Summer music heats up 2023

As we enter the summer music season, live performances are in full swing.

Scroll through our concert gallery, featuring images by CBS News photojournalist Jake Barlow and photographers Ed Spinelli and Kirstine Walton.

Peter Gabriel

English singer Peter Gabriel performs at the United Center in Chicago, September 30, 2023. His setlist included "Sledgehammer," "Don't Give Up," "Digging in the Dirt," and "Solsbury Hill."

Willie Nelson

Willie Nelson performs at Farm Aid, at the Ruoff Music Center in Noblesville, Indiana, September 23, 2023.

First formed in 1985, Farm Aid has helped raise awareness and more than $70 million to aid struggling family farmers. 

The Jim Irsay Band

The Jim Irsay Band, a group of artists including Kenny Wayne Shepherd (center) formed by the maestro of the Indianapolis Colts, Jim Irsay (left), took to the stage at Farm Aid in Noblesville, Indiana, September 23, 2023. They were joined by Ann Wilson of Heart (right).

John Mellencamp

John Mellencamp performs at Farm Aid in Noblesville, Indiana, September 23, 2023.

Neil Young

Neil Young performs at Farm Aid in Noblesville, Indiana, September 23, 2023.

Riot Fest

Riot Fest, a festival of rock, punk, indie, metal, ska and other alternative bands, was held in Chicago beginning September 15, 2023. Five different stages hosted nearly 100 acts over the course of three days. And if music weren't reason enough to celebrate, 30 couples tied the knot at the Riot Fest Wedding Chapel.

Code Orange

Guitarist-vocalist Reba Meyers performing as part of the metalcore band Code Orange, at Riot Fest in Chicago, September 15, 2023. They performed music from their new album, "The Above," including "Theatre of Cruelty," "Grooming My Replacement," and "Mirror."

The Breeders

Twin sisters Kelly Deal and Kim Deal of the alt rock band The Breeders perform at Riot Fest at Douglass Park in Chicago, September 15, 2023. Their setlist included "Cannonball," "Divine Hammer" and "Saints."

The Interrupters

The ska-punk band The Interrupters, fronted by vocalist Aimee Interrupter (a.k.a. Aimee Allen), were at Riot Fest at Douglass Park in Chicago, September 15, 2023, where they performed "Raised by Wolves," "Gave You Everything," and "She's Kerosene."

Olivia Jean

Singer-songwriter Olivia Jean performs at Riot Fest in Chicago, September 15, 2023.

George Clinton

Parliament Funkadelic featuring George Clinton performs at Riot Fest at Douglass Park in Chicago, September 15, 2023.

Foo Fighters

Drummer Josh Freese, lead singer-guitarist Dave Grohl and bassist Nate Mendel of Foo Fighters, the headliners on opening day of Riot Fest. Their setlist included "Shame Shame," "The Sky Is a Neighborhood," "Walk," "The Pretender," "Best of You," "Generator," and "All My Life."

Death Cab for Cutie / The Postal Service

Ben Gibbard of the rock band Death Cab for Cutie performs at Riot Fest in Chicago, September 16, 2023, as part of their Transatlanticism 20th Anniversary Tour.  After their set, Gibbard reappeared to perform as part of the group The Postal Service.

Pennywise

A moody shot of frontman Jim Lindberg of the punk band Pennywise (named after a Stephen King villain) at Riot Fest in Chicago, September 16, 2023. Their setlist included "Same Old Story," "Society," "Living for Today," and (perhaps in another nod to Stephen King) a cover of "Stand By Me."

Corey Feldman

Actor Corey Feldman took to the stage to perform a set at Riot Fest in Chicago, September 16, 2023.

Death Grips

Ride, of the hip hop group Death Grips, performs at Riot Fest in Chicago, September 16, 2023.

Pool Kids

Bassist Nicolette Alvarez of Pool Kids, an emo band from Tallahassee, performs at Riot Fest in Chicago, September 16, 2023.

Queens of the Stone Age

Bassist Michael Shuman of the band Queens of the Stone Age performs at Riot Fest in Chicago, September 16, 2023.

