Lollapalooza returns to Grant Park this weekend, spotlighting what’s trending now. But some of the most meaningful moments in music this year aren’t about what’s next — they’re about honoring what’s endured. From long-awaited reunions to emotional farewells, this season’s most powerful rock shows are more than concerts — they’re reminders of how music unites us, shapes us, and moves us to do good.
Ozzy Osbourne’s death, just two weeks after Black Sabbath’s Back to the Beginning — a final hometown concert in Birmingham, England — cast a profound new light on what had already become a historic moment. The highest-grossing charity concert in history, Back to the Beginning raised more than $190 million for Cure Parkinson’s, Birmingham Children’s Hospital, and Acorn Children’s Hospice, and brought together a legendary lineup under the musical direction of Chicago’s own Tom Morello. More than just a farewell, it was rock music’s rallying cry for unity, a celebration of careers that shaped generations, and a powerful — and fleeting — chance to witness legends before the curtain falls.
Morello, who’s set to return to Chicago with a solo show at the Vic Theatre and Revolution(s), a new stage musical at the Goodman Theatre featuring his music and lyrics — called Ozzy’s farewell “the most important day in the history of heavy metal.”
Smashing Pumpkins frontman and Chicago native Billy Corgan, who will debut A Night of Mellon Collie and Infinite Sadness, a world-premiere reimagining of the Pumpkins’ iconic album, at Lyric Opera of Chicago this fall, also took the stage in Birmingham. Reflecting on the concert’s spirit of unity, he said, “You saw the power of rock when we all point the same direction… there were no egos, there was just love.”
Ozzy’s departure serves as a sobering reminder that musical farewells don’t always come with such an epic, onstage sendoff. Billy Joel’s recent cancellation of upcoming tour dates with Stevie Nicks due to health concerns underscored just how precious these performances can be. Even the names of some farewell tours this year seem determined to make us cry — Rod Stewart’s One Last Time; The Who’s The Song Is Over.
But it’s not all farewells — some rock giants are writing bold new chapters. The legendary Neil Young is back on the road with a brand-new band, The Chrome Hearts, performing songs from his latest album Talkin’ to the Trees alongside classics from his vast catalog. And after years of public feuding, Liam and Noel Gallagher have reunited for a long-awaited Oasis tour that’s delivering cathartic, sold-out performances packed with Britpop anthems. While their tour isn’t billed as a goodbye, with a band this famously combustible, every show feels like a gift — and a reminder to savor it while it lasts. When the crowd belts out “Because maybe… you’re gonna be the one that saves me,” it’s more than nostalgia — it’s a moment of shared joy that feels almost miraculous.
So while Lolla points toward the future, here’s a look at the can’t-miss Chicago-area shows that connect us to rock’s past, present, and legacy — moments of celebration, closure, and, in the words of Ozzy himself, proof that “you can’t kill rock and roll.”
Rod Stewart – One Last Time
Rod Stewart’s farewell tour brings his unmistakable rasp and enduring stage charisma to Chicago audiences, possibly for the last time, with beloved hits spanning his career.
Aug. 8, 2025 – Credit Union 1 Amphitheatre, Tinley Park
Nine Inch Nails – Peel It Back
Trent Reznor and Nine Inch Nails return to Chicago for the first time since their critically acclaimed 2022 world tour — and during a landmark moment for the band. This summer, they dropped their first new music in five years with “As Alive As You Need Me To Be,” the lead single from their upcoming TRON: Ares film score, out September 19. As ever, fans can count on an intense, immersive audiovisual experience.
Aug 19–20, 2025 – United Center
Neil Young & The Chrome Hearts – Love Earth
Neil Young returns to Chicago accompanied by his new band, The Chrome Hearts — Micah Nelson, Anthony LoGerfo, Corey McCormick, and Spooner Oldham — presenting songs from his latest album Talkin’ to the Trees alongside his beloved classics. Long hailed for his charitable endeavors including co-founding Farm Aid and launching the Bridge School Benefit Concerts, Young initially planned to play a free concert in Ukraine before kicking off his tour with the Chrome Hearts, but later canceled the show due to safety concerns.
Aug. 27, 2025 – Huntington Bank Pavilion at Northerly Island
Oasis – Live ’25 Reunion
Break out those bucket hats, parkas, and Adidas stripes. The Gallagher brothers reunite in what promises to be a cathartic performance of generation-defining Britpop anthems from “Wonderwall” to “Supersonic” to “Champagne Supernova.” The show is completely sold out, but if Chicago sees even a fraction of the citywide Oasis hysteria that’s taken hold during their UK stops, the joyful vibes will extend far beyond the stadium.
