Euphonic Brew

The sweet sounds of summer in Chicago…

I recently downloaded a JamBase app, which reminded me to start tending to my account there, which I’ve forgotten about for years now.  At some point, the mandatory jambase homepage somehow lost out to google news (probably a good thing) in my browser preferences. 

In doing so, I realized how much great music is coming to town this summer.  It may be that I’ve been travelling around chasing down the music the past few summers, but I don’t remember a lineup like this in some time.  Here’s some highlights:

• 6/2 Garaj Majal (Reggies)
• 6/3 Tortoise (Lincoln Hall)
• 6/6 New Kids on the Block comeback tour (The Venue) - highlight of the summer of course
• 6/11 Phish (Toyota Park)
• 6/11 John Butler Trio (definitely a good alternative if you’re not up for the party in bridgeview)
• 6/16 Bela Fleck, Chick Corea, Christian McBride, Edgar Meyer (Charter 1)
• 6/18 Fareed Haque (Cubby Bear)
• 6/18 MGMT (Riviera)
• 6/19 Buddy Guy, JJGrey & Mofro (Ravinia)
• 6/20 Jettho Tull (Ravinia)
• 6/21 The Wood Brothers (Space in Evanston)
• 6/25 Ween (Aragon)
• 6/25 Thievery Corporate & Telepath (Congress)
• 6/26 Clapton, Mayer, BB, Jeff Beck, ABB, Winwood, Buddy Guy, ZZ Top, Robert Randolph, Robert Cray, Keb Mo (Toyota Park - the golden ticket this year)
• 6/27 Dark Star (Park West)
• 6/28 Clapton & Daltrey (Marcus Amphitheater - Milwaukee… which counts as local)
• 6/29 Umphreys (Summerfest)
• 7/2 Deadmau5, Designer Drugs, Rye Rye, Brazilian Girls (Soldier Field)
• 7/3 Steve Miller Band (Taste)
• 7/3 DMB (alpine)
• 7/4 DMB (alpine)
• 7/4 Robert Randolph (Taste of Chicago)
• 7/5 Rush (Charter 1)
• 7/6 The Cat Empire (Ravinia)
• 7/7 Rush (Charter One)
• 7/9 OAR (Charter ONe)
• 7/9 Fareed Haque (Greenmill)
• 7/9 Carole King, James Taylor (UC)
• 7/9 Santana, Steve Winwood (Tinley Park Amphitheatre.. whatever its called now)
• 7/13 Sublime with Rome, Matisyahu (Charter One)
• 7/17 Sting (Ravinia)
• 7/15-7/17 Widespread Panic (Chicago Theatre)
• 8/7 Art Garfunkel and John Oates (lakeshore theatre)
• Lolla:  Black Keys, Soundgarden, Cypress Hill, Drive By Truckers (Grant Park, and various afterparty venues)
• 8/20 STS9 (hob)
• 8/21 STS9 (aragon)
• 8/21 Bassnectar (HOB)
• 8/21 Herbie Hancock (Symphony Center)
• 8/21 The Black Crowes (Chicago Theatre)
• 8/21 Counting Crows (Ravinia)
• 8/22 STS9 (Old Town School of Folk Music)
• 8/22 Crosby Stills Nash (Ravinia)
• 8/12-8/15 Phishy goodness (alpine & deer creek)

And these are just the highlights.  Its going to be a great summer of music in Chicago.  See you all there.