The Taste of Chicago keeps getting better. Well, musically, at least. After last year's strong lineup of Janelle Monáe, Nickel Creek and Jeff Tweedy (who was rained out, alas), the Grant Park food feast has roped in Weezer (July 8), Erykah Badu (July 9) and Spoon (July 11) for 2015. Still solid enough to be headlining a festival like Pitchfork or Riot Fest, these '90s veterans are bringing some great material to the Petrillo Music Shell. Seated pavilion tickets run $15–$50, while the lawn remains free. So picnic, crack open a bottle of Steven's, and awaken ancient feelings as Weezer rips through "Say It Ain't So." The other headliner slots deliver more predictably Taste-y fare in the Chieftains (July 10) and Maze with Frankie Beverly (July 12). Tickets go on sale Friday, May 15. Here's the schedule so far:
July 8 Weezer + opener to be announced June 8.
July 9 Erykah Badu + opener to be announced June 22.
July 10 The Chieftains + Special Consensus.
July 11 Spoon + Houndmouth.
July 12 Maze featuring Frankie Beverly + DJ Duane Powell.
Additionally, the schedule for the second stage, the free Bud Light Stage, is as follows.
July 8
"It Don't Mean a Thing if it Ain't Got that Swing – Celebrate Jazz Music"
12pm Stacie Sandoval
1:30pm Contrabanda
3pm Lowdown Brass Band
4:45pm The Brazilionaires
6:30pm Hypnotic Brass Ensemble
July 9
"Good Vibrations – Pop Music Day"
12pm Robbie Gold Band
1:30pm Jamie Lono & Noble Heart
3pm Blah Blah Blah
4:45pm Ryan Powers & The Secret Weapons
6:30pm The Future Laureates
July 10
"It's Better to Burn Out Than Fade Away – A Day of Rock Music"
12pm The Golden Rule
1:20pm Sam Crossland and the Side Effects
2:40pm Mike Golden & Friends
4pm White Mystery
5:20pm Tall Walker
6:40pm Mike Mains & The Branches
July 11
"Variety is the Spice of Life – A Day of Different Musical Genres"
12pm Aniba Hotep & The Sol Collective
1:20pm Po'Boy Special
2:40pm The Chicago Six
4pm Jesse de la Pena
5:20pm Antony & The Tramp
6:40pm Rock 'n' Vote Winner
July 12
"Imitation is the Sincerest Form of Flattery – A Day of Tribute Bands"
12pm The Soul of James Brown
1:30pm The Chicago Rat Pack
3pm Infinity (Journey Tribute)
4pm American English (Beatles Tribute)
6:30pm Reginald Torian Sr. – All Things Mayfield (Curtis Mayfield Tribute)