There are a dangerous amount of concerts in Chicago this summer. With this volume of shows, you could go into debt just buying tickets. Or you could get so many tickets to so many events that you lose track of where you're supposed to be. Chicago is here to help.
This giant calendar stretches from this week through the end of August, listing the 75 biggest events coming to local stages this season. Using the links below, you can embed this calendar into iCal or a Google Calendar. (You'll either download the iCal .ics file, or open up the html Google Calendar and click on the "+ Google Calendar" button, in the lower right corner, to add it to your own calendar.)
Or, of course, you can just print out this list and stick it to your fridge. Whatever works. The calendar is yours to use, as you see fit, to make sure you don't miss a beat this summer.
8 p.m.
John C. Reilly and Friends
The goofy but endearing Chicago actor can sing (remember his Johnny Cash parody, Walk Hard?). Here he'll perform a few songs he assembled with Jack White.
Old Town School of Folk Music, $28, oltownschool.org
9 p.m.
Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros
(Not quite) free love: A communal 10-piece folk band headlines a street fest more associated with hookups than guitar hooks.
Old St. Pat's Block Party, $40, worldslargestblockparty.com
6 p.m.
War Requiem
Benjamin Britten’s searing 1962 antiwar poem has not been staged by the Grant Park fest since 2004.
Pritzker Pavilion, Free, grantparkmusicfestival.com
8 p.m.
The Zombies
The spooky-groovy pair behind "Time of the Season" remain beguiling.
Mayne Stage, $45, maynestage.com
7:30 p.m.
War Requiem
Benjamin Britten’s searing 1962 antiwar poem has not been staged by the Grant Park fest since 2004.
Pritzker Pavilion, Free, grantparkmusicfestival.com
8 p.m.
Amadou & Mariam
A rare intimate show with a pair of African music stars: a blind husband-and-wife duo who marry the spidery guitar rhythms emblematic of Mali with Western funk.
Park West, $35, etix.com
8 p.m.
Jimmy Buffett
A concert punctuated with dopey jokes or a boozy costume party? Who cares?
Charter One Pavilion at Northerly Island, $36 to $136, ticketmaster.com
8 p.m.
Pablo Menéndez & Mezcla Jazz All-Stars
Synonymous with Afro-Caribbean awesomeness, Menéndez has a knack for pairing Cuban percussion and young jazz talent.
Old Town School of Folk Music, $20, oldtownschool.org
7:30 p.m.
She & Him
Bless the singer-actress Zooey Deschanel and her musical partner M. Ward. Their idea of modern is Blondie’s 1978 song “Sunday Girl.”
The Aragon, $40, etix.com and jamusa.com
12:30 p.m.
Q87.7 Piqniq Fest
Karen O wannabes, get thee to Tinley Park. The Yeah Yeah Yeahs will play here only once this summer, and it’s here.
First Midwest Bank Amphitheatre, $20 to $81, ticketmaster.com
9 p.m.
Spektral Quartet
These local workaholics are known for their sonic smorgasboard — Tonight they join forces with sound art group Pretty Monsters.
The Hideout, $12, hideoutchicago.com
6:30 p.m.
Lee Fields and the Expressions
The raspy urgency of James Brown meets the plaintive vulnerability of Percy Sledge in one late-blooming retro soul vet.
Pritzker Pavilion, Free, millenniumpark.org
8 p.m.
Lee Fields and the Expressions
The raspy urgency of James Brown meets the plaintive vulnerability of Percy Sledge in one late-blooming retro soul vet.
SPACE, $17 to $32, evanstonspace.com
7 p.m.
Christopher McBride Trio
The intrepid alto saxophonist is on the rise. See him now.
The Drake Hotel , Free, jazzinchicago.org
6:30 p.m.
International Contemporary Ensemble, More
What better nightcap for a holiday than this mash-up of electronica and new classical? ICE and Chicago’s Third Coast Percussion team up with Nosaj Thing, a SoCal electronic producer.
Pritzker Pavilion, Free, millenniumpark.org
6:30 p.m.
Dvořák’s New World Symphony
Chicago waves a musical Old Glory with the Czech composer Antonín Dvořák’s megahit Symphony No. 9, “From the New World.”
