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Major solo breakouts, hit makers, EDM A-listers and fresh faces

B96 Pepsi Summer Bash
Allstate Arena
Rosemont, IL
June 24, 2017

Noah Cyrus

Camilla Cabello

Hailee Steinfeld

Story by Billy Sparks
Photos by Andy Argyrakis

Since the B96 Pepsi Summer Bash last landed at the Allstate Arena, the members of One Direction went their separate ways (at least for now) and Fifth Harmony became a quartet. Nonetheless, the latter's Camilla Cabello is destined for superstar status all by herself, as demonstrated through an assertive set at the annual radio festival that found her blending Latin rhythms, sophisticated pop stylings and sexy dance steps.

And chances are Niall Horan from 1D will also do just fine on his own, though as those who witnessed his Windy City debut can attest, this guy with a guitar is running much closer to Ed Sheeran territory than the boy band mode. In addition, his pal Liam Payne made a special stand-alone appearance, and while the new dad definitely sounds closer to the group's motif, he's also branching out in a more mature direction.

Established hit maker Jason Derulo was another major attraction, cramming as many of his 14 platinum-plus singles as possible into a contagious R&B/hip-hop mold with some of the smoothest steps since Michael Jackson or Usher. Actress/model/singer Hailee Steinfeld was not only picture perfect, but also an example of future pop royalty, Dua Lipa brought an enchanting indie pop/alternative slant to the otherwise more mainstream-minded show, while Noah Cyrus (sister to Miley) paraded through an uninspiring "NC-17" shtick that was conversely pretty much dead on arrival.

Out of the DJs, the bros in Cheat Codes got the crowd warmed up, though it was Zedd who really got everyone jumping with an endless streak of singles (featuring pre-taped collaborators Ariana Grande, Hayley Williams, Jon Bellion, Foxes and many more), alongside arresting visuals to match his increasingly A-list status. Relative newcomer Kygo is also attracting some prominent features these days (Ellie Goulding, Selena Gomez), capping the marathon with boundless energy and synchronized wristbands that kept the glow going well past his final beats.

B96 Pepsi Jingle Bash comes to the Allstate Arena on Saturday, December 9. For additional details, visit www.B96.com and www.ticketmaster.com.

B96 Pepsi Jingle Bash 2016 (Britney Spears, OneRepublic, Shawn Mendes, DNCE)
Concert review - Rosemont, IL - December 2016
B96 Pepsi Jingle Bash 2014 (Pharrell Williams, Ariana Grande, 5 Seconds of Summer, Rixton, Martin Garrix, MKTO)
Concert review - Rosemont, IL - December 2014
B96 Summer Bash 2006 (Mary J. Blige, Sean Paul, Pink, Rhianna, T-Pain, Ne-Yo & Ray J)
Concert review - Bridgeview, IL - June 2006