Yeah, yeah, we’ve heard all about how great this summer’s Pitchfork and Lollapalooza lineups are—I mean come on, Lady Gaga and Soundgarden in one place is hard to beat. But there are plenty of other opportunities this season to catch some equally impressive outdoor shows, and for a lot cheaper too. Here are Chicago’s best-kept music festival secrets.
Do-Division Street Fest and Sidewalk Sale
When: Noon-10pm, Sat, June 5 and Sun, June 6
Where: Division Street, between Ashland and Leavitt
Price: $5 donation
Ten-block stretch of your typical artisan vendors, but with bands like Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit Hood Internet and The Night Marchers playing in the background. Don’t miss: Bailiff on Saturday, Earl Greyhound on Sunday.
Chicago Blues Festival
When: 11:30am – 9:30pm, Fri June 11-Sun, June 13
Where: Grant Park
Price: Free
The largest free blues festival in the world hosts five stages this year. Don’t miss: blues legends Carlos Johnson and Billy Boy Arnold Saturday night.
Metronome Celebration
When: Noon-10pm, Sat, June 12-Sun, June 13
Where: Milwaukee Avenue, between Armitage and Western
Price: $5 donation
With four genre-specific stages this year, you can catch Latin, indie, punk and folk music all in one place, sampling everything from Split Lip Rayfield to akron/family. Don’t miss: The Right Now—a band of Chicagoans with a killer horn section (Sunday).
Taste of Randolph Street
When: 5pm – 10pm Fri, June 18-Sun, June 20
Where: 900 West Randolph
Price: $10 donation
This fest added a second main stage just to show off, but they have the bands to back it up. Headliners include Lovehammers and One Eskimo. Don’t miss: Lucero on Saturday, The Love Language on Sunday.
Green Music Fest
When: Noon-10pm June 26-June 27
Where: Chicago Avenue, between Ashland and Noble
Price: $5 donation
This fest is all about conserving resources—green vendor village and free bike valet included—and they really take that mantra to the max with their stage shows this year. The selection is eight well-chosen bands, including David Bazan and Cloud Cult. Don’t Miss: Maps and Atlases and Fang Island.
Taste of Chicago
When: 11am-9pm, Fri, June 25-Sun, July 4
Where: Grant Park
Price: Free
Sure, everyone goes to (or avoids) Taste for the food, but what’s even better about this Chicago tradition is its main stage, with live acts this year from Mat Kearney, Los Lonely Boys, Gavin Rossdale, Rob Thomas, Steve Miller Band and Passion Pit.
African Caribbean Festival of Life
When: Fri, July 2-Mon, July 5
Where: Washington Park
Price: $10 in advance, $15 at the gate
A global celebration of reggae, calypso and gospel sounds. More than 150,000 people attended last year.
Chicago Folk and Roots Festival
When: Noon-9:30pm Sat, July 10-Sun, July 11
Where: Welles Park, between Montrose and Sunnyside
Price: $10 donation, $5 for seniors and kids
Starting with a Midwest fiddle competition and ending with a live set from two nomadic desert tribes, this festival gets to the heart of what a folk festival is all about. Don’t miss: French-Algerian band Les Saltimbanks and funk-experts Budos Band.
Wicker Park Fest
When: Noon-10pm Saturday July 31 and Sunday, August 1
Where: Wicker Park
Price: $5 donation
Sure, a more predictable place to find key DJ sets and new indie rock bands, but sometimes it’s good to stick to what you know. Don’t miss: BoomBox and Local H.
New Music Mondays at Jay Pritzker Pavilion
When: Mondays, 6:30pm
Where: Jay Pritzker Pavilion at Millennium Park
Price: Free
Saving the best for last with this one, Millennium Park’s New Music Mondays Concert Series this summer is truly unbeatable, featuring a perfect mix of indie rock, pop and soul performances. Don’t miss: She & Him on July 7, The Books on June 21, Kid Sister on July 19 and Naomi Shelton and The Gospel Queens July 26. (Dee Fabbricatore)
