Chicago is heating up in the next few months, with tons of concerts coming to town, including outdoor festivals featuring multiple musicians for a one-stop aural experience.
More than ever, the LGBT community is represented in the live music scene this summer and we are here for it. There's a rainbow of out artists releasing fresh music to a whole new generation, including Troye Sivan and Hayley Kiyoko. Listen up and discover what is happening in the music scene today.
Here are a few upcoming shows for your queer ears to take in:
—An Horse: Lesbian frontwoman Kate Cooper, from the group An Horse, gallops over from Australia to perform at Lincoln Hall on June 2. Info/tickets: LH-ST.com .
—Spring Awakening Festival: Addams/Medill Park lights up with electronic dance music thanks to DJs spinning like Tiesto, Afrojack and Deadmau5. This scene skews younger but brings a colorful open mindedness to the music scene that is welcoming to all types of people. June 8-10; info/tickets: SpringAwakeningFestival.com
—Chicago Pride Fest: Hosted by the Northalsted Business Alliance, this warm up to the Pride parade brings in DJs and the Gay Men's Chorus. Singers Maya and Jessica Sanchez headline June 16-17. Market Days is Aug. 11-12; the list of musicians will be released soon. Info/donation: Northalsted.com
—Janelle Monae: The captivating live performer not only kicked butt as an actress in Moonlight, but just made headlines when she came out as pansexual. She plays with her Dirty Computer at The Chicago Theatre on July 5. Info/tickets: JMonae.com
—Taste of Chicago: Fill up on food at the 38th Taste of Chicago, then listen to tunes at the Petrillo Music Shell such as out singer Brandi Carlile, visually entertaining The Flaming Lips and funkmeister George Clinton ( who plans to reitre next year ) with Parliament/Funkadelic. It happens July 11-15 in Grant Park. Info/tickets: TasteofChicago.us
—Pitchfork Music Festival: Diverse artists converge on Union Park for the 13th year. Lucky for them, Pitchfork organizers landed Ms. Lauryn Hill, Chaka Khan and queer band Girlpool for the line-up. July 20-22; info/tickets: PitchforkMusicFestival.com
—Lollapalooza: Grant Park is overrun with genre crossovers in the world of music for four days Aug. 2-5 with a male-heavy lineup of artists. There are more pop acts than ever, with Bruno Mars, The Weeknd, Khalid and Camila Cabello. Hopefully, Dua Lipa waves her rainbow flag ( from her past music video ) at the show. Info/tickets: Lollapalooza.com
—Sam Smith: Out English singer Samuel Smith unpacks his hits, filling the arena with soul at United Center on Aug. 15. Info/tickets: SamSmithWorld.com
—Ravinia, in Highland Park, always sprinkles in some gay artists into the picnic season. This year, there are Alan Cumming July 13, Michael Feinstein Aug. 14, Boy George Aug. 31 and The B-52s Sept. 1, ending the summer. Info/tickets: Ravinia.org
