Summer music heats up 2025

Summer is the time to kick back at concerts. Scroll through our gallery of some of 2025's leading live acts, featuring images by CBS News photojournalist Jake Barlow and photographers Ed Spinelli and Kirstine Walton.  

Pictured: The Louisville rock band My Morning Jacket played at the Riverside Theater in Milwaukee, Wis., April 18, 2025. 

Riot Fest

Riot Fest, a three-day festival held at Douglass Park in Chicago, is now in its 20th year, featuring more than 90 acts on five stages devoted to rock 'n' roll, punk, hip-hop, metal, alternative, and more.  Among this year's headliners: Green Day, Blink-182, Weezer, Jack White, and "Weird Al" Yankovic.

Rilo Kiley

The indie rockers Rilo Kiley (featuring Jenny Lewis) appeared at Riot Fest in Chicago on Friday, Sept. 19, 2025. Their set list included "The Execution of All Things," "The Moneymaker," "With Arms Outstretched," and "Silver Lining." 

Rico Nasty

The rapper Rico Nasty played Riot Fest on Friday, Sept. 19, 2025 in Chicago,

Shudder to Think

The alt-rock band Shudder to Think performed at Riot Fest on Friday, Sept. 19, 2025 in Chicago.

Mac Sabbath

The parody band Mac Sabbath, from Los Angeles, featuring characters seemingly transported from McDonaldland to play grunge metal, performed at Riot Fest on Friday, Sept. 19, 2025 in Chicago. Their numbers included "Chicken for the Slaves," "Sweet Beef" and "Frying Pan."

Puddles Pity Party

Underneath the clown makeup of Puddles Pity Party is singer Michael Geier, who has in the past performed as an Elvis tribute artist and with Postmodern Jukebox. He brought Puddles to Riot Fest on Friday, Sept. 19, 2025 in Chicago, where he covered Ozzy Osbourne's "Crazy Train" and Celine Dion's "My Heart Will Go On."

Sparks

The pop/rock duo Sparks (brothers Russell and Ron Mael) appeared at Chicago's Riot Fest on Sept. 19, 2025. Their set list included "Running Up a Tab at the Hotel for the Fab" (from their latest album, "Mad!"), "The Girl Is Crying in Her Latte," "The Number One Song in Heaven."

Weird Al Yankovic

On a serious note, Riot Fest presented "Weird Al" Yankovic (currently in his "Bigger & Weirder" tour), who performed such hits as "Another One Rides the Bus," "Smells Like Nirvana," "Fat," "Amish Paradise," and "Dare to Be Stupid," in Chicago, Sept. 19, 2025.

H2O

The New York City hardcore punk band H2O played Riot Fest on Saturday, Sept. 20, 2025, in Chicago. They performed "Nothing to Prove," "Still Here," "Everready," and "Guilty by Association."

The Front Bottoms

The Front Bottoms, a rock band hailing from New Jersey, performed at Riot Fest in Chicago, Saturday, Sept. 20, 2025. 

GWAR

Things got bloody when the heavy metal band GWAR performed at Riot Fest in Chicago Saturday, Sept. 20, 2025, playing such songs as "Time for Death," "Viking Death Machine," and "Sick of You."

Agent Orange

At Riot Fest, the punk band Agent Orange performed "A Cry for Help in a World Gone Mad," "Too Young to Die," and "I Kill Spies," on Saturday, Sept. 20, 2025, in Chicago.

Weezer

On their "Voyage to the Blue Planet Tour," Weezer performed a full set of their 1994 debut "Blue Album," at Riot Fest, Saturday, Sept. 20, 2025, in Chicago.

Buzzcocks

Buzzcocks, an English punk band, performed at Riot Fest in Chicago on Sat., Sept. 20, 2025. Their set list included "Ever Fallen in Love (With Someone You Shouldn't've)," "Everybody's Happy Nowadays," and "Manchester Rain."

The Beach Boys

As part of their "Sounds of Summer Tour," The Beach Boys hit up Riot Fest on Sat., Sept. 20, 2025 in Chicago, where they played such classics as "I Get Around," "Surfin' Safari," "California Girls," "God Only Knows," and "Wouldn't It Be Nice." 

The Beach Boys

Sitting in with The Beach Boys at Riot Fest was major league Beach Boys fan John Stamos. 

The Damned

The English rock band The Damned, featuring Dave Vanian, played Riot Fest in Chicago's Douglass Park on Saturday, Sept. 20, 2025.  They performed "Smash It Up," "Is It a Dream," and "Machine Gun Etiquette."

Idles

A post-punk band from Bristol, England, Idles played Riot Fest in Chicago, Sunday, Sept. 21, 2025.