Aug 28, 2025 – Soldier Field
The Who – The Song Is Over
Roger Daltrey and Pete Townshend mark the definitive close to their touring chapter, performing iconic songs that shaped rock history in what will likely be a deeply emotional farewell. “All good things come to an end,” Townshend said. And we’re already crying.
Sept 7 & 9, 2025 – United Center
Ringo Starr & His All-Starr Band
The legendary Beatle, joined by an ensemble that includes members from Toto and Men at Work, offers an intimate performance at the Chicago Theatre, kicking off a fall tour that includes a six-show Las Vegas residency and a stop at the Bourbon & Beyond festival.
Sept 10, 2025 – Chicago Theatre
Lady Gaga – The MAYHEM Ball
Though she hails from a younger generation than most of the rockers in this lineup, Lady Gaga continues to prove her place among music’s most iconic performers. With 14 Grammy Awards and a legacy of bold reinvention, her influence spans genres, decades, and devoted fan bases.
Her long-awaited MAYHEM Ball tour brings her back to arena stages for the first time since 2018. The show blends Gaga’s signature theatricality with an intimate, high-concept production that’s already earning acclaim from fans and critics alike.
To close out her MAYHEM Ball show in San Francisco on the night of Ozzy Osbourne’s passing, Gaga paid tribute to him by revealing a black Ozzy tee at the end of her set and blasting the original recording of “Crazy Train” through the arena — headbanging with her dancers and ending the show with a heartfelt salute to the late Prince of Darkness.
Sept. 15, 17 & 18, 2025 – United Center
Riot Fest 2025
As always, Riot Fest delivers a powerful lineup — Green Day, Sex Pistols, The Beach Boys, Dropkick Murphys, Jack White, The Pogues, Weezer performing The Blue Album, and Marky Ramone playing The Ramones — capturing decades of rebellious spirit. Beyond the stage, Riot Fest invests year-round in surrounding neighborhoods through its “Beyond the Fest” program, offering paid internships, scholarships, job fairs, vendor workshops, and local artist showcases, all designed to support community growth and opportunity.
Sept 19–21, 2025 – Douglass Park
Tom Morello & Friends
The legendary co-founder and guitarist of Rage Against The Machine, Audioslave, and Prophets of Rage, Tom Morello, returns to Chicago to perform a dynamic electric set showcasing his boundary-pushing musicianship and passionate activism.
Nov 13, 2025 – Vic Theatre
Billy Corgan – A Night of Mellon Collie and Infinite Sadness
Billy Corgan collaborates with the Lyric Opera to deliver an orchestral reimagining of the Smashing Pumpkins’ seminal album as a genre-blurring fusion of rock, opera, and performance art. The world-premiere production promises to be a uniquely immersive theatrical rock experience.
Nov 21–30, 2025 – Lyric Opera of Chicago
Paul McCartney – Got Back
Sir Paul McCartney’s enduring charm and profound musical legacy promise two unforgettable nights packed with Beatles classics, Wings hits, and cherished solo works.
Nov 24-25, 2025 – United Center
How to Help
The historic Back to the Beginning concert raised more than $190 million for Cure Parkinson’s, Birmingham Children’s Hospital, and Acorn Children’s Hospice — but the giving doesn’t have to stop there. All proceeds from Yungblud’s mind-blowing viral cover of Black Sabbath’s “Changes” (Live from Villa Park), released as a charity single after the show, will go directly to supporting these causes.
Here in Chicago, your ticket matters too. By attending the performances at Lyric Opera of Chicago and Goodman Theatre, both Make It Better Foundation grant content partners, you’re not just showing up for unforgettable live music — you’re supporting nonprofit institutions committed to arts, culture, and community year-round.
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- Billy Corgan Reimagines Smashing Pumpkins’ ‘Mellon Collie’ for Lyric Opera Stage for 7 Nights Only — Here’s How to Get Tickets
- 100 Years of Impact: Support Goodman Theatre’s Education Programs and Your Gift Will Be Doubled
Brooke McDonald is the editor in chief of Better Magazine. She regularly reports on entertainment, theme parks, and travel and her work has appeared in Insider, The Points Guy, Parents, TravelPulse, Yahoo, and more. Her favorite nonprofits to support include SeaLegacy and the Vitalogy Foundation Follow her on Instagram @brookegmcdonald, Threads @brookegmcdonald, Bluesky, and X @BrookeGMcDonald.
