July, already? Summer tends to fly by real quick here in Chicago, especially when our baseball teams are winning, and when there are plenty of music acts coming thru town. The first week of July hits town with a bang, and Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers team up with Steve Winwood to tackle the United Center. If you’ve never seen Petty, you need to do it now whether you are a fan or just on the fence with him. Constantly bringing a great energy and show to every performance, we recall 2003 when Tom and the Heartbreakers tore through 5 nights at The Vic Theatre in Chicago as something we will never forget. Best Petty song? We have our favorites, but let us know what yours are right here.

Fast forward two days to our annual shin-dig in Grant Park at Taste of Chicago. The show is free to all who come and this year’s lineup is solid with Gomez, Old 97’s, and Alejandro Escovedo for yearly tradition. Plus, the city is launching fireworks off later that night at 9:30pm on the lakefront so make sure to stick around! Past years shows have included John Mayer, Matthew Sweet, Wilco, Counting Crows, Buddy Guy, The Replacements, and many more. Let us know what your favorites were and who we should be putting on the bill in 2009!

Jack Johnson is back in Chicago this Saturday with his eco-friendly tour. We’ve noticed this tour provide Jack with plenty of press including the cover of Rolling Stone, Outside magazine, and awareness through XRT’s own Rock, Roll, Recycle program. It’s amazing to think that one surfer, er man, has come such a long way in such a short time to headline the massive outdoor venue called Alpine Valley Music Theatre…but the people come and fill up the seats to see him perform. Over the years you get to hear plenty of opinions here, and while there are still many who claim that all of Jack’s stuff sounds the same each time around, we here at XRT have always been fans of the sound he brings. Is Jack Johnson up and worthy of being alongside music’s biggest solo artist names, or is he still climbing up that ladder. Either way, we’re not going to tell you what we believe but you should certainly tell us and other XRT listeners….

view the 93XRT Jack Johnson artist bio here

view the 93XRT Jack Johnson Rock Roll Recycle page here 

Coldplay announced their return to Chicago this week on July 23rd at the United Center. With the mad marketing rush for the new album Viva La Vida, with the appearance on TV shows and award shows and the very big score of the iTunes commercial, this band is setting itself up and being positioned as the next U2. Remember, the last time iTunes got behind a new album like this it was for U2’s previous release. While some may still consider Coldplay a baby in they eyes of the work U2 has released, a case could certainly said that this band is on its way to super stardom, if not already right outside the city limits of it. Let us know what you think, if you will be seeing the return, and if Chris Martin and company can fill the shoes of U2 and Bono for generations to come…

The Pritzker Pavillion at Millenium Park, one of Chicago’s best outdoor venues, was host to another great performance last night (Tuesday). While the weather was a little bleak with the fog rolling in and the chilly air blowing around, the performance was nothing short of stellar. Death Cab opened with “Bixby Canyon Bridge”, the first track off of their new album “Narrow Stairs”. They played a total of 17 songs before returning for a 5 song encore with a great mix of new and old tunes. No matter where you were sitting, in the pavillion or on the lawn, the sound was amazing. It was definitely a great evening all around and a great start to the summers outdoor music scene.

view the 93XRT Death Cab artist bio here
view the 93XRT Death Cab photo gallery here

The first week of June kicks off with a bang for music fans and XRT fans in particular. Some lucky few may say there’s no reason to see Death Cab for Cutie since they got to see them at XRT’s Live from Studio X event at Martyrs a few weeks back, but for the other 10,000 who did not get in, they will pack the Jay Pritzker Pavilion in Millenium Park this Tuesday night to see a full set from the band underneath the stars with the city skyline as the backdrop. Quite possible one of the best music settings in the country (We dare you to tell us some others that are better), cross your fingers and hope the rain stays away long enough to enjoy the night.

Later this week, two major XRT superstars (Dave Matthews Band and REM) come to town on the same night. While the younger crowd will most likely choose the DMB show at Toyota Park as their spot of choice, the triple bill at the United Center is not too shabby when put all together – R.E.M., Modest Mouse, and The National. We highly suggest getting to both shows early to see the openers – Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings with DMB, and The National and Modest Mouse before REM.

Others shows in town include The Kooks at The Vic, and don’t forget to do what every Chicagoan should do at some point in their lives and spend some time in Grant Park for the Chicago Blues Festival. Being the Home of the Blues – not going to see and experience what this city is known for in the music world would be a shame.