 6920 N. Mannheim; ticketmaster.com

June 14: Ribfest Chicago,through June 16, at Lincoln, Damen and Irving Park; ribfest-chicago.com

June 14: Blues on the Fox Festival,with Taj Mahal Quartet, Ana Popovic, Robert Randolph and the Family Band, Coco Montoya, Ronnie Baker Brooks, Jamiah Rogers. Through June 15, RiverEdge Park, 360 N. Broadway, Aurora; riveredgeaurora.com

June 15: 101 WKQX Piqniq,With The Lumineers, Young the Giant, Catfish and the Bottlemen, AJR, Tom Morello and more. Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre, 19100 Ridgeland, Tinley Park; livenation.com

June 15: Dead & Company, Bob Weir, Wrigley Field, Clark and Addison; mlb.com/cubs/tickets/concerts

June 15: Jason Isbell & the 400 Unit, Father John Misty,Huntington Bank Pavilion at Northerly Island; ticketmonster.com

June 15: New Kids on the Block,Allstate Arena, 6920 N. Mannheim; ticketmaster.com

June 16: Vampire Weekend,Huntington Bank Pavilion at Northerly Island; ticketmonster.com

June 18: Rosanne Cash & Ry Cooder,Chicago Theatre, 175 N. State; ticketmaster.com

June 20: Yo-Yo Ma,Millennium Park, Pritzker Pavilion, Michigan and Randolph; millenniumpark.org

June 20: Out of Space,with Digable Planets, Toots & the Maytals, Liz Phair, Yo La Tango. Through June 23, Temperance Beer Co, 2000 Dempster, Evanston; spacepresents.com

Rita Wilson for Summer Guide

Rita Wilson

Appearing at Country LakeShake on June 21

Chicago’s premier country festival has made headlines for being one of the first to offer an all-women lineup on the first day of the three-day event. That list of incredible talent includes Rita Wilson, the noted actress and producer with credits in “The Runaway Bride,” “My Big Fat Greek Wedding,” “Girls” and on Broadway in a production of “Chicago,” which inspired her to hone in on her songwriting craft. Starting with the 2012 release of covers album “AM/FM,” and continuing with her latest LP, this year’s country crossover effort “Halfway To Home,” Wilson’s emotional vocals and strong lyrical chops are her best character. — Selena Fragassi

June 21: Windy City LakeShake Country Music Festival,with Miranda Lambert, Maren Morris, Keith Urban,Brett Young, Luke Bryan, Granger Smith, Clint Black and more. Through June 23 Huntington Bank Pavilion at Northerly Island; lakeshakefestival.com

June 21: Rudio Fest,with Los Tigres del Norte, Hombres G & Enanitos Verdes, El Tri, Los Autenticos Decadentes, El Gran Silencio and more. Through June 23, Union Park, 1501 W. Randolph; rudiofest.com

June 21: Old St. Pat’s World’s Largest Block Party,through June 22, on Des Plaines from Adams to Madison; worldslargestblockparty.com

June 21: Hugh Jackman,United Center, 1901 W. Madison; ticketmaster.com

June 21: Tony Bennett,Ravinia, 418 Sheridan; ravinia.org

June 22: Chicago Pride Fest,through June 23, on Halsted from Addison to Grace; northhalsted.com

June 23: Brian Wilson,RiverEdge Park, 360 N. Broadway, Aurora; riveredgeaurora.com

June 24: Chucho Valdes & Jazz Bata, Fareed Haque + Casseus, Millennium Park, Pritzker Pavilion, Michigan and Randolph; millenniumpark.org

June 26: Summerfest,with Thomas Rhett, the Outlaw Music Festival (featuring Willie Nelson, Phil Lesh, The Avett Brothers, Counting Crows, Alison Krauss and Dawes), Bon Iver, Lionel Richie, Ozzy Osbourne, The Killers, and more. Through July 7, along the lakefront, Milwaukee, Wisconsin; summerfest.com

