Since school is almost out and you will have free time, and since your favorite bands hit the road for summer tours, it’s the perfect time to catch one. They trade in large arenas for somewhat smaller outdoor venues and various festivals across the country. The time is approaching, so here’s what Chicago and the surrounding area has in store for summer 2003.

May

Otto’s Niteclub, 118 E. Lincoln Highway, hosts two concerts from two very different music genres. This Saturday, Otto’s will host hard rockers Motorhead ($20) while on May 21 Bone Thugs N Harmony ($25) will pay a visit. Tickets for both shows are on sale now through Tickets.com.

But enough about DeKalb, there’s plenty more to see out there. Zwan ($33) will play the Aragon Ballroom on May 6 while The All American Rejects ($10) will hit up The Metro on May 20. Also, Matt Nathanson and Marc Broussard will play May 7 and 8 at Schuba’s Tavern in Chicago.

May 25 will be a big night in Chicago as the Foo Fighters ($27.50) perform at the UIC Pavilion, Local H ($10) will play a smaller show at the Double Door. On a country note, The Dixie Chicks ($65) brings their trash talkin’ to the United Center on May 29.

June

Phish guitarist Trey Anastasio ($32.50) will play two nights, June 4 and 5, at the Chicago Theater. Tickets for that show go on sale this Saturday. Next Saturday, tickets will go on sale for two Phish ($42.50) shows, July 18 and 19, at Wisconsin’s Alpine Valley.

June 9 and 11 mark two big days for the UIC Pavilion as Coldplay performs on June 9 and Beck on the 11, along with opening band Dashboard Confessional. Rounding off the month of June is a couple of Pearl Jam ($35 to $44) shows. On June 18, it will hit up the United Center and on June 21 it will go a little bit smaller with Alpine Valley.

July

Dave Matthews Band ($35 to $52.50) is written all over July. DMB will be in the area for three nights, July 3, 5 and 6. The first show is at the Tweeter Center in Tinley Park while the other two are at Alpine Valley.

July is also a month for festivals as Lollapalooza ($46 to $56) and Ozzfest stop at the Tweeter Center on July 12 and 20, respectively. Metallica, Limp Bizkit, Linkin Park, Deftones and Mudvayne ($75) invade Hawthorne Race Course on July 26.

As of now, August is looking pretty slow, but look for more concerts to be added as the summer approaches.