July Concerts Heat Up
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!
July 2nd, 2008 at 12:03 pm
GO SOX!!!
I cannot wait for the fourth of July concert in only two days! John Mayer was out of this world last year–Old 97’s will prove to be the same I’m sure!
July 6th, 2008 at 10:57 am
I was all geared up to see my two favorite bands on the 4th, Gomez and Old97s. Old 97s rocked as always (play something other than Dance With Me on XRT please–maybe The Easy Way). Gomez was a huge disappointment. This was my fourth time seeing them and every other show was great. Not this time though. Ian Ball could not have appeared to any more disinterested. Their song selection sucked–they had a chance to draw in alot more fans and they blew it. People were actually getting up and leaving in droves. They did play a few of their more popular tunes off How We Operate which did sound very good. Everything else was just too heavy-deep-and drawn out. Maybe they thought these were gonna be all their fans there, but it wasn’t. A majority there were very casual fans or had never heard of them at all. They needed to do a few more of their more popular songs–stuff off Split the Difference–or if they wanted to play older stuff do Whippin Piccidily, Rythym and Blues Alibi, or Get Myself Arrested. While Gomez I think have the more talented musicians, Old 97s (and even Alejandro Escovedo) knew how to put on a much better show. XRT should make Gomez pay back at least half their money.
July 7th, 2008 at 10:57 am
My favorite free 4th concert ever was Counting Crows a few years back. The xrt free concert / Taste of chicago on the 4th has become a tradition for us since then! Suggestions for 2009?? how about a nice patriot like John Mellencamp!!!
July 7th, 2008 at 3:45 pm
Saw Tom Petty at the United Center last Wednesday, and I gotta say he may be old, but he can definitely still rock!!!!!
July 14th, 2008 at 2:56 pm
Went to the Urge Overkill show a couple nights ago at the bottom lounge. marty lennartz was there. that was pretty wild. Suffrajett opened and they definately WAILED! thats with a capital dub-ya boys and girls. played a hella savage rendition of that stevie nicks-petty duo, stop draggin my heart around. the back up singer wasnt as fluid on the first set of harmonies but was prime on the second time around.
Heard that urge hadnt played in a while together. while their songs were still pretty solid, they didnt seem as smoothe as i would expect. tha bone, out.
July 15th, 2008 at 1:05 pm
For 2009’s 4th of July Celebration, I would like to see Kings of Leon, the Black Keys, and My Morning Jacket. This would be a kick-a** concert to celebrate our nations independence!
July 15th, 2008 at 4:27 pm
Johnny - I totally agree with all three bands you’re suggesting for next years 4th of July concert. I’m a huge KOL fan and I can’t wait to see MMJ in October. Great idea!
July 15th, 2008 at 4:34 pm
I saw Tom Petty at the United Center this past month - it was my eighth Petty show. I’m a super-fan and it pains me to say that this concert was not my favorite. Yes, it was a great collection of hits, and yes the Heartbreakers sounded awesome - but would it kill them to break out some “Straight into Darkness,” “Walls,” or any deep cuts off “Echo?” Tom, I love you but reach further into your immense catalogue!
July 16th, 2008 at 10:55 am
I can understand where Jane is coming from on the Petty concert, but as a first timer at a Tom Petty show I have to say that it was AMAZING! I had soooo much fun. Not to mention I am a huge Stevie Winwood fan so it made my night seeing him AND Petty play together on stage, what a TREAT! I loved that Petty played all his hits, and they sounded great but like i said i understand Jane because Im sure going to mulitple Petty shows and having him play all the same stuff probably gets old…
July 16th, 2008 at 2:41 pm
I am so excited for the John Mayer concert this friday out in Tinley Park. He is sure to put on a great show and what a great venue to see a show. I am also very anxious to see the up and coming Colbie Calliat play live. She is very talented and has a great sound. Coldplay on the 22nd is next on my list and am ecstatic about that show as well!
July 22nd, 2008 at 12:24 pm
I was totally blown away by John Mayer’s performance last Friday night, I had no idea he was such a good blues performer and had such guitar skills-I always type casted as the pretty boy, pop singer dating Jessica Simpson or Jennifer Aniston.