This summer, Ravinia is proud to present many of the Chicago area’s most promising and rising musicians on its Carousel Stage, located on the North Lawn, as well as on the Pavilion stage.
Get to know some of this summer’s local acts before you see them live:
Neal Francis
Neal Francis will make his first appearance opening for Amos Lee on June 15. The Pilsen-based musician is known for his New Orleans rhythms, Chicago blues, and early ’70s rock. On his latest album, In Plain Sight, Francis offers up a body of work both strangely enchanted and painfully self-aware, unfolding in songs sparked from Greek myths and frenzied dreams and late-night drives in the depths of summer delirium. True to its charmed complexity, the singer-songwriter-pianist’s second full-length came to life over the course of a tumultuous year spent living in a possibly haunted church in Chicago. The result: a portrait of profound upheaval and weary resilience, presented in a kaleidoscopic sound that’s endlessly absorbing. View Concert
Ravyn Lanae
Ravyn Lenae brings a voice uniquely blending neo-soul calmness and airy falsetto that is often compared to Erykah Badu, so it’s fitting that her Ravinia debut is coming on September 11 in support of Badu. The 23-year-old Chicago-born singer recently released her debut full-length album after a string of releases that showcased a talent beyond her years. Her critically acclaimed new album Hypnos sees Lenae blending different genres with ease, showcasing the full vocal range of this talented R&B singer. View Concert
Rookie
Rookie, the six matching jumpsuit-clad, shaggy-haired friends from Chicago, will make their Ravinia debut opening for John Fogerty on July 8 from the Carousel Stage. The band’s modern take on timeless American rock and roll pulls from all corners of the sonic map—it’s familiar but fresh; lived-in but blown-out. They carry the ’70s/’80s pop-rock sheen of recent tour-mates Cheap Trick; three-minute precision songwriting of Big Star; loose Neil Young Americana; and the hazy, psych-flavored boogie of The Allman Brothers and Thin Lizzy. Though barely able to comfortably fit on many stages, once they’re plugged in and smooshed together, it’s a potent blend of power chords, blistering leads, and performance prowess beyond their years. View Concert
License to Sail Djs
License to Sail DJs present Club MTV will make their Ravinia debut on the Carousel Stage before the Culture Club concert on August 26. The Chicago-based DJs Greg Corner and Brock Manke will bring the party scene to Ravinia’s grounds. DJ Brock, who has been a staple of the Wicker Park and River North dance party scenes over the past decade, has thrown and played indie dance, house, throwback, and top 40 events all over the city. DJ Greg is a bass player, event producer, music programmer, and artist consultant best known for his ability to throw successful events and spin eclectic music that people of all backgrounds love. Expect to hear a little bit of everything when these two DJs play this summer season. View Concert
Tobacco City
Tobacco City will make its Ravinia debut on the Carousel Stage just after the park opens for the Emmylou Harris and Mary Chapin Carpenter concert on September 2. The Chicago-based alt-country band was originally formed to cover Neil Young songs for a Halloween show, but while continuing to hit the stage, they’ve since developed their own sound. The band’s music is rooted in bluesy honky-tonk and earthy, wistful country, with supple, pop-driven harmony vocals making them the most perfect opener for two of the greatest singer-songwriters in Americana rock. View Concert
KAINA
Kaina, a first-generation Latina born and raised in Chicago, will make her Ravinia debut on the Carousel Stage opening for Erykah Badu with special guest Ravyn Lenae on September 11. Kaina Castillo, known onstage simply as KAINA, is a rising Chicago artist that has been making a name for herself with her experimental sound, fusing soulful R&B and rock with inspirations from her Guatemalan and Venezuelan heritage. View Concert
Summer Drive
Summer Drive, the Oak Park–based winner of The Bitter Jester Festival’s 2021 Music Fest Competition, will make its first appearance at the Carousel Stage before the Steve Miller Band concert with special guest Jimmie Vaughan on June 23. The funk-rock band was born in 2016 at School of Rock Oak Park, where the five members met. Over the years the band has become known locally for its outstanding live shows. The band’s funky originals take inspiration from artists such as Red Hot Chili Peppers, Living Colour, and Jimi Hendrix. View Concert