Riot Fest Chicago 2015 Day Lineups Available
The day lineup for Riot Fest Chicago 2015 is now available! You can find out which artists are playing on which day so you can begin to tentatively prepare your schedules. In addition, Riot Fest will be releasing single day passes, VIP passes, and 2-day passes on Thursday, July 23rd at 10am CT here. In addition, Groupon is currently running a special pre-sale on single day passes for $69.98 here.
Check out the day lineups below!
FRIDAY
No Doubt, Faith No More, Motörhead, Ice Cube & Special Guests (performing Straight Outta Compton Remix), Alkaline Trio, Coheed and Cambria, Flogging Molly, Slightly Stoopid, Thrice, Dirty Heads, Anthrax, Eagles of Death Metal, Against Me!, Bayside, MEST, Atreyu, Lee Scratch Perry, The Expendables, Living Colour, Fishbone, Death, Mariachi El Bronx, Civ, Every Time I Die, Real Friends, 88 Fingers Louie, Mustard Plug, Into It. Over It., Post Malone with FKI, Chef’Special, Marmozets, Barb Wire Dolls, The Coathangers, Prayers, Speedy Ortiz, White Mystery, Main Attrakionz, Ground Up, Skinny Lister, Alex Wiley, Heems, Psalm One, Dreamers, Faulkner
SATURDAY
System of a Down, Iggy Pop, Rancid (performing …And Out Come The Wolves), Billy Idol, Taking Back Sunday, Rodrigo Y Gabriela, Drive Like Jehu, Merle Haggard, Alexisonfire, The Academy Is… (performing Almost Here), The Lawrence Arms, Echo & the Bunnymen, Bootsy Collins’ Rubber Band, The Damned, Pennywise, The Devil Wears Prada, Mayday Parade, Babes in Toyland, Desaparecidos, The Joy Formidable, The Dead Milkmen, FIDLAR, Millencolin, American Nightmare, Swervedriver, GWAR, Lifetime, Joyce Manor, The Movielife, Steve Ignorant and Paranoid Visions, The Dear Hunter, The Ataris, Modern Life Is War (performing Witness), Fit For Rivals, Flatfoot 56, Teenage Bottlerocket, Chon, Counterpunch, Direct Hit!, Dirty Fences, Sleep On It, The Brokedowns, Meat Wave, Elway, Indian Handcrafts, PEARS, Gateway Drugs, Clowns
SUNDAY
Modest Mouse, The Prodigy, Snoop Dogg (performing Doggystyle), Damian “Jr. Gong” Marley, Tenacious D, L7, Stephen “Ragga” Marley, Kongos, Cypress Hill, Yelawolf, The Airborne Toxic Event, Manchester Orchestra, De La Soul, Andrew McMahon In The Wilderness, New Politics, Jimmy Cliff, Andrew W.K., Less Than Jake, The Thurston Moore Band, Morgan Heritage, Doomtree, Hum, Tarrus Riley, The Dwarves, Tommy Stinson, Kevin Devine, Jo Mersa, Alvvays, The White Buffalo, Black-Am-I, Skip Marley, Knuckle Puck, Jazz Cartier, Have Mercy, Superheaven, Foxing, Beach Slang, Cayetana, Blis, Northern Faces, Souvenirs, Skating Polly, Signals Midwest, Modern Chemistry, Tasha The Amazon, Foxtrott, Twin River, Indian School
Marvel Comics' Hip Hop Variant Covers
Hip hop has become an undeniably large influence on pop culture; the same can be said for comics, especially in light of Marvel Studios' takeover of Hollywood over the last decade. With the level of artistry behind the hip hop's lyricism and comic books' increasing level of illustrative talent, it was only a matter of time before one of the Big Two (Marvel and DC) paid homage to hip hop in an official capacity. While Ed Piskor's Hip Hop Family Tree has been nominated for the Eisner Award and was named one of New York Times' Graphic Books Best Seller, it doesn't have the same level of visibility as Marvel.
Beginning this October, Marvel will be paying homage to hip hop with its line of Marvel's Hip Hop Variants. Marvel Editor-in-Chief Axel Alonso had this to say about the line of variant covers:
"For years, Marvel Comics and Hip-Hop culture have been engaged in an ongoing dialog. Beginning this October, we will shine a spotlight on the seamless relationship between those two unique forces in when we unveil the first of more than fifty variant covers, each of which pays tribute to an iconic album cover from the past 30 years that shaped pop-culture over the past three decades."
