This morning the city announced the lineup for the Millennium Park Summer Music Series, which is a new name for a familiar program—the free concerts at Pritzker Pavilion. The series effectively replaces Downtown Sound, which covered a variety of different styles last year, and the Made in Chicago jazz concerts. If you’re already agnostic about genre, the name change might not mean much, but if you’d only attended Downtown Sound or Made in Chicago, the Millennium Park Summer Music Series might surprise you with unfamiliar sounds or artists. One of the first shows, for example, pairs soul veteran Lee Fields with Chicago jazz drummer Makaya McCraven.
The Millennium Park Summer Music Series begins at Pritzker Pavilion on June 6 and runs most Mondays and Thursdays till August 25. Among the highlights on this year’s bill are DJ Spooky’s Rebirth of a Nation with Phil Cohran’s Summer Solstice Ensemble on June 20 and Nigerian juju master King Sunny Ade on July 18. Ade was scheduled to perform at Millennium Park last year, but had to cancel his U.S. tour due to visa issues; last June’s constant rain also put a damper on the park’s free concerts. If things stay dry Mondays and Thursdays this summer, the new series should be a success. Here’s the full lineup:
June 6: Blonde Redhead; Ryley Walker
June 9: Lee Fields & the Expressions; Makaya McCraven
June 13: Rodrigo Amarante; Leyla MaCalla
June 16: Nneka; Gina Chavez
June 20: DJ Spooky’s Rebirth of a Nation; Kelan Phil Cohran’s Summer Solstice Ensemble
June 23: Maceo Parker; Marrow
June 27: Eddie Palmieri Salsa Orchestra; Ecos del Pacifico
June 30: Lower Dens
July 11: Femi Kuti & the Positive Force; Probcause
July 14: Azymuth; Sidewalk Chalk
July 18: King Sunny Ade; Ugochi & the Afro Soul Ensemble
July 21: Heritage Blues Orchestra; Toshi Reagon
July 25: The Jones Family Singers; Apostolic Church of God Sanctuary Choir
August 1: Jose Gonzalez; Tall Heights
August 4: Sinkane; Mark de Clive-Lowe
August 11: Mbongwana Star; Dos Santos Anti-Beat Orquesta
August 18: Elephant Revival; Mandolin Orange
August 25: Homme