1 ESPERANZA SPALDING (Ravinia) The singer-songwriter-bassist has charted a highly adventurous and idiosyncratic course since her Ravinia debut a decade ago; she returns to the park one of the most exciting artists in jazz or, frankly, any genre. July 31
2 RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE (United Center) The defiantly political, abrasively confrontational, occasionally visionary band split up more than a decade ago; now they’re back, perhaps unsurprisingly, given that the machine has so much new to rage at. July 11=12
3 “WEIRD AL” YANKOVIC (Symphony Center) It’s billed as “The Unfortunate Return of the Ridiculously Self-Indulgent, Ill-Advised Vanity Tour.” But if anyone’s earned the privilege of performing his original material with a full orchestra, it’s this guy. Emo Philips opens. July 15-16
4 MUSIQ SOULCHILD (City Winery) The iconic neo-soul singer-songwriter has embarked on his first post-pandemic tour, and if there’s ever been a time when the balm of his extraordinarily gorgeous voice has been needed more, I can’t think of it. July 2, 3 and 5
5 COLA (Sleeping Village) Formed by a handful of ex-members of Ought, Cola (reportedly short for “Cost of Living Adjustment”) arrived earlier this year with an acclaimed debut album (“Deep in View”) and a clean, bracing, post-punk POV. July 21
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
