As is usually the case, there are a lot of festivals happening in and around the Chicago area this summer, starting with the annual Chicago Blues Festival, June 6-9.
The largest free blues festival in the world, the 2024 Chicago Blues Festival is three days of top-tier talent performing in Chicago’s Millennium Park with the opening night being at Ramova Theatre.
At Millennium Park, there will be three stages welcoming more than 35 performances, including a special Sunday evening performance by Chicago living legend Buddy Guy as part of his Damn Right Farewell tour.
Additional headliners include Shemekia Copeland, Mr. Sipp, and Southern Avenue.
Full slate for Summer Smash
Chief Keef will play his home state for the first time in a decade and Travis Scott and Playboi Carti will make their only North American festival appearances of 2024 at Summer Smash in June.
The trio will headline the sixth edition of the Lyrical Lemonade Summer Smash at SeatGeek Stadium in the Chicago suburb of Bridgeview, June 14-16.
Scott, who wrapped up the Circus Maximus Tour in January, will headline Friday. Playboi Carti will top the bill Saturday with local legend Chief Keef wrapping things up Sunday.
Other notable acts include Lil Yachty, Kodak Black, Ski Mask the Slump God, Flo Milli, Bia, Destroy Loney, Lucki, Ken Carson, Lil Tecca, Denzel Curry, and Lil Skies.
In total, more than 50 acts are scheduled.
Country music and BBQ
The Windy City Smokeout takes place July 11-14 in the parking lot of Chicago’s United Center.
Country megastar Carrie Underwood headlines the event, performing on Sunday night. Thomas Rhett headlines Thursday night, Parker McCollum on Friday, and Cody Johnson on Saturday.
Other acts include Lee Brice, Billy Currington, Chase Rice, and about a dozen others.
Along with the world-class performers, many of the best pitmasters in the world will provide some of the best BBQ you will ever have the chance to purchase.
Can’t beat EDM in Chicago
North Coast Festival will also be at SeatGeek Stadium and bills itself as Chicago’s Biggest Labor Day Weekend Party.
Boasting more than 100 artists on seven stages, the festival spans a three-day period, Aug. 30-Sept. 1.
Look for Shaquille O’Neal, Subtronics, Above & Beyond, AC Slater, Sullivan King, Alan Walker, and Two Friends to electrify this weekend celebration of everything EDM.
Rise Up mixes up genres
The Rise Up Festival takes place Sept. 12-14 at Petersen Park in McHenry, Illinois, about 50 miles northwest of Chicago.
The multi-genre festival features Dirty Heads as the Friday night headliner, Old Dominion headlining Saturday night, and Chris Young finishing things up on Sunday.
Others booked for the three-day event include Everclear, Sublime, Lauren Alaina, Tyler Holder, Justin Moore, Chris Janson, and Graylan James.
Lollapalooza and Pitchfork
And, of course, we have Lollapalooza, Aug. 1-4. in Grant Park and Pitchfork Music Festival, July 19-21, in Union Park.
Lollapalooza has a “who’s who” in music lineup featuring Tyler the Creator, Hozier, SZA, Stray Kids, The Killers, Blink 182, Melanie Martinez, and dozens more.
Pitchfork boasts Black Pumas, Jai Paul, Jamie XX, Carly Rae Jepsen, Alanis Morrissette, Brittany Howard, and 100 gecs.
Road Notes covers concerts within driving distance of Northeast Indiana. Send your news items to info@whatzup.com.