Pritzker Pavilion, Free, grant parkmusicfestival.com
Wavefront Music Festival
This all-electronic beach party kicks off with a set by Diplo, the producer extraordinaire, M.I.A. collaborator, and Major Lazer founder.
Montrose Harbor, $189 to $299 for three-day pass, wavefrontmusicfestival.com
Wavefront Music Festival
This all-electronic beach party kicks off with a set by Diplo, the producer extraordinaire, M.I.A. collaborator, and Major Lazer founder.
Montrose Harbor, $189 to $299 for three-day pass, wavefrontmusicfestival.com
7:30 p.m.
Dvořák’s New World Symphony
Chicago waves a musical Old Glory with the Czech composer Antonín Dvořák’s megahit Symphony No. 9, “From the New World.”
Pritzker Pavilion, Free, grant parkmusicfestival.com
Wavefront Music Festival
This all-electronic beach party kicks off with a set by Diplo, the producer extraordinaire, M.I.A. collaborator, and Major Lazer founder.
Montrose Harbor, $189 to $299 for three-day pass, wavefrontmusicfestival.com
5:45 p.m.
Euclid Quartet
The Ohio-based Euclid Quartet works the angle between poetry and chamber music during an after-work concert.
St. James Cathedral, Free, rushhour.org
9 p.m.
Goodnight, Texas
A patchwork-of-roots project from two young songwriters (Avi Vinocur and Patrick Dyer Wolf) who pen the most original lyrics you’ll hear all summer.
Schubas, $10, schubas.com
5:30 p.m.
Fun.
Those who brave the Taste of Chicago will be rewarded with a set from this anthemic pop trio.
Grant Park, $25; lawn is free, tasteofchicago.us
7 p.m.
Christopher McBride Trio
The intrepid alto saxophonist is on the rise. See him now.
The Drake Hotel , Free, jazzinchicago.org
8 p.m.
Emanuel Ax
The name Emanuel Ax might evoke a guitar messiah, but he’s actually one of the world’s foremost concert pianists.
Ravinia, $10 to $80, ravinia.org
9 p.m.
8 p.m.
Leo Kottke
The intricacy of this guitar virtuoso’s finger work will floor you; the sincerity of his songwriting will lift you back up.
City Winery , $38, citywinery.com
8 p.m.
Leo Kottke
The intricacy of this guitar virtuoso’s finger work will floor you; the sincerity of his songwriting will lift you back up.
City Winery, $38, citywinery.com
8 p.m.
Emanuel Ax
The name Emanuel Ax might evoke a guitar messiah, but he’s actually one of the world’s foremost concert pianists.
Ravinia, $10 to $80, ravinia.org
5:30 p.m.
Americanarama Festival of Music
Wilco + Dylan = a show you’ll talk about ‘til 2014.
Toyota Park, $62, ticketmaster.com
6:40 p.m.
The Congregation
Proof that a Motown redux can start in Chicago.
Grant Park, Free, tasteofchicago.us
9 p.m.
Matt Ulery's Loom
This wide-ranging jazz bassist stood out on the excellent 2012 album By a Little Light. With Geof Bradfield on reeds and Marquis Hill on trumpet.
Green Mill , $12, greenmilljazz.com
Square Roots
The Old Town School fest opens with a feel-good headliner: Sierra Leone’s Refugee All Stars, who formed in a refugee camp in the ’90s to help comfort their displaced countrymen. Sallie Ford rocks out Saturday.
Welles Park, $5 to $20, squareroots.org
Square Roots
The Old Town School fest opens with a feel-good headliner: Sierra Leone’s Refugee All Stars, who formed in a refugee camp in the ’90s to help comfort their displaced countrymen. Sallie Ford rocks out Saturday.
Welles Park, $5 to $20, squareroots.org
8 p.m.
Matt Ulery's Loom
This wide-ranging jazz bassist stood out on the excellent 2012 album By a Little Light. With Geof Bradfield on reeds and Marquis Hill on trumpet.
Green Mill , $12, greenmilljazz.com
Square Roots
The Old Town School fest opens with a feel-good headliner: Sierra Leone’s Refugee All Stars, who formed in a refugee camp in the ’90s to help comfort their displaced countrymen. Sallie Ford rocks out Saturday.
