Photo Gallery: Jack Johnson at Huntington Bank Pavilion • Chicago

Brassneck | July 13, 2026 | 0 Comments

Jack Johnson

Huntington Bank Pavilion at Northerly Island

Chicago, IL

July 11th, 2026

Recap and photos by Curt Baran

They don’t make ‘em much more laid-back than Jack Johnson. As a teenager, he was well on his way to becoming an elite surfer, having grown up near Hawaii’s renowned North Shore. However, a horrific accident would abruptly end that dream.

Remarkably, he effortlessly transitioned into a music career, and that ease was evident in Chicago on Saturday night. Johnson was the epitome of an amiable host, sharing stories from his entire career and playing a human jukebox. Not only did he serenade the audience with songs from his extensive catalog, but he also seamlessly incorporated covers or snippets of songs, including “In The Summertime,” “What’s Love Got To Do With It,” and even a tribute to his host city for the evening in the form of a substantial portion of Wilco’s “Jesus Etc.”

The atmosphere throughout the night was decidedly low-key, creating an impression of an oversized crowd gathered around a campfire rather than an actual music venue (although it was a beach populated by thousands instead of dozens). While it may not have been an actual oceanside setting, the gentle breeze coming off Lake Michigan and the city’s lakefront served as an excellent substitute.