You can find 12 of the hip hop variant covers in the gallery below. Can you name them all?
The first wave of Marvel's Hip Hop Variants will be released in October:
Amazing Spider-Man # 1- HIP-HOP Variant by Mike Del Mundo
Angela: Queen of Hel #1 - HIP-HOP Variant by Annie Wu
The Astonishing Ant-Man #1 - HIP-HOP Variant by Mark Brooks
Contest of Champions #1 - HIP-HOP Variant by Denys Cowan
Doctor Strange #1 - HIP-HOP Variant by Juan Doe
Extraordinary X-Men #1 - HIP-HOP Variant by Sanford Greene
Guardians of the Galaxy #1 - HIP-HOP Variant by Shawn Crystal
Invincible Iron Man #1 - HIP-HOP Variant by Brian Stelfreeze
The Mighty Thor #1 - HIP-HOP Variant by Mike Deodato
Sam Wilson, Captain America #1 - HIP-HOP Variant by Mahmud Asrar
Spider-Gwen #1 - HIP-HOP Variant by Humberto Ramos
The Unbeatable Squirrel Girl #1 - HIP-HOP Variant by Phil Noto
Uncanny Inhumans #1 - HIP-HOP Variant by Damian Scott
Uncanny Avengers #1 - HIP-HOP Variant by Jason Pearson
Another wave of Marvel's Hip Hop Variants will be released later in the fall:
All-New All-Different Avengers #1 - HIP-HOP Variant by Jim Cheung
All-New Wolverine #1 - HIP-HOP Variant by Keron Grant
Carnage #1 - HIP-HOP Variant by Ariel Olivetti
Howard the Duck #1 - HIP-HOP Variant Juan Doe
Ms. Marvel #1 - HIP-HOP Variant by Jenny Frisson
Old Man Logan #1 - HIP-HOP Variant by Tim Bradstreet
Spider-Man #1 - HIP-HOP Variant by Adi Granov
Spider-Man/Deadpool #1 - HIP-HOP Variant by Dave Johnson
Squadron Supreme #1 - HIP-HOP Variant by Mike Del Mundo
Star-Lord #1 - HIP-HOP Variant by Tradd Moore
The Totally Awesome Hulk #1 - HIP-HOP Variant by Mahmud Asrar
Web Warriors #1 - HIP-HOP Variant by Damian Scott
Rihanna's "Bitch Better Have My Money" Video is Bananas
I think I've hit the point where I'm officially tired of Rihanna's career trajectory. Seemingly more and more, her sound is dictated by her record company. Her evolution into this faux "trap princess" is definitely a far cry from the Rihanna that cried out for help in "SOS" all those years ago or the one that claimed she was "so hard" in "Hard." Her last album wasn't as bad - it had the slick production her latest album clearly will not have.
I guess I'll wait to pass further judgment until we see release of her eighth album in full, until then here's the crazy video for her second single "Bitch Better Have My Money." Directed by Megaforce (who also once directed Madonna's weird video for "Gimme All Your Lovin") and Rihanna herself, the video sees a criminally angry Rihanna torture her accountant, kidnap a naked woman, and show off her boobs while covered in money and blood. It's absolutely bonkers. Mads Mikkelson even makes an appearance for some reason. I'd kill to have that money gun he uses.
As for the track itself, it's fine. I prefer "American Oxygen's" sound, however. Check out the video for "Bitch Better Have My Money" below.
[youtube id="B3eAMGXFw1o" autoplay="no"]
Watch a Young Amy Winehouse Sing Happy Birthday
After receiving rave reviews in May at the Cannes Film Festival, Amy remains one of the most highly anticipated films of 2015. Directed by Asif Kapadia, the film is featuring never-before-seen footage and interviews with her closest friends, ex-lovers, and collaborators, illuminating the Grammy winner’s early struggles with depression and bulimia en route to her surge as an artist.
However, Winehouse's father and former boyfriend have come out with much protest, issuing a statement claiming Amy “is both misleading and contains some basic untruths.” In response to this, the filmmakers have maintained cooperation of the Winehouse estate and confirmed to have "conducted in the region of 100 interviews with people that knew Amy Winehouse; friends, family, former partners and members of the music industry that worked with her." The film is said to be based off of these interviews.