Welles Park, $5 to $20, squareroots.org
6:30 p.m.
Fatoumata Diawara
This French Malian performer is steeped in Wassoulou, a West African tradition that helped spawn American blues.
Pritzker Pavilion, Free, millenniumpark.org
8 p.m.
Brooklyn Rider
They hail from Brooklyn, so it's only natural that these four fellows record on vinyl and infuse core classical repertoire with a hipster vibe.
Ravinia, $10 to $60, ravinia.org
8 p.m.
Beyoncé
A four-year stage sabbatical ends with the Mrs. Carter Show World Tour. Huzzah!
United Center, $45 to $250, ticketmaster.com
7 p.m.
Christopher McBride Trio
The intrepid alto saxophonist is on the rise. See him now.
The Drake Hotel, Free, jazzinchicago.org
8 p.m. and 10 p.m.
Judy Roberts
This jazzy expat draws an adoring, and overflow, crowd.
Jazz Showcase, $20 to $35, jazzshowcase.com
8 p.m.
Courtney Love
A trainwreck, yes. But she still resonates with wounded hearts everywhere.
House of Blues, $32, houseofblues.com
8 p.m. and 10 p.m.
Judy Roberts
This jazzy expat draws an adoring, and overflow, crowd.
Jazz Showcase , $20 to $35, jazzshowcase.com
7:30 p.m.
Harry Connick Jr.
The New Orleans–bred crooner has a new album, Every Man Should Know. But the real treat is his limited-edition Mardi Gras–inspired recording Smokey Mary.
Symphony Center , $49 to $109, cso.org
Latin Jazz Festival
Two days of music (Cuban piano master Hilario Duran and saxophonist Jane Bunnett headline Friday), with an incredible park as a backdrop.
Humboldt Park Boathouse , Free, jazzinchicago.org
Pitchfork Music Festival
When sonic pigs fly: Björk and R. Kelly are appearing at the same fest!
Union Park; day passes $50, weekend passes sold out; pitchforkmusicfestival.com
The Breeders
Lo-fi sisters Kim and Kelley Deal will play Last Splash in all of its off-kilter glory.
Union Park; day passes $50, weekend passes sold out; pitchforkmusicfestival.com
8:30 p.m.
Turnpike Troubadours
Revival jams, romantic Southern ballads, Cajun rootsiness: Simply put, these Oklahomans can country-rock all night.
Joe's Bar, $8, joesbar.com
Pitchfork Music Festival
When sonic pigs fly: Björk and R. Kelly are appearing at the same fest!
Union Park, Day passes $50; weekend passes sold out., pitchforkmusicfestival.com
7:30 p.m.
Harry Connick Jr.
The New Orleans–bred crooner has a new album, Every Man Should Know. But the real treat is his limited-edition Mardi Gras–inspired recording Smokey Mary.
Symphony Center , $49 to $109, cso.org
Latin Jazz Festival
Two days of music (Cuban piano master Hilario Duran and saxophonist Jane Bunnett headline Friday), with an incredible park as a backdrop.
Humboldt Park Boathouse, Free, jazzinchicago.org
8 p.m. and 10 p.m.
Judy Roberts
This jazzy expat draws an adoring, and overflow, crowd.
Jazz Showcase, $20 to $35, jazzshowcase.com
Pitchfork Music Festival
When sonic pigs fly: Björk and R. Kelly are appearing at the same fest!
Union Park; day passes $50, weekend passes sold out; pitchforkmusicfestival.com
4p.m., 8 p.m., and 10 p.m.
Judy Roberts
This jazzy expat draws an adoring, and overflow, crowd.
Jazz Showcase, $20 to $35, jazzshowcase.com
8:30 p.m.
Access Contemporary Music, More
The new experimental music hangout (formerly the Viaduct) is a coup for the local scene; tonight ACM—a composer collective—and others help christen it.
The Constellation, $10, constellation-chicago.com
3 p.m.
Loyola University Organ Concert Series
Even organ music has its stars. Chief among them is Olivier Latry of the Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris.
Madonna della Strada Chapel, Loyola University, Free, luc.edu/organ
6:30 p.m.
