From Bonnaroo to Lollapalooza, there are a number of long running music festivals throughout the summer, but few can hold a candle to the Ravinia Festival. The Chicago-based event has hosted talented musicians in Highland Park since the early 1900s, and this year welcomes the likes of Seal, Sarah McLachlan, Duran Duran and Natalie Merchant.
The first moth of the schedule is packed full of great artists. Here are some highlights:
June 9 Earth, Wind & Fire with Orchestra
June 10 Iron & Wine/Dr. John
June 15 Al Green/Chicago Children’s Choir
June 17 Jimmy Cliff
June 24 Steve Martin and The Steep Canyon Rangers
June 25 Esperanza Spalding
June 28 Glen Campbell “Goodbye Tour”/Ronnie Milsap
June 29 Colbie Caillat & Gavin DeGraw
June 30 Sarah McLachlan
Download PDF of full schedule here.
The oldest music festival in the country, Ravinia runs from June through September, with shows scheduled for most days throughout the summer. Many of today's most popular festivals owe their existence to Ravinia. Here's a look at two of this summer's most anticipated festivals.
Bonnaroo Music Festival
Held in Manchester, Tennessee, Bonnaroo Music Festival began as a celebration dedicated to jam bands and has since expanded to include artists of all different genres. This year, the weekend-long festival is slated for June 7 through 10 and will welcome some of the biggest names in music. The Red Hot Chili Peppers, Radiohead and Phish are the scheduled headliners, and although they may be the most recognizable acts, there are many other must-see artists making appearances throughout the weekend.
Fresh off his Best New Artist win at the Grammys, Bon Iver, the musical project of Justin Vernon, is another one of the most anticipated acts. Additionally, bluegrass favorites The Avett Brothers are set to be on one of the featured stages along with 2011 breakout stars Foster the People. Music legends The Beach Boys and Alice Cooper will also be taking the stage.
Lollapalooza Music Festival
Much like the Ravinia Festival, Lollapalooza is held in Chicago, but a short distance away in the city's Grant Park. This year, the festival is set for August 3 through 5, and although it features a somewhat different lineup than Bonnaroo, it is no less impressive.
Like Bonnaroo, Lollapalooza will feature the Chili Peppers, but the other headlining acts are The Black Keys and Jack White, who is fresh of the release of his first solo album, the critically acclaimed Blunderbuss.
Outside of the three big-name headliners, Lollapalooza is a veritable who's who of breakout stars from the last 18 months. The Alabama Shakes, M83, Childish Gambino and The Head and the Heart will all be making their way to Chicago in early August.