Queens of the Stone Age

Josh Homme of Queens of the Stone Age performs at Riot Fest in Chicago, September 16, 2023. Their setlist included "No One Knows," "Little Sister," and "My God Is the Sun." 

L.S. Dunes

Anthony Green of the supergroup L.S. Dunes performs at Riot Fest in Chicago, September 17, 2023.

AFI

Lead singer Davey Havok goes airborne during AFI's Riot Fest gig, in Chicago, Sunday, September 17, 2023.

The Cure

Robert Smith leads the English rock band The Cure in closing out Riot Fest in Chicago, Sunday, September 17, 2023.

Chris Shiflett

Foo Fighters guitarist Chris Shiflett performed a pop-up acoustic concert at FitzGerald's in Berwyn. Illinois, on September 14, 2023, to promote the October release of his new solo album, "Lost at Sea."

Jim Lindberg

Opening for Chris Shiflett at FitzGerald's was Jim Lindberg, of the punk rock band Pennywise (which was in town for Riot Fest). Lindberg's recent solo album is titled "Songs From The Elkhorn Trail."

Duran Duran

The English new wave band Duran Duran, which first hit the charts with their eponymous 1981 album, performed at Huntington Bank Pavilion at Northerly Island in Chicago, September 1, 2023, as part of their Future Past 40th Anniversary Tour. Their setlist included such favorites as "Hungry Like a Wolf," "A View to a Kill," "Girls on Film," "The Wild Boys," "Save a Prayer," "Ordinary World," and "Rio."

Nile Rodgers & Chic

Also touring with Duran Duran was Nile Rodgers & Chic, who performed their classics "Le Freak," "Everybody Dance," and "Dance, Dance, Dance," as well as music by Diana Ross, Sister Sledge, Madonna, David Bowie and Daft Punk.

Bastille

The British pop band Bastille (featuring lead singer Dan Smith) joined Duran Duran at Huntington Bank Pavilion in Chicago, September 1, 2024. They performed "Pompeii," "Of the Night," "Things We Lost in the Fire," and "Happier."

Rob Zombie

Rob Zombie was a headliner of "Freaks on Parade," a 19-city tour of "macabre rock" artists who brought their acts to Tinley Park, Ill., on Sept. 1, 2023.

Zombie, who is also known for directing horror movies, performed "House of 1,000 Corpses," "The Triumph of King Freak (A Crypt of Preservation and Superstition)," "Dragula," and "Living Dead Girl." 

Alice Cooper

Alice Cooper appeared on the stage at Credit Union 1 Amphitheatre in Tinley Park, Ill., on Sept. 1, 2023, part of the "Freaks on Parade" tour. 

Alice Cooper

Alice Cooper's setlist included "No More Mr. Nice Guy," "Lost in America," "Under My Wheels," "School's Out" and "Poison." 

Alice Cooper

Alice Cooper appeared with members of the band Hollywood Vampires, and with guitarist Nita Strauss (pictured), who has also performed with KISS and Demi Lovato. 

Filter

Filter, an eclectic alternative rock band hailing from Cleveland, was featured in "Freaks on Parade" in Tinley Park, Ill., on Sept. 1, 2023. The band is led by singer Richard Patrick, who was previously a touring guitarist for Nine Inch Nails. 

They performed their hits "Take a Picture" and "Hey Man Nice Shot."

Ministry

The Chicago-based industrial metal band Ministry performed at Credit Union 1 Amphitheatre in Tinley Park, Ill., on Sept. 1, 2023, part of the "Freaks on Parade" tour. They performed "Thieves," "Stigmata," "N.W.O.," and "Burning Inside." 

Glenn Hughes

English bassist and singer Glenn Hughes, a former member of Deep Purple, performed at the Arcada Theatre in St. Charles, Ill., August 26, 2023.

His tour, in which he performs classic Deep Purple music, featured songs from the 1974 album "Burn," including "Sail Away," "Mistreated," "Might Just Take Your Life," and the title track. 

Chance the Rapper

Chance the Rapper performs at the United Center in Chicago, August 19, 2023. 

Ghost

The Grammy-winning Swedish rock band Ghost was headliner at the Huntington Bank Pavilion at Northerly Island in Chicago, August 15, 2023.

