Marist Announces Band Lineup For Southside Summer Festival In Red-And-White Stadium

CHICAGO–Get ready to rock out because the fifth annual Southside Summer Festival returns from 4 to 10 p.m. Saturday, July 18, presented by Marist High School in the Red and White Stadium, 4200 W. 115th St., Chicago.

This music festival has evolved into one of the most anticipated live music events on Chicago’s South Side. More than 14,000 people have attended over the last four years. Through the years, headliners have included Tributosaurus, Freddy Jones Band, BoDeans, and Poi Dog Pondering.

Big Head Todd and the Monsters will headline the show, with Eddie 9V and Back Country Boys, who will kick off the afternoon.

Southside Summer Festival is open to ages 21 and over. Tickets are $45 in advance (early bird rate ends 11:55 p.m. Friday, July 17), and $50 at the door. Limited VIP tickets will be available for purchase for $165 and include beverages and light food. Tickets can be purchased online at Southside Summer Festival Marist or via the “GoFan” app. All tickets are non-refundable.

Day of admission tickets will be sold through the “GoFan” app or at Southside Summer Festival Marist. Southside Summer Festival will once again be a fully cashless event. Accepted payment for all transactions, including admission, drink tickets and the raffle area, includes debit/credit cards, Apple Pay, or Venmo.

Neighborhood favorite Back Country Boys will kick the night off from 4 to 5:30 p.m., performing country and rock covers from the 1970s to today’s top hits, in addition to their latest original material. Hailing from Southwest Florida, the Back Country Boys are redefining what it means to be a young country-rock band.

Their music blends the best of country, rock ’n’ roll, and pop, into a sound that’s just as rowdy as it is relatable. They bring a high-energy show that gets people stomping and shouting, but they will also throw in a slower song that hits right at home. The Back Country Boys have played hundreds of shows across the country and have worked their way onto some of the biggest stages in country music.

Along the way, they’ve had the chance to share the stage with artists they grew up listening to, including Jake Owen, Chris Janson, Parmalee, and Eli Young Band, and have made appearances at places like Windy City Smokeout, Carolina Country Music Fest, and Barefoot Country Music Fest. Each stop has introduced their music to new crowds, but no matter the size of the stage, their approach hasn’t changed: bring the energy, make it personal, and make sure everyone leaves with a memory worth keeping.

Eddie 9V, who will be touring this summer with the Black Keys, will take the stage from 6 to 7:30 pm. Eddie 9V’s 2024 album “Saratoga” was a breakthrough—a raw, road-ready blend of Southern soul, blues, rock, and funk that helped launch the Georgia-born artist from cult favorite to national spotlight. Since its release, his monthly Spotify listeners have grown from 8,000 to peaking at over 800,000, driven by standout tracks like “Halo,” “Saratoga,” and “Love Moves Slow,” all now certified on SiriusXM’s Spectrum channel. Now signed to Dan Auerbach’s Easy Eye Sound, Eddie is gearing up for a brand-new album in 2026. With national tours, radio airplay, and a band firing on all cylinders, he’s proving that gritty, honest music still cuts through—and his best songs may still be ahead.

Headliner Big Head Todd and the Monsters will close the night from 8:15 to 10 p.m. Very few friendships—or bands—stand the test of time, but for nearly four decades, Big Head Todd and The Monsters have done just that. The Colorado quartet—Todd Park Mohr, Brian Nevin, Rob Squires, and Jeremy Lawton—has built a lasting career on a shared vision, delivering blues-infused rock that resonates both onstage and in the studio.

From their early days jamming in high school to their national breakthrough with Sister Sweetly and a string of acclaimed releases, they have remained steadfast in their commitment to their craft and their fans, earning milestones, including 35 headlining performances at Red Rocks Amphitheatre and induction into the Colorado Music Hall of Fame.

Their 12th studio album, “Her Way Out,” emerged organically from years of collaboration and live testing, reflecting the band’s democratic creative process and signature blend of driving guitars and soulful storytelling. Featuring standout tracks like the title song and “Thunderbird,” the album underscores the band’s continued evolution while staying true to the sound and spirit that have defined their enduring career.

Sponsorship opportunities at various levels are available. For more information on sponsorships, please contact Maura Bruton at bruton.maura@marist.net.

No outside food or beverages will be allowed, and chairs are not allowed on the field. Those wishing to sit on the lawn can bring blankets; otherwise, seating is available in the stands. All seating is first-come, first-served.

All money raised from the Southside Summer Festival helps to support scholarships and financial aid for current and future students of Marist High School.