Soft Play

The English punk duo Soft Play performed at Riot Fest, Sunday, Sept. 21, 2025 in Chicago. Their set list included "Punk's Dead," "Isaac Is Typing...," and "Everything and Nothing" (from their recent album "Heavy Jelly").

Bad Religion

The punk band Bad Religion performed a full album set of their 1988 "Suffer," at Riot Fest in Chicago, Sunday, Sept. 21, 2025. Pictured: Guitarist Mike Dimkich. 

Jawbreaker

The punk band Jawbreaker played Riot Fest in Chicago, Sunday, Sept. 21, 2025, as part of their Chill of the Fall tour.

The Linda Lindas

The all-girl punk band The Linda Lindas (Bela Salazar, Mila de la Garza, Eloise Wong and Lucia de la Garza) at Riot Fest in Chicago, Sunday, Sept. 21, 2025.

Smoking Popes

A pop/rock band from the Chicago suburbs, Smoking Popes performed at Riot Fest on Sunday, Sept. 21, 2025.

Hanson

Hanson took to the stage at Riot Fest in Chicago, Sunday, Sept. 21, 2025, performing "Fired Up," "A Minute Without You," and a cover of "Hope" with Descendents guitarist Stephen Egerton. They also got John Stamos to join them in performing "MMMBop."

Green Day

Billie Joe Armstrong of Green Day played at Riot Fest in Chicago, Sunday, Sept. 21, 2025, performing such hits as "American Idiot," "When I Come Around," "Basket Case," "Boulevard of Broken Dreams," and "Wake Me Up With September Ends."

Tedeschi Trucks Band

Tedeschi Trucks Band (pictured) and Gov't Mule are co-headlining a tour this summer, bringing together guitarists Derek Trucks and Warren Haynes (who previously played together in the Allman Brothers Band). They made a stop at Huntington Bank Pavilion at Northerly Island in Chicago on Sept. 9, 2025.

The Black Keys

The Black Keys (guitarist Dan Auerbach and drummer Patrick Carney) played the Huntington Bank Pavilion at Northerly Island in Chicago, Sept. 3, 2025. The five-time Grammy-winning rock duo, currently on tour, performed "Tighten Up," "Howlin' For You," "Gold on the Ceiling," "Lo/Hi," and "Little Black Submarines."

They also played songs from their latest album, "No Rain No Flowers," including "Man on a Mission," "A Little Too High," and "Down to Nothing." 

Avenged Sevenfold

The heavy metal band Avenged Sevenfold opened for System of a Down at Chicago's Soldier Field on August 31, 2025. Their set list included "So Far Away," "Hail to the King," and "Not Ready to Die." [Pictured, from left: Bassist Johnny Christ, lead guitarist Synyster Gates, and vocalist M. Shadows.]

System of a Down

Guitarist Daron Malakian (left) and bassist Shavo Odadjian, of System of a Down, perform on August 31, 2025 in Chicago. Though the Armenian-American heavy metal band hadn't released a new album in 20 years, the Grammy-winning group sold out their two shows at Soldier Field. 

Their set list included "Aerials," "Toxicity," "Chop Suey!," "B.Y.O.B," "Hypnotize," and "Sugar."

Oasis

On Thursday, August 28, 2025, the English band Oasis performed a sold-out show at Soldier Field in Chicago – one of only three U.S. cities on their global Oasis Live '25 tour. 

Oasis

Oasis performing at Soldier Field in Chicago. (Clockwise from top left: guitarist Gem Archer; lead singer Liam Gallagher; bassist Andy Bell, vocalist Liam Gallagher and drummer Joey Waronker; guitarist Paul Arthurs; and lead guitarist Noel Gallagher. 

Neil Young

Neil Young & The Chrome Hearts performed at Huntington Bank Pavilion at Northerly Island in Chicago, Aug. 27, 2025 – part of their Love Earth World Tour.

Young's set list included "Southern Man," "One Of These Days," "Singer Without a Song," "Like a Hurricane," and "Name of Love." He also premiered a new anti-fascist protest song, "Big Crime." 

Don Felder

Eagles legend Don Felder opened for Styx, as part of the Brotherhood of Rock Tour, Aug. 23, 2025, at the Credit Union 1 Amphitheatre, Tinley Park, Ill.  Felder performed such Eagles songs as "One of These Nights," "The Long Run," "Take It Easy," and "Heartache Tonight."

Styx

Styx performed at the Credit Union 1 Amphitheatre in Tinley Park, Ill., Aug. 23, 2025. Among their hits: "The Best of Times," "Too Much Time On My Hands," "Rockin' the Paradise," and "Mr. Roboto."

Styx

James Young (left) and Tommy Shaw of Styx, at the Credit Union 1 Amphitheatre in Tinley Park, Ill., Aug. 23, 2025.

The group, founded in 1972, released their 18th studio album this summer, "Circling From Above." 

