New bands joining Naper Nights lineup

The Naper Nights Community Concert Series, Naper Settlement's annual tribute to the history of rock music, will bring several bands to Naperville for the first time next summer, including several from out of state.

"This year's lineup is set to elevate the concert series' uniqueness, with tribute acts coming from all over the country who do not typically perform in the Chicago suburbs," said Adison Glick, special events coordinator.

"Audiences will be thrilled to see out of state acts such as Chicken Fried, Natural Wonder, Turn the Page and Bluffett. I'm most excited for the Paul Simon tribute night performed by Old Shoe, who will be backed by a full horn section called the Low Down Brass Band."

Naper Nights will run from 5 to 10 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, June 15 and 16, July 20 and 21, and Aug. 17 and 18, at the settlement, 523 S. Webster St., Naperville. Tickets will be available beginning Feb. 1 and will cost $15 for adults and $10 for youth ages 4-12. For details, visit napernights.org.

The series will open Friday, June 15, with Stevie Ray Vaughan cover band Wall of Denial. Capturing audiences since 2011, the group includes Gary Stratton, who has performed Vaughan's music for more than 20 years. Headlining the night will be The Pettybreakers, the nation's premier tribute to Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers.

Opening on Saturday, June 16, will be Tom Thumb's Band, who revisits the music of Bob Dylan with a six-piece electric band. The evening's headliner will be Chicago-based Americana roots rock band Old Shoe, featuring Low Down Brass Band, performing the best of Paul Simon. The band began performing Paul Simon after playing "Graceland" in its entirety at its annual music festival, Shoe Fest, and receiving a great response from the audience.

"We are an original band that enjoys learning influential music," said Matt Robinson, Old Shoe's singer and guitarist. "The audience will get a fresh take on (Paul Simon's) songs, and while it won't sound exactly like the album, we'll be sure to do it justice and honor all the important parts. It'll be fun and lively and dance-y."

July will cover the best in rock 'n' roll from the '60s to the '70s. Friday, July 20, will begin with Naper Nights favorite The Fortunate Sons using vintage gear and instruments, accurate costumes and spot-on musical performances to re-create Creedence Clearwater Revival hits.

Following the CCR tribute will be Turn the Page, which faithfully re-creates classic Bob Seger hits such as "Old Time Rock 'n' Roll," "Night Moves," and "Against the Wind."

Visitors will dance the night away Saturday, July 21, beginning with an Elton John tribute, Simply Elton with The Brown Dirt Cowboys, who have the perfect blend of great vocals and pianistic excellence.

Headlining the night will be Natural Wonder, a Stevie Wonder tribute led by No. 1 Billboard artist and producer Gabriel Bellow, who promises to give the audience a memorable and energetic live experience.

Since the band's inception in 2012, Natural Wonder has wowed audiences across the country and with performances of Wonder hits such as "Signed, Sealed, Delivered," "Isn't She Lovely" and "Sir Duke."

"I grew up with Stevie Wonder," said Bellow, who portrays Wonder on stage. "My father had three or four of his albums, and when I started collecting my own records I made sure to add him to my collection. He's that perfect marriage of musical and lyrical depth - it can be fun, emotional, happy or sad."

In August, the Naper Nights Concert Series will wrap up with four bands. Friday, Aug. 18, will begin with Rose Hill Revival, a Chicago-area band with a mutual love for the Allman Brothers, followed by Chicken Fried, a tribute band for the Zac Brown Band.

The last night of the series on Saturday, Aug. 18, features Planet Groove performing hits from the '60s to today. Bluffett, a tribute to Jimmy Buffett and the Coral Reefer Band, will bring "Margaritaville" to Naper Settlement with beach-themed props and costuming.

School of Rock's local musicians perform from 5 to 5:45 p.m. each night in June and August as they welcome guests to Naper Nights. Details about children's activities, community partners as well as food and beverage vendors will be announced later this spring.

For information about Naper Settlement, visit napersettlement.com or call (630) 420-6010.

Naper Nights 2018 lineup

Naper Nights features tribute concerts one weekend in June, July and August at Naper Settlement, 523 S. Webster St., Naperville. Tickets are $15 for adults, $10 for ages 4 to 12. Info: napernights.org.

June 15

• 6:30 p.m. Wall of Denial

• 8 p.m. The Pettybreakers

June 16

• 6 p.m. Tom Thumb's Band

• 7:45 p.m. Old Shoe, featuring Low Down Brass Band

July 20

• 6 p.m. The Fortunate Sons

• 8 p.m. Turn the Page

July 21

• 6 p.m. Simply Elton, with The Brown Dirt Cowboys

• 7:45 p.m. Natural Wonder

Aug. 17

• 6 p.m. Rose Hill Revival

• 8 p.m. Chicken Fried

Aug. 18

• 6 p.m. Planet Groove

• 8 p.m. Bluffett