June 27: Third Eye Blind, Jimmy Eat World, Huntington Bank Pavilion at Northerly Island; ticketmonster.com

June 27-28: Shawn Mendes, Allstate Arena, 6920 N. Mannheim; ticketmaster.com

*Shawn Mendes performs “In My Blood” at the Billboard Music Awards May 20 in Las Vegas.*

June 27: Flora Cash, Susto, Millennium Park, Pritzker Pavilion, Michigan and Randolph; millenniumpark.org

June 28: The National, Huntington Bank Pavilion at Northerly Island; ticketmonster.com

June 28: Little Big Town, Ravinia, 418 Sheridan; ravinia.org

June 28: Logan Square Arts Festival,through June 30, Illinois Centennial Monument on Logan Square; logansquareartsfestival.com

June 29: Brandi Carlile,Huntington Bank Pavilion at Northerly Island; ticketmonster.com

June 29 & 30: Jennifer Lopez, United Center, 1901 W. Madison; ticketmaster.com

June 30: Chicago Mariachi Festival, Millennium Park, Pritzker Pavilion, Michigan and Randolph; millenniumpark.org

JULY

July 1: Car Seat Headrest, Naked Giants, Millennium Park, Pritzker Pavilion, Michigan and Randolph; millenniumpark.org

July 3: Dave Matthews,Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre, 19100 S. Ridgeland, Tinley Park; livenation.com

July 3: FitzGerald’s American Music Festival:With Alejandro Escovedo, JD McPherson, C.J. Chenier, Sarah Shook & the Disarmers, The Cactus Blossoms, NRBQ, Tab Benoit, Robbie Fulks, Nikki Hill, The Suffers and more. Through July 6, FitzGerald’s, 6615 W. Roosevelt, Berwyn; fitzgeraldsnightclub.com

July 3: Naperville Ribfest:With Billy Idol, Flo Rida, Brantley Gilbert. Through July 6, 724 S. West St., Naperville; ribfest.net

Sarah Shook & The Disarmers for Summer Guide

Sarah Shook & The Disarmers

Appearing at FitzGerald’s American Music Fest on July 3

Signed to Chicago’s own Bloodshot Records, Sarah Shook has been called “a new voice for a new country,” an attention-grabbing artist who both fits into the women’s revolution in the genre while also going against its mores. Shook’s outlaw spirit is in the vein of Waylon and Johnny, spilling over into her raw, gritty songwriting that has an unabashed punk rock ethos. In Shook’s case, it’s rebelling against a fundamentalist upbringing in North Carolina to find her truth as an outspoken atheist liberal. With backing band The Disarmers adding volumes of twangy guitar and frenetic energy, it’s country at its finest. — Selena Fragassi

July 4: Windy City Ribfest, through July 6, Lawrence and Broadway; chicagoevents.com

July 4: International Festival of Life,through July 7, Union Park, 1501 W. Randolph; internationalfestivaloflife.com

July 6: Chosen Few Old School Reunion Picnic and Festival,Jackson Park, 6401 S. Stony Island; chicagoevents.com

July 6: Yes, Asia,RiverEdge Park, 360 N. Broadway, Aurora; riveredgeaurora.com

July 8: Brent Cobb, Lydia Loveless,Millennium Park, Pritzker Pavilion, Michigan and Randolph; millenniumpark.org

July 10: Diana Ross, Chicago Theatre, 175 N. State; ticketmaster.com

July 10: Lady Antebellum,Ravinia, 418 Sheridan; ravinia.org

July 10: Taste of Chicago: Through July 14, Grant Park, Jackson and Columbus; tasteofchicago.us

July 11: Heart, Sheryl Crow, Lucie Silvas,Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre, 19100 S. Ridgeland, Tinley Park; livenation.com

July 12: Windy City Smokeout,with Chris Young, Old Dominion, Cole Swindell, Eli Young Band, Lanco, Jessie James Decker, Ashley McBryde and more. Through July 14, United Center Parking Lot C, 1901 W. Madison; windycitysmokeout.com

