Grace Jones and Janelle Monáe to perform in Chicago this summer

Grace Jones and Janelle Monáe will perform together at the Ravinia Festival in Highland Park on June 7, 2025. This will be both artists’ first appearances at the outdoor venue. The performance, scheduled to begin at 7:00 PM, is part of Ravinia’s newly announced 2025 summer lineup.

The pairing brings together two performers known for their distinctive approaches to music and performance. Jones has built a steady career by combining various musical styles, including disco, new wave, art pop, industrial, reggae, and gospel. Rolling Stone has noted her presence, writing, “So many performers are said to be larger than life, but the showbiz cliché has never been truer than it is for Grace Jones.”

Monáe has a solid resume that includes ten Grammy nominations and film roles in productions such as “Glass Onion,” “Harriet,” and “Hidden Figures.” Music critics have discussed her work, with NPR describing her 2015 song “Hell You Talmbout” as “visceral.”

The June concert will allow fans to witness two generations of musical talent sharing one stage, with both artists making their first appearances at the venue.

The event will include additional programming that reflects Chicago’s music scene. Queen!, a part of Chicago’s house music community and an LGBTQ+ dance party, will perform at the Carousel Stage at 4:30 PM in collaboration with Metro/smartbar. This arrangement offers attendees a broader festival experience beginning before the main performance.

The Jones-Monáe concert is part of Ravinia’s 2025 season lineup, including over 100 concerts featuring approximately 40 artist debuts. Other performers scheduled for the season include Nas, Al Green, Lenny Kravitz, The Roots, James Taylor, John Legend, and Beck..

The performance comes during a transitional period for Ravinia, which recently announced a $75 million renovation project focusing initially on its Pavilion. While significant structural changes won’t be visible until 2026, some improvements have already been completed, including new dressing rooms and loading docks. The venue’s acoustics and seating, dating back to the 1950s, will be updated as part of the renovation plan.

Tickets for the Grace Jones and Janelle Monáe performance are priced at $180 for reserved Pavilion seating, with lawn options available at $59 for general admission and $100 for reserved lawn seating. An additional order processing fee will be applied at checkout.

Tickets go on sale to the public on April 24, 2025, at 8:00 AM, with Ravinia donors receiving early access beginning March 18. The nonprofit venue encourages membership to support its music education programs throughout Chicago Public Schools.