1 KURT ELLING QUINTET (Green Mill) Elling at the Green Door is about as bona fide a slice of Chicago iconography as you can get these days. Expect a sold-out—and adoring—crowd. August 12
2 YOUSSOU N’DOUR (Jay Pritzker Pavilion) The legendary Senegalese singer-songwriter is just the kind of force of nature who can meet the Chicago lakefront on its own terms. Expect to dance. August 10
3 TOWER OF POWER (City Winery) The legendary ten-piece R&B groove machine is coming up on its fiftieth anniversary, but its energy, polish and sheer soul haven’t remotely diminished. August 11, 12 and 13
4 BANKS (The Vic) The highly charged alt-soul diva plays Lolla the next night, but her narrow, nuanced sound may be better suited for this more intimate aftershow. August 4
5 ROBBIE FULKS & FRIENDS (Lake Stage, Navy Pier) The folk troubadour no longer has his ongoing residency at the Hideout, which makes him a rarer presence on his hometown’s stages—and even more unmissable. August 20
Robert Rodi is an author, spoken-word performer and musician who has served as Newcity’s Music Editor since 2014. He’s written more than a dozen books, including the travel memoir “Seven Seasons In Siena.” His jazz quintet recently completed a two-year residency at Uncommon Ground, and he regularly hosts a jazz singers’ jam at Lizard’s Liquid Lounge. His literary and music criticism has appeared in the Los Angeles Times, the Chicago Tribune, Salon, The Huffington Post and many other national and regional publications. Contact: robert@newcity.com
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