July 12-14: Square Roots Festival: With Camper Van Beethoven, The Mekons, Murder By Death, The Vandoliers, The Meditations, Okkervil River, on Lincoln between Montrose and Wilson; squareroots.org

*The Square Roots Festival runs July 12-14.*

July 12: Irish Fest,with McPeake, Tupelo, Shane Hennessy, The Bryne Brothers, House of Hamill and more. Through July 14, Irish American Heritage Center, 4626 N. Knox; irish-american.org

July 12: Disrupt Festival,with The Used, Thrice, Circa Survive, Sum 41, Atreyu and more. Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre, 19100 S. Ridgeland, Tinley Park; livenation.com

July 13: Summer Block Party,with Jill Scott, Anthony Hamilton, Mase, Carl Thomas. Huntington Bank Pavilion at Northerly Island; ticketmonster.com

July 14: Jennifer Hudson,Ravinia, 418 Sheridan; ravinia.org

July 16: Andrew Bird,Chicago Theatre, 175 N. State; ticketmaster.com

July 19: Pitchfork Music Festival,with Haim, Mavis Staples, Pusha-T, The Isley Brothers, Belle & Sebastian, Stereolab, Kurt Vile, Robyn, Charli XCX and more. Through July 21, Union Park, 1501 W. Randolph; pitchforkmusicfestival.com

Mavis Staples performs at the Jay Pritzker Pavilion for Chicago Blues Festival Sunday, June 10, 2018.

July 19: Colombian Fest,with Lisandro Meza, Grupo Niche, Alex Manga, Adalberto Santiago and more. Through July 21, Kelvyn Park, 4438 W. Wrightwood, colombianfestchicago.com

July 20: Michael Buble,Allstate Arena, 6920 N. Mannheim; ticketmaster.com

The Isley Brothers for Summer Guide

The Isley Brothers

Appearing at Pitchfork Music Festival on July 20

Pitchfork Music Festival has a reputation for including one left-field headliner every year amongst a crop of indie rock, hip-hop and art rock. This year that title goes to the classic outfit of The Isley Brothers, celebrating a milestone 60th anniversary of their debut album along with rumored special guests. Starting in gospel and doo-wop, the familial ensemble originally from Cincinnati are founding fathers of R&B that imbue soul and funk into hits like “Shout,” “It’s Your Thing” and “That Lady,” and were famously the first to give Jimi Hendrix a break as a backing guitarist in the early 1960s. — Selena Fragassi

July 21: Alice Cooper, Halestorm,Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre, 19100 S. Ridgeland, Tinley Park; livenation.com

July 23: Lyle Lovett and His Large Band,Ravinia, 418 Sheridan; ravinia.org

July 24: Sad Summer Festival, with Maine, Mayday Parade, State Champs, The Wonder Years and more. July 24, Ballroom, 1106 W. Lawrence; ticketmaster.com

July 25: Los Amigos Invisibles,Millennium Park, Pritzker Pavilion, Michigan and Randolph; millenniumpark.org

July 26: Wicker Park Fest, through July 28, on Milwaukee between North and Paulina; wickerparkbucktown.com

July 27: Jeff Lynne’s ELO,United Center, 1901 W. Madison; ticketmaster.com

July 27: Taste of Lincoln Avenue, through July 28, on Lincoln between Fullerton and Wrightwood; chicagoevents.com

July 28: Peter Frampton,Huntington Bank Pavilion at Northerly Island; ticketmonster.com

July 28: Renee Fleming,Ravinia, 418 Sheridan; ravinia.org

July 28: Weird Al Yankovic, Ravinia, 418 Sheridan; ravinia.org

July 29: Rev. Sekou, Cha Wa,Millennium Park, Pritzker Pavilion, Michigan and Randolph; millenniumpark.org

July 31: Beck, Cage the Elephant,Huntington Bank Pavilion at Northerly Island; ticketmonster.com