Are there really "untruths" in the film, or was there more to Amy Winehouse than what her family and former boyfriend knew? Regardless, the controversy is adding both mystery and hype for the documentary's much anticipated release. For now, enjoy this special clip featuring the songstress singing "Happy Birthday" as a young 14-year-old. Amy will be in LA and NY theaters on July 3rd with a national release on July 10th.
[youtube id="39AibKDWbjE"]
Is Taylor Swift Really Trying To Rob Photographers?
In recent news, Taylor Swift criticized Apple for initially not paying artists during the trial period for Apple Music, their latest music streaming service. The battle went on for one quick day as Apple shortly retreated, granting victory to Swift's team and stamping the rare power she continues to have on music business.
Meanwhile, at the stem of this rebuttal, freelance photographer Jason Sheldon published an open letter on his blog where he argued Swift's recent image-licensing policy, suggesting the hypocrisy to her complaints towards Apple. In her policy, Editorial photographers assigned to shoot her shows must sign away rights to their photos, preventing them from being paid while giving Swift unlimited use of the pictures for publicity and promotion. It gets worse...
One section of the policy that Sheldon doesn't mention is the right to her management company to destroy a photographer's equipment if they break the terms of the contact, one they are obligated to sign before shooing her show. It reads the following:
If you fail to fully comply with this Authorization, authorized agents of FEI, the Artist or the Related Entities may confiscate and/or destroy the technology or devices that contain the master files of the Photographs and other images, including, but not limited to, cell phones and memory cards, and the Photographs and any other images.
Just today, a UK representative for Taylor Swift quickly countered and told Business Insider via email that the standard photography agreement to which Sheldon referred was "misrepresented." To me, this all sounds like "Bad Blood" more than anything.
At this point, we know that Apple changed their course of action but will Taylor Swift? As a photographer, I feel this is indeed quite hypocritical. Especially because it's photos from concert photographers that tend to promote ticket sales, creating a huge monetary benefit for promoters, venues and the Swift team alike. Needless to say, I'll refrain from shooting any Taylor Swift shows any time in the near future. What do you think?
Midwest Ska Fest 2015 Returning to Double Door on August 8th
Get your three-piece suits ready - ska's coming back to Chicago, and in a very big way. Midwest Ska Fest is returning to the Double Door on August 8th for its third annual flagship show. The day-long event will feature eleven amazing ska bands from the Midwest alongside a special headliner coming in from Tennessee to prove that ska isn't dead, but very much alive and skanking in Chicago.
Midwest Ska Fest has previously revealed Bumsy and the Moochers, Evil Empire, Beat the Smart Kids, Ska's the Limit, The Circle City Deacons, Run and Punch, Fairhaven, Bootsmoke Rhythm, On Your Marx, Tone Zone Skam, and Something to Do for the lineup, but we are glad to announce that the Soul Radics will be making their way up from Tennessee to grace the stage. The festival will also be presented in conjunction with Jump Up Records and Dark Matter Coffee to commemorate their specially-made new brew, the Pressure Drip!
There will also be 21+ only after party immediately following the end of Midwest Ska Fest 2015 held in Double Door's Door No. 3 in conjunction with Simmer Down Sound featuring Akasha.
As an official sponsor of Midwest Ska Fest 2015, Ruby Hornet will be your source for all things Midwest Ska Fest. Trust me, we have a ton of surprises to reveal over the upcoming weeks. Whether your leanings are towards reggae, 2-Tone, trad, or ska/punk, Midwest Ska Fest 2015 will have you covered. Tickets are now on sale for $12!
Take a listen to all of this year's bands below!
Bumsy and the Moochers
[youtube id="1BdyhyhH93I"]
Evil Empire
[youtube id="3GDT5Sq-Lxk"]
Beat the Smart Kids
Ska's the Limit
[youtube id="-mCGRF17Kqc"]
The Circle City Deacons
Run and Punch
Fairhaven
[youtube id="2knJh8fe-Kk"]
Bootsmoke Rhythm
On Your Marx
Tone Zone Skam
Something To Do
Soul Radics
[youtube id="xP4gZc33D7A"]
Pitchfork Music Festival 2015 Schedule Revealed
This post was originally published by our affiliate site, Chicago Music.
