What a long and strange but satisfying trip it’s been throughout 2021, transitioning from lockdowns and livestreams to a full-fledged return to real life events.

Even with its fair share of bumps along the way, including shifting COVID protocols, numerous postponements and rescheduled dates, Chicago Concert Reviews was there every step of the way to cover it all.

Thankfully, “A Wizard, A True Star” known as Todd Rundgren was a beacon of light in the pandemic’s darkest days with his “Clearly Human” Virtual Tour, beamed right here in town from an undisclosed location.

From there, festivals came roaring back, starting with Pride In The Park, featuring R&B veteran Chaka Khan and DJ extraordinaire Tiesto, then Windy City Smokeout, starring Brett Eldredge, Dierks Bentley and tons more taking over the parking lot of the United Center.

Lollapalooza in Grant Park became one of America’s soonest yet safest mass gatherings, anchored by cross-genre and generational superstars Miley Cyrus, Foo Fighters, Journey, Post Malone, Megan Thee Stallion, Marshmello and Tyler, The Creator.

Meanwhile, Illinois’ own classic rockers REO Speedwagon and Head East kicked off the stand-alone shows at RiverEdge Park in Aurora, which was exponentially ahead of the curve when it came to getting going again.

The iconic Ravinia in Highland Park also got right back in the game, starting with socially distanced shows from local legends The Ides Of March and Jazz At Lincoln Center Orchestra, before expanding towards the A-list likes of country great Willie Nelson, anthemic rockers Train, “The Empress Of Soul” Gladys Knight and eternal surfers The Beach Boys, with a boost from actor/artist John Stamos.

Live Nation picked up exactly where it left off, delivering the hugest spectacles to stadiums, amphitheaters and arenas, including the alternative trifecta of Green Day, Fall Out Boy and Weezer, Dave Matthews Band’s 30th anniversary, The Doobie Brothers’ 50th birthday, KISS’ farewell, The Black Crowes’ reunion, plus the colossal pairings of Latin leaders Enrique Iglesias and Ricky Martin, along with troubadours James Taylor and Jackson Browne.

The intimate venues were just as robust, with singer/songwriter Elvis Costello as one of many in the Chicago Theatre’s centennial celebration, Christian crossover favorite Amy Grant revisiting her multi-platinum “Heart In Motion” project at the Raue Center in Crystal Lake, the operatic Sarah Brightman ringing in “A Christmas Symphony” at the Auditorium Theatre and TV’s The Monkees waving farewell at the Riverside Theater in Milwaukee, just a few weeks before member Michael Nesmith’s unexpected passing.

Speaking of northern neighbors, Summerfest temporarily became a fall party, boasting everyone from country and hip-hop giants Zac Brown Band and Wiz Khalifa, to rockers ZZ Top and Goo Goo Dolls, with literally hundreds of acts spanning every imaginable stripe in between.

Club life really picked up throughout it all, with City Winery standouts such as ‘80s pop star Tiffany (easily the earliest notable tour) and blues octogenarian John Mayall, while the Byline Bank Aragon Ballroom scored a rare Twenty One Pilots underplay and hosted the meteoric rise of H.E.R.

The theater community simultaneously made a consistent comeback, starting with the Metropolis Performing Arts Center in Arlington Heights setting up a temporary tent outdoors to house “Little Shop Of Horrors,” before moving inside for “Legally Blonde: The Musical,” amongst others of nearby and national note.

Broadway In Chicago landed the pre-Big Apple engagement of the poised-to-be “Hamilton” huge “Paradise Square” and brought back the blockbuster “Pretty Woman: The Musical,” to name but a few as the year came to a close.

The Allstate Arena even managed to squeeze in 103.5 KISS FM’s annual Jingle Ball prior to the holidays (and a few subsequent dates pressing pause), this time with pop/rap/rock chart-toppers Doja Cat, Black Eyed Peas, Lil Nas X and AJR.

Between it all, there were plenty of artist interviews, including the major league likes of Marlon Jackson, Don McLean, Sergio Mendes, Bonnie Tyler, Brian McKnight, plus members of The Byrds, The Killers, Toto, Jefferson Starship, Queensrÿche, Spandau Ballet and Peter, Paul & Mary.

An initial glance at the 2022 calendar looks even stronger at all of the above and beyond with tons of surprises on the horizon, so be on the lookout for more reviews, photos and features galore, while continuing to support the world’s greatest show scene!