Counting Crows Take the Stage at Ravinia

Fans flooded in as the sun dipped below tree‑lined pathways; picnics spread across the expansive lawn—a classic Ravinia scene on this chilly summer evening. The vibe was relaxed, primed for two powerful rock acts under a summer sky.

At 7 PM, the gritty Jersey Shore band The Gaslight Anthem took the stage, delivering a tight, high‑energy set of punchy punk‑heartland rock. Brian Fallon’s impassioned vocals and fervor instantly engaged the crowd. Their Southern‑drawl riffs cut through with raw emotion—a vivid warm‑up that energized the Pavilion and even coaxed some early sing‑along moments from an already enthusiastic crowd.

The flow from new tracks like “Spaceman in Tulsa” and “Virginia…” into nostalgic standards such as “Mr. Jones” and “Omaha” created an emotional arc that kept the audience fully engaged.

Adam Duritz delivered emotional authenticity - his voice quaked on introspective moments and soared on the anthemic high points. The band was tight, navigated tempo shifts effortlessly, and Duritz's between-song musings added context and humor. The Pavilion's acoustics cushioned their sound beautifully, making the emotional impact of songs like “A Long December” even more powerful. Backed by solid acoustic work and tight rhythm, their experience as a touring machine shone through.

The encore was a show‑stopper - “Under the Aurora” set a reflective tone, while “Hanginaround,” with The Gaslight Anthem contributing backing vocals, pushed the energy higher, transforming into a mini‑festival moment.

The Ravinia setlist was meticulously balanced, covering deep cuts, brand‑new material, and some unexpected covers:

1. Spaceman in Tulsa
2. Hard Candy
3. Boxcars (live debut)
4. Mr. Jones
5. Colorblind
6. Omaha
7. Come Around
8. With Love, From A‑Z
9. Miami
10. Virginia Through the Rain
11. When I Dream of Michelangelo
12. Friend of the Devil (Grateful Dead cover)
13. Round Here
14. Rain King
15. the 1 (Taylor Swift cover)
16. A Long December

Encore:

• Under the Aurora
• Hanginaround (with Gaslight Anthem joining in)
• Holiday in Spain

More Counting Crows photos at Margolin Photography