We saw what is to come in months ahead this past weekend – a warm sun. When we think of a warm sun we think of live music outdoors in Chicago. Let’s throw the festival scene aside right now for this conversation because we all know Pitchfork and Lollapalooza will come to the front. But, what we want to know is what shows this summer will kill out in the summer sun, whether it’s by the lakefront at Charter One Pavilion, on a neighborhood street or wherever you may see it happen. Jack Johnson at Alpine Valley? Phil Lesh, O.A.R. or John Mellencamp at Charter One Pavilion? Or, how about John Mayer or Dave Matthews Band in the outdoor arenas. It’s part of what makes this city special, so soak it up while you can.

Looking ahead to the rest of the week, we see the return of Stone Temple Pilots to Charter One Pavilion, Rilo Kiley to The Riv in Chicago, and Blues legend Lonnie Brooks performs a post race concert this Saturday at Arlington Park in the burbs.

But the pick of the week is to see how Scott Weiland and Stone Temple Pilots fare. Fresh out of jail and ready to take the stage after serving a short DUI sentence, STP FINALLY returns together to Chicago. For a band that took the 90’s by storm, the real question is will they still have it together here in 2008 on Thursday night. That’s the bottom line of what everyone is thinking, but we feel once the hits start cranking, the fans at Charter One won’t remember what year it is. Whether he’s cruising thru the parking lot on a gold cart before the show or just bouncing all over the stage, you just never know what Scott Weiland may do next. But this show should not be missed. Tickets are still available so get them while you can. Might as well since Friday should be a short day heading into a holiday weekend, it seems like the right way to start it. Don’t you think?

After they cancelled their only ‘07 date in Chicago to go back in-studio to finish their new album, The Cure finally made their way to Rosemont last Saturday for a 3 hour performance at Allstate Arena. Was it worth the wait? Tell us what you thought of their performance!

Just recently The Police announced that they will be performing one final show as a band this summer in New York, letting fans all over the world know that this current tour is one last time to see them perform in your city and to have one final send off. Following last summer’s two buzz heavy shows at Wrigley Field, they returned this past Saturday night at Allstate Arena with Elvis Costello and the Imposters. While the Wrigley shows featured mixed reviews and opinions by the masses, did you think the band was better this time around after being back on tour for a while? Quite the double bill for XRT fans with Elvis Costello on the Chicago stop, and those who say the show should of at least enjoyed one of the performances. Tell us what you thought…

Last week, a few of us took the night to check out the XRT show at House of Blues with The B-52’s. The new single “Funplex” is getting plenty of attention these days and the band has a catalog of hits that you would be familiar with. After headlining an XRT New Year’s Event a few years back, they return with a new album to perform at the intimate House of Blues in Chicago? Let us know what you thought of the show, or tell us what you think….did you stay or did you go?