The Sheepdogs
The Sheepdogs were the first unsigned act to grace the cover of Rolling Stone. They close out this fest at Kingsbury and Erie Streets.
Taste of River North in Ward Park, $5, tasterivernorth.com
8 p.m.
Jay-Z and Justin Timberlake
Downtown cred meets uptown aspirations in this concert for the history books.
Soldier Field, $69 to $175, ticketmaster.com
8 p.m.
Bob Schneider
This guitarist puts his knowledge of rock, folk, and blues to good use by giving old songs a new edge.
Lincoln Hall, $25, lincolnhallchicago.com
7:30 p.m.
Rodrigo y Gabriela
Now celebrated around the world, these lightning-fast guitar virtuosos once played for change on the street.
Chicago Theatre, $38 to $53, ticketmaster.com
9 p.m.
Rabbit Rabbit
If you haven’t heard this folk-punk–parlor fusion duo yet, you will.
Schubas, $15, schubas.com
7:30 p.m.
Tierney Sutton
Sutton has one of the most soulful voices in jazz. Her pianist, Christian Jacob, is a talent in his own right.
SPACE, $18 to $38, evanstonspace.com
Wicker Park Fest
Sleigh Bells meet Passion Pit in Cults, a dance-driven New York duo that will pump up the volume on Saturday.
Milwaukee Avenue and Paulina Street , $5, wickerparkfest.com
Wicker Park Fest
Sleigh Bells meet Passion Pit in Cults, a dance-driven New York duo that will pump up the volume on Saturday.
Milwaukee Avenue and Paulina Street , $5, wickerparkfest.com
6:30 p.m.
Desa & Psalm One
Underground hip-hop comes to the forefront when the pioneering lady emcees Dessa and Psalm One party in the park.
Pritzker Pavilion, Free, cityofchicago.org
7:30 p.m.
Heart with Jason Bonham
Ann and Nancy Wilson join forces with the son of Zep's late drummer — expect a mind-blowing finale.
Ravinia, $33, ravinia.org
6 p.m.
Wiz Khalifa and ASAP Rocky
A hip-hop quadruple threat: Harlem-bred rapper (and Rihanna tour mate) ASAP Rocky, radio hit maker Wiz Khalifa (“Black and Yellow”), up-and-comers B.o.B., and Joey Badass.
First Midwest Bank Amphitheatre, $25 to $75, ticketmaster.com
Lollapalooza
Nine Inch Nails, the Cure, and Mumford & Sons headline the massive downtown jam.
Grant Park, Sold out, lollapalooza.com
Lollapalooza
Nine Inch Nails, the Cure, and Mumford & Sons headline the massive downtown jam.
Grant Park, Sold out, lollapalooza.com
Festival Cubano
Between the roasted pig, fresh fruit juice, and a flock of musicians from the States and Cuba alike, no one ever leaves Festival Cubano hungry or culturally understimulated.
Riis Park (Fullerton and Narragansett Avenues), thecubanfestival.com
Woodstock Mozart Festival
It’s a Dagwood-sandwich filling between Haydn-Mozart bread. The fest features pieces by Pedro Iturralde, Jacques Ibert, and Erwin Schulhoff alongside Bizet, Mascagni, Haydn, and Mozart.
Woodstock Opera House, $33 to $55, mozartfest.org
8 p.m.
Dickey Betts & Great Southern
There would be no Allman Brothers without Dickey Betts’s blues chops. Now he runs his own group, proving his finger pickin’ is still kickin’.
City Winery, $65, citywinery.com
8 p.m.
Dickey Betts & Great Southern
There would be no Allman Brothers without Dickey Betts’s blues chops. Now he runs his own group, proving his finger pickin’ is still kickin’.
City Winery, $65, citywinery.com
Lollapalooza
Nine Inch Nails, the Cure, and Mumford & Sons headline the massive downtown jam.
Grant Park, Sold out, lollapalooza.com
Festival Cubano
Between the roasted pig, fresh fruit juice, and a flock of musicians from the States and Cuba alike, no one ever leaves Festival Cubano hungry or culturally understimulated.