The schedule for this year's Pitchfork Music Festival has finally been released. Now to begin figuring out our plans and work around some of these schedule conflicts...
Check out the full schedule below!
Friday, July 17:
Gates at 3 p.m.
8:30 Wilco (Green)
8:15 Ought (Blue)
7:20 Chvrches (Red)
7:15 Iceage (Blue)
6:25 Panda Bear (Green)
6:15 Tobias Jesso Jr. (Blue)
5:30 Mac DeMarco (Red)
5:15 Steve Gunn (Blue)
4:35 iLoveMakonnen (Green)
4:15 Jessica Pratt (Blue)
3:30 Natalie Prass (Red)
3:20 Ryley Walker (Blue)
Saturday, July 18:
Gates open at 12 p.m.
8:45 Vic Mensa (Blue)
8:30 Sleater-Kinney (Green)
7:45 Sophie (Blue)
7:25 Future Islands (Red)
6:45 Shamir (Blue)
6:15 The New Pornographers (Green)
5:45 A$AP Ferg (Blue)
5:15 Parquet Courts (Red)
4:45 Ariel Pink (Blue)
4:15 Kurt Vile and the Violators (Green)
3:45 Vince Staples (Blue)
3:20 Ex Hex (Red)
2:50 Mr. Twin Sister (Blue)
2:30 Future Brown (Green)
1:55 Bully (Blue)
1:45 Protomartyr (Red)
1:00 Jimmy Whispers (Green)
Sunday, July 19
Gates open at 12 p.m.
8:30 Chance The Rapper (Green)
7:45 Todd Terje & The Olsens (Blue)
7:25 Run The Jewels (Red)
6:45 A. G. Cook (Blue)
6:15 Caribou (Green)
5:45 Clark (Blue)
5:15 Jamie xx (Red)
4:45 How To Dress Well (Blue)
4:15 Courtney Barnett (Green)
3:45 Perfume Genius (Blue)
3:20 Madlib & Freddie Gibbs (Red)
2:50 The Julie Ruin (Blue)
2:30 Waxahatchee (Green)
1:55 Mourn (Blue)
1:45 Viet Cong (Red)
1:00 Single Mothers (Blue)
1:00 Bitchin Bajas (Green)
Apple Music Will Pay Artists During Trial Periods Thanks to Taylor Swift
When Apple Music was unveiled earlier this month, many saw it as Spotify's starkest competition. After all, when a behemoth as large as Apple enters new territory, it will always be seen as one of the top dogs. However, the biggest complaint facing Apple Music's revelation was Apple's policy on not paying royalties to artists during trial periods. It's absurd to think a company as large as Apple would implement a terrible, anti-artist policy.
Yesterday, pop megastar Taylor Swift wrote an open letter to Apple detailing her reasoning behind not releasing her 1989 album on the service, stating:
I’m not sure you know that Apple Music will not be paying writers, producers, or artists for those three months. I find it to be shocking, disappointing, and completely unlike this historically progressive and generous company.
This is not about me [...] This is about the new artist or band that has just released their first single and will not be paid for its success. This is about the young songwriter who just got his or her first cut and thought that the royalties from that would get them out of debt. This is about the producer who works tirelessly to innovate and create, just like the innovators and creators at Apple are pioneering in their field…but will not get paid for a quarter of a year’s worth of plays on his or her songs [...]
But I say to Apple with all due respect, it’s not too late to change this policy and change the minds of those in the music industry who will be deeply and gravely affected by this. We don’t ask you for free iPhones. Please don’t ask us to provide you with our music for no compensation.
Thankfully, Apple listened. Eddy Cue, Apple's Senior Vice President of Internet Software and Services, responded to Swift's letter on Twitter by announcing the policy will be reversed, allowing all artists to be paid for their music:
#AppleMusic will pay artist for streaming, even during customer’s free trial period
— Eddy Cue (@cue) June 22, 2015
When an artist of Taylor Swift's magnitude comes out denouncing your service, you listen. Cynics might point at the potential loss of revenue from artists like Swift as their main reasoning for reversing their policy. However, no matter what Apple's intentions may be, the fact that all artists of varying sizes will be compensated for their music is a much larger win for everybody.
Thanks, Taylor Swift.
[via USA Today]