AUGUST

Aug. 1: Lollapalooza,with Ariana Grande, Childish Gambino, The Strokes, Twenty One Pilots, Flume, Gary Clark Jr., Hozier, Kacey Musgraves, Janelle Monae, Meek Mill and more. Aug. 1-4, Grant Park; lollapalooza.com

*Ariana Grande performs at Wango Tango in Los Angeles in 2018.*

Aug. 1: Bryan Ferry, Chicago Theatre, 175 N. State, ticketmaster.com

Aug. 2: Jeff Fest,through Aug. 4, Jefferson Memorial Park, 4822 N. Long; chicagoevents.com

Diesel for Summer Guide

Diesel

Appearing at Lollapalooza on Aug. 4

While Coachella had DJ Idris Elba, Chicago will get a Shaq attack at Lollapalooza. Yes, that Shaq. In the ‘90s, when he wasn’t slam dunking on the courts, the basketball superstar had a modestly successful rap career with five studio albums and collaborations with Michael Jackson. In recent years, Shaq has gone back to his roots as a club DJ under the moniker Diesel, a reference to his debut rap album, bringing his double decks and a stockpile of house and dance music to various stages, including previous appearances at the Tomorrowland and Ultra Music festivals, and a summer tour in 2018. — Selena Fragassi

Aug. 3: Brad Paisley, Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre, 19100 S. Ridgeland, Tinley Park; livenation.com

Aug. 3: Edge Fest,through Aug. 4, Broadway and Thorndale; starevents.com

Aug. 5: Love, Love, Love — Chicago Celebrates the Music of Donny Hathaway,Millennium Park, Pritzker Pavilion, Michigan and Randolph; millenniumpark.org

Aug 8: Out of Space, with Jeff Tweedy, Cake, Bruce Hornsby, Mandolin Orange, I’m With Her, Suzanne Vega, Ohmme and more. Through Aug. 11, Canal Shores Golf Course, 1030 Central, Evanston; spacepresents.com

Aug. 8: Illinois State Fair,with Dan & Shay, The Traveling Salvation Show, Why Don’t We, Pentatonix, Old Dominion, Snoop Dogg & Friends, Reba McEntire. Through Aug. 18, Illinois State Fairgrounds, Springfield; www2.illinois.gov/statefair/Pages/default.aspx

*Snoop Dogg performs at Riot Fest in Douglas Park in 2015. The rapper has been announced as a headliner for the 2019 Illinois State Fair.*

Aug. 9: Queen,United Center, 1901 W. Madison; ticketmaster.com

Aug. 9: Retro on Roscoe,through Aug. 11, Roscoe and Damen; starevents.com

Aug. 9: Festival Cubano, through Aug. 11, Riis Park, 6100 W. Fullerton; thecubanfestival.com

Aug. 10: Backstreet Boys,United Center, 1901 W. Madison; ticketmaster.com

Aug. 10: North Halsted Market Days,through Aug. 11, on Halsted between Belmont and Addison; chicagoevents.com

Aug. 10: Megadeth:RiverEdge Park, 360 N. Broadway, Aurora; riveredgeaurora.com

Aug. 12: Broadway in Chicago Summer Concert,Millennium Park, Pritzker Pavilion, Michigan and Randolph; millenniumpark.org

Aug. 14: John Mayer,United Center, 1901 W. Madison; ticketmaster.com

Sting for Summer Guide

Sting

Appearing at Ravinia from August 23-24

The frontman of British new wave-reggae rock trio The Police has kept active in the years since the troupe’s last reunion tour in 2008. He debuted an acclaimed musical on Broadway with “The Last Ship” in 2014, and released the brilliant collaborative record with Jamaican singer Shaggy in 2018 (which won Best Reggae album at this year’s Grammy Awards). But on his latest album, “My Songs,” set for May 24, Sting looks back at the past with re-recordings of “Desert Rose,” “Message In A Bottle” and “Can’t Stand Losing You,” among others. Look for his private label wine to possibly make an appearance at Ravinia, too. — Selena Fragassi

