Lollapalooza, Piqniq, Summerfest, Pitchfork, Spring Awakening and more have all come out of hibernation and thrust lineups and tickets upon their eager fans. Bands and artists, a lot of whom released albums at the end of 2014 and early 2015, are beginning tours for spring and summer and are releasing dates.

With this cluster of dates and prices and opportunities, it’s a good idea to ask around about upcoming events and artists. We’ve already done it for you!

Elaine Bieschke, a senior at Prairie Ridge, saw the bands Walk the Moon and the Griswolds on April 4th at the House of Blues in Chicago. She described it as “amazing” and that “the bands were both very interactive,” and she would describe the aura of the concert as “very thrilling and emotional.” If she had to offer advice for anyone attending a concert for either of those bands, she says that one should definitely be friendly and talk to the other attendees, as she describes “a majority of the crowd being super cool.”

Walk the Moon will be at Summerfest on the 27th of June, and the Griswolds will be returning to Chicago’s Lincoln Hall on June 25th.

PR graduate Zarik Khimani saw artist Odesza in February in Mizzou, and had his originally “average expectations… absolutely shattered” at the show. Raving that “it was one of the best days of [his] life,” Zarik says that their fanbase is “incredible” and that, as simple advice, one should “savor every moment.”

Odesza will be coming to Lollapalooza on the third day, August 2nd.

Alex Lewandowski, another PR senior, saw bands Korn and Slipknot back in November of 2014, and this “well done, energetic, insane” show will be returning to Tinley Park in about four months.

Alex calls the experience “religious” and “other worldly” as the bands are two of his favorites. He warns that “this isn’t Ravinia or Coachella” and that “you need to realize that it will probably hurt if you’re in GA [General Admission, or commonly known as “The Pit”]. If you’re in the pit, make peace with your God”.  “You need to prepare yourself mentally and physically,” he urges.

Throughout May comes a flood of artists coming to Chicago and Wisconsin: Vance Joy, Lana Del Rey, Five Finger Death Punch, Tech N9ne, All Time Low, Meg Myers, Jesse J, Tame Impala, Matt & Kim, Gerard Way.

June is chock-full of festivals and summer tours: Catfish and the Bottlemen, Bastille, Cage the Elephant, the Offspring, Joywave, Saint Motel, New Politics, Smallpools.

July is a prime time for concerts, especially with Lollapalooza starting late in the month: Mumford and Sons, Paul McCartney, Alt-J, Flying Lotus, Father John Misty, Rise Against, Milky Chance, Alabama Shakes, BROODS, The Weekend, Glass Animals.

August seems a little more quiet for now, but you never know what artist will decide to swing by…: Metallica, Kid Cudi, Tame Impala, Tyler the Creator, Florence + the Machine, A$AP Rocky.

These are just some of the many shows that are coming ‘round in the next couple of months, and there are plenty more to fit your fancy! Keep your eyes peeled and ears open!