Lollapalooza, Country Thunder and more: 10 festivals for live music near Rockford

Rockford's proximity to Chicago, Milwaukee and other hot spots along the northern Illinois and southern Wisconsin border can make it a perfect place to plot a summer of soaking in a lot of live music without having to drive very far.

Here is a look at 10 nearby festivals that could land on the calendar.

Summerfest, Milwaukee

When: June 22-24, June 29-July 1 and July 6-8

What to expect: Celebrating its 55th anniversity, Summerfest has 12 stages of live music as well as tons to eat, drink and experience.

Bands scheduled: Jimmy Buffet (July 6), Smashmouth (July 6), Zach Bryan (July 7), Styx (July 7), the Steepwater Band (July 8), and more.

For more information: summerfest.com/welcome-to-summerfest/

More: Disc golf enthusiasts have 9 reasons to get out and play in Rockford area

Byronfest, Byron

When: July 7-9

What to expect: Byron shuts down the streets and turns into a festival for the weekend featuring two music stages. The festival features a full carnival, bags tournament, tons of food and more.

Bands scheduled: Walker Montgomery and Sunset Strip as well as plenty of local bands.

For more information: byronfest.org

Windy City Smokeout 2023, Chicago

When: July 13-16

What to expect: This festival at the United Center in Chicago has lots of different kinds of food and music with each day having a different theme.

Bands scheduled: Luke Bryan, Zac Brown Band, Darius Rucker, Zach Bryan, Dylan Scott, Kameron Marlowe, Grady Spencer & The Work, Lauren Watkins and more.

For more information: songkick.com

Country Thunder Wisconsin, Twin Lakes

When: July 20-23

What to expect: This is a country western festival that is filled with music from early afternoon until early morning each day.

Bands scheduled: Keith Urban and Jason Aldean are among the top acts this year, but there are over 30 bands.

For more information: countrythunder.com/

Lollapalooza, Chicago, Grant Park

When: Aug. 3-6

What to expect: This is one of the nation's most popular musical festivals, and it's held right by the lake at Grant Park. It always has legendary musical acts at a scenic lakefront setting, with the backdrop of Chicago’s skyline right there for all to see.

Bands scheduled: Kendrick Lamar, Billie Eilish, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Odesza, Lana Del Ray, Karol G, The 1975, Tomorrow x Together and more.

For more information: lollapalooza.com

DeKalb Corn Fest, DeKalb

When: Aug 25-27

What to expect: One of the last free music festivals in Illinois, Corn Fest is celebrating its 46th year this summer. The festival is held in downtown DeKalb on Lincoln Highway between 1st and 4th streets. There is music all weekend long and all shows are free. There's also a carnival, car show, craft fest, arts for kids, a community stage, more than 90 vendors and a free corn boil.

Bands scheduled: Burn 'N Bush and more local bands fill Friday's schedule; Scotty McCreery headlines Saturday; and Whiskey Romance is the headliner on Sunday.

For more information: cornfest.com/sound-stage/

Chicago Jazz Fest

When: Aug 31-Sept. 3

What to expect: This four-day festival at Millenium Park is free to all and is full of great jazz musicians every day of the fest.

Bands scheduled: Atomic, Carmen Lundy, Denis Thimes, and many more.

For more information: jazzinchicago.org/chicagojazzfest/

Northcoast Music Festival, Bridgeview

When: Sept. 1-3

What to expect: In Seet Geek Stadium in Bridgeview, this lineup will especially please the EDM and techno fans out there.

Bands scheduled: Zed's Dead, Big Gigantic and Liquid Stranger are a few of the bigger names, but this lineup is filled with EDM powerhouses.

For more information: northcoastfestival.com/

Shoefest, Manteno

When: Sept. 1-3

What to expect: Set back in the woods at Camp Shaw-Waw-Nas-See, this music fest is for the jam-band lovers around, with plenty of food and drinks.

Bands scheduled: Old Shoe, Kitchen Dwellers, Eric Krasno, Henhouse Prowlers, Chicago Farmer, Mr. Blotto, the Grateful String Band, and more.

For more info: jambase.com/festival/shoe-fest-music-festival-2023

Riot Fest, Chicago

When: Sept. 15-17

What to expect: This festival in Douglass Park in Chicago has a little bit more of heavy-metal or hard-core feel to it. It has continued to grow, and now has over 100 bands in three days.

Bands scheduled: The Foo Fighters play Friday and the Cure close it out on Sunday, with plenty more in between.

For more information: riotfest.org

Jay Taft is a Rockford Register Star sports reporter. Email him at jtaft@rrstar.com and follow him on Twitter at @JayTaft. Sign up for the Rockford High School newsletter at rrstar.com. Jay has covered a wide variety of sports, from the Chicago Bears to youth sports, since the turn of the century at the Register Star, and for over 30 years all together.

This article originally appeared on Rockford Register Star: Lollapalooza, Country Thunder among 10 festivals near Rockford