Although there are a few highlights every year, the pop music lineup at Taste of Chicago in Grant Park has long since lost its status as major music news. Nevertheless, it oughta be reported -- and I haven't seen it anywhere since the city quietly posted the announcement on its Web site on April 22.

The best thing about Taste is that it remains free -- in keeping with the original mandate that Grant Park "remain forever open, clear and free of any buildings or their obstructions whatever." The lineup follows the jump, with the notable exception of a headliner for the annual WXRT (93/1-FM)-sponsored July Fourth shindig.