Lead singer Tobias Jens Forge (with one of his cohort of sinister-looking musicians) performed "Call Me Little Sunshine," "Mary on a Cross," "Rats," "Cirice," "Year Zero" and "From the Pinnacle to the Pit."

They also played, as part of their encores, the Emmylou Harris song "Sorrow in the Wind." 

Amon Amarth

Ghost's guest was the Tolkien-inspired death metal band Amon Amarth, also from Sweden. (Pictured: Bassist Ted Lundström and vocalist Johan Hegg.)

Their setlist at Huntington Bank Pavilion August 15 included "Raven's Flight," "Deceiver of the Gods," "Guardians of Asgaard," and (from their latest album, "The Great Heathen Army") "Heidrun."

P!nk

P!nk got the party started high above Wrigley Field in Chicago, August 12, 2023.

P!nk

The three-time Grammy-winner P!nk performed such hits as "Just Give Me a Reason," "Just Like a Pill," "Who Knew," "So What," "Raise Your Glass," "F**kin' Perfect," and "Blow Me (One Last Kiss)." 

Pat Benatar and Neil Giraldo

Opening for P!nk were Pat Benatar and Neil Giraldo, at Wrigley Field in Chicago, August 12, 2023. Last year the couple was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.

Pat Benatar

Pat Benatar performed some of her best-known songs, including "We Live for Love," "Promises in the Dark," "Love Is a Battlefield," "Invincible," and "Heartbreaker." 

Bruce Springsteen

Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band began the North American leg of their 2023 tour at Chicago's Wrigley Field, August 9, 2023. It's the band's first North American tour since 2016.

Bruce Springsteen

Bruce Springsteen and Steven Van Zandt perform at Wrigley Field in Chicago, August 9, 2023. 

Bruce Springsteen

Bruce Springsteen at Chicago's Wrigley Field on August 9, 2023.

The band's setlist included "No Surrender," "Prove It All Night," "Last Man Standing," "Wrecking Ball," "The Promised Land" and "Thunder Road." Their encores included "Born to Run," "Rosalita (Come Out Tonight)," and "Glory Days." 

Lollapalooza

Lollapalooza, which began as a touring festival in 1991, opened its 2023 edition in Chicago's Grant Park on Thursday, August 3. Attendance was up to 115,000 on opening day, the highest ever.

More than 170 musical acts were in the lineup for the four-day festival, held on eight stages. 

Billie Eilish

As part of her "Happier Ever After" world tour, Billie Eilish performed on the opening night of Lollapalooza in Chicago, Thursday, August 3, 2023.

Billie Eilish

The singer-songwriter's setlist included "Your Power," "NDA," "Lost Cause," "Everything I Wanted," "You Should See Me In a Crown," and "Bury a Friend." She also performed the live debut of her song from the movie "Barbie," "What Was I Made For?" 

Carly Rae Jepsen

Canadian singer-songwriter Carly Rae Jepsen performed at Lollapalooza on Thursday, August 3, 2023. Her set list included "I Really Like You," "Talking to Yourself," "Shy Boy," "The Loneliest Time," and the song that marked her breakthrough, "Call Me Maybe."

The Beaches

The Canadian rock band The Beaches (bassist Jordan Miller, guitarist Kylie Miller, keyboardist-guitarist Leandra Earl, and drummer Eliza Enman-McDaniel) appeared at Lollapalooza on August 3, 2023. The band performed songs from their forthcoming album, "Blame Me Ex," including "Everything Is Boring" and "Blame Brett."

Men I Trust

Emmanuelle Proulx, lead singer of the indie band Men I Trust, performed at Lollapalooza on August 3, 2023.

New Jeans

The south Korean girl group New Jeans on stage at Lollapalooza in Chicago, August 3, 2023.

The Rose

The Rose, an indie rock band from South Korea, performed at Lollapalooza August 3, 2023.

Lollapalooza 2023

A KPOP fan.

Portugal. The Man

The Grammy-winning band Portugal. The Man (featuring lead singer-guitarist John Gourley) performed at Lollapalooza in Chicago, on August 3, 2023.

