The Roots, The Decemberists, Billy Idol To Headline Taste Of Chicago

By Mae Rice in News on Apr 26, 2016 3:22PM

The Roots in Los Angeles in February (Photo by Jason Merritt/Getty Images)

The Roots, the Decemberists, Billy Idol and the Isley Brothers will headline 2016's Taste of Chicago, the city announced today.

Chicago's annual Grant Park food and music fest has experimented with different dates and ticket pricing over the years as it struggles to stay profitable. This year's Taste will run for five days from July 6 to 10, and though you can watch these shows for free from the lawn, you also can buy tickets to the seating area at the Petrillo Music Shell here starting at 10 a.m. on Friday. General seating is $23 a pop, and "premium" tickets are $50 every day except Thursday, when general seating is $15 and premium tickets are $32.

Here are the details we have of the music lineup so far:

Wednesday, July 6, starting at 5:30 p.m.: The Roots headline, and Donnie Trumpet—the Chicago hip-hop artist who released Surf with Chance the Rapper in 2015—opens.

Thursday, July 7, starting at 5 p.m. South African quartet The Kongos headline, playing the fest along with singer-songwriter-banjo player Elle King and openers Transviolet. Check out the Kongos' mondo 2012 hit, "Come with Me Now," here.

Friday, July 8, starting at 5:30 p.m.: The Decemberists headline, and Shakey Graves, a Texas-based one-man band, opens.

Saturday, July 9, starting at 4:30 p.m.:: Billy Idol headlines, and Sons of the Silent Age—a David Bowie cover band—opens.

Sunday, July 10, starting at 4:30 p.m.: The Isley Brothers featuring Ronald and Ernie Isley headline, and Grammy-nominated percussionist Sheila E. opens. The Isley Brothers released "Twist and Shout" in the '60s, "Who's That Lady" in the '70s, and a collaborated with Snoop Dogg in the aughts, so... go see them.

In closing, here is a video of Mayor Rahm Emanuel grooving to "Blurred Lines" at the 2013 Taste of Chicago. Never forget that the Taste of Chicago brought us this moment, and is therefore a sacred institution.