The John Hancock Center Sizzles With Musical Talent During Second Annual Summer Concert Series

Summer is when Chicago opens its doors and showcases all the amazing music she has kept sheltered throughout the cold Midwest winter.  City and neighborhood festivals abound to the enjoyment of residents and visitors alike.  However, few events open their "living room" to everyone and feature some of the best musical talent in a City known for its musical heritage as the Hancock Summer Concert Series does..

For the second summer in a row, Music Dealers, a global music agency and music licensing company, has teamed up with the leading real estate company HEARN to host the Hancock Summer Concert Series in the John Hancock Center's outdoor plaza.  For 11 weeks until September 10th, the Hancock Summer Concert Series features free weekly performances every Thursday night from 5pm-7pm by the hottest local acts, showcasing some of the best talent the "Windy City has to offer.  Performances cater to all musical tastes including rock, indie, blues, pop, folk, soul, and punk.

Music Dealers Founder and President Eric Sheinkop is excited to bring back this popular event.  "Following last year's huge success, we're delighted to continue our partnership with HEARN and celebrate the very best homegrown talent.  Music is at the heart of every Chicagoan and our free Hancock Summer Concert Series not only provides local bands with live performance, but also a fantastic stage to share their music with new fans."

Indeed, with its high profile Michigan Avenue location, tourists and visitors to the City are treated to a musical experience they would be hard pressed to discover on their own.  Stephen Hearn, President and CEO of HEARN explains.  "As owners on Michigan Avenue, lovers of music, and patrons of the arts, we want to do our part and provide unique experiences to residents, tenants, shop owners, and visitors to our great city.  We are happy to provide another great summer filled with music and fun in our plaza."

The special significance of the Hancock Summer Concert Series isn't lost on the local artists who are selected to play as part of this event.  Avi Dell, frontman for the pop/rock/soul band AyoH, describes his experience.  "As a Chicagoan, there are few more iconic locations than the John Hancock Center.  To be a performer playing at the foot of such a central location felt like we were pumping the heart of the City's collective blood stream.  Looking up at that magnificent structure, we couldn't help but feel like the center of the universe, even if only for a moment."

Ayoh Frontman Avi Dell Rocks The Hancock Plaza

Singer/songwriter Joanna Rutzky and her band FUE kicked off the 2015 Hancock Summer Concert Series on the same day as the Blackhawks victory celebration, under skies that threatened rainstorms to dampen the event.  "We were si excited to have the opportunity to play the kick off show for the series.  There were thousands of people downtown ready to celebrate and enjoy themselves.  So here we are performing in front of this iconic Chicago landmark.  The rain held off and the sound was great.  It was so cool to have a chance to share our music with all these people:  tourist, Blackhawk fans, and people who work downtown.  The Music Dealers and HEARN staff worked hard to make everyone feel welcome.  This was Chicago at its best.  We had a blast!"

Joanna Rutzky and her band FUE Kick Off the 2015 Summer Concert Series

The 2015 Hancock Summer Concert Series is free and will continue each Thursday evening, from 5pm-7pm, through September 10th.  There will be no performance on September 3rd due to the holiday.  The list of artists scheduled to perform yet this summer include Todd Kessler, The Way Down Wanderers, Santoh, The Little Indians, Jamie Lono, and Zaramela.  The John Hancock Center is located at 875 N. Michigan Avenue, Chicago, Illinois, 60611.  For more information visit: www.musicdealers.