Summer music highlights of 2026
Summer Music Highlights of 2026
Summer music highlights of 2026 - As the sun climbs higher, summer brings a vibrant lineup of musical performances across various venues. This compilation showcases key moments from 2026, featuring photographs by CBS News contributors Jake Barlow, Ed Spinelli, and Kirstine Walton.
Bruce Springsteen's Land of Hope and Dreams Tour
On April 29, 2026, the iconic Bruce Springsteen graced the stage at the United Center in Chicago, delivering a memorable set during his ongoing "Land of Hope and Dreams" tour.
Ed Sheeran's Loop Tour
Ed Sheeran's "Loop Tour" brought his signature blend of melodies to Soldier Field in Chicago on June 27, 2026. His performance included a diverse range of hits, with tracks like "Castle on the Hill," "Thinking Out Loud," and "Shape of You" resonating with fans.
Godsmack's Rise of Rock Tour
Godsmack, hailing from Massachusetts, performed at the Credit Union 1 Amphitheatre in Tinley Park, Ill., on June 20, 2026. Their set featured both original material and classic rock anthems, including "Snowblind" and "War Pigs."
"We enjoyed playing guitar and writing songs, and we [had] such a good time going in lots of different directions, [but] we found ourselves in the same predicament. So we had a wizard idea to try and split it into two records, and then it gave us a little bit more freedom to keep doing the directions that we wanted to. So, yeah, 'Good Man/Bad Man,' two separate worlds, we could drop these songs in this tiny universe or drop these into that other tiny universe, so that's kind of what we did. It feels like a throwback to the old days. I would do it the same way again."
The Strokes' Reality Awaits Tour
On June 17, 2026, The Strokes took to the United Center in Chicago for a show as part of their "Reality Awaits" tour. The band's performance highlighted tracks from their upcoming seventh studio album, set for release in July, alongside fan-favorites like "Last Nite" and "Reptilia."
The Dead Daisies and Deep Purple Legacy
Glenn Hughes, known for his work with Deep Purple and Black Sabbath, performed with The Dead Daisies at the Arcada Theatre in St. Charles, Ill., on May 30, 2026. The event also included renditions of Deep Purple classics such as "Smoke On the Water" and "Stormbringer," alongside a cover of Creedence Clearwater Revival's "Fortunate Son."
Zakk Sabbath's Tribute to Black Sabbath
On May 16, 2026, the Black Sabbath tribute band Zakk Sabbath performed at the Hollywood Casino in Joliet, Ill., as part of a supporting role for Zakk Wylde's band Black Label Society. Their set paid homage to the legendary band with powerful covers like "Children of the Grave."
Corrosion of Conformity and Crobot
Corrosion of Conformity's lead guitarist Woody Weatherman shared insights with CBS News' Jake Barlow about the band's recent album, "Good Man/Bad Man." The project was split into two distinct records, allowing for creative exploration in separate musical universes. Meanwhile, Crobot joined the tour at the Outset in Chicago on May 14, 2026.
Triumph's 50th Anniversary Tour
Triumph's return to the stage at the Allstate Arena in Rosemont, Ill., on May 13, 2026, marked their first major tour in three decades. The event was initially planned for a smaller venue but expanded due to overwhelming demand. Drummer Gil Moore noted that the Edmonton Oilers played Triumph's music during their 2025 Stanley Cup campaign, sparking fan enthusiasm for the tour.
Alter Bridge's What Lies Within Tour
Alter Bridge, currently on their "What Lies Within" tour, performed at the Salt Shed in Chicago on May 6, 2026. The setlist included fan favorites such as "Isolation" and "Ghosts of Days Gone By," as well as new material from their latest eponymous album.