Cheap Trick at RiverEdge Park, Aurora, IL 9/10/2026
As usual September always seems to be my busiest month. It was just 4 days prior I was at Ravinia in Highland Park to see Adam Ant, followed by my Labor Day BBQ and here we were at The Junction having a beet before hopping on the Metra train to Aurora to see CHEAP TRICK at RiverEdge where I saw the Totally Tubular Fest just 2 weeks prior.
The Junction is a casual lower-level bar and food court spot located inside Chicago Union Station at 222 S. Riverside Plaza. Serves beer, cocktails, wine, and basic drinks alongside pub-style TV sports, making it a convenient place to grab a drink while waiting for an Amtrak or Metra train.
Two Brothers Roundhouse 205 N Broadway, Aurora, IL 60505
The historic Two Brothers Roundhouse is located in downtown Aurora across from the Fox River and the Aurora Train Station. This modern supper club boasts a fabulous menu with a variety of artisan dishes sure to appeal to all of our visitors. The Roundhouse is also home to Two Brothers Artisan Spirits’ distillery. The restaurant and Roundhouse Main Bar offer a full-service bar stocked with our complete range of spirits and craft beers brewed at Two Brothers Brewing Company in Warrenville.
Two Brothers Roundhouse’s famous fish tacos $18.95 and feature sustainable Dover sole, pico de gallo, cheese blend, cabbage, radish, spicy soy sauce, and ranch dressing on flour tortillas
Cheap Trick Setlist at RiverEdge Park, Aurora, IL 9/10/2026
Live Wire (AC/DC song) Song played from tape
Hello There
Heart on the Line
Come On, Come On
Lookout
Big Eyes (Rick left the stage)
Ain’t That a Shame (Followed by ten minute break due to Rick having breathing issues)
High Roller
(Robin Taylor Zander vocals, Rick returned mid-song)
I Know What I Want
I Want You to Want Me
Surrender
(Rick leaves the stage at the end of song as Dream Police sirens are starting)
Dream Police
Auf Wiedersehen
Goodnight
Lisa Lightning and “yours truly” captured by staff photographer for RiverEdge Park
After all of that, we ended up pretty much where we did last summer and far below the long term average. Good? Bad? Who cares? Your call.
Summer of Silly Decisions 2026: 144 killed, 597 wounded
Summer 2025: 142 killed, 627 wounded
The current longer term trend that started back in February of 2025 has held ever since. While there is always the possibility of a May 2020-like fork in the road, we’re likely to end the year somewhere in the 450-ish homicide range with less than 2,000-ish people shot. On par with last year. Like 2025, those are 2005-2015 like numbers when 500 homicides was an unacceptable number. Now it’s the goal.
* The Summer Shooting Season runs from 12p Friday of Memorial Day weekend thru 6a Tuesday of Labor Day weekend
