Chicago’s South Side is about to host one of the most stacked concerts of the summer, and the occasion is a library. The Obama Foundation says the Obama Presidential Center will hold its grand opening on Thursday (June 18) with performances headlined by Stevie Wonder, Bruce Springsteen and U2’s Bono and The Edge, according to Pollstar.
The rest of the bill: Eddie Vedder, Common, Marc Anthony, Tems, The Roots, Christina Aguilera, John Legend and Jennifer Hudson, who is a Chicago native. Barack and Michelle Obama will both speak, and Guitars Over Guns and Uniting Voices Chicago, two youth arts groups, are part of the program, per Billboard. The ceremony starts at 11 a.m. CT at the center, and it will stream globally on the foundation’s website.
Obama Foundation@ObamaFoundationXWe are bringing together some of today’s most prominent voices and global icons for the Obama Presidential Center Grand Opening Ceremony. The festivities will livestream globally at 11 a.m. CT, Thursday, June 18 — don’t miss it!Tune in for speeches from @BarackObama and Mrs.…
Jun 16, 2026 · View on X ↗The foundation announced the lineup in a social post styled as a group chat. Springsteen’s reaction, as Billboard transcribed it: “Is this really happening.” The Roots wrote, “Beyond honored. Can’t wait to celebrate with you,” and Hudson added, “Wouldn’t miss it for the world.”
This Grand Opening ceremony will be unlike any other — filled with music, performances, and hope
Valerie Jarrett, CEO, Obama Foundation, Pollstar
Why it matters
The center sits on a 19.3-acre campus in Jackson Park, and Billboard reports its $850 million cost was paid by private donations. It officially opens to the public on Friday (June 19), Juneteenth, with free admission and a weekend of programming. TheWrap reported that reservations for that open house had already sold out by Tuesday afternoon.
Read moreTurnstile Follow Their SNL Debut With a Free Show at the Washington Monument
The lineup also lands in a political moment. TheWrap noted that the announcement came about three weeks after President Donald Trump called off a “Freedom 250” concert series, which it said many artists had dropped out of after he wanted to make the celebration partisan. Trump wrote that he would hold a rally instead.
Next up is the day itself. The foundation will stream the ceremony at obama.org/grandopening, and Loudwire notes that the center will keep hosting programs and live music in the months ahead.
Added to the High Grailed archive on October 12, 2026.