Aug. 15: Smashing Pumpkins, Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds, Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre, 19100 S. Ridgeland, Tinley Park; livenation.com

Aug. 15: John Mayer,United Center, 1901 W. Madison; ticketmaster.com

Aug. 15: Clark After Dark,Clark and Hubbard; starevents.com

Aug. 15: Jupiter & Okwess, Noura Mint Seymali,Millennium Park, Pritzker Pavilion, Michigan and Randolph; millenniumpark.org

Aug. 15: Milwaukee Irish Fest,through Aug. 18, Maier Park, 200 N. Harbor, Milwaukee, Wisconsin; irishfest.com

Aug. 16: Dionne Warwick,RiverEdge Park, 360 N. Broadway, Aurora; riveredgeaurora.com

Aug. 17: Ben Harper, Trombone Shorty,Huntington Bank Pavilion at Northerly Island; ticketmonster.com

Aug. 18: Nelly, TLC,Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre, 19100 S. Ridgeland, Tinley Park; livenation.com

Aug. 23: Dierks Bentley, Jon Pardi, Tenille Townes, Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre, 19100 S. Ridgeland, Tinley Park; livenation.com

Aug. 23: Chicago Jazz Festival, through Sept. 1, Millennium Park, Michigan and Randolph and Chicago Cultural Center, 78 E. Washington; chicagojazzfestival.us

Aug. 24: Bucktown Arts Fest, through Aug. 25, Oakley and Lyndale; bucktownartsfest.com

Aug. 29: Michael Feinstein & Christine Ebersole, Ravinia, 418 Sheridan; ravinia.org

Aug. 31: Queen Latifah, Common, Ravinia, 418 Sheridan; ravinia.org

SEPTEMBER

Sept. 6: Throwback Music Festival,through Sept. 8, Milwaukee and Peterson; chicagoevents.com

Sept. 6: Glen Hansard, Chicago Theatre, 175 N. State; ticketmaster.com

Sept. 8: Kesha, Ravinia, 418 Sheridan; ravinia.org

Sept. 12: Vince Gill, Chicago Theatre, 175 N. State; ticketmaster.com

Sept. 13: World Music Festival Chicago,through Sept. 29, Millennium Park, Michigan Randolph, Chicago Cultural Center, 78 E. Washington and various locations around the city; worldmusicfestivalchicago.us

Sept. 13: Riot Fest, through Sept. 15, Douglas Park, 1401 S. Sacramento; riotfest.org

*Fans cheer as Elvis Costello & The Imposters perform on day two of Riot Fest in Douglas Park in 2018.*

Sept. 13: Mary J. Blige, Ravinia, 418 Sheridan; ravinia.org

Sept. 14: Thomas Rhett,United Center, 1901 W. Madison; ticketmaster.com

Sept. 14: Morrissey, Ravinia, 418 Sheridan; ravinia.org

Sept. 20: The Avett Brothers, Huntington Bank Pavilion at Northerly Island; ticketmonster.com

Sept. 27: Jason Alden with Kane Brown, Carly Pearce, Dee Jay Silver, Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre, 19100 S. Ridgeland, Tinley Park; livenation.com

Sept. 27: The Black Keys,United Center, 1901 W. Madison; ticketmaster.com

Sept. 28: Hyde Park Jazz Festival, through Sept. 29, Midway Plaisance and Woodlawn; starevents.com

Next Up In Entertainment

Netflix looks to curb password sharing, considers ads

Dear Abby: Dinner date urges me not to regain the weight I lost

Horoscope for Wednesday, April 20, 2022

Johnny Depp denies hitting Amber Heard: ‘Nothing of the kind ever happened’

Drawing fun out of a hat

Ari Emanuel talks about pizza, brotherly fisticuffs and ice baths during a visit to Chicago