Karol G

Karol G performed at Lollapalooza in Chicago, August 3, 2023. The Colombia singer, who has won two Latin Grammy Awards, sang "Amargura," "TQG," "Provenza," "Mamiii," "Bichota," and "Tusa."

Lollapalooza

Scenes off-stage from the 2023 edition of Lollapalooza in Chicago.

Thirty Seconds to Mars

Jared Leto, of the band Thirty Seconds to Mars, performed at Lollapalooza on Friday, August 4, 2023. Their set included the songs "Stuck," "Kings and Queens," and "This Is War."

Thirty Seconds to Mars

Jared Leto began the concert performing "Walk on Water" at the very top of the venue. A harness ensured he made it down to the stage safely. 

Thirty Seconds to Mars

Drummer Shannon Leto, of Thirty Seconds to Mars. 

Thirty Seconds to Mars

Fans were invited up to the stage to join Jared Leto during "Rescue Me" at the Thirty Seconds to Mars concert at Lollapalooza, August 4, 2023. 

The 502s

An indie folk band from Florida, The 502s (featuring banjo-player and songwriter Ed Isola and saxophonist Joe Capati) brought a bit of sunshine from the Sunshine State, performing "Hi There Hello!," "Hey Julia," "Summer Wind," "Waves" and "Feels Good to Be Me."

Declan McKenna

At Lollapalooza on Friday, August 4, English singer-songwriter Declan McKenna performed "Sympathy," "Why Do You Feel So Down?," "The Key to Life on Earth," "British Bombs," and his 2015 hit, "Brazil."

Sueco

The rapper Sueco performed at Lollapalooza Friday, August 4, 2023.

Big Wild

Jackson Stell, who goes by the stage name Big Wild, performed at Lollapalooza on Friday, August 4, 2023

Foals

The indie rock band Foals, hailing from England, appeared in Grant Park Chicago as part of Lollapalooza, August 4, 2023. Pictured: Drummer Jack Bevan, lead vocalist-guitarist Yannis Philippakis, and bassist Walter Gervers.

Lollapalooza

Night crowd.

The 1975

Adam Hann, Ross MacDonald and Matty Healey, of The 1975, a pop rock band from England, performed at Lollapalooza on Friday, August 4, 2023.  Their setlist included "If You're Too Shy (Let Me Know)," "It's Not Living (If It's Not With You)," and "Oh Caroline."

The Revivalists

David Shaw, lead vocalist of The Revivalists, greets the crowd at Grant Park during the Saturday session of Lollapalooza in Chicago, August 5, 2023. The rock band from New Orleans performed music from their recent album, "Pour It Out Into the Night."

All Smiles

Inclement weather didn't dampen the mood of spectators at Lollapalooza in Chicago.  

Lollapalooza

A rainbow over Chicago's Lollapalooza music festival. 

J.I.D.

Rapper Destin Choice Route, whose stage name is J.I.D., performed at Lollapalooza in Chicago on Saturday, August 5, 2023.

Pusha T

Pusha T (a.k.a. Terrence LeVarr Thornton) on stage at Lollapalooza in Grant Park, Chicago, Saturday, August 5, 2023.

Tomorrow X Together

"Good Boy Gone Bad," one of the hits performed by the South Korean boy band Tomorrow X Together (TXT), at Lollapalooza August 5, 2023.

Odesza

Odesza, the electronic music duo of Catacombkid (Harrison Mills, bottom left), and BeachesBeaches (Clayton Knight, bottom right), lit up the Lollapalooza stage on Saturday, August 5, 2023.

Lollapalooza 2023

Sunday muddy Sunday, at Grant Park in Chicago. 

Holly Humberstone

British singer-songwriter Holly Humberstone performed at Lollapalooza on Sunday, August 6, 2023 in Chicago. Her setlist (which featured songs from her upcoming album, "Paint My Bedroom Black") included "The Walls Are Way Too Thin," "Antichrist," "Falling Asleep at the Wheel," and "Room Service."

A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie

Rapper Julius Dubose, (a.k.a. A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie) performed at Lollapalooza on Sunday, August 6, 2023.

Backseat Lovers

The alternative rock band Backseat Lovers (featuring guitarist Jonas Swanson and bassist K.J. Ward) performed at Lollapalooza on Sunday. August 6, 2023.

