Plant & Krauss, James Taylor, Norah Jones return to Ravinia, Ben Platt, Big Boi, Crowded House debut

Photos by Andy Argyrakis

Excitement’s been steadily building for Ravinia’s summer concert series in Highland Park, especially considering so many early announcements and perhaps a few artist leaks have popped up in much higher quantities than are normally associated with the traditionally tight-lipped calendar.

Even so, it’s been far from a spoiler and seemed to build the buzz all the more, especially considering they included returns from the superstar likes of James Taylor & His All-Star Band (June 8-9) and Robert Plant & Alison Krauss (June 12).

Prominent pairings were also in ample supply, starting with Little Feat and Los Lobos (June 22), Daryl Hall and Elvis Costello & The Imposters (July 6), Norah Jones and Chicago’s own Mavis Staples (July 14), Indigo Girls and Melissa Etheridge (August 11), O.A.R. and Fitz And The Tantrums (August 23) and Jason Isbell & The 400 Unit and Alejandro Escovedo (September 8).

However, there were still plenty of surprises when the full season finally rolled out in official capacity, adding tons to the prior trickle thanks to notables such as The Who’s Roger Daltrey (June 29), Lyle Lovett & His Large Band and Clint Black (June 30), ABBA tribute Arrival (July 5), The Beach Boys with John Stamos (July 7), ZZ Top and Lynyrd Skynyrd (August 29) and the Chicago Symphony Orchestra’s annual six-week residency.

Venue debuts abound as well, including Violent Femmes with the Chicago Philharmonic (June 21), Ben Platt (June 28), Big Boi, formerly of OutKast, joining Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue (June 19), Meshell Ndegeocello alongside Angélique Kidjo (August 8), Robert Glasper and J. Ivy (August 14), Gaelic Storm and The High Kings (August 22), Digable Planets and Arrested Development supporting The Roots (August 24), Samara Joy (August 25) and Crowded House (September 11).

“With an extraordinary range of concerts and artists, we are excited to offer an inspiring and captivating season for everyone who comes to Ravinia,” offers Ravinia’s President and CEO, Jeffrey P. Haydon. “Whether in Bennett Gordon Hall, Martin Theatre, Pavilion, Lawn, or Carousel, concertgoers will surely experience the spirit of summer with incredible music under the stars.”

The final step is of course sometimes the trickiest one, which is to secure tickets, especially to the sure-to-be sell outs, yet Ravinia donors have a shot at pre-sales as early as Tuesday, March 19 while the countdown continues for the general public, who get first crack on Wednesday, April 24.

In the meantime, check out the complete calendar and every other possible aspect of America’s longest running festival at Ravinia.org.