Posted by John Byrne at 1:15 p.m.
Two September concerts at Wrigley Field got the go-ahead from a City Council panel today as the Cubs continue to look for a pinch hitter to step in for the canceled Elton John-Billy Joel show in July.
Though the Cubs have not announced who will play at the ballpark Friday, Sept. 17, and Saturday, Sept. 18, Ald. Tom Tunney pushed an ordinance to allow the team two additional night events beyond the 30 night baseball games allotted each year.
Last month, sources said the Dave Matthews Band, Paul McCartney and Phish were under consideration for the September shows.
"We have met with and have letters of support from various residential groups and also chambers of commerce," Tunney said.
Aldermen postponed action on a plan for a July 7 Wrigley concert after performing pianists John and Joel announced they would not be touring this summer.
Michael Lufrano, vice president of community affairs for the Cubs, said the team still hopes to find a group to play at the stadium in July.
"It highlights how difficult it is to find the right act to play in Wrigley Field," Lufrano said. "We work hard to find an act that can work with our schedule during the baseball season, that also is compatible with the community. We weren’t able to do that before today’s meeting."
Though neighborhood groups were unhappy the city allowed three concerts in 2009 — two by Joel and John and one by country act Rascal Flatts — nobody spoke in opposition to the two September concerts at today’s committee meeting.
The plan will next go to the full City Council for consideration.