Clockwise from top left: Charles Bradley, Mary Mary, Tenacious D, Ozzy Osbourne of Black Sabbath, Laura Marling, Skrillex, and Thom Yorke of Radiohead
1. BLACK SABBATH at Lollapalooza
See the godfathers of British metal—with Ozzy!—in their only U.S. gig. August 3. $95 a day. lollapalooza.com
2. RADIOHEAD at the First Midwest Bank Amphitheatre
The minimalistic electro-rock band puts on a rowdy live show. June 10. $39.50 to $69.50. livenation.com
3. A$AP ROCKY at the Pitchfork Music Festival
With this Harlem rapper on the ascent, the indie fest surprisingly has the best hip-hop lineup of the summer. July 13. $45 a day. pitchfork.com
4. SKRILLEX at the Spring Awakening Music Festival at Soldier Field
The umpf-umpf will build inside this inaugural electronica fest until this 24-year-old wunderkind DJ/producer takes the mic. June 16. $120 to $240. springawakeningfestival.com
5. WILCO at Fifth Third Bank Ballpark
A minor-league ballpark in Geneva offers Chicagoans their only chance to see Jeff Tweedy and Co. this summer—complete with the whistler-composer Andrew Bird and a fireworks display. July 8. $50. jamusa.com
6. LAURA MARLING at the Athenaeum Theatre
The young Brit pens haunting verses steeped in pure folk tradition, then modernizes them with electric guitar distortion and sonic atmosphere. June 19. $22 to $25. lincolnhallchicago.com
7. CHARLES McPHERSON quartet at the Jazz Showcase
This alto saxophonist (and former Charles Mingus sideman) will play a four-night stint sure to veer into bop territory. August 9 to 12. $20. jazzshowcase.com
8. GLEN CAMPBELL at Ravinia
Diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease last year, the Wichita Lineman has built a farewell tour upon six decades of songwriting. June 28. $32 to $60. ravinia.org
9. PHILIP GLASS at Ravinia
Joined by violinist Timothy Fain, the acclaimed experimental composer will provide a soaring evening of symphonies, operas, and film scores. June 23. $10 to $60. ravinia.org
10. MARY MARY at the Chicago Gospel Fest
Hear the Grammy-winning sister act (and reality TV stars) Mary Mary in Bronzeville, the home of gospel. June 24. Free. explorechicago.org
11. TENACIOUS D at the Aragon
Jack Black the Movie Star arguably does his best work spoofing classic-rock warhorses with his comic sidekick Kyle Gass. They have a new album (Rize of the Fenix)—and an old-school opener (Urge Overkill). July 7. $40. etix.com
12. CHARLES BRADLEY at Millennium Park
It took four decades for this janitor–cum–Brooklyn soul singer to arrive. His 2011 debut, No Time for Dreaming, is worth the wait. July 16. Free. explorechicago.org
13. BRAD PAISLEY’S VIRTUAL REALITY WORLD TOUR at Wrigley Field
One heavyweight (Brad Paisley) + two up-and-comers (Miranda Lambert, the Band Perry) = the summer’s most respected pop country bill. June 9. $34 to $84. tickets.com
MORE FROM OUR SUMMER MUSIC PREVIEW:
Rising Chicago Musicians Offer Throwback Sounds | Kelly Hogan’s New Album: Made the Old-Fashioned Way
The Perfect Summer Playlist | Inside the Mind of Pitchfork Impresario Mike Reed
Photography: (Bradley) Kisha Bari; (Tenacious D) Michael Elins; (Mary Mary) courtesy of WE TV; (Marling) courtesy of Ribbon Music; (Skrillex) Ethan Saks; (Radiohead) Esther Kang; (Ozzy Osbourne) Kevin Nixon/Classic Rock Magazine via Getty Images