Riis Park (Fullerton and Narragansett Avenues), , thecubanfestival.com
Woodstock Mozart Festival
It’s a Dagwood-sandwich filling between Haydn-Mozart bread. The fest features pieces by Pedro Iturralde, Jacques Ibert, and Erwin Schulhoff alongside Bizet, Mascagni, Haydn, and Mozart.
Woodstock Opera House , $33 to $55, mozartfest.org
7 p.m.
The National
Love those moody Ohioans but can't deal with Lolla? You're in luck — they play the Riverside Theatre in Milwaukee the following Monday, and it has A/C and seats.
Riverside Theatre, Milwaukee, $33, pabsttheatre.org
8 p.m.
Takacs Quartet
Performing Bartok's quartets — odds one night and evens the next — the august group plays just as well as when it was young in Hungary.
Ravinia, $10 to $100, ravinia.org
8 p.m.
Takacs Quartet
Performing Bartok's quartets — odds one night and evens the next — the august group plays just as well as when it was young in Hungary.
Ravinia, $10 to $100, ravinia.org
9 p.m.
D'Angelo
August just got a little steamier. The proclaimed R&B Jesus and Questlove collaborator returns.
House of Blues, $85, houseofblues.com
9 p.m.
D'Angelo
August just got a little steamier. The proclaimed R&B Jesus and Questlove collaborator returns.
House of Blues, $85, houseofblues.com
8 p.m.
Itzhak Perlman
If People covered classical music, it would cover this concert like Kim and Kanye.
Ravinia, $10 to $100, ravinia.org
9 p.m.
Ken Vandermark and Joe Morris
Kindred musical spirits, the respected local saxophonist (Vandermark) and free jazz guitarist (Morris) team up for an evening of improv.
Elastic Arts, $8, elasticarts.org
6:30 p.m.
Jeff Parker-Nels Cline Quartet
The reigning king of Chicago side projects, Jeff Parker, teams up with the Wilco guitarist Nels Cline to take a stab at the 1964 free jazz touchstone Turning Point.
Pritzker Pavilion, Free, millenniumpark.org
7 p.m.
Chick Corea & The Vigil
The composer-pianist unveils yet another new band with guitarist Charles Altura, drummer Marcus Gilmore, saxophonist Tim Garland, and bassist Hadrien Feraud.
SPACE, $42 to $108, evanstonspace.com
9:30 p.m.
Chick Corea & The Vigil
The composer-pianist unveils yet another new band with guitarist Charles Altura, drummer Marcus Gilmore, saxophonist Tim Garland, and bassist Hadrien Feraud.
SPACE, $42 to $108, evanstonspace.com
Woodstock Mozart Festival
It’s a Dagwood-sandwich filling between Haydn-Mozart bread. The fest features pieces by Pedro Iturralde, Jacques Ibert, and Erwin Schulhoff alongside Bizet, Mascagni, Haydn, and Mozart.
Woodstock Opera House , $33 to $55, mozartfest.org
Woodstock Mozart Festival
It’s a Dagwood-sandwich filling between Haydn-Mozart bread. The fest features pieces by Pedro Iturralde, Jacques Ibert, and Erwin Schulhoff alongside Bizet, Mascagni, Haydn, and Mozart.
Woodstock Opera House , $33 to $55, mozartfest.org
8 p.m.
Bebel Gilberto
The daughter of bossa nova legend João Gilberto has steadily built her own cultish following.
City Winery, $45 to $55, citywinery.com
8 p.m.
Bebel Gilberto
The daughter of bossa nova legend João Gilberto has steadily built her own cultish following.
City Winery, $45 to $55, citywinery.com
8 p.m.
Emerson String Quartet
The Grammy winners just brought on a new member for the first time in 34 years, but they're still conservative — think Britten and Beethoven.
Ravinia, $10 to $60, ravinia.org
6 p.m.
The Black Crowes
Following a three-year hiatus, the Georgia classic-rock revivalists are hitting the road again, this time with jam-band guitar hero Jackie Greene, who will help fuel the lengthy instrumental excursions.
Charter One Pavilion at Northerly Island, $50 to $85, ticketmaster.com
6:30 p.m.
Dana Hall: The Andrew Hill Project
The talented local band-leader/drummer Dana Hall arranges the far-reaching compositions of the legendary Chicago pianist Andrew Hill.
