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If your ears need a rest, we hear you. Chicago hosted an astonishing number of concerts in 2025.

There was no shortage of events that lured fans from the city, the Midwest and places further afield. On that list: Lollapalooza, Riot Fest, Lyrical Lemonade Summer Smash, Beyoncé, Lady Gaga, K-pop stars Stray Kids and Paul McCartney. The last joined a surprising number of septuagenarian and octogenarian legends — Robert Plant, Paul Simon, Patti Smith, Neil Young, and the principal members of AC/DC and Kraftwerk included — who turned in memorable performances during the twilight of their careers.

Bummers and busts happened, but the disappointments help put into perspective the very good and the remarkable.

Jason Isbell at the Auditorium Theatre,

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