June 2018 events calendar for Chicago

Taylor Swift may be preoccupied with her Reputation, but we’re still trying to fathom how her latest stadium show will contrast the aggressive, R&B-inflected production of her latest album with the wholesome, enthusiastic pop of her past. Prepare for a bit of musical whiplash as the country crossover star careens from sappy Nashville balladry to hip-hop-inspired anthems about holding grudges. "Havana" singer Camila Cabello and British dance-pop singer Charli XCX support.

Chicago honors its history as a destination for musicians by hosting the largest free blues festival in the world, bringing living legends and local 12-bar players to Millennium Park. This year, Pritzker Pavilion hosts headlining sets from Mavis Staples and Fantastic Negrito, as well as a tribute to blues harpist Little Walter and Chicago label Delmark Records. During the day, local acts perform on side stages, giving you plenty of time to snag a spot on the lawn.    

Chicago's largest EDM festival returns each June, armed with some of the biggest DJs and electronic acts in the world. This year, Deadmau5, Afrojack, Kaskade and Steve Aoki are among the acts headlining the stages in Addams/Medill Park. If endless bass drops, pyrotechnics and high-tech light shows are your cup of lukewarm beer, Spring Awakening is the place to kick off summer festival season.

After scoring Marvel's box-office smashing film Black Panther and earning a Pulitzer Prize for his 2017 album, DAMN., Kendrick Lamar hits the road with his Top Dawg Entertainment label mates on the aptly-titled Championship Tour. In addition to a headlining set from Lamar, the lineup also includes R&B singer-songwriter SZA as well as L.A. rappers Schoolboy Q, Jay Rock and Ab-Soul. With so much talent on the bill, you'll probably see some unexpected collaborations throughout the evening.  

For country music fans in Chicago, there's no bigger event than the Country LakeShake Festival on Northerly Island. Headliners at this year's fest include The Voice judge (and Sexiest Man Alive, according to People magazine) Blake Shelton, singer-songwriter Dierks Bentley and bro-country duo Florida Georgia Line. In a city where most festivals tend to ignore country music, this is the hootenanny that Nashville devotees have been waiting for.

Returning to Pilsen's Addams/Medill Park, Ruido Fest fills a void in Chicago's summer festival scene, championing the diverse sounds of Latin American rock en español, pop and electro. Mexico City rock act Caifanes and cumbia sonidera revivalists Los Ángeles Azules headline this year's festival, joined by acts like Panteón Rococó, Plastilina Mosh and Dread Mar-I.

If you can't afford a vacation to the ocean this summer, you can at least enjoy some music with sand beneath your toes at Mamby on the Beach. The lakefront festival takes place on Oakwood Beach, and features headlining sets from local rapper Common, rising hip-hop artist Russ and indie-rock veterans Spoon, Grizzly Bear and Cold War Kids. Plus, you'll see some of Chicago's best homegrown talent, including Jamila Woods, Joseph Chilliams, Kami and more.

Taylor Swift may be preoccupied with her Reputation, but we’re still trying to fathom how her latest stadium show will contrast the aggressive, R&B-inflected production of her latest album with the wholesome, enthusiastic pop of her past. Prepare for a bit of musical whiplash as the country crossover star careens from sappy Nashville balladry to hip-hop-inspired anthems about holding grudges. "Havana" singer Camila Cabello and British dance-pop singer Charli XCX support.

In a 2001 interview with Time Out New York, David Bryne said that his decision to break up the Talking Heads came out of a desire to "change creatively so I could keep people off balance." In the ensuing decades, he's remained true to his word, founding an eclectic record label, writing a book about his relationship to music and collaborating with musicians like Brian Eno and St. Vincent. Touring behind American Utopia, his first solo record in more than a decade, Byrne continues to chase his muse throughout a collection of endearingly optimistic songs. The tracks provide the centerpiece of his "most ambitious" live show since Stop Making Sense, incorporating a cast of marching musicians that synchronize their movements to Byrne's challenging catalog.

While many fans cling to the mythology of singer-songwriter Justin Vernon writing heartbroken folk songs in a Wisconsin cabin, these days the Bon Iver frontman is collaborating with Kanye West and running his own music festival. Vernon brought his band out of an extended hiatus with his 2016 album, 22, A Million, which wrapped his falsetto vocals around a collection of glitchy, experimental arrangements. Now, he's bringing Bon Iver to Chicago for the first time since 2011—who knows what new tricks (or songs) he'll have up his sleeve?

