School’s almost out, and everyone is excited for summer vacation. People going to the beach, hanging out with friends, and just having fun. Yet a lot of people are most excited for this summer’s concerts and music festivals. I will be previewing this summer’s pop/top 40 concerts and festivals, which include B96 Pepsi Summer Bash, Kiss F.M’s Fantabuloso, and the One Direction Concert.

Happening every summer on the second saturday of June since 1992, B96’s Pepsi Summer Bash has been called the radio event of the year by multiple music magazines. Held at Toyota Park, this event is worth the drive. This year’s line-up has a little something for everyone: hip-hop artist Flo Rida, boy bands The Wanted and Big Time Rush, racy singer Dev, youtube sensations Karmin, R&B singer Mike Posner, and latin/hip-hop artist Sean Paul. People love this festival because it all happens on one stage, so you don’t have to scramble to see your favorite artists on different stages. And all ages are welcome here and the sales of shirts are not too expensive. I’ve been to quite a few Summer Bashes, and I have enjoyed every one. Ticket prices range from $9.75-110.50.

Kiss F.M. (B96’s rival station) has held their summer music festival Fantabuloso since 2010. Taking place in May every year at the Allstate Arena in Rosemont, Fantabuloso features a wide array of artists as well. Yet this event seems to be a little less organized than Summer Bash. The DJs don’t relate to the crowd very well, but this event is still a blast. This year’s artists are latin superstar Enrique Iglesias, hip-hop group Gym Class Heroes, boy band The Wanted, rapper B.o.B, alternative group Cobra Starship, DJ Havana Brown, racy artist DEV, singer Neon Hitch, Call Me Maybe sensation Carly Rae Jepsen, youtube group Karmin, and American Idol alum Adam Lambert. I have been to Fantabuloso twice and each time it was a blast yet nowhere near as fun as Summer Bash.

The idea of an indoor music festival is not very enticing to many. There is not really a point of going to both festivals seeing that many of the same artists are at both. If you have to spend money on one, Summer Bash is your best bet.

If you are not really into the idea of spending a whole day watching many artists perform, then concerts are the way to go for you. Called the hottest concert of the summer, British boyband One Direction is coming to Chicago on June 2. New to the scene in America, yet instantly loved, this band is the band to see in concert. They have received great reviews for their live performances and their catchy tunes. One Direction came in third on the seventh season of Britain’s XFactor. Mainly known for their number one single “What Makes You Beautiful” One Direction consists of five members: Harry Styles (18), Liam Payne (18), Louis Tomlinson (20), Niall Horan (18), and Zayn Malik (19). Here on their debut tour for their number one debut album Up All Night, One Direction is sure to entertain. Unlike most boy bands, One Direction is not about the synchronized dancing or being young and innocent. They have great stage presence and make the audience glad they went. Their opening act is Olly Murs, a fellow XFactor contestant and great entertainer.

Sophomore Alex Risolvo said that she is going to all three. “I am really excited for Summer Bash and Fantabuloso because there are a lot of great singers going, and I really like all of them. But I’m the most excited for One Direction because they are my all time favorite band, and I have been wanting to go to one of their concerts for a really long time.”

Risolvo says she has been to many music festivals but nothing compares to Summer Bash. “Every year they have really good singers, and I always want to go.” She says the main reason she is going to Fantabuloso is to see her favorite singer Adam Lambert. “I have followed Adam since American Idol, and he has never had a concert in the Chicago area so I am really excited!”

This summer is full of many concerts and festivals, but if I have to recommend three to go to it would be B96’s Summer Bash, Kiss F.M’s Fantabuloso, and the One Direction Concert. I guarantee you will have a blast at each one.