Beck Stuns Ravinia Crowd with Symphonic Debut Alongside CSO
HIGHLAND PARK — In a night that defied expectations and delighted fans, Grammy-winning genre-hopper Beck made his long-anticipated Ravinia Festival debut, teaming up with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra (CSO) for a unique performance that blended symphonic depth with indie-electro-folk flair.
A Maverick Meets a Masterpiece Venue
The performance was part of the CSO’s annual summer residency at Ravinia, and conductor Edwin Outwater led the charge alongside Beck’s longtime collaborators: guitarist Jason Falkner, keyboardist Roger Manning, and drummer Joey Waronker. Opening with an entirely instrumental rendition of “Cycle,” the set immediately established a tone of lush orchestral grandeur.
The pairing between Beck and CSO may have seemed unconventional at first glance, but it quickly became evident that this was a natural fit. As Chicago Concert Reviews noted, the combination created a “once-in-a-lifetime synthesis of symphony and a truly maverick artist.”
Reinterpreting the Songbook
For the next 90 minutes, Beck reimagined his catalog in fresh symphonic light, starting with “The Golden Age” and moving through beloved tracks like:
- “Lonesome Tears” — elevated with lush orchestration
- “Lost Cause” — stripped down and intimate
- “The New Pollution” — given a jazzy twist
- “We Live Again” — a rarity that shone in a French-pop glow
Beck also dipped into Scott Walker’s haunting works, including “It’s Raining Today” and “Montague Terrace (In Blue),” adding an avant-garde layer to the set.
Ending Big with “Where It’s At” and a Wild Encore
The CSO portion of the night concluded with a rousing version of “Where It’s At”, a fitting climax that had the Ravinia crowd on its feet. But Beck wasn’t done.
The encore turned up the energy with his full band powering through:
- “Devils Haircut”
- “Debra” (complete with shoutouts to Schaumburg and Barrington)
- “Ozzy” — a tribute to the late Black Sabbath icon
- “Mixed Bizness”
- “Loser”
Despite the wide range of sounds, the set remained cohesive — a testament to Beck’s decades of genre-bending artistry.
More to Come at Ravinia
If you missed Beck’s performance, Ravinia’s 2025 lineup is packed with legends and rising stars. Upcoming acts include:
- Blues Traveler and Gin Blossoms (Jul. 26)
- Lang Lang (Jul. 31)
- Morgan Freeman’s Symphonic Blues Experience (Aug. 1)
- Train (Aug. 2)
- Earth, Wind & Fire (Aug. 7)
- John Legend (Aug. 23–24)
Visit Ravinia.org for the full schedule.
For more on Beck’s music, check out Beck.com, and to catch the Chicago Symphony Orchestra in action, visit CSO.org.
Did you attend Beck’s Ravinia debut? What was your favorite moment — the lush strings on “The Golden Age” or the raw energy of “Loser”? Share your experience in the comments on ChicagoMusicGuide.com.