One of my favorite things about living in Chicago is the summer music scene. It’s the reason why, for three months, I forget about the fact that local rock bands in the Windy City have to help us cope with nasty Midwestern blizzards and sub-zero temperatures.
And since it began three years ago, one of the best places to see live music for free in Chicago is the Downtown Sound music series at Millennium Park.
Looking back, I have some great memories, one of which is seeing Andrew Bird evoke a frenzy of kids to rush the stage at the Pritzker Pavilion where the Downtown Sound concerts are held.
The series includes 10 free concerts that start at 6:30 p.m on Mondays and runs from May 23 through July 25. This year’s line-up includes a great mix of indie rock, pop bands and rock stalwarts.
Downtown Sound Line-up (Headliners listed first):
May 23 at 6:30pm – Bonnie “Prince” Billy featuring the Cairo Gang + Eleventh Dream Day
May 30 at 6:30pm – Justin Townes Earle + Andre Williams and the Goldstars
June 6 at 6:30pm – Iron and Wine + The Head and the Hear
June 13 at 6:30pm – Phosphorescent + Campbell Brothers
June 20 at 6:30pm – Kings Go Forth + Ben L’Oncle Soul
June 27 at 6:30pm – Low + Glen Hansard
July 4 at 6:30pm – Seefeel + Cave
July 11 at 6:30pm – Delicate Steve + Bombino
July 18 at 6:30pm – Blonde Redhead + My Gold Mask
July 25 at 6:30pm – Ted Leo and the Pharmacists + Rachel Ries
What do you think of the lineup? How does your city celebrate live music during the summer? Do you have a Downtown Sound concert story to share?
Flickr Photo credit Out of rhythm