As we look back on the biggest weekend for music in Chicago, what events, artists and performances stand out in your mind?  Who was your favoirte act?  Which artist didn’t live up to the hype?  Did you stop by the XRT Lounge?  Share your Lolla memories with us!

Every town has their favorite hometown band, but in Chicago there is such a deep musical legacy that we’ve definitely earned out bragging rights. Come on, we walk every day in the hometown of Buddy Guy! Through the years, XRT had helped so many upstart bands to make their name in the national scene. So now we want to hear from you- which are your favorite Chicago bands…. Wilco? Poi Dog Pondering? Kanye West? Smashing Pumpkins? Cheap Trick? Fall Out Boy?  Any new up-and-comers you think we’ll be seeing in a few years at the Grammy’s or onstage at Lollapalooza?

Summer in Chicago wouldn’t be the same without attending at least a couple of our street festivals. Last weekend, we hung out at both the Roots and Folk Festival in Wells Park and the Rock Around the Block in Lakeview. Looking ahead at this weekend, the Old St. Pat’s Block Party is always a blast, and the Sheffield Garden walk is an awesome fest for the whole family. We all know that various locations, music genres and food vendors draw a wide range of people to Chicagoland’s summer festivals. Now we want to hear from you… Here’s your chance to sound off on which festivals are your favorites! Best Food? Best Lineup? Best Location? People watching? Hilarious stories from fests-gone-by? Tell us what you think!

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.