Chicago
Hailed as one of the “most important bands in music since the dawn of the rock and roll era” by former President Bill Clinton, the legendary rock and roll band with horns, Chicago, came in at #9, the highest charting American band in Billboard Magazine’s recent Hot 200 All-Time Top Artists. And Chicago is the first American rock band to chart Top 40 albums in six consecutive decades. Chicago was inducted into the 2016 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, their first nomination though they’ve been eligible since 1994 – a long time coming! Chicago’s album, Chicago Transit Authority, was inducted into the GRAMMY Hall Of Fame in 2014, and the band performed on the Grammy stage for the first time that year.
This June 2017, Chicago’s Robert Lamm and James Pankow became the latest inductees of the Songwriters Hall of Fame at the organization’s 48th Annual Induction and Awards Dinner in New York. These legendary songwriters wrote mega-hits such as, “25 or 6 to 4,” “Saturday In The Park,” “Feelin’ Stronger Every Day,” “Make Me Smile,” and many others. The band’s new documentary film, “Now More Than Ever: The History Of Chicago,” premiered at the Sedona International Film Festival in 2016, and won the Film Festival’s Best of Fest Audience Choice Award. The band opened the festival with back-to-back sold-out performances.
Chicago’s lifetime achievements include two Grammy Awards, multiple American Music Awards, Founding Artists of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, a Chicago street dedicated in their honour, and keys to and proclamations from an impressive list of US cities. Record sales top the 100,000,000 mark, and include 21 Top 10 singles, 5 consecutive Number One albums, 11 Number One singles and 5 Gold singles. An incredible 25 of their 36 albums have been certified platinum, and the band has a total of 47 gold and platinum awards.
The original four band members are Robert Lamm on keyboards and vocals, Lee Loughnane on trumpet and vocals, James Pankow on trombone and Walt Parazaider on woodwinds. The band line-up also includes Tris Imboden on drums, Keith Howland on guitar and vocals, Lou Pardini on keyboards and vocals, Ray Herrmann on sax and flute, Walfredo Reyes, Jr. on percussion and Jeff Coffey on bass and vocals.
From the signature sound of the Chicago horns, their iconic Vocalists, and a few dozen of ever-Classic Songs, this band’s concerts are celebrations. 2017 marks the band’s 50th consecutive year of touring, without missing a single concert date! Chicago continues to be true ambassadors for their beloved hometown, carrying the city’s name with pride and dignity around the world.
New this year: General Admission wristbands
Wristbands will be required to access free general admission seats. Wristbands will only be available at the Revelation booth in Playland starting at 2pm on the day of the concert and will be time-stamped to ensure guests get into the venue on a first come, first in basis. Visit this page for more info about Summer Night Concert wristbands.
Reserve seats now!
Concerts are FREE with admission but a limited number of reserved seats are available for purchase starting at just $20.
Reserved seats can be purchased online or onsite during The Fair from the ticket booth located outside the venue entrance within the fairgrounds (subject to availability).
Please be advised, this concert venue has a capacity limit and, for everyone’s safety, we will need to close the venue once this capacity has been reached.
Frequently Asked Questions
Venue
Summer Nights Concerts are performed in the outdoor venue, the PNE Amphitheatre. Please be advised, this concert venue has a capacity limit and, for everyone’s safety, we will need to close the venue once this capacity has been reached. This is an outdoor venue and as such, refunds are not given due to inclement weather. The Amphitheatre will open for each concert starting at 6:30pm for those with reserved tickets or time-stamped wristbands.
Seating
Reserved seating is available at stage front and in a reserved bleacher section for select shows. Lawn Chairs are not permitted in the venue.
Pricing
The Summer Night Concerts are FREE with Fair Gate admission*, but guests have the option to upgrade to a reserved seat or book a private suite.
*iHeart Radio on Sunday, September 3 and Monday, September 4 will not be included with Fair Gate admission. iHeart Radio concert-goers must purchase Fair Gate admission in addition to concert tickets to gain entrance to the PNE Amphitheatre.
Cameras & videos
The Fair at the PNE requires that all photographs or videos taken by guests be used for their personal enjoyment ONLY. Any use, reuse or reproduction for commercial purposes without the express written consent of the PNE is prohibited. Professional cameras and cameras with detachable lenses are not permitted. Cameras are also not permitted on rides.
PNE Amphitheatre: Amenities and Code of Conduct
Book a Private Suite for this event!
Suites are great for entertaining up to 14 clients, prospects, employees, family, and friends.
More information and pricing.