Red Hot Chili Peppers

Red Hot Chili Peppers, six-time Grammy-winners and inductees in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, helped close out the 2023 edition of Lollapalooza on Sunday, August 6.

Red Hot Chili Peppers

At Lollapalooza on Sunday, Red Hot Chili Peppers (bassist Flea, vocalist Anthony Kiedis, guitarist John Frusciante, and drummer Chad Smith) performed "Can't Stop," "Tell Me Baby," "Californication," "Scar Tissue," "Black Summer," and "I Could Have Lied." 

Pantera

The heavy metal band Pantera, which formed in the early '80s, broke up in 2003, but recently reunited. Their first tour in 22 years took them to American Family Insurance Amphitheatre in Milwaukee, Wis., on July 31, 2023.

Lamb of God

Lamb of God lead singer Randy Blythe brought the heavy metal band to Milwaukee on July 31, 2023.

The Washboard Union

The Country Thunder music festival rolled into Twin Lakes, Wisconsin July 20-23

Pictured: Chris Duncombe, Aaron Grain and David Roberts of the Vancouver-based country group The Washboard Union, July 20, 2023.

The Washboard Union

David Roberts of The Washboard Union. 

Parmalee

Matt Thomas, of the band Parmalee, performed at Country Thunder in Wisconsin July 21, 2023.

Jason Aldean

Jason Aldean performed at Country Thunder in Twin Lakes, Wisconsin on July 22, 2023.

His setlist included such hits as "If I Didn't Love You," "You Make It Easy," "Trouble With a Heartbreak," "That's What Tequila Does," and his recent "Try That in a Small Town." 

Ashley McBryde

Singer-songwriter Ashley McBryde at the Wisconsin edition of Country Thunder, July 23, 2023.

Keith Urban

Four-time Grammy-winner Keith Urban performed at Country Thunder in Twin Lakes, Wisconsin on July 23, 2023.

His setlist included "Wild Hearts," "Brown Eyes Baby," "One Too Many," "Blue Ain't Your Color," "The Fighter," "Long Hot Summer," and "Wasted Time." He also performed covers of Ed Sheeran's "Bad Habits" and Miley Cyrus' "Flowers."

Kansas

The rock band Kansas brought their 50th anniversary tour to the Chicago Theatre in Chicago on July 15, 2023, promoting their latest compilation album, "Another Fork in the Road – 50 Years of Kansas."

The band performed such hits as "Carry On Wayward Son," "Play the Game Tonight," "Fight Fire With Fire," "Hold On," and "Dust in the Wind." 

Kansas

Singer and keyboardist Ronnie Platt of Kansas. 

The Zac Brown Band

The Zac Brown Band performs at Milwaukee's Summerfest, June 23, 2023. Among the hits they performed: "Chicken Fried," "Toes," "Colder Weather," "Knee Deep," "Keep Me in Mind," "Homegrown" and "Beautiful Drug." They also performed several covers, including Queen's "Bohemian Rhapsody," the Charlie Daniels Band's "The Devil Went Down to Georgia," the Rolling Stones' "Paint It Black," and the Allman Brothers Band's "Whipping Post." 

Held for the 55th year on 75 acres of festival grounds along the shore of Lake Michigan, Summerfest features hundreds of performances on 12 stages over three weekends. Produced by Milwaukee World Festival.

Three 6 Mafia

The hip hop group Three 6 Mafia (DJ Paul, left, and Juicy J, wearing a Hannibal Lecter mask and strait jacket) performs at Summerfest, on the USCellular Connection Stage, June 22, 2023.

Gryffin

Musician and DJ Dan Griffith (a.k.a. Gryffin) performs on the Miller Lite Oasis Stage at Summerfest in Milwaukee, June 22, 2023.

Buddy Guy

Blues guitarist Buddy Guy performs at Summerfest, on the Uline Warehouse Stage, June 22, 2023. Guy is a Kennedy Center Honoree, a Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee, and an eight-time Grammy Award-winner.

Elle King

Singer-songwriter Elle King performs at Summerfest, at the American Family Insurance Amphitheater, June 22, 2023.

