Summer Concert Series

Nothing screams summertime in the Midwest quite like music festivals. We've got Summerfest in Milwaukee, Lollapalooza in Grant Park, Taste of Chicago music stage, Country Thunder somewhere in Wisconsin, multiple State/County Fairs, and lots of single performances at the many indoor/outdoor venues in the area. First off, there is no greater place in the Midwest to see a show than Alpine Valley in East Troy, WI. Whether it be a jam band or a rock n roll show, you should find yourself there once every summer.

With that in mind, why have some of our musical performers gone soft? United Center, Allstate Arena, and other venues should not be hosting major music shows between June and September. We need the invocation of weather, oddly clothed hippies, and fresh air for our music experience. If you're at Summerfest, you can also add food gorging to that list. I still don't understand how I can meet people over the age of 25 who enjoy any form of music and haven't gone to Summerfest before. That would be like calling yourself a trekkie, but never donning a costume at their convention, or calling yourself a sommelier while consuming Boones Farm.

Summertime is on the back stretch my friends, so it is time to get out and experience the music of good weather. Even if you can't stand the elements, check out Pearl Jam this coming weekend at the U.C., head out to DeKalb for CornFest this weekend and catch some cover bands, finish the summer at Soldier Field for U2, or step on old people at Ravinia to catch someone you've never heard of and instigate a wine hangover. I do implore you to try and catch some of these legendary acts that still grace the stage while they're relevant. If you can still catch an Incubus, Kings of Leon, or Coldplay while they're at the top of their game, then make it happen. I love attending live sporting events, but when you go to a rock show you never leave as the loser. Unless you go to a Bob Dylan show, then everyone loses. Check your local listings and find time to catch one more great show before the fall/winter season is upon us.

Digital Ditty

I'm going to mix the upbeat tunes with the rock n roll vibes this week to suggest Panic Switch by the Silversun Pickups. You might remember this group last year from their weird sounding, catchy tune about high school angst. This little number takes this group to another level with a very fast paced rock song that will be stuck in your head for days. There are numerous levels to this tune with twists and turns that make me think this group just might stay relevant while others fall by the wayside.