In Orland Park, the transition from high-cost national headliners to high-energy tribute bands at Centennial Park West has become a central part in the village’s planned summer events.
This shift away from national headliners is being driven by a stark financial reality: Upcoming summer concerts were projected to lose hundreds of thousands of dollars this year had the board agreed to continue to use big-name entertainers.
Trustees have agreed to continue using the state-of-the-art bandshell at Centennial Park West, 15609 Park Station Blvd., for a series of free summer “Concerts in the Park” this year but decided to substitute top-notch (but less costly) tribute bands for the higher-priced original bands that have been a financial drain on village coffers over the years.
“I really think the people are going to like what they are going to see and hear,” said Ray Piattoni, Orland Park’s director of recreation. “We’re really pleased with the (musical) acts we have lined up. We’re excited about the lineup we have for our visitors.
“We looked at a lot of live video performances and we’re excited about the acts we selected,” he said. “We’re looking forward to a great summer full of great music.”
The 2026 schedule highlights this transition toward high-quality tribute acts that offer the “big name” experience without the “big name” cost to taxpayers:
Centennial Park West will host its first in a series of free Thursday night concerts on June 11 with Burning Red, a Taylor Swift tribute band from 5-8 p.m. Rounding out the series of Thursday night concerts The Ron Burgandys (soft rock) on June 25; American English (Beatles tribute) on July 16, Big Dog Mercer (Blues) on July 23, Brooklyn Charmers (Steely Dan tribute) on August 13 and Bon Journeyed (Bon Jovi/Journey tribute) on August 20.
Centennial Park West will also host a series of free weekend concerts beginning Saturday, June 20, with Double Vision (a Foreigner tribute band) from 5:15 p.m. to 6:15 p.m. The band :Steviemac (Fleetwood Mac tribute) will perform from 6:45 p.m. to 8 p.m. and Dog and Butterfly (A Heart tribute) will play from 8:30 to 10 p.m.
On Saturday, July 11, Mellencougar (John Cougar Mellencamp tribute) will play from 5:15 to 6:15 p.m.; Journeyman (Eric Clapton tribute) will play from 6:45 to 8 p.m. and Chicago Rewired (Chicago tribute) will perform from 8:30 to 10 p.m.
Village Manager George Koczwara said the village is poised to provide a series of great concerts for its residents and other music-goers while being fiscally responsible to the residents of Orland Park.
“It’s going to be a great season for music in Orland Park,” Koczwara said. “We’re excited.”
Best thing concert new management did is go to tribute/ local bands and not high cost famous groups . 1 of 3 high cost performances may make money . 2 will be losers . Oak lawn fest did this for years . Big bands were losers .
They are taking about saving cost for the taxpayers. The taxpayers will still pay the same incredibly high taxes that Orland always has. The taxpayers won’t be saving anything. Orland is just cheaping out saving more money for themselves and giving the taxpayers less
Surprised that the actual bands aren’t doing something to try to get rid of the tributes that are stealing their thunder, such as suing them or trying to get some kind of a law passed. It’s not that I am not sympathetic to ticket buyers and to the very talented tribute bands who are practically as good as the real deal. But fact is, they wouldn’t exist if it werent for the originals , so it’s really kind of ungrateful and shoddy.
Same thing I thought. It’s not supposed to make money. So when do the taxpayers get their refund check in the mail?