Now, you may be thinking, “Why are you writing about artists playing summer concerts in the month of February?!” Well, I’ll tell you why. All throughout college we have busy times, going to class, working on homework and assignments, participating in campus organizations and enjoying the little freedom that comes with living on your own. These workloads, however, come with a lot of stress and peer pressure, and little relaxation. For me, my escape is getting in my car, and just driving. Blaring the music, and just being myself! So, I decided why not write an article about some artists who have been putting out new music recently or who are going on tour over the summer, as something we can all look forward to during these stressful and busy times!
*These are by no means the only artists touring over the summer, rather just some I am excited for, whether or not I will be able to go, cause I am on a college budget!
**Yes, several are also country artists, I’m a huge country fan, Sorry in advance!
Luke Bryan (Las Vegas Residency through Sept. 9th) and Country On Tour
Luke Bryan will not be coming to Illinois as part of his Country On Tour, but he will be performing in other surrounding states. If you still really would like to see him in Illinois, check out Windy City Smokeout on Saturday, July 15th. These dates will all occur in late summer. He will be in Indiana, Ohio, Missouri, Wisconsin and Minnesota. Bryan will be performing in Cincinnati, Ohio on Thursday, August 17, Indianapolis, Indiana on Friday, August 18, Evansville, Indiana on Friday, August 25, St. Louis, Missouri on Saturday, August 26, Green Bay, Wisconsin on Friday, October 13 and lastly, in St. Paul, Minnesota on Saturday, October 14. Furthermore, if you still need your Luke Bryan fix, you’re in luck! Bryan has dates in his Las Vegas Residency from Wednesday, March 22 – Saturday, September 9.
Kane Brown’s Drunk or Dreaming Tour
Kane Brown’s Drunk or Dreaming Tour will be coming to Bloomington, Illinois as a part of the Tailgate N’ Tallboys music festival on Friday, June 16. Other performers for that day include Bailey Zimmerman, Cooper Alan, Chase Matthew, Ashley Cooke, Josh Ross, After Midtown and Mike as the late-night performance.
Luke Combs World Tour
Luke Combs’ World Tour is one of his biggest tours yet! He will be performing at Soldier Field in Chicago on Saturday, May 6. Opening performers include Riley Green, Lainey Wilson, Flatland Cavalry and Brent Cobb. (If only that wasn’t the weekend before finals week…)
Walker Hayes’ Duck Buck Tour
Walker Hayes will be on tour performing in two locations in Illinois. The first is in Rosemont on Thursday, April 13, at Rosemont Theatre. The second location is in Peoria on Friday, April 14, at the Peoria Civic Center. The show’s openers include Ingrid Andress and BRELAND.
Thomas Rhett’s Home Team Tour 23
Thomas Rhett will be on Tour in Illinois in two different locations on two different dates. The first date is early spring on Friday, May 5 in Peoria at the Peoria Civic Center Arena.
The second date is Friday, July 28 in Chicago at the United Center. Openers for Thomas Rhett’s concert are Cole Swindell and Nate Smith.
Conner Smith
Conner Smith is an up-and-coming country artist who will be performing as part of the Tailgate N’ Tallboys Festival in Bloomington on June 15. Also performing on June 15 will be Lainey Wilson, Parker Mccollum, Jackson Dean, George Birge, Austin Snell, Hailey Whitters and Yung Gravy as the late-night performance.
Taylor Swift’s The Eras Tour
Taylor Swift will be performing at Soldier Field for three nights in a row on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, June 2, 3, and 4. Friday and Saturday nights she is touring with Girl in Red and OWENN, and on Sunday night with MUNA and Gracie Abrams.
Ed Sheeran’s +-=/x Tour
Ed Sheeran will be performing at Soldier Field in Chicago on Saturday, July 29. He will be touring with Khalid and Cat Burns for his +-=/x Tour!
Wow! That’s quite a few big-named artists! If any of these strike your fancy or you would just like to learn more about them, feel free to access tickets on the artists’ home pages! I hope you enjoyed reading this article and it makes you look forward to summer coming soon even more! Whether I or you as a reader go to these concerts at all, I still look forward to listening to some new and good music to help me get through college and life’s ups and downs!