Chicago Open Air Sets Itself Up for Another Banner Year

Danny Wimmer Presents and Live Nation went all-out last year for the inaugural Chicago Open Air, banking on it being a massive success and, instead of starting small and growing the festival as most do, they made it into a grand three-day event. Of course, when you have the likes of Rammstein, Disturbed and Slipknot acting as the daily headliners and a host of other talent of a similar caliber and plenty of other stellar acts you’re bound to attract the masses. Indeed, Chicago Open Air had all the potential in the world to immediately become the mecca of summer festivals in the U.S., especially in terms of metal and hard rock, and after selling out and drawing more than 75,000 people it easily earned that title.

There was one question though: where do you go from there? After a banner year like that could another stupendous lineup like that be assembled? The answer is a resounding yes, DWP and Live Nation somehow managing to outdo themselves for year two as Chicago Open Air prepares to return to Toyota Park in Bridgeview, IL on July 14^th, 15^th, and 16^th.

Topping the 2017 lineup are a couple of legends, Kiss headlining the Friday date, while Ozzy Osbourne will help wrap up the weekend. As for the Saturday date, nu metal pioneers Korn will entertain the people then as the headliner.

Those three acts alone would make the weekend worth it, though that’s still just scratching the surface of the more than three dozen bands that will be performing over that weekend in July.

Most of the “big four” of thrash metal bands will be hitting the stages, Anthrax and Megadeth performing the same day, while Slayer is also slated to play. Other top-tier names include Rob Zombie and Godsmack, while Corey Taylor will return to Chicago Open Air, this time fronting Stone Sour who is supporting their upcoming record.

Steel Panther will provide some laughs for the festival goers, while Lamb of God and Avatar will be just a couple of the other acts bringing some hard and heavy metal to the event; and as the end draws near for The Dillinger Escape Plan, they’ll be playing at least one more festival in the U.S.

There’s a whole slew of great bands set to take the stage over that weekend in July, ones that are much better witnessed than merely talked about. Some you may never have heard of and who will have you raving about them and plenty of others that are always entertaining to see. Just as in its first year, the second annual Chicago Open Air will be a festival for the ages and one worth going to at almost any cost. Better hurry and get your tickets here, because it will sell out.