Volbeat

The Danish rock band Volbeat performed at Credit Union 1 Amphitheatre in Tinley Park, Ill., Aug. 22, 2025. Pictured: Touring guitarist Flemming Lund; bassist Kaspar Boye Larsen; and guitarist Michael Poulsen. "God of Angels Trust," their ninth album, was released in June, and featured the single "In the Barn of the Goat Giving Birth to Satan's Spawn in a Dying World of Doom."

Volbeat

Volbeat was one young fan's first concert, in Tinley Park, Ill., Aug. 22, 2025.

Halestorm

The Pennsylvania rock band Halestorm (featuring singer Lzzy Hale) opened for Volbeat at the Credit Union 1 Amphitheatre in Tinley Park, Ill., Aug. 22, 2025. Their setlist included songs from their new album, "Everest," including "Fallen Star," "Like a Woman Can," "Rain Your Blood on Me," "I Gave You Everything," and "Here's to Us."

David Lee Roth

Diamond Dave (a.k.a. David Lee Roth) performed some of Van Halen's biggest hits at the Hard Rock Casino in Gary, Ind., Aug. 19, 2025.

Wilco

Chicago's own Wilco performed at their hometown's Salt Shed on Aug. 10, 2025, playing 34 songs, ending with a cover of the Grateful Dead's "U.S. Blues."

Lollapalooza 2025

Chicago's Grant Park hosted Lollapalooza 2025, with 170 artists performing at 11 venues over four days. Mild weather for the festival, which regularly attracts more than 100,000 visitors a day, was counterbalanced by poor air quality owing to smoke from Canadian wildfires blanketing Chicago, leading to unhealthy conditions outdoors.

But Lollapalooza-goers were undeterred. "I would rather have bad air quality and, like, cooler weather," one fan told WBBM.

Sierra Ferrell

Sierra Ferrell, on her Shoot for the Moon Tour, stopped at Lollapalooza on Thursday, July 31, 2025, in Chicago. The West Virginian musician, whose latest album is the genre-crossing "Trail of Flowers," performed "I Could Drive You Crazy," "Why'd Ya Do It," "American Dreaming," and "Dollar Bill Bar." She also covered Kris Kristofferson's "Me and Bobby McGee," and a bit of Black Sabbath's "Iron Man."

Cage the Elephant

Matt Shultz, the lead singer of the rock band Cage the Elephant, tested gravity on the stage of Lollapalooza, Thursday, July 31, 2025, in Chicago's Grant Park. Their setlist included "Shake Me Down," "Come a Little Closer," "Mess Around," and "Ready to Let Go."

Sunami

Vocalist Josef Alfonso, of the San Jose, Calif., hardcore band Sunami, performed at Lollapalooza on Thursday, July 31, 2025, in Chicago.

Role Model

Singer-songwriter Role Model (Tucker Harrington Pillsbury) performed on the first day of Lollapalooza in Chicago's Grant Park, Thursday, July 31, 2025. His setlist included "Sally, When the Wine Runs Out," from his latest release, "Kansas Anymore (The Longest Goodbye)."

Xdinary Heroes

The South Korean rock band Xdinary Heroes performed at Lollapalooza in Chicago, Thursday, July 31, 2025.

Mark Ambor

Singer-songwriter Mark Ambor performed on Day 1 of Lollapalooza in Chicago, Thursday, July 31, 2025. His setlist included "Belong Together," "Good to Be," and "I Hope It All Works Out."

Fcukers

The band Fcukers (Shannon Wise and Jackson Walker Lewis), whose debut EP, "Baggy$$," was released in 2024, performed at Lollapalooza in Chicago on Thursday, July 31, 2025.

Luke Combs

Country singer Luke Combs was a headliner for Day 1 of Lollapalooza in Chicago's Grant Park, Thursday, July 31, 2025. The two-time Entertainer of the Year-winner from the Country Music Association performed "Where the Wild Things Are," "Going, Going, Gone," "Cold As You," "The Kind of Love We Make," "Forever After All," "Better Together," and "Beer Never Broke My Heart."

Lollapalooza

A festival spokesperson told WBBM that attendance figures for this year's Lollapalooza totaled about 115,000 people each day, on par with last year. What was down this year: Items turned into the lost-and-found.

Chance the Rapper

Chance the Rapper made a surprise appearance at Lollapalooza on Saturday, August 2, 2025, in advance of a new album release in August.

Charlotte Lawrence

Singer-songwriter Charlotte Lawrence, who released her debut studio album, "Somewhere," earlier this summer, played Lollapalooza in Chicago on Saturday, August 2, 2025.

Hey, Nothing

The folk duo Hey, Nothing (Harlow Phillips and Tyler Mabry) are photographed backstage at their appearance at Lollapalooza on Friday, Aug. 1, 2025, in Chicago.