Bleachers

Jack Antonoff's rock band Bleachers performs at Summerfest in Milwaukee, on the Generac Power Stage, June 23, 2023.

Radkey

The punk rock band Radkey (the brothers Isaiah Radke, on bass; Solomon Radke, on drums; and Dee Radke, guitars and vocals) performs on the Uline Warehouse Stage at Summerfest, in Milwaukee, June 23, 2023.

James Taylor

James Taylor performs at Summerfest, at the American Family Insurance Amphitheater, on June 24, 2023. 

His setlist included such Taylor standards as "Sweet Baby James," "Carolina In My Mind," "Fire and Rain," and "You've Got a Friend."

Sheryl Crow

Sheryl Crow, a 2023 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee, performs at Summerfest in Milwaukee on June 24, 2023. 

Her setlist included "If It Makes You Happy," "Strong Enough," "Everyday Is a Winding Road," and "The First Cut Is the Deepest."

Noah Kahan

Singer-songwriter Noah Kahan performs at Summerfest in Milwaukee, June 24, 2023. He performed music from his recent album, "Stick Season," including "All My Love," "She Calls Me Back," "Northern Attitude" and "The View Between Villages."

Elvis Costello & The Imposters

Elvis Costello & The Imposters performs at the BMO Pavilion during Summerfest in Milwaukee, June 24, 2023.

Lyle Lovett

Singer-songwriter Lyle Lovett performs on the Uline Warehouse Stage at Summerfest in Milwaukee, June 24, 2023. 

The Dave Matthews Band

The Dave Matthews Band performs at Summerfest, at the American Family Insurance Amphitheater, June 29, 2023. 

Their setlist included "Madman's Eyes," "Don't Drink the Water," "Crash Into Me," and "What Would You Say."

Debbie Gibson

Debbie Gibson performs on the Miller Lite Oasis Stage at Summerfest, June 29, 2023. Her setlist included "Foolish Beat," "Out of the Blue," "One Step Closer" and "Lost in Your Eyes."

Coi Leray

Rapper Coi Leray performs at Summerfest on the USCellular Connection Stage, June 29, 2023.

Earth, Wind & Fire

Verdine White, of Earth Wind & Fire, performs at the BMO Pavilion during Summerfest, in Milwaukee, June 30, 2023. 

The group played such classics as "Shining Star," "Boogie Wonderland," "That's the Way of the World," "Serpentine Fire," and of course, "September."

Sean Paul

Rapper Sean Paul performs at the Briggs & Stratton Big Backyard in Milwaukee during Summerfest, July 1, 2023.

Ava Max

Singer-songwriter Ava Max performs during Summerfest at the BMO Pavilion in Milwaukee, July 1, 2023. She performed her 2018 breakout hit, "Sweet But Psycho," as well as "Salt," "Kings & Queens," "Who's Laughing Now," and "Diamonds & Dancefloors."

Information Society

The band Information Society (featuring singer Kurt Harland, percussionist Paul Robb and bassist James Cassidy) performs at Summerfest in Milwaukee, July 1, 2023.

Their songs included "What's on Your Mind (Pure Energy)," "Walking Away," "Going, Going, Gone," and "Extraordinary Popular Delusions and the Madness of Crowds."

The Regrettes

On the third weekend of Milwaukee's Summerfest, the L.A. punk band The Regrettes (featuring lead vocalist Lydia Night) performed at the Generac Power Stage, July 6, 2023. 

The War on Drugs

The headliners The War on Drugs performed at Summerfest July 6, 2023, at the Uline Warehouse Stage. Pictured: Adam Granduciel.

The War on Drugs

From The War on Drugs: Drummer Charlie Hall, bassist David Hartley, guitarist Anthony LaMarca, and saxophonist Jon Natchez.

The band performed "I Don't Live Here Anymore," "Red Eyes," "Holding On," "Pain," and "Under the Pressure." 

YungBlud

English singer Domic Harrison, who performs as YungBlud, played Summerfest on July 6, 2023, at the Generac Power Stage. His third, self-titled album, released last September, hit #1 on the U.K. charts.

Jenny Lewis

Singer-songwriter Jenny Lewis performs at Milwaukee Summerfest July 6, 2023. The former lead singer of the indie band Rilo Kiley, Lewis' set included "Just One of the Guys," "Red Bull & Hennessy," and "Psychos."

