Country music continues to thrive, with platforms like Spotify reporting significant growth in listenership over the past five years. This surge in popularity is complemented by the emergence of younger fans from Gen Z and the involvement of prominent artists like Beyoncé, who recently performed in Chicago during her “Cowboy Carter” tour. Traditional country remains a dominant force in the industry, exemplified by George Strait’s record-breaking concert, which sold over 110,000 tickets at Texas A&M.
Chicago has a rich country music tradition, and a key highlight on the city’s annual calendar is the Windy City Smokeout. This four-day festival will take place this week outside the United Center, having been hosted there since 2019 and produced by Lettuce Entertain You Restaurants. The festival is set to attract more than 20,000 attendees per day and features renowned musicians including Jon Pardi, Bailey Zimmerman, and Kane Brown, along with an impressive array of food from over 20 barbecue pitmasters from Chicago and beyond.
The musical lineup is diverse, with performances scheduled throughout the weekend:
– **Thursday, July 10**: Bailey Zimmerman, Koe Wetzel, DJ Sommer Ray, Shane Smith & The Saints, Bayker Blankenship, Angel White
– **Friday, July 11**: Old Dominion, Dylan Gossett, Josh Meloy, Lauren Watkins, Maggie Antone
– **Saturday, July 12**: Kane Brown, Megan Moroney, Charles Wesley Godwin, Austin Snell, Kashus Culpepper
– **Sunday, July 13**: Jon Pardi, Riley Green, Ella Langley, Sam Barber, Josh Ross
In addition to the music, food is a major highlight, with pitmasters from notable Chicago establishments such as Green Street Smoked Meats, Soul & Smike, and Smoque BBQ showcasing their culinary talents. Attendees will also find a mix of regional barbecue styles from Texas and Kansas City, alongside various cuisine options like pizza and salads. General admission tickets do not include food costs.
For food enthusiasts, the Sunday BBQ Brunch (sold out) is organized by the Illinois Pork Producers Association, featuring dishes from various pitmasters, a build-your-own Bloody Mary bar, bottomless mimosas, and live acoustic music.
Festival hours are as follows: July 10-11 from 2 p.m. to 10 p.m. and July 12-13 from 1 p.m. to 10 p.m. The main entrance is located at the intersection of Madison and Wood, and information regarding ticket purchases and allowed items can be found on the festival’s website.
This event not only supports a burgeoning country music scene in Chicago but also underscores the city’s love for good food and live entertainment, creating a vibrant atmosphere that attracts fans from all over.