The Dare

Singer Harrison Patrick Smith, who works under the stage name The Dare, appeared at Lollapalooza in Chicago on Friday, Aug. 1, 2025. His latest release, "Freakquencies: Volume 1," is dropping later in August.

Djo

Actor and musician Joe Keery, who performs as Djo, appeared at Lollapalooza in Chicago on Friday, Aug. 1, 2025. His latest album, "The Crux," was released in April.

T-Pain

The rapper T-Pain (Faheem Rashad Najm) performed at Lollapalooza in Chicago on Friday, Aug. 1, 2025.

Olivia Rodrigo

Three-time Grammy-winner Olivia Rodrigo was headliner on Day 2 of Lollapalooza in Chicago, Friday, Aug. 1, 2025. Her setlist included "Obsessed," "Vampire," "Bad Idea Right?," "Traitor," "Good 4 U," and "Drivers License."

Naomi Scott

Actress and singer Naomi Scott, who last year released her third EP, "Smile 2: The Skye Riley EP," performed at Chicago's Grant Park on the third day of Lollapalooza, Aug. 2, 2025.

Bilmuri

Singer-songwriter Johnny Franck, who performs under the name Bilmuri, appeared at Lollapalooza on Saturday, Aug. 2, 2025, in Chicago.

Doechii

The rapper Doechii (Jaylah Ji'mya Hickmon), whose most recent mixtape, "Alligator Bites Never Heal," won a Grammy for best rap album, performed at Lollapalooza in Chicago on Saturday, Aug. 2, 2025. 

Max Mcnown

Singer-songwriter Max Mcnown performed "A Lot More Free" and "Better Me for You (Brown Eyes)" at Lollapalooza in Chicago on Saturday, Aug. 2, 2025.

Flux Pavilion

English DJ Joshua Kiekegaard Grant Steel, known as Flux Pavilion, performed at Lollapalooza in Chicago on Saturday, Aug. 2, 2025.

Twice

The girl group Twice, from South Korea, performed at Lollapalooza on Saturday, Aug. 2, 2025, in Chicago.

Damiano David

Damiano David, best known as the lead singer of Måneskin, performed at Lollapalooza in Chicago on Saturday, Aug. 2, 2025. His setlist included "The First Time," "Zombie Lady," "Born With a Broken Heart," and "Solitude (No One Understands Me)," from his debut solo album, "Funny Little Fears."

The Marías

Maria Zardoya, lead singer of the indie pop group The Marías, performed at Lollapalooza in Chicago on Sunday, Aug. 3, 2025.  Their setlist included "No One Noticed," "Cariño," "Vicious Sensitive Robot," and "Only In My Dreams."

Artemas

Artemas (Artemas Diamandis) performed on Day 4 of Lollapalooza in Chicago, Sunday, Aug. 3, 2025.

Remi Wolf

Singer-songwriter Remi Wolf performed on the fourth day of Lollapalooza, Sunday, Aug. 3, 2025, in Chicago. Her setlist included "Cinderella," "Toro," "Disco Man," and "Photo ID."

Dominic Fike

Singer-songwriter Dominic Fike performed "Mama's Boy," "Babydoll," "King of Everything" and "Phone Numbers," at Lollapalooza in Chicago, Sunday, Aug. 3, 2025.

Still Woozy

Singer-songwriter Sven Eric Gamsky, a.k.a. Still Woozy, performed at Lollapalooza in Chicago, Sunday, Aug. 3, 2025.

Martin Garrix

Dutch DJ Martin Garrix performed at Lollapalooza in Chicago, Sunday, Aug. 3, 2025.

Finneas

Finneas (Finneas O'Connell) performed on Day 4 of Lollapalooza in Chicago, Sunday, Aug. 3, 2025. The multiple Oscar- and Grammy-winner (with sister Billie Eilish) played songs from his recent solo album, "For Cryin' Out Loud!"

Ghost

The Swedish heavy metal band Ghost performed at Allstate Arena in Rosemont, Ill., Friday, Aug. 1, 2025.

Teddy Swims

Singer-songwriter Teddy Swims played the Huntington Bank Pavilion at Northerly Island in Chicago, July 23, 2025, part of his "I've Tried Everything But Therapy" tour.

Teddy Swims

The crowd came out for Teddy Swims' makeup concert at the Huntington Bank Pavilion at Northerly Island in Chicago, Ill., July 23, 2025. Earlier in the month, Teddy's appearance at the same venue was swamped, as a thunderstorm and lightning caused flash flooding that forced the show to be postponed after just three songs – ironically, cut short right before the song "She Loves the Rain"(!).

Pantera

Zakk Wylde performs with the heavy metal band Pantera, at the Credit Union 1 Amphitheatre in Tinley Park, Ill., July 19, 2025 – part of the "Heaviest Tour of the Summer."

Amon Amarth

Opening for Pantera was the Swedish death metal band Amon Amarth, at Credit Union 1 Amphitheatre in Tinley Park, Ill., July 19, 2025. (Pictured: Guitarist Olavi Mikkonen.)

Parkway Drive

The Summer of Loud tour, running across the country this summer, stopped by Tinley Park, Ill., on July 13, 2025, at the Credit 1 Union Amphitheatre. The tour's lineup features a mix of rock, metalcore and hardcore bands.

In Illinois, the roster included the Australian band Parkway Drive (pictured: guitarists Luke Kilpatrick and Jeff Ling).

The Amity Affliction

Joel Birch, vocalist for Australia's The Amity Affliction, didn't let a broken foot get in the way of performing in the Summer of Loud tour, at the Credit 1 Union Amphitheatre in Tinley Park, Ill., July 13, 2025.

Kingdom of Giants

Dana Willax, lead vocalist of the Sacramento band Kingdom of Giants, performed as part of the Summer of Loud tour, at the Credit 1 Union Amphitheatre in Tinley Park, Ill., July 13, 2025. Their new EP, "Burning Chrome," will be released in August.

I Prevail

The rock band I Prevail performs at Summer of Loud, at the Credit 1 Union Amphitheatre in Tinley Park, Ill., July 13, 2025. (Pictured: Dylan Bowman and Eric Vanlerberghe.) Their appearance comes ahead of their latest album release, "Violent Nature," in September.

Alpha Wolf

The Australian band Alpha Wolf, fronted by lead vocalist Lochie Keogh, appeared as part of the Summer of Loud tour, at the Credit 1 Union Amphitheatre in Tinley Park, Ill., July 13, 2025.

Beartooth

Caleb Shomo goes airborne during a performance by the hardcore punk band Beartooth, at Summer of Loud tour in Tinley Park, Ill., July 13, 2025.

The Devil Wears Prada

Giuseppe Capolupo, drummer for the metalcore band The Devil Wears Prada, performs during the Summer of Loud tour, at the Credit 1 Union Amphitheatre in Tinley Park, Ill., July 13, 2025.

Killswitch Engage

Jesse Leach, lead singer for Killswitch Engage, performs on the Summer of Loud tour, at the Credit 1 Union Amphitheatre in Tinley Park, Ill., July 13, 2025. Their latest album, released in February, is "This Consequence."

Summerfest

Summerfest was held over three weekends in Milwaukee. With 600 artists performing over nine days at 14 venues, it is billed as the world's largest music festival.

The opening day lineup, on Thursday, June 19, 2025, featured a special ceremony commemorating both the festival and Juneteenth, with performances by Gary Clark Jr. (pictured), Bone Thugs-N-Harmony and The Isley Brothers.

More than 600 School of Rock students also participated in sound checks and artist workshops, reported CBS 58.

Aly & AJ

The sister pop duo Aly & AJ (Alyson and Amanda Joy Michalka) performed at Summerfest on June 19, 2025 in Milwaukee. Their most recent studio album, "Silver Deliverer," was released in May.

Tesla

Tesla (the rock band, not the car) performed at Milwaukee's Summerfest on June 19, 2025, as a special guest of the headliners Def Leppard.

The Sacramento band, currently on their Keepin' It Real Tour, performed "Miles Away," "Heaven's Trail (No Way Out)," "Love Song," "Signs," and "Little Suzi." 

Def Leppard

The heavy metal band Def Leppard (Pictured, from left: vocalist Joe Elliott, guitarist Phil Collen, bassist Rick Savage, drummer Rick Allen and guitarist Vivian Campbell) headlined the opening day of Summerfest in Milwaukee, June 19, 2025.

Their setlist include "Let's Get Rocked," "Armageddon It," "Love Bites," "Rocket," "Photograph," and "Rock of Ages." 

Betty Who

Australian singer-musician Betty Who (Jessica Anne Newham) took to the stage at Summerfest on Friday, June 20, 2025, on the Aurora Health Care Stage. 

Gigi Perez

Singer-songwriter Gigi Perez performed at Summerfest on Friday, June 20, 2025. She released her first studio album, "At the Beach, in Every Life," this past spring.

Dispatch

The indie band Dispatch played at Summerfest, June 20, 2025, on the Miller Light Stage. (Pictured: drummer Jon Reilly.)

Their setlist included "Painted Yellow Lines," "Only the Wild Ones," and "Circles Around the Sun."

Paul Young

English singer-musician Paul Young performed at Summerfest on June 20, 2025 in Milwaukee.

Grand Funk Railroad

Drummer Don Brewer (left) and bassist Mel Schacher, of the rock band Grand Funk Railroad, on the ULINE Stage at Summerfest in Milwaukee, June 20, 2025.

