[RH Video] Chance the Rapