B.B. King is back for what is being suggested to be his final year touring. So if you haven't had a chance to see the blues great and his guitar Lucille live then you are only cheating yourself and to see him at such an intimate and perfect setting as the House of Blues. Speaking of Blues, the 23rd edition of the Chicago Blues Festival kicks off in Grant Park on June 8th and with it showcases the best of the blues with names we know and don't know but is always a must to kick off the summer concert season. Of course one of the biggest tours to hit this year is Madonna. Fresh off of her performance at this year's Coachella Music Festival (with mix results) is taking over the United Center for four nights with her “Confessions” tour. There's no question that Madge puts on an entertaining show and is always guaranteed to create controversy, however, the real question is do you want to pay the high inflated ticket prices?
Another big ticket this year is Bruce Springsteen & The Seeger Sessions Band playing at the newly christened, First Midwest Bank Amphitheatre (that's the former Tweeter Center if you aren't familiar with the name change). With all the construction going on this year I'm not convinced it's worth traveling out to Tinley Park if you can avoid it. Regardless, it is The Boss but just don't go expecting to hear “Born in the USA” and you won't be disappointed.
Of course if metal is your scene then the Aragon Ballroom will certainly be in your future when Slayer and Lamb Of God blow the speakers out in the middle of the month.
The unlikely pairing of Rob Thomas and Jewel fly in to open last year's successful venue, Charter One Pavilion at Northerly Island. You know the venue, it's where Meigs Field use to be until Mayor Daley bulldozed it one year in the middle of the night.
Another big show that is playing at an unusual venue is Radiohead at of all places the Auditorium for two nights. It's a shame the city shot down the idea of them playing a free show in Grant Park. Anyone that saw them in 2001 at Hutchison Field knows it an amazing night with the city, the lake and those amazing songs under the stars. Still it's Radiohead and it's already sold out so you might just want to pack your sleeping bag and head out to Bonnaroo instead.
Other shows to consider this month is "B-96 Summer Bash" with artist like Pink, Sean Paul and Mary J. Blige to name a few playing the Bridgeview Stadium. The Black Crowes along with Robert Randolph & The Family Band are at Charter One Pavilion at Northerly Island, ABC with Milwaukee's Good Luck Joe's make a stop at the House of Blues, Snow Patrol at the Vic Theater, The Fiery Furnaces at the Metro and bands like The Stills, The Streets, Bloc Party and former front man Robert Pollard of Guided By Voices are all on hand for the Intonation Festival.
On the CD front, June has a little bit for everyone. First up Davey Havok and the boys of AFI are finally back after a three year hiatus ready to continue where they left off with “decemberunderground”. Well sort of, this time the boys are leaving the goth and gloom and adding string arrangements with more of a pop-like sound (if you can believe it). Will their loyal fans follow? Only time will tell but it's nice to see them expand their sound and stretch a little bit especially after taking such a long break.
The art-pop group, The Futureheads, still know how to deliver great pop songs with their sophomoric effort, News and Tributes. This time releasing an album that is less produced and more stripped down yet still delivering catchy tunes with plenty of guitar hooks to keep any fan of the U.K.'s "angular" movement satisfied.
Speaking of art rock, New York's favorite noise makers Sonic Youth are back with their 21st album, “Rather Ripped”. Yes, you read that right - their 21st album - that brings us a fair amount of catchy guitar riffs with a more poppy sound that just might make you want to bop your head from side to side. UK's Keane is bringing us “Under the Iron Sea”, another album full of dark, delicately beautiful depressing collection of songs for their follow-up to 2004's “Hopes and Fears”.
Is it safe these days to be connected to Eminem? Not really but after selling an amazing 1.2 million records with his debut, Obie Trice of Eminem's Shady Records has returned after being shot on a Detroit freeway and ready to take over the world again with, “Second Round's on Me”. Let's hope he brings a bullet proof vest along on tour.
Atlanta's India.Arie is tackling relationships on her third album of neo-classic soul entitled, “Testimony: Vol. 1, Life & Relationship” and Singer/songwriter Chris Carrabba of Dashboard Confessional is also back after contributing to the Spider-Man 2 soundtrack with, "Dusk And Summer".
A few other albums to pay attention to this month is Pixies front-man Frank Black's double disc solo album“Fastman Raiderman”, Canada's Nelly Furtado (fresh from her performance on SNL) releases her 3rd album “Loose” and the sounds of '80s synth-pop master the Pet Shop Boys release, “Fundamental.”
• Random Noise appears monthly, exclusively in Lumino Magazine.
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