What was your first big concert? Chances are you could answer really quickly. Attending a concert as a tween or teen can make memories that stay with you for a lifetime. As parents, however, we often cringe at the thought of thousands of screaming teens and crazy loud music. That’s how I felt when I took my daughter to her first concert at Soldier Field. Much to my surprise, that night was downright delightful. It was a stadium full of music and joy, and it warmed even my cold, middle-aged heart. Going with your kids to a concert can be a window into their world and a chance to bond.
Here are some performers coming to the Chicago area this summer whose concerts could be fun for parents and kids alike. When I asked some fellow parents what their adolescents were excited to see, I was pretty amazed by the wide variety of answers and included them all here.
Taylor Swift
June 1, 2
Soldier Field
Shake off the cold of winter and get these highly anticipated tickets. I know a lot of parents who have enjoyed Taylor Swift (or Tay Tay, if you’re tight with her) as much as, if not more so than, their kids. And it’s always fun to see what guest(s) she will include in the show.
Post Malone
June 5
Huntingon Bank Pavilion at Northerly Island
Post Malone “has enjoyed a meteoric rise in hip-hop at just the youthful age of 22,” according to Billboard, and he is hugely popular both on Twitter and on the concert stage. His new album “Beerbongs & Bentleys” releases on April 27. (And from the title you probably don’t need me to tell you that his music is probably best for older teens.)
Harry Styles
June 30
United Center
This former member of One Direction has performed with Stevie Nicks and one of his songs made Obama’s playlist, so he has pretty broad appeal with adults as well as teens.
Pitbull
July 5
Naperville RibFest
Want to see Mr. Worldwide in your backyard? There will be some serious star power in the Western suburbs when Pitbull appears at Naperville’s Ribfest in Knoch Park. With hits like “It’s Going Down” and “Fireball,” the rapper and singer has charisma to spare. RibFest also features ribs, obviously, and a carnival.
Radiohead
July 6, 7
United Center
Radiohead will kick off their 16-date summer tour right here in Chicago. Snatch up tickets if you’d rather listen to “A Moon Shaped Pool” than swim in one.
Imagine Dragons
July 13
Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre
Want your kids to be on top of the world? Get tickets for Imagine Dragons, one of the most streamed artists on Spotify.
Audra McDonald
July 15
Ravinia
Have Broadway babies in your house? Audra McDonald never fails to dazzle, and a picnic on the lawn at Ravinia listening to her is a great way to spend a summer night. Bonding time with your kiddo makes it even better.
Panic! at the Disco
July 17
United Center
Adults have said nothing but good things about Panic! concerts and the band’s new album, “Pray for the Wicked,” has generated a lot of buzz among both younger and older fans alike.
Niall Horan
July 26
Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre
Former Directioners unite! This singer may be known for “Slow Hands” but you better be quick if you want to snatch up the remaining tickets to see the Irish lad and former member of One Direction. He’s bringing along country music singer Maren Morris, who is pretty popular in her own right.
Lollapalooza
Aug. 2-5
Grant Park
For a musical rite of passage, devote a day or a whole weekend to Lolla. For many teens, this is THE event of the summer. This year’s lineup includes Arctic Monkeys, Bruno Mars, The Weeknd, Jack White, and dozens more bands. It’s not unusual for parents and teens to attend and see some bands on their own and then meet up for others.
Beyoncé and Jay-Z
Aug. 10
Soldier Field
The tickets are pricey, but it’s Beyoncé! Need we say more? No, we need not.
Luke Bryan, with Sam Hunt and Jon Pardi
Sept. 1
Wrigley Field
Concerts at Wrigley are fun, and ACM and CMA Entertainer of the Year Luke Bryan puts on a great show. His latest single “Most People Are Good” may even renew your faith in humanity.
(Kenny Chesney is also headed to Chicago this summer, just tell your kids not to get any ideas from his song “Keg in the Closet.” The Country LakeShake will take place at Huntington Bank Pavilion on Northerly Island June 22-24.)
50 Cent
Sept. 6
Ravinia
The rapper makes his debut at Ravinia this year. That combo may be a bit of a head scratcher, but it should also be lots of fun, just like raising tweens and teens!
Pentatonix
Sept. 16
Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre
This acappella group with more than one billion views on YouTube never fails to delight.
Chicago Symphony Orchestra
Multiple dates
Ravinia
There isn’t nearly as much screaming at these concerts, but the performance of the 1812 Overture does include cannon fire.
Ed Sheeran
Oct. 4
Soldier Field
This concert is technically in the fall, but is worth noting now as you are deciding how to spend your concert funds.
Good to know:
While tickets are still available for many, some of these concerts are already sold out. Check StubHub, where you can sometimes find reasonable resale tickets, especially close to the show date. And let friends on social media know you’re looking, too.