Hozier

Irish musician Andrew John Hozier-Byrne, known as Hozier, was the headliner on Day Two of Summerfest, performing at the American Family Insurance Amphitheater in Milwaukee, June 20, 2025.  

He performed "Take Me to Church," "From Eden," "Work Song," "Someone New," "Almost (Sweet Music)," "Eat Your Young," and his #1 hit, "Too Sweet." 

James Taylor

James Taylor was the headline act on Day Three of Summerfest in Milwaukee, June 21, 2025. The six-time Grammy-winner performed "Carolina in My Mind," "Up on the Roof," "You've Got a Friend," "Sweet Baby James," "Fire and Rain," "Shed a Little Light," and "Your Smiling Face."

Jason Mraz

Opening for James Taylor was Grammy-winning singer-songwriter Jason Mraz. He performed "The Remedy (I Won't Worry)," "I'm Yours,' Make It Mine," and "I Won't Give Up."

Lainey Wilson

Lainey Wilson was a headliner on Day One of Summerfest's second weekend, Thursday, June 26, 2025. The country singer-songwriter (currently on her Whirlwind World Tour) performed such hits as "Things a Man Oughta Know," "Heart Like a Truck," "Watermelon Moonshine," "Wildflowers and Wild Horses," and "4x4xU."

Devo

Mark Mothersbaugh of Devo. The new wave band headlined the ULINE Stage on Day One of Summerfest's second weekend, June 26, 2025.

Local H

The rock band Local H performed at Summerfest, Friday, June 27, 2025 in Milwaukee. Their setlist included "All the Kids Are Right," "California Songs," "'Cha!' Said the Kitty," "Bound for the Floor," and "Eddie Vedder."

Cake

John McCrea, lead singer of the rock band Cake, which headlined Summerfest's BMO Stage on Friday, June 27, 2025. The rock band from Sacramento performed "The Distance," "Never There," "Short Skirt/Long Jacket," and "Sick of You," as well as a cover of Black Sabbath's "War Pigs."

Cold War Kids

Cold War Kids, an indie rock band from Long Beach, Calif., opened for The Killers at the American Family Insurance Amphitheater on Friday, June 27, 2025, at Milwaukee's Summerfest.

Billy Corgan and the Machines of God

Billy Corgan (a co-founder of Smashing Pumpkins), touring this summer with The Machines of God, performed at Summerfest, Friday, June 27, 2025, in Milwaukee.

Their setlist of Smashing Pumpkins songs included music from the albums "Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness," "Machina/The Machine of God," and "Machina II/The Friends and Enemies of Modern Music."

Chuckyy

The rapper Chuckyy played the Summerfest Generac Stage, Saturday, June 28, 2025 in Milwaukee.

Smallpools

The indie pop band Smallpools opened for Young The Giant on the U.S. Cellular Stage at Summerfest, Saturday, June 28, 2025 in Milwaukee. Their most recent album was "Ghost Town Road."

Young the Giant

The rock band Young The Giant headlined Summerfest's U.S. Cellular Stage on Saturday, June 28, 2025 in Milwaukee. Their setlist included "My Body," "Cough Syrup," "Something to Believe In," and "Superposition."

The Fray

From Denver, the rock band The Fray headlined the Summerfest ULINE Warehouse Stage on Saturday, June 28, 2025 in Milwaukee.

The Mavericks

The Mavericks, the Grammy-winning band from Miami, were the headline act on the Miller Light Stage at Summerfest, Saturday, June 28, 2025 in Milwaukee.

Enuff Z'Nuff

With the third weekend of Summerfest in Milwaukee, Enuff Z'Nuff, a glam metal band, took to the ULINE Stage on Thursday, July 3, 2025. (Pictured: Chip Z'Nuff.)

This month marks the release of the band's 18th album, "Xtra Cherries."

Friko

The indie duo Friko (Bailey Minzenberger and Niko Kapetan) played Summerfest in Milwaukee on Thursday, July 3, 2025. 

Lovejoy

The British indie band Lovejoy headlined Summerfest's Miller Lite Stage on Thursday, July 3, 2025 in Milwaukee.

Benson Boone

The singing and somersaulting superstar Benson Boone was headliner at the American Family Insurance Amphitheater on Thursday, July 3, 2025. With his latest album, "American Heart," hitting #2 on the Billboard charts, Boone's setlist included "Sorry I'm Here for Someone Else," "Mr. Electric Blue," "Mystical Magical," "Momma Song," "Take Me Home," and "Young American Heart."

The Aces

Supporting headliner Benson Boone at Summerfest were The Aces, an alternative pop group from Provo, Utah. (Pictured, clockwise from top left: vocalist Cristal Ramirez, guitarist Katie Henderson, drummer Alisa Ramirez, and bassist McKenna Petty.)

