Rainbow selection

Radiohead

Radiohead shocked the music industry last October when it asked fans to pay whatever seemed appropriate for its album In Rainbows. Carrying that tactic over to this summer’s slate of blockbuster tours, we declare what we’d hand over to see each show. Plus, our favorite local groups get in on the act by offering up their pay-anything picks for summer.

Van Halen
Fri 30, 7:30pm | Allstate Arena
After a few close calls and canceled dates, the somewhat-reunited Van Halen continues its lucrative “Let’s Forget Sammy Hagar Exists” tour. With Eddie’s teenage son, Wolfgang, replacing Michael Anthony on bass, and David Lee Roth bouncing around on giant inflatable microphones (insert your own hemorrhoid joke), the group’s been out for blood, proving night after night how much that early material kills. One critic said, “This music belongs on an aircraft carrier.” And he meant it as a diss.
Actual cost $49.50–$149.50
What it’s worth one bottle of Sammy Hagar’s Cabo Wabo tequila

Erykah Badu + The Roots
Fri 30, 31, 7:30pm | The Chicago Theatre
Badu started out in the nascent stages of neo-soul. Since then, the greatest Afro in the biz has become equally adept at volumizing her R&B with psychedelic music and hip-hop. The Billie Holiday riffs have receded, replaced with a sui generis sonic soup showcased to impressive effect on her excellent recent effort, New Amerykah Part One (4th World War). Sold out.
Actual cost $45.50–$65.50
What it’s worth Badu and ?uestlove’s combined Afro weight, in gold

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