7 minute read
Summer 2023 Concert Guide
from July 19 - 23, 2023
Summer 2023
Concert Guide
August 1
CARLY RAE JEPSEN
Metro | 9 pm | $45.50+
3730 N. Clark St.
Fans may know this pop Canadian singer-songwriter from one of her hit songs, “Call Me Maybe.” Others may know her from her collaboration with Owl City on the song, “Good Time.” Jepsen rose to fame after winning third place on the TV show Canadian Idol. Three years later, in 2012, she released her single, “Call Me Maybe.” When the song caught the ear of Justin Beiber, he referred her to his manager, and she became a hit in the U.S. Jepsen returned in 2015 with the song “I Really Like You,” which was a lead single from her third studio album. Though the EMOTION album didn’t prompt substantial impact chat, it still drew a new wave of fans.
August 9 & 10
MADONNA
United Center | 8:30 pm | $97+
1901 W. Madison St.
American pop singer and songwriter Madonna has announced The Celebration Tour, including a two-night event in Chicago. Madonna is known as the Queen of Pop, due to her continual reinvention and versatility in music production, song writing and visual representation. The tour is a celebration of her four decades in the music industry. Madonna is known to push the boundaries of songwriting in mainstream popular music, along with imagery used onstage and in music videos.
August 11
LIL DURK
United Center | 7 pm | $45+
1901 W. Madison St.
From Englewood, Chicago, Lil Durk is an America rapper, singer, and songwriter. Billboard charts one of his most popular songs as a feature he did with Drake, “Laugh Now, Cry Later,” peaking at No.2. But not too long ago, Facebook users were quoting the song “What Hap pened to Virgil?” featuring Gunna, and posting “What did happen to Virgil?” The rapper also stated that he’s going to end the “petty beef” in Chicago by bringing all of Chicago’s Muslims together for a mass prayer. Lil Durk will also be at the WGCI Summer Jam August 12 at the United Center.
August 13-14
JOHN LEGEND
Ravinia Festival | 8 pm | $62+
200 Ravinia Park Road, Highland Park
Legend is an American singer, songwriter, actor, pianist, and record producer. He’s also a father, and husband of Chrissy Teigen. One of his biggest hits, “All Of Me,” was released in 2013 and reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100. Legend has been nominated for 36 Grammy Awards and has won 12 times. He has won an Academy Award for the song, “Glory” from the movie “Selma”; a Golden Globe Award; an Emmy Award and a Tony Award in 2017 for co-producing “Jitney” for the Broadway stage.
August 15
SAM SMITH
United Center | 8 pm | $75+
1901 W. Madison St.
English singer Sam Smith is on his GLORIA tour. The singer was first featured on the song “Latch” written by the electric duo Disclosure. After he branched out to create his own music, the song “Stay With Me” became popular in 2014. That year, he openly expresses his sexuality, in his album The Lonely Hour. His viral song "Unholy" featuring Kim Petras has become one his latest hits on social media.
August 19
KENNY LOGGINS
Ravinia Festival | 7 pm | $46+
200 Ravinia Park Road
Kenny Loggins says farewell with his tour This Is It. American pop-and-classic rock guitarist, singer, and songwriter. His earliest songs were recorded with the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band in 1970. He was nominated for Best Music/Original Song in a Movie in 1985 for “Footloose” and he has won two Grammy Awards. In his memoir, entitled “Still Alright,” he gives fans a candid and entertaining perspective on his life and career as one of the most noteworthy musicians of the 70s and 80s.
August 23
BUDDY GUY & GEORGE BENSON
Ravinia Festival | 7 pm | $51+
200 Ravinia Park Road, Highland Park
Buddy Guy has announced his farewell tour, with guest star George Benson. Guy is an American blues guitarist and singer who has won 8 Grammy Awards and a Lifetime Achievement Award. He got his big break after teaming up with Ike Turner, who helped him make his second record. Two releases later, he signed with Chess Records. George Benson is an American jazz guitarist who began his professional career at 19. He is a 10time Grammy Award winner.
August 24 GUNS N’ ROSES
Wrigley Field | 5:30 pm | $49+
1060 W. Addison St.
Current members on their global tour are Rose, Slash, Melissa, Rich ard, Dizzy, and Frank. The hard rock band from Los Angeles formed in 1985. A year after their album for Destruction was released, it hit No. 1 on the Billboard charts. Their song “Sweet Child O’ Mine” reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100. The band is still making new music and previously toured in 2019.
August 26
BOYZ II MEN & THE ISLEY BROTHERS
Ravinia Festival | 7 pm | $56+
200 Ravinia Park Road, Highland Park
Join these two soul icons for their first performance at the Ravinia Festival. Boyz II Men is a legendary R&B vocal group, best known for emotional ballads and a cappella harmonies. Current members are Nathan Morris, Wayná Morris, and Shawn Stockman. One of their biggest hits is “End Of The Road.” The Isley Brothers are a family music group from Cincinnati. They started off more than 60 years ago with O’Kelly Isley Jr., Rudolph, Ronald and Vernon. Today, the group consists of Ernie and Ron. They won their first Grammy in 2014 and claim to have influenced both The Beatles and rapper Ice Cube.
August 27
ARCTIC MONKEYS
United Center | 8 pm | $220+
1901 W. Madison St.
Arctic Monkeys formed in Sheffield, England back in 2002. The group consists of Alex Turner, Jamie Cook, Nick O’Malley and Matt Helders. They are a rock group with many sub genres: Indie rock, Garage rock, Post-Britpop. Their international fame came with the success of their fifth album AM, released in 2013. Some of their hit songs include “I Wanna Be Yours,” “Why’d You Only Call Me When You’re High?” and, reigning at No. 1, “A Certain Romance.”
August 29
MUSIQ SOULCHILD
City Winery Chicago | 7 pm | $65+
1200 W. Randolph St.
City Winery Chicago | 7 pm | $65+ 1200 W. Randolph St. Starting off in the 90s R&B scene and known for inspired mixes of genres such as soul, funk and hip hop, Musiq Soulchild created a contemporary sound that still resonates with lifelong fans and new listeners alike. Deeply inspired by the R&B/Soul sound of the 70s, he uses the name Soulchild as a way to show respect and admiration for his biggest musical influences such as Stevie Wonder, Donny Hathaway, Marvin Gaye, and many others. Fans may know one of his biggest hits “Teach Me How To Love,” which was released in 2007 and is still a favorite today.
August 30-31 TOOSII
House of Blues Chicago | 6 pm | $42.50+
329 N. Dearborn St.
This year, American rapper Toosii released his new album Naujour, which is a fan pick. “Favorite Song” has become one of his greatest hits. His latest album is self-titled, and portrays his close relationship with the creation of the album. On the album, Toosii notes that he’s “perfecting his craft and just trying to be the best version of himself.” He says, “My music was always personal to me. I can type all day about how far I’ve come, but I’d rather not. Instead, I’ll just give you this classic album and let you be the judge.”
August 31
BRANDI CARLILE
Ravinia Festival | 7 pm | $67+
200 Ravinia Park Road
For the first time since 2015, three-time Grammy-winning artist Brandi Carlile returns to Ravinia. Carlile’s music spans folk rock, Americana, classic rock, and alternative country. Her sixth album By The Way, I Forgive You was released in 2018 and reached No. 5 on the Billboard 200, her highest position to date. In November 2002, Carlile came out publicly as part of the LGBTQIA+ community, but she had come out privately at age 15. She even hosted her own music festival in 2018 called, “Girls Just Wanna Weekend.”