Plague Vendor

Brandon Blaine, lead singer of the band Plague Vendor, performs on the Miller Lite Stage (and helps out with sound for guitarist Jay Rogers, Friday, July 4, 2025 in Milwaukee.

Social Distortion

The punk band Social Distortion headlined the Miller Lite Stage at Summerfest on Friday, July 4, 2025. (Pictured: Guitarist Mike Ness, and drummer David Hidalgo Jr., son of David Hidalgo of the band Los Lobos.)

Alex Warren

Singer-songwriter Alex Warren brought his #1 hit "Ordinary" to the U.S. Cellular Stage at Summerfest on Friday, July 4, 2025. He also performed "Burning Down," "Troubled Waters," "Carry You Home" and "Before You Leave Me."  

July marks the release of his first studio album, "You'll Be Alright, Kid."

Gary Lewis & the Playboys

Gary Lewis & the Playboys performed at Summerfest in Milwaukee on Friday, July 4, 2025. 

We Came as Romans

The Michigan metalcore band We Came as Romans was the opening act for Bad Omens at the American Family Insurance Amphitheater at Summerfest, July 4, 2025 in Milwaukee. Their latest album, "All Is Beautiful … Because We're Doomed," drops in August.

Chicago

Headlining the BMO Stage on July 4, 2025 was Chicago, whose setlist included such hits as "Beginnings," "Colour My World," "Saturday in the Park," "Just You 'n' Me," "Old Days," "If You Leave Me Now," "Hard to Say I'm Sorry," and "25 or 6 to 4."

Sophie Hunter

Hailing from Brooklyn, Sophie Hunter ("I make alternative pop-rap") performed on the final day of Summerfest, on the Aurora Health Care Stage, Saturday, July 5, 2025.

Babymetal

Babymetal, a Japanese "kawaii metal" band, headlined the ULINE Stage at Summerfest on Saturday, July 5, 2025.

Hippo Campus

The indie rock band Hippo Campus opened for the Lumineers on Saturday, July 5, 2025 at Summerfest. (Pictured: DeCarlo Jackson.)

The Lumineers

The Lumineers, an alternative folk band from Denver, were Summerfest's closing night headliners at the American Family Insurance Amphitheater on Saturday, July 5, 2025. Their most recent album was "Automatic."

Chris Stapleton

Grammy-winning singer-songwriter and musician Chris Stapleton played the Credit Union 1 Amphitheatre in Tinley Park, Ill., on Saturday, June 28, 2025, part of his "All-American Road Show."

Queens of the Stone Age

Josh Homme, a founding member of the band Queens of the Stone Age, performs with the group at Huntington Bank Pavilion at Northerly Island in Chicago, June 21, 2025.

QOTSA's set list included "I Sat By the Ocean," "My God Is the Sun," "Make It With Chu," "No One Knows," and "Little Sister." 

The Kills

The rock duo The Kills (singer Alison Mosshart and guitarist Jamie Hince) were the opening act for Queens of the Stone Age at Huntington Bank Pavilion at Northerly Island in Chicago, June 21, 2025. Their setlist included "Future Starts Slow," "U.R.A. Fever," "Black Balloon," and "Kissy Kissy."

Pierce the Veil

The San Diego rock band Pierce the Veil brought their "I Can't Hear You" world tour to the Credit Union 1 Amphitheatre in Tinley Park, Ill, on June 7, 2025. Pictured: Bassist Jaime Preciado.

Pierce the Veil

Lead guitarist Tony Perry of Pierce the Veil.

Among the songs they performed: "Pass the Nirvana," "Emergency Contact," "Death of an Executioner," and "Bulls in the Bronx." 

Pierce the Veil

Pierce the Veil said the 26,000 people who showed up for the sold-out show in Tinley Park, Ill., on June 7, was the band's biggest show turnout ever. 

The Weeknd

Abel Makkonen Tesfaye (a.k.a. The Weeknd) brought his "After Hours til Dawn" tour (which began three years ago) to Chicago's Soldier Field on Saturday, May 31, 2025. The singer, wearing a mask with glowing eyes, opened with "The Abyss," from his recent film "Hurry Up Tomorrow," about a singer having a mental breakdown. It was the first of almost 40 songs performed. 

The Weeknd

Dancers on stage with The Weeknd at Soldier Field in Chicago, May 31, 2025. 

Sessanta

The touring heavy metal concert "Sessanta" is a collaboration of the bands Puscifer, Primus, and A Perfect Circle. They performed at the American Family Insurance Amphitheatre in Milwaukee on May 31, 2025, before heading to St. Paul, Minn., Omaha, Neb., and Washington State.

Pictured, clockwise from top left: Vocalist Maynard James Keenan, of A Perfect Circle and Puscifer; A Perfect Circle lead guitarist Billy Howerdel; Primus' Les Claypool (lead vocals and bass); beneath the poodle mask is Josh Freese, a recent alumni of Foo Fighters who has rejoined A Perfect Circle; Puscifer vocalist Carina Round; and drummer John Hoffman of Primus, in a Batman mask. 

