My favorite post to write every year, and this year is no different. Many may be complaining that this year’s Grant Park lineup doesn’t compare to other major music festivals around the world, but those people aren’t looking hard enough. Last year I suggested catching Macklemore & Ryan Lewis, as they were destined for stardom (and boy has it hit hard, with a sold-out world tour approaching and 3 tracks in the Billboard Top 100), and Givers, who were up there for my favorite performance of 2012. So same drill… you will not find The Killers, Mumford & Sons, Phoenix, or even Kendrick Lamar and Chance the Rapper on this list. While I still highly recommend checking out all of those acts, here are the lesser known artists you can’t miss.
Tag Archives: saturday
Sleeper Agent and Ben Kweller @ Lincoln Hall (3/31)
I’ve been waiting for a chance to catch Sleeper Agent live since last July, and this weekend the dates will finally work out. I first discovered the band reading Spin Magazine, who featured them in their “Breaking Out” segment. The 6 piece band from Bowling Green originally came together after guitarist Tony Smith and drummer Justin Wilson found barista turned singer Alex Kandel performing at open mic’s. They’ll be in Chicago Saturday night in support of Ben Kweller, who recently released a new album titled Go Fly a Kite, at Lincoln Hall at 10 PM. Tickets are sold out, so check out Craigslist if you weren’t lucky enough to get one.
The Temper Trap/Empires @ Lincoln Hall (Pictures & Review)
When you have someone that flew in from Hawaii just to see a band standing to your left, and someone visiting from San Francisco there for the same reason to your right, you know you’re in for something special. That was the case Saturday at the sold out Lincoln Hall, where the Temper Trap was in town for the second straight night.
Filed under Live Reviews, Michael
2011 Lolla Must Sees
Welcome to the best weekend of the summer… Well, at least a preview of it. In a little less than 48 hours, some of music’s most popular acts (such as Eminem, Coldplay, Foo Fighters, My Morning Jacket) will grace the Grant Park stages and treat more than 100,000 fans a day to nights they will never forget. Obviously you’ll be there. There’s a lot of time before 8 pm though, and a lot of talent. Check these bands out!
Friday, Saturday, and Sunday suggestions after the jump ———->