Pritzker Pavilion, Free, millenniumpark.org
9 p.m.
Angel Olsen
One of the Chicago scene’s most promising artists is stepping out solo.
Lincoln Hall, $13, lincolnhall.com
6:30 p.m.
Grant Park Season Finale
Pour out the last of the zinfandel to toast Igor Stravinsky’s groundbreaking, riot-inspiring The Rite of Spring, still spry at age 100.
Pritzker Pavilion, Free, grantparkmusicfestival.com
7:30 p.m.
Black Sabbath
Last year’s Lollapalooza appearance was just the appetizer to this year’s long-awaited comeback. The original lineup (sans drummer Bill Ward) released a new album, $13, in June.
First Midwest Bank Amphitheatre, $23 to $125, ticketmaster.com
7:30 p.m.
Grant Park Season Finale
Pour out the last of the zinfandel to toast Igor Stravinsky’s groundbreaking, riot-inspiring The Rite of Spring, still spry at age 100.
Pritzker Pavilion, Free, grantparkmusicfestival.com
8 p.m.
Julian Lage and Chris Eldridge
Between Lage, a seriously soulful young jazz guitarist, and Eldridge, a vet who plays in the Punch Brothers, this is sure to be a delicious show.
SPACE, $15 to $27, evanstonspace.com
9 p.m.
The Horse's Ha
You can’t swing a cat in Chicago’s music scene and not hit Janet Bean. She’s one-half of a connected local folk-rock duo (with James Elkington) that releases its second album, Waterdrawn, this month.
The Hideout, $10, hideoutchicago.com
Brasil Fest
It’s all about the surdos and the berambaus at the second installation of this pounding cultural festival. The capoeira too.
Logan Square, Free, brasilfestchicago.com
7:30 p.m.
Bats for Lashes
Natasha Khan (a.k.a. Bat for Lashes) first baited listeners with her folktronica cover of Depeche Mode’s “Strangelove.” But her intimate originals have kept them hooked. She opens for Depeche Mode.
First Midwest Bank Ampitheatre, $35 to $180, ticketmaster.com
8 p.m.
The Little Match Girl Passion
What a pair: Classical composer David Lang brought cool back to new music, and Chicago’s Eighth Blackbird is one of the scene’s hottest groups.
Ravinia, $10 to $35, ravinia.org
6 p.m.
Aaron Diehl
The 27-year-old pianist, Juilliard grad, and Wynton Marsalis sideman has talent to burn.
Ravinia, $10, ravinia.org
8 p.m.
Chicago Jazz Fest
It has had its ups and downs, but the 35-year-old fest strikes a new high note this year with a bigger footprint, which includes a string of shows in Millennium Park. The drummer Jack DeJohnette and legendary local jazz pianist Willie Pickens (with NOLA saxophonist Donald Harrison) headline. Fest artist in residence Hamid Drake makes several notable appearances.
Multiple venues, Free, cityofchicago.org
North Coast Festival
Nipping on the heels of Lollapalooza and Pitchfork, North Coast is the city’s next big fest. The lineup skews toward electronica and hip-hop—Wu-Tang Clan and Afrojack headline—but there are enough outliers to keep the crowd diverse: Blues guitarist Gary Clark Jr. plays a set, and local band On an On appears for its first home-turf show since winning over Time and NPR at SXSW.
Union Park, $135 for three-day pass, clubtix.com
7 p.m.
Ty Segall
The prolific San Francisco garage rocker must never sleep. In 2012 alone, Segall released three albums and still managed to tour the United States.
Logan Square Auditorium, $18, ticketweb.com
Researched and reported by Cassie Walker Burke, Elly Fishman, Selena Fragassi, Mark Loehrke, Kevin McKeough, Graham Meyer, Jessica Nikolich, Erin Osman, and Scott Standley.
Photo Credit for front page image: Bat for Lashes, shot by Eliot Lee Hazel.
More summer music content:
Summer Music Calendar | Pitchfork vs. Lolla Smackdown | Talent Spotting | Jeff Tweedy at Middle Age
Chicago’s Next Big Rap Star | Our Q&A with John C. Reilly | 40 Performers Everyone’s Buzzing About