Imagine Dragons

The Las Vegas-based rock band Imagine Dragons performed at Milwaukee Summerfest on July 8, 2023. Pictured are guitarist Wayne Sermon, lead singer Dan Reynolds, and bassist Ben McKee.

The band's setlist included "It's Time," "Radioactive," "Demons," "I Bet My Life," "Believer," "Thunder," and "Whatever It Takes." 

Smokey Robinson

The legendary R&B/soul singer and Rock & Roll Hall of Famer Smokey Robinson performed at Milwaukee Summerfest on July 8, 2023.

Walk the Moon

Hailing from Cincinnati, the pop rock band Walk the Moon (featuring singer-keyboardist Nicholas Petricca, guitarist Eli Maiman, and drummer Sean Waugaman) performed at Summerfest on July 8, 2023. Among their songs: "Shut Up and Dance," "One Foot," and "Can You Handle My Love?"

Odesza

The electronic music duo Odesza performs at the American Family Insurance Amphitheater during Summerfest, in Milwaukee, June 30, 2023.

Billy Strings

Billy Strings, who has been referred to as "The Future of Bluegrass," performed at the Huntington Beach Pavilion at Northerly Island in Chicago, June 17, 2023.

The set list included "Taking Water," "Running," and "Long Forgotten Dream" (from his 2019 Grammy-winning album, "Home"), and covers by such artists as Stonewall Jackson, Bob Dylan, Bill Monroe, Doc Watson and Bill Emerson. 

The Cure

As part of their "Shows of a Lost World Tour," The Cure performed to a sold-out United Center in Chicago on June 10, 2023. The English rockers played a nearly three-hour set, featuring 32 songs. 

Pictured: Bassist Simon Gallup. 

Dead & Company

In the first of two sold-out shows, Dead & Company performed at Chicago's Wrigley Field on June 9, 2023.

This latest incarnation of the Grateful Dead (featuring surviving Dead members Weir and Mickey Hart, along with John Mayer, Oteil Burbridge, Jeff Chimenti and Jay Lane) is on its final tour, slated to wrap up July 16 in - where else? - San Francisco. 

Dead & Company

Bob Weir of Dead & Company. 

Taylor Swift

Taylor Swift brought her "Eras Tour" into Soldier Field on June 2, 2023. It was the first of three sold-out shows in Chicago. 

Taylor Swift

The Eras Tour, which features music from Swift's 10 studio albums over the past 17 years, began in March in Arizona, and is running through November, with the final concert to be held in São Paulo, Brazil.

Taylor Swift

Wearing an Atelier Versace bodysuit, Taylor Swift performs songs from her album "Lover" (including "Cruel Summer" and "You Need to Calm Down"). 

Taylor Swift

Taylor Swift performs "The Man" at Soldier Field on Chicago on June 2, 2023.

Taylor Swift

Taylor Swift at Soldier Field on June 2, 2023. More than 55,000 ticket-holding Swifties attended the first of three Chicago concerts. 

The Yeah Yeah Yeahs

The Yeah Yeah Yeahs (singer-pianist Karen O, guitarist-keyboardist Nick Zinner, and drummer Brian Chase) perform at Huntington Bank Pavilion at Northerly Island, Chicago, June 1, 2023. 

The Yeah Yeah Yeahs

Guitarist Nick Zinner of The Yeah Yeah Yeahs in Chicago, June 1, 2023.

The indie rock band's setlist included "Spitting Off The Edge Of The World," "Burning," "Zero," Wolf" and "Maps."

The Yeah Yeah Yeahs

Guest member Imaad Wasif performs with The Yeah Yeah Yeahs in Chicago, June 1, 2023. Drummer Brian Chase is in the background. 

Stewart Copeland

Drummer Stewart Copeland, a founding member of The Police, performs at the Genesee Theatre in Waukegan, Ill., May 19, 2023.

The concert, part of the "Stewart Copeland Police Deranged Tour," featured such Police favorites as "Roxanne," "King of Pain," "Every Breath You Take," "Don't Stand So Close to Me" and "Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic."

