Tuesday, May 25, 2010

Music Lovers Break Out The Calendars--Big Summer Fun from Blues Fest to Lollapalooza


I love spring in Chicago, because I know all the summer music is coming with a vengeance.   It can be a little daunting to try to plot a course through the rock filled shores.   Of course, as we tell the kids, everyone has their own taste in tunes.....art........food....fests.   But ChiIL Mama can post a short list of our favorites and you can personalize it from there.



Of course, the big heavy hitters are Pitchfork Music Festival and Lollapalooza.   ChiIL Mama has been there with Sagezilla and Du-Jay for as long as both fests have called the Windy City home.   We'll just hit a brief summary here, with in depth coverage as the dates draw near.   Check out their web sites for band details, ticket info, etc.

Pitchfork Music Festival July 16-18th

Modest Mouse
Broken Social Scene
Robyn
Liars
El-P
The Tallest Man on Earth
Sharon Van Etten
LCD Soundsystem
Panda Bear
Wolf Parade
The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion
Raekwon
Titus Andronicus
Why?
Delorean
Real Estate
Bear in Heaven
Free Energy
The Smith Westerns
Dâm-Funk
Kurt Vile
Freddie Gibbs
Sonny & the Sunsets
Netherfriends
Pavement
Big Boi
Major Lazer
St. Vincent
Lightning Bolt
Beach House
Girls
Sleigh Bells
Neon Indian
Cass McCombs
Here We Go Magic
Surfer Blood
Local Natives
Washed Out
Best Coast
CAVE
Allá

Pitchfork Family Pros:   some big shade trees and grass where you can spread a blanket, park a stroller and hang out if you go early, great bands to introduce the kids to, a good variety of healthy food, and plenty of craft fair/booth swag for the littles to collect


Pitchfork Family Cons:   predominantly full of 20 something hipsters, too few porta potties with loooooong lines, (tho most people will let you cut to the front if your child hops up and down in urgent distress), side stages can get uncomfortably crowded and the music's loud, so bring earplugs for the kidlets.



Still, despite the bearded, hipster heavy crowds, we love it!   Where else are your wayyy under 21 offspring gonna get to rock out to David Yow and Jesus Lizard, like Zilla and Du did last year.  Kids are free with paying adults.



Both Sagezilla and Du-Jay have gone to school with the kids of several band members from Tortoise.  




So they get even more of a kick out of seeing musicians they know as parents, up on the stage.

 

LOLLAPALOOZA AUGUST 6-8TH IN GRANT PARK
Lollapalooza and Kidzapalooza are an annual family event for us and far and away our favorite.   The kids area is amazing and children 10 and under are free with a paying adult.


 




Other Fests And Concerts Worth Checkin Out: 
  • Millennium Park excellent music in a number of genres, at "the big silver sailed pirate ship" (AKA:Pritzker) Pavilion from spring through fall
  •  Chicago Summerdance June 17-August 29th (free-numerous styles of dance, various locations around the city-all levels welcome)
  • Tortoise benefit for Drummond Montessori Magnet School June 3rd 8pm at Lincoln Hall--open to the public.   
A Benefit for Drummond Montessori Magnet School,
a Chicago Public School (http://drummondschool.org/)

also with D. Rider, a great new band fronted by Todd Rittman formerly of US Maple, Robt. Johnson and the Browns, Singer, etc.
$20
Buy your tickets at:
http://www.lincolnhallchicago.com/Shows/06-03-2010+Tortoise+Benefit+for+Drummond+Montessori+School

    • Phish at Toyota Park June 11 and at Alpine Valley August 14 & 15
    • Chicago Folk & Roots Festival July 10 & 11 (Old Town School also has numerous concerts and event all season long.   Check their home page for details.)


    Chicago knows how to rock, and we make the best of our warm weather days.   So get that calendar out and fill it now, so you know what's comin'.   
    See ya out there.
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