In 2026, the United States enjoyed a lively summer of live music, with concerts and festivals drawing large crowds across the country. Bruce Springsteen, a legendary rock singer known for hits like "Born in the U.S.A.," performed at Chicago's United Center on April 29 as part of his "Land of Hope and Dreams American Tour." His setlist included classic Springsteen songs and a cover of Bob Dylan's "Chimes of Freedom." Later that year, Danny Elfman, the composer behind the scores of films like Batman, launched his fall tour in Chicago on September 7 at the Aragon Ballroom. He was joined by musicians such as drummer Josh Freese and guitarist Robin Finck from the band Nine Inch Nails. Rock concerts continued through the summer, with Rob Zombie and Marilyn Manson co-headlining the "Freaks on Parade Tour" at the Credit Union 1 Amphitheatre in Tinley Park, Illinois, on September 5. Marilyn Manson performed songs from his recent album, One Assassination Under God – Chapter 2. Meanwhile, AC/DC, a classic rock band known for hits like "Back in Black," played at Notre Dame Stadium in South Bend, Indiana, on September 4. They were joined by The Pretty Reckless as an opening act. Mötley Crüe, a pioneering metal band, returned to Tinley Park on August 22 with their "Carnival of Sins Tour," featuring opening acts Extreme and Tesla. Lollapalooza, one of the largest music festivals in the U.S., returned to Chicago from July 30 to August 2, 2026, with over 100,000 people expected each day. The event featured a wide range of musical styles and artists, including The Smashing Pumpkins, who reunited for the first time since 1994. The festival faced some weather-related disruptions, with some performances delayed or changed. To reach a broader audience, parts of the event were also livestreamed on platforms like Hulu and Disney+. In Milwaukee, Summerfest 2026 welcomed over 613,000 attendees across ten stages, featuring more than 600 performers. Notable acts included Echo & the Bunnymen, David Lee Roth, and The Strokes, who played at Chicago's United Center on June 17. Other events included the "Summer of '99 and Beyond Festival" in Tinley Park, which brought together 90s rock bands like Limp Bizkit and Creed. Godsmack also embarked on the "Rise of Rock" tour, drawing fans with their hard-hitting rock sound. Throughout the summer, additional concerts took place, including a performance by The Foo Fighters at Soldier Field in Chicago on August 8 and a show by Muse at Tinley Park on July 10. Rush, a Canadian rock band known for complex compositions, played at Chicago's United Center on July 18, performing tracks like "2112" and "Tom Sawyer." The year saw a wide variety of musical acts, from classic rock and metal to pop and electronic music, across multiple venues and festivals, offering something for every music fan.