Ravinia Festival in Highland Park Reveals its 2023 Schedule
By: Jonathan Jones 03/22/2023
Ravinia is a staple of Lake County. Since 1905, the Highland Park fest has featured the top musicians in various genres, making it the oldest outdoor festival in U.S. history.
Like every year, Ravinia showcases a slew of star-studded names. In the 2022 edition, we were blessed with a cast of legendary performers like Sheryl Crow, esperanza spalding, Common, Pitbull, Sting, Diana Ross, Stevie Nicks, Erykah Badu and so many more.
Don't forget, with a Ravinia Festival ticket; visitors can visit the Highland Park grounds via MetraRail for free.
Ravinia Festival is also the mainstay for the Chicago Symphony Orchestra throughout the summer, led by the incomparable maestro Marin Alsop. Tickets go on sale starting May 4, so mark your calendars. TNow, continue to scroll to view the exceptional lineup as Ravinia Festival in Highland Park returns in 2023!
The iconic singer, songwriter, rapper and actress returns to the Highland Park stage. Maybe you discovered Ms. Hill or L. Boogie as a member of the iconic group the Fugees with Wyclef Jean and Pras, while others may have first seen her as Rita Louise Watson in "Sister Act 2." Wherever you were when you first found out about the songstress, you were somewhere when her first solo album "The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill" dropped. This album is considered one of the most renowned albums of all time. The six-time Grammy winner performance is a can't-miss show.
“Is it 25 or six to four?” Everyone’s favorite Windy City-named band, Chicago, is heading a few miles north to don the Ravinia Festival stage for two performances. The rock band, originally named the Chicago Transit Authority after the Second City’s bus and “L” system, has sold over 40 million units registering 23 gold, 18 platinum and eight multi-platinum albums. The band has also achieved 10 Grammy Nominations and one win for “Best Pop Vocal Performance By a Duo, Group or Chorus” with the song “If You Leave Me Now” in 1976. Chicago is also known for hits like “Hard to Say I’m Sorry,” “Saturday in the Park,” “Hard Habit to Break” and so many more records.
This author can’t help himself and request that The Counting Crows perform “Mr. Jones and me.” The alternative band has rocked our socks off for a quarter of a century. Their album “August and Everything After” went seven times Platinum according to the Recording Industry Association and six of their albums have charted on the Billboard 200 Chart. The band from Berkley, CA, was also nominated for an Academy Award for their song “Accidentally in Love,” which was in the movie “Shrek 2.” Dashboard Confessional, an early 2000s favorite for many, also shares the ticket for this one.
Puth is one of the hottest songwriters in the business right now. While amassing billions of streams worldwide for his written tunes, Puth is also a highly sought-after talent, as he's charted with eight multi-platinum singles. He's also won three Billboard Music Awards and a Golden Globe. Puth also received four Grammy nominations. The multi-faceted musician has worked with well-known acts like Stevie Wonder, BTS, Meghan Trainor, CeeLo Green, Pitbull, Maroon 5 and more.
Carlos Santana is a living legend. For seven decades, the Rock 'n Roll Hall of Fame performer has been a catalyst for many as he transcends musical genres. The 10-time Grammy Award-winning Californian has sold over 100 million records and topped music charts constantly. See the global music icon grace the storied Highland Park stage for two nights as he performs numerous hits like "Black Magic Woman," "Maria, Maria," "Oye Como Va," "Smooth" and a ton of other hits.
John Legend is heading to Lake County to perform for "All of You" for his third appearance Ravinia Festival in Highland Park gives you the "Green Light" to "Get Lifted" and excited as Legend graces the Highland Park stage. The Ivy League grad (University of Pennsylvania) will be on his tour as he recently released his newest album "Legend," in late 2022. Legend is not just "Ordinary People," as he has earned 12 Grammy Awards.
For over 50 years, Jethro Tull has wowed audiences across the globe. The British Rock band is part of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and a multi-Grammy winner. Front flute man Ian Anderson and his cronies feature a rich collection of their legendary tunes dating back to 1968 to the present
Kenny Loggins is calling it quits on the tour game, but before he "takes five" on his illustrious touring career, he'll celebrate it in style at Ravinia. The singer, songwriter and guitarist has been nominated for EGOT status but has bagged two Grammy Awards and an Emmy. So during Loggins' last hurrah, remember to "cut loose, footloose and kick of your Sunday shoes."
The sweet sounds of American-brand music: jazz, blues and rock will fill the air for an entertaining night of toe-tapping and dancing. Chicago blues legend Buddy Guy is a seven-time Grammy-winning guitarist and vocalist who has been ranked 30th in Rolling Stone magazine’s 100 greatest guitarists of all time. The Windy City is calling it a career after this year's tour, but you'll probably still catch him around his blues bar and concert venue (perfectly called Legends) in the Chicago's South Loop. George Benson is a Grammy-winning giant of jazz. The singer, songwriter, composer and multinstrumentalist's career has spanned eight decades marked by awards, acclaim and Billboard-topping tunes.
Between the two iconic groups, Boyz II Men and the Isley Brothers have a slew of hit songs. The "MotownPhilly" group in Boyz II Men achieved four Grammy Awards, while the Isley Brothers have two Grammy Awards, including a Lifetime Achievement accolade of the aforementioned award. Ronnie Isley also has a Grammy for his solo efforts. So as summer draws to a close, be sure to "lift your heels up, throw your head back, kick your hees up, take it easy" and of course "Shout."
"Hey Soul Sister," the heralded band Train performs on a two-night stint at the Highland Park staple. The Bay-area, Grammy-winning band has been rocking out stages and dropping albums like little "Drops of Jupiter" for nearly three decades. Besides the obvious success of the music, lead singer Pat Monahan makes a wine called Save Me, San Francisco Wine Co. that's garnered 100 awards and has sold over 10 million bottles.
Carlile is an exceptional artist. When Brandi first performed at Ravinia in 2015, she wasn't well-known yet, but she was gaining exposure in her career. Since her debut, she has bagged seven Grammy Awards, including three just a few months ago. The musician cameleons with a few genres like Americana, roots, country and rock.
Carrie Underwood emerged from the promise of her 2005 American Idol win to become a true multi-format, multi-media superstar, spanning achievements in music, television and film. An eight-time Grammy Award winner, she has sold over 66 million records worldwide and recorded 20 no. 1 singles, 13 of which she co-wrote.
