For generations now, live music package tours and multi–act concerts have been a mainstay in the live music strata.
Customarily, multi–act shows are win–wins for the performing artists and their fans, especially during times of economic uncertainty. Concertgoers get more bang for their buck, while the performers are taking less of a risk when it comes to filling seats.
As has been the case over the last few years, package pop, rock, hip–hop and country tours and concerts are proving to be the norm for summer concertgoers. Listed below are some noteworthy tours and other highlights heading to the great outdoor sheds and parks, as well as a few stays indoors, this season.
Ticket prices listed below may not include taxes and fees.
Let's get rocked
The regions big three summer sheds — Chicago's Charter One Pavilion, Tinley Park's First Midwest Bank Amphitheatre and Bridgeview's Toyota Park — have loaded their rosters for the season with multi–talent shows that will surely appeal to ticket buyers. While all of the shows for the venues have yet to be announced, the offerings on sale thus far read like a classic rock fan's preferred playlist.
Charter One is shaping up to be the prime destination for fans of rocks greatest pasts. Many a fan of locally churned 70s rock already have June 24 circled on their calendars, when Styx, REO Speedwagon and Ted Nugent take to the Charter One Stage (7 p.m., $48.47 – $144.43) and also have Chicago and the Doobie Brothers (7:30 p.m. July 28, $52.47–$144.43) to look forward to.
More classic rock faves will be found at Toyota Park, when Lynyrd Skynyrd, Paul Rodgers and Loverboy join forces for the annual "Loopfest" (July 13, $21.70–$90.70), and the one–two punch of KISS and Motley Crue will light up the First Midwest Bank stage (Sept. 7, $48.50 – $210).
In 2012, beloved 80s and 90s hitmakers have also found themselves lumped, for better or for worse, into the classic rock genre. To cater to this new generation of fans, Charter One is offering shows by the B–52s and Squeeze (7:30 p.m. July 6, $58.50 – $144.43) and a 90s rock/pop blowout featuring Barenaked Ladies, Blues Travelers, Big Head Todd and the Monsters and Cracker (7 p.m. July 9, $31.43–$229.38).
Charter One Pavilion is located in Chicago at 1300 S. Lynn White Drive. For more info, call (312) 540–2668.
First Midwest Bank Amphitheatre is located in Tinley Park at 19100 S. Ridgeland Ave. For more information call (708) 614–1616 or visit LIVENATION.COM.
Toyota Park is located in Bridgeview at 7100 S. Harlem Ave., For more information, call (708) 594–7700 or visit TOYOTAPARK.COM
Are you ready for the country?
If Charter One is the go–to for the rockers, then country buffs may set their sights on First Midwest Bank for a pair of noteworthy shows.
Rascall Flatts, along with Little Big Town, Edens Edge and the Eli Young Band, will grace the Tinley Park stage (7:30 p.m. July 28, $31–$90.65) and will be followed by shows by modern day faves Jason Aldean and Luke Bryan (7:30 p.m. Aug. 18, $38.50–$73).
Head down the road a stretch at Toyota Park and you'll find perennial country favorite Gary Allan headlining the "Country Throwdown Tour." There, he'll be joined by fellow favorites and rising stars such as Rodney Atkins, Josh Thompson, Sunny Sweeny and Eric Paslay (3:30 p.m. June 30, $40.50).
We are the world
While all of the abovementioned acts are making tour stops this summer in (and a little beyond) the region, a pair of shows with roots on the home front turn the tables, with music fans throughout and beyond the country making the pilgrimage to Chicago.
For many, "Black" is the key to this year's Lollapalooza Festival, which runs Aug. 3 through 5 at Grant Park.
Veteran music fans will enjoy a reunited Black Sabbath, who are scheduled to perform Aug. 3, while others will appreciate present day faves The Black Keys. A little problem here, though, both Blacks are on tap to play at the same time, and at opposite ends of the festival grounds.
Other acts slated to perform this year include Red Hot Chili Peppers, Jack White, Florence and the Machine and a reunited At the Drive In, to graze the tip of the iceberg. At present time, only $95 single–day tickets are available for purchase.
While on a smaller scale than Lollapalooza, the annual Pitchfork Music Festival is preferred by a slew of music fans over the Perry Farrell–founded multi–day showcase. On the bill for this year's festival, which is slated to run June 13–15 at Union Park, are Feist, Wild Flag, Hot Chip Vampire Weekend and Sleigh Bells, to name just a few.
At press time, single day passes for all three days are available for purchase for $5 per day. Union Park is located in Chicago at 1501 W. Randolph St.
For more info on Lollapalooza, go to LOLLAPALOOZA.COM.
For more on Pitchfork Music Festival, go to PITCHFORK.COM.
On their own
While many fans will be looking for the best deals for their wallets this summer, and despite the numerous multi–act offerings, a handful of noteworthy favorites are taking to stages in their own right this season without assistance from their peers.
Beloved experi–rockers Radiohead's "King of Limbs" dropped last year but have waiting until now to support it properly and will be making their way to First Midwest Bank Amphitheatre (7:30 p.m. June 10, $51.85–$84). And for many, the summer wouldn't be the same without veteran road warriors Jimmy Buffett (June 30, First Midwest Bank Amphitheatre, $46.50–$157) and, for those loyal enough to make the trip, check out Dave Matthews Band at Alpine Valley in Elkhorn, Wisc. (7 p.m. July 6-7, $89.90).
One of the most buzzed about shows in Chicagoland is undoubtedly Bruce Springsteen and the E–Street Band's two–night stop at Wrigley Field but, to no one's surprise, all tickets for the Boss' Sept. 7 and 8 Wrigley shows have already sold out.
Other noteworthy (and recession–proof) superstar tours coming to town include Roger Waters' (8:30 p.m. June 8, Wrigley Field, $35–$250), Rush, (7:30 p.m. Sept. 15, United Center, $61.11–$107.61), reigning country mavericks Sugarland (7:30 p.m. June 23, First Midwest Bank Amphitheatre, $38–$67) and Grateful Dead alumni Bob Weir and Phil Lesh under the moniker Furthur (7 p.m. July 17, $58.50–$69.70).
Wrigley Field is located at 1060 W. Addison, Chicago. For more information, go to TICKETS.COM.
United Center is located at 1901 W. Madison St., Chicago. For more information, go to UNITEDCENTER.COM.
Alpine Valley is located in Elkhorn at W2699 County Rd. D. For more information, go to LIVENATION.COM.
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