The Flaming Lips

The Oklahoma-based psychedelic rock band The Flaming Lips performs at the Salt Shed in Chicago May 5, 2023, as part of their "Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots 20th Anniversary Tour." 

The Flaming Lips

Flaming Lips frontman Wayne Coyne (inside the space bubble) performs at the Salt Shed in Chicago May 5, 2023. 

Metallica

This spring the heavy metal band Metallica launched a world tour that will last two years, promoting their latest album, "72 Seasons," released in April. Each city visited will host two concerts with different set lists.

The first concert of their "M72" tour was held on April 27 at Johan Cruijff Arena in Amsterdam, Netherlands.

Metallica

Lead singer and guitarist James Hetfield of Metallica. 

Metallica

Drummer Lars Ulrich of Metallica in Amsterdam. 

The concert featured live debuts of "Screaming Suicide" and "Sleepwalk My Life Away," as well as "Lux Æterna" (their first new single in six years), from their latest album, "72 Seasons." 

They also performed the "Master of Puppets" track "Orion" as a show opener for the first time since 2011. 

Metallica

Bassist Robert Trujillo of Metallica performs in Amsterdam.

Metallica

Kirk Hammett's Boris Karloff guitar. 

Depeche Mode

Depeche Mode performs at the United Center in Chicago April 5, 2023. 

First charting in 1981 with their debut album "Speak & Spell," the English synth and electronic rock band has had eight Billboard Top 10 albums in the U.S., including the 1993 chart topper "Songs of Faith and Devotion."

Depeche Mode

Since 1980 vocalist Dave Gahan and guitarist-keyboardist Martin Gore have been performing as Depeche Mode, which formed out of the band Composition of Sound. 

Depeche Mode

Guitarist Martin Gore of Depeche Mode. 

Depeche Mode

The setlist from Depeche Mode's Chicago concert.

The group recently released their 15th studio album, "Memento Mori," featuring the single "Ghosts Again." 

Placebo

Placebo, an alternative rock band from the U.K. featuring Brian Molko and Stefan Olsdal, was at the Salt Shed in Chicago April 21, 2023.

Their setlist featured songs from their 2022 album "Never Let Me Go," including "Forever Chemicals," "Beautiful James," "Hugz," "Happy Birthday to the Sky," "Sad White Reggae," and "Chemtrails,"

John Mayer

John Mayer's acoustic tour took him to Chicago, at the United Center on March 31. His setlist included "Your Body Is a Wonderland," "Heartbreak Warfare," "Who Says," and "Love on the Weekend," as well as covers of The Grateful Dead ("Friend of the Devil"), Beyoncé ("XO") and Tom Petty ("Free Fallin'"). 

He also spent time at the piano, covering a-ha ("Take On Me") and Harry Styles ("As It Was").

Steel Panther

The metal band Steel Panther prowled around the House of Blues in Chicago on March 25, 2023, with music from their new album, "On The Prowl."

Michael Starr, Russ Parrish, "Stix" Zadinia and Joe "Spyder" Lester performed "Friends With Benefits," "1987" and "Ain't Dead Yet."

Crobot

The Pennsylvania rock band Crobot performed at the House of Blues in Chicago March 25, 2023.

Founding members Brandon Yeagley (vocals) and Chris Bishop (guitar), alongside Dan Ryan (drums) and Eddie Collins (bass), performed "Gasoline," "Low Life," "The Necromancer" and "Chupacabra."

Iggy Pop

For the opening of his 2023 tour, Iggy Pop played at the Salt Shed in Chicago, on March 10. The Salt Shed is a new music venue along the riverfront, in what was once the Morton Salt complex.

Iggy Pop

Pop performed songs from his latest album, "Every Loser," including "Frenzy," "Strung Out Johnny," and "Modern Day Ripoff," as well as songs from his Iggy and The Stooges days ("Raw Power," "Death Trip," "Gimme Danger" and "I'm Sick of You"). 

Guitars

Depeche Mode guitars await their time on stage.

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Photographer Jake Barlow (Instagram)

Photographer Ed Spinelli (Instagram)

Photographer Kirstine Walton (Instagram)

Edited by senior producer David Morgan.