Taste of Chicago Features Stellar Concert Lineup, Meat-On-A-Stick

The highly overrated Taste of Chicago kicks off July 9-13 in Grant Park, as if Chicagoans need to eat more food that has been laying out in the heat all day. 

Nevertheless, the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events has booked a decent lineup of performers at the Petrillo Music Shell.

Admission to the Taste is free and festival hours are 11 a.m. – 9 p.m. Wednesday through Friday and 10 a.m. – 9 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

Tickets for the seating area at the Petrillo Music Shell are on sale now at the Taste website.

AWOLNATION will headline the Petrillo Music Shell on Wednesday, July 9 to kick off the Taste of Chicago. The dynamic electronic rock band was formed and fronted by Aaron Bruno, formerly of Under the Influence of Giants, Hometown Hero and Insurgence. The band’s 2011 debut album Megalithic Symphony includes the mega hits "Sail", "Not Your Fault" and "Kill Your Heroes". The band is currently working on a second studio album and they released two new songs from that album, "ThisKidsNotAlright" and "Some Kind of Joke."

SAINTS OF VALORY Austin, Texas is pair their alternative rock sounds as they open for AWOLNATION onWednesday, July 9. The band is fronted by lead singer and bass guitarist Gavin Jasper, along with guitarist Godfrey Thomson, drummer Gerard Labou and keyboardist Stephen Buckle. The band's most recent album, Possibilities in 2013 via Atlantic Records, includes the hits “Long Time Coming” and “Neon Eyes (Into the Deep).”

JANELLE MONAE, the award-winning songwriter, performer, producer and “avant-garde funkstress” will headline the Petrillo Music Shell on Thursday, July 10, presented by Illinois Lottery. With her 2013 album The Electric Lady, Monae presents a collection inspired by her life experiences while the powerful women in her life were inspiration for the first single “Q.U.E.E.N.” Her “superpowers” are sure to be on full display for Chicago fans.

GARY CLARK JR. T opens for Monáe on Friday, July 10 with his soulful sounds.  The 2014 Grammy Award winner for “Best Traditional R&B Performance” for “Please Come Home” from his debut album Black And Blu has been hailed by the New York Times as “the next Hendrix.” Entertainment Weekly said of Clark, “every generation has its chosen one and right now, this is Clark’s time.”

NICKEL CREEK, the Grammy® Award-winning root music trio is celebrating 25 years as a group and has returned to the stage after a seven-year hiatus. They’ll perform for Taste-goers on Friday, July 11, the concert is presented by Bud Light. Their 2002 album This Side garnered a “Best Contemporary Folk Album” Grammy® and was followed by successes that led to their decision to take a break to grow musically and personally away from the spotlight. With their new album, A Dotted Line, the musical strengths of violinist Sara Watkins, mandolinist Chris Thile and guitarist Sean Watkins foresees an exciting future for this trio.

EMMYLOU HARRIS, the twelve-time Grammy Award-winner, will grace the Petrillo stage on Friday, July 11. Just off her 2014 award-winning collaboration, ‘Old Yellow Moon’ with Rodney Crowell, Harris is one of the most prominent harmony vocalists and songwriters of our time. As a legendary American musician, Harris’ performance at the Taste of Chicago will be a special treat.

PARKER MILLSAP opens the Petrillo Music Shell on Friday, July 11. This Oklahoma native was brought up in the Pentecostal church, first picked up the guitar at age nine, the now 21-year-old singer/songwriter delivers a powerful show with the fire-and-brimstone fervor of a preacher. 

JEFF TWEEDY, pride of Chicago and one of America’s most accomplished musicians will bring his brand of contemporary rock to Taste of Chicago, Saturday July 12, presented by 93XRT. Best known as the founder and leader of Wilco, Tweedy tours quite often as a solo artist. Showcasing his talent as a songwriter with a  400-plus collection of songs to pull from, he also displays his skill on the guitar, a charismatic stage presence and a unique sense of humor. Additional artists will be announced at a later date.

ALOE BLACC will bring the mega hit “Wake Me Up” and “The Man” from his recent album, Lift Your Spirit.  “Wake Me Up,” which he sang and co-wrote for Swedish DJ Avicii, was a #1 hit in 102 countries and garnered more the 320 million hits on YouTube. Headlining the Petrillo stage on Sunday, July 13, Blacc has proved himself as an adventurous singer/songwriter, who started as a rapper while pushing further into folk, soul and pop fusion with incisive lyrics, huge hooks and feel good grooves.

ALSO NOTABLE, THE WAILERS, will open for Blacc on Sunday, July 13. The regggae superstars with more than 250 million albums sold worldwide, will celebrate the 30th anniversary of the release of the Legends album featuring their greatest hits. Best known for their legendary collaboration with Bob Marley, the Wailers are considered the greatest living exponents of Jamaica’s reggae tradition. The Wailers have performed for an estimated 24 million people across the globe.