Endlessly catchy and boundlessly energetic, Deerhoof's two-plus decades of musical output is still full of surprises. The quartet's latest album, Mountain Moves, finds the group collaborating with artists like Lætitia Sadier and Xenia Rubinos, providing a contrast to the chirpy vocals of lead singer Satomi Matsuzaki and the band's blistering funk-punk arrangements. Here, the group squeezes back into the Bottle after a set at Do Division, joined by eclectic local act Not For You and Madison punks Solid Freex

Golden-grilled rapper Post Malone is one of the decade's most unlikely hip-hop stars, rising to prominence on the back of hazy SoundCloud single "White Iverson." The outspoken 22-year-old (who credits his interest in music to the Guitar Hero video game) scored another hit with "Rockstar," the lead single from his latest album Beerbongs & Bentleys, which continues doesn't stray far from his vocoder and moody synth-strewn template. "Rockstar" collaborator 21 Savage and Bay Area rap crew SOB X RBE support.

Quickly transitioning from indie darling to festival-headlining modern-rock juggernauts, the rise of quirky English act Alt-J is an unlikely success story. The group's latest release, Relaxer, strays from the pop-culture referencing electro anthems that filled its debut, stripping away the glitchy synthesizers in favor of string arrangements and slow-moving ballads overseen by frontman Joe Newman's nasally vocals. If you're a faithful Alt-J fan, you'll be in for a treat—the rest of us will just wait for a rendition of "Left Hand Free."

After showcasing her charismatic flow on her debut album, 1992 Deluxe, rapper Princess Nokia decided to take a very different direction on her follow-up EP. A Girl Cried Red finds the New York emcee channeling the sounds (and vocal styles) of emo and pop-punk, often adopting the elongate pronunciations of former Blink-182 frontman Tom DeLonge. Expect to hear both sides of Princess Nokia's persona when she headlines this free House of Vans concert.

Chicago honors its history as a destination for musicians by hosting the largest free blues festival in the world, bringing living legends and local 12-bar players to Millennium Park. This year, Pritzker Pavilion hosts headlining sets from Mavis Staples and Fantastic Negrito, as well as a tribute to blues harpist Little Walter and Chicago label Delmark Records. During the day, local acts perform on side stages, giving you plenty of time to snag a spot on the lawn.    

Live out your ‘90s kid dreams at Nickelodeon's very first SlimeFest in Chicago—a two-day, family-friendly festival that features live music, Nick stars and buckets of the network's signature green goop. One Direction singer-songwriter Liam Payne, "Low" rapper Flo Rida and EDM producer Zedd headline the music stage, while actors like Kel Mitchell, Ella Anderson and Breanna Yde will be taking selfies with fans. There's also an activity area featuring games and the opportunity to get slimed.

The city's annual celebration of gospel music welcomes national touring acts and up-and-coming local talent to Millennium Park for two days of uplifting songs and hymns. Lineup to be announced.

For country music fans in Chicago, there's no bigger event than the Country LakeShake Festival on Northerly Island. Headliners at this year's fest include The Voice judge (and Sexiest Man Alive, according to People magazine) Blake Shelton, singer-songwriter Dierks Bentley and bro-country duo Florida Georgia Line. In a city where most festivals tend to ignore country music, this is the hootenanny that Nashville devotees have been waiting for.

If you can't afford a vacation to the ocean this summer, you can at least enjoy some music with sand beneath your toes at Mamby on the Beach. The lakefront festival takes place on Oakwood Beach, and typically features a mix of indie, electronic and hip-hop acts.

The city's annual celebration of gospel music welcomes national touring acts and up-and-coming local talent to Millennium Park for two days of uplifting songs and hymns.

Set a new high score at this arcade bar’s quarterly queer night. Guests can take advantage of free pinball (make sure you take a turn on the classic Star Wars and PIN·BOT tables), enjoy bar specials or bust a move in the back room with resident DJ Essential Logic.

After showcasing her charismatic flow on her debut album, 1992 Deluxe, rapper Princess Nokia decided to take a very different direction on her follow-up EP. A Girl Cried Red finds the New York emcee channeling the sounds and vocal styles of emo and pop-punk, adopting the elongated pronunciations of former Blink-182 frontman Tom DeLonge. Expect to hear both sides of Princess Nokia's persona when she headlines this free House of Vans concert.

Chicago honors its history as a destination for musicians by hosting the largest free blues festival in the world, bringing living legends and local 12-bar players to Millennium Park. This year, Pritzker Pavilion hosts headlining sets from Mavis Staples and Fantastic Negrito, as well as a tribute to blues harpist Little Walter and Chicago label Delmark Records. During the day, local acts perform on side stages, giving you plenty of time to snag a spot on the lawn.