1 Willie Nelson Ravinia, Highland Park At eighty-eight, Nelson has ventured so far beyond iconography that his concerts probably qualify as rites of veneration. The reopened Ravinia Park should be the perfect backdrop for him, weather permitting (and even if weather doesn’t). August 14
2 Patti Smith Canal Shores Golf Course, Evanston Punk’s poet laureate has earned a reputation both as an activist and a memoirist that looms as large as her musical career; but as a performer she’s still fierce, riveting, uncompromising—and unmissable. August 5
3 Gladys Knight Ravinia, Highland Park After more than six decades of building a peerless R&B catalog—first with her backup singers, the Pips, then as a solo artist—Knight remains the un-diva: no drama, nothing to prove, just seriously top-flight soul singing. August 18
4 John Mayall City Winery Over the course of his very long career, the venerable British blues man has played with nearly everyone and accrued every imaginable honor; here in the U.S., he’s never become a household name. Maybe this tour will do it. August 22
5 Lake Street Dive Ravinia, Highland Park The beguiling quintet released its seventh studio album, “Obviously,” earlier this year, and it’s still hard to pin down its eclectic, jazz-pop-R&B-plus sound; it’s harder still to resist it. August 26
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,” and 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
Music Top 5: August 2020 Lockdown—self-isolating—sheltering in place—whatever you call it, goes easier with these outstanding album releases by stellar Chicago artists.
Music Top 5: May 2021 Outstanding new album releases by stellar Chicago artists, available now.
