Warm weather brings a slew of options for outdoor concerts

Residents of the suburbs: Are you ready to rock ... outside?

The arrival of warm weather means outdoor concerts are on the horizon.

And this year, local music fans will have an embarrassment of rock 'n' roll riches to choose from. Classic acts from yesteryear and the latest up-and-comers will soon descend on the city and suburbs to perform under the sun and stars.

So let's take a closer look at who will be playing at nearby venues, so you can plan your summer musical fun.

<h3 class="briefHead">RiverEdge Park</h3>

This outdoor arena in downtown Aurora, kicking off its third season, has a full slate of classic rock on tap this summer. Here are some highlights:

The BoDeans, a roots-rock band that emerged from Wisconsin in the 1980s, will play RiverEdge on June 13. The BoDeans are a longtime Chicago-area favorite, and the band always seems to kick it up a notch when playing here. (Tickets $25 through May 31, $40 after that.)

On the bluesier side of things, the 19th annual Blues on the Fox festival settles in at RiverEdge on June 19 and 20. Among the performers in the lineup are the legendary Mavis Staples, the North Mississippi All-Stars and Trombone Shorty & Orleans Ave. ($10 per day through May 31, $20 after that.)

Pop/soul duo Hall & Oates returns on July 31. The band scored a string of hugely popular hits in the 1970s and 1980s, including "She's Gone," "You Make My Dreams" and "Rich Girl." ($50 through May 31, $60 after that.)

RiverEdge Park is located at 360 N. Broadway in Aurora. For a full schedule and ticket information, go to RiverEdgeAurora.com.

<h3 class="briefHead">Ravinia</h3>

This Highland Park venue is one of the jewels of the suburbs. As always, Ravinia is hosting an eclectic slate of entertainment this summer.

The pairing of 88-year-old crooner Tony Bennett with pop provocateur Lady Gaga might have seemed like a gimmick at first, but reviews of their performances have praised their chemistry (and Gaga's singing chops). This musical not-so-odd couple plays Ravinia on June 26 and 27. (Sold out.)

Blondie, one of the key acts in the punk/New Wave scene in New York in the 1970s, will play Ravinia on July 2. The band, led by iconic frontwoman Deborah Harry, explored punk, bubble-gum pop, disco and even hip-hop over the course of several classic albums. Melissa Etheridge is also scheduled to perform. (Tickets start at $38.)

During his time with the Beach Boys, singer-songwriter-musician-producer Brian Wilson, a former suburban resident, helped define the modern rock album. Wilson hits Ravinia on July 6. Rodriguez, a folk musician whose career was revived with the release of the documentary "Searching for Sugar Man," is also scheduled to perform. (Tickets start at $33.)

Few voices are as powerful or recognizable as the one belonging to the Queen of Soul, Aretha Franklin. Her enduring anthems, like "R.E.S.P.E.C.T." and "(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman" are nothing less than cultural touchstones in American pop music. She plays Ravinia on July 11. (Tickets start at $43.)

Ravinia is located at 200 Ravinia Park Road in Highland Park. For a full schedule and tickets, go to ravinia.org.

<h3 class="briefHead">Grand Victoria Casino/Festival Park</h3>

The Grand Victoria Casino in Elgin will once again host a summer concert series in nearby Festival Park.

Fans of rock guitar take note: George Thorogood and the Destroyers will play Festival Park on June 6. Thorogood, perhaps best known for the swaggering blues-rock song "Bad to the Bone," delivers guitar riffs that are as mean, nasty and awesome as any other player out there. Brian Setzer, no slouch on the guitar himself, will also perform with his band, Rockabilly Riot. (Tickets start at $35.)

Heart, the classic-rock band led by sisters Ann and Nancy Wilson, will belt out their hits on June 14. The band was a staple of rock radio in the 1970s and 1980s, with such hits as "Barracuda" and "What About Love." (Tickets start at $30.)

Festival Park is located at 132 S. Grove in Elgin. Go to grandvictoriacasino.com for a full schedule and tickets.

<h3 class="briefHead">Naperville's Ribfest</h3>

Festivals all over the suburbs will feature live music this summer, but Ribfest in Naperville usually lands the biggest acts around.

Paul Rodgers rose to fame for his tough, soulful vocals in groups like Free and Bad Company. He's remained active ever since, recording solo material and touring with the remaining members of Queen. He'll be on his own again when he plays the main stage at Ribfest on July 2.

Sammy Hagar was a relatively minor player in the metal/hard-rock scene of the late 1970s and early 1980s, scoring the hit song "I Can't Drive 55." Then he was tapped to replace David Lee Roth in Van Halen, and his career went through the roof. Millions in album sales later, he's back in solo mode and will perform at Ribfest on July 3.

Ribfest takes place at Knoch Park, 724 S. West St. in Naperville. Ticket prices vary; go to ribfest.net for a full schedule.

<h3 class="briefHead">Rock festivals</h3>

Single one-night shows are not the only way to see music during the summer. Multiple festivals featuring dozens of bands each will soon set up shop in the Chicago area.

The Pitchfork Music Festival, celebrating its 10th anniversary this year, is one of the area's best summer traditions. The fest takes place July 17-19 in Chicago's Union Park, 1501 W. Randolph St., and this year's lineup is particularly strong. Headlining acts include the Chicago roots-rock band Wilco and Sleater-Kinney, a punk trio that emerged from the feminist Riot Grrrl movement of the 1990s. Others on the bill: incendiary hip-hop duo Run the Jewels, indie-pop outfit the New Pornographers and acclaimed garage-rock trio Ex Hex. (Single-day tickets are $65. Go to pitchforkmusicfestival.com.)

The Vans Warped Tour hits the First Midwest Bank Amphitheater in the South Suburbs on July 25. The lineup is packed with young rock, electronic and power-pop bands, including Drama Club and Escape the Fate. The venue is located at 19100 S. Ridgeland Ave. in Tinley Park. (Tickets start at $39.50. Go to vanswarpedtour.com.)

Lollapalooza takes over Grant Park in Chicago from July 31 to Aug. 2. The lineup is typically varied, featuring well-established acts and newcomers in a variety of genres. The big news this year is the presence of revered rock elder statesman Paul McCartney as one of the headliners. Thrash-metal pioneers Metallica and pop crooner Sam Smith are also on the bill, along with Chicago garage-rockers Twin Peaks and Barrington-bred band Wild Belle. Grant Park is located at 332 E. Randolph St. in Chicago. (Regular tickets are sold out, some packages are still available. Go to lollapalooza.com.)

<h3 class="briefHead">Soldier Field</h3>

The venerable stadium on the lakefront usually hosts some of the biggest concerts to visit Chicago each summer.

You may have heard something about this one. The Grateful Dead will perform three farewell concerts July 3-5. Tickets sold out almost instantly, and they've been trading hands on the secondary market for insane prices. Few bands turn concerts into events like the Dead, though. (Sold out)

Pop star Taylor Swift has transitioned from country to an upbeat bubble-gum pop sound seemingly without losing a single one of her fans. The artist behind such catchy earworms as "Shake It Off" will get the crowd squealing when she visits Soldier Field on July 18. (Tickets start at $64.)

Soldier Field is located at 1410 Museum Campus Drive, Chicago. Go to soldierfield.net.