AC/DC

The Australian rock band AC/DC performed at Soldier Field in Chicago, Saturday, May 24, 2025.  Their set list included some of their most famous songs, including "Highway to Hell," "You Shook Me All Night Long," "Back in Black," "Thunderstruck," and "Let There Be Rock," as well as "Demon Fire," from "Power Up," their 17th studio album, which went to #1 around the world upon its release in November 2020.

Pictured: Lead singer Brian Johnson, and co-founder Angus Young. 

Paul Simon

Paul Simon played the first of three shows at Chicago's Symphony Center on May 23, 2025. Opening with songs from his most recent album, "Seven Psalms," he performed selections with his wife, Edie Brickell. He also played songs from the Simon back catalog, from "Graceland" and "Homeward Bound," to "Slip Slidin' Away" and "Me and Julio Down by the Schoolyard."

Rival Sons

The rock band Rival Sons (featuring lead singer Jay Buchanan and guitarist Scott Holiday) played at the Rialto Square Theatre in Joliet, Ill., on May 1, 2025, before heading off to Canada, and a European tour.

Their set list included "Nobody Wants to Die," "Too Bad," "Do Your Worst," and "Shooting Stars."

Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds

Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds performed the first of two shows at the Salt Shed in Chicago on April 28, 2025 – stops on the group's "The Wild God Tour."

An actor and writer as well as a musician, Cave has recorded 18 studio albums with The Bad Seeds; their latest is "Wild God," whose tracks include "Frogs," "Joy," "Song of the Lake" and "Long Dark Night."  

Trivium

The heavy metal band Trivium performed at the Byline Bank Aragon Ballroom in Chicago on April 26, 2025. It was one stop on their "Poisoned Ascendancy Tour," which they are co-headlining with Bullet For My Valentine.

Trivium

Matt Heafy of Trivium. The heavy metal band is marking the 20th anniversary of their album "Ascendancy" by performing its songs live – for the last time. Their set list included "The End of Everything," "Pull Harder on the Strings of Your Martyr," "A Gunshot to the Head of Trepidation," and "Like Light to the Flies."  

OK Go

Originally formed in Chicago, the rock band OK Go returned to the Windy City for a performance at the Riviera Theater on April 25, 2025. Their latest album is "And the Adjacent Possible." 

My Morning Jacket

 My Morning Jacket played at the Riverside Theater in Milwaukee, Wis., April 18, 2025. Pictured (clockwise from top left): Vocalist Jim James, bassist Tom Blankenship, drummer Patrick Hallahan, guitarist Carl Broemel, and keyboardist Bo Koster.

After launching their 2025 tour on April 1 in Chattanooga, the group added summer and fall dates across the U.S. through November 1. 

Geoff Tate

Geoff Tate, a founding singer from Seattle's heavy metal band Queensrÿche, performed at the Arcada Theatre in St. Charles, Ill., April 11, 2025.

Michael Monroe

Finnish singer Michael Monroe, who was a founding member of the '80s rock band Hanoi Rocks, performed at the Arcada Theatre in St. Charles, Ill., on April 6, 2025.  The leadoff song of his set list was "Dead, Jail or Rock 'n' Roll."

He also sang several Hanoi Rocks songs, including "Motorvatin'," "Up Around the Bend," "Malibu Beach Nightmare," and "Don't You Ever Leave Me."

Kylie Minogue

Australian singer-songwriter Kylie Minogue arrived at Allstate Arena in Rosemont, Ill, on April 2, 2025. 

Kylie Minogue

Minogue's set, stretched across five acts, included "last night I dreamt I fell in love," "Lights, Camera, Action," "Edge of Saturday Night," "Tension," "Padam Padam," "Timebomb" and "Get Outta My Way." She also sang covers of music by Carole King, Pandora, and Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds. 

Deftones

Chino Moreno, the lead singer of Deftones, an alternative metal band hailing from Sacramento, Calif., performed at the United Center in Chicago, March 31, 2025. Their set list included "Be Quiet and Drive (Far Away)," "Diamond Eyes," "Hole in the Earth," and "Swerve City."

Bishop Briggs

The English singer-songwriter Bishop Briggs (touring for her new album, "Tell My Therapist I'm Fine") stopped by Metro in Chicago on March 22, 2025. She performed "River," "Wild Horses," "Champion," "White Flag," and "My Seratonin."

Deftones

A scintillating Deftones concert in Chicago.

      
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Photographer Jake Barlow (Instagram)

Photographer Ed Spinelli (Instagram)

Photographer Kirstine Walton (Instagram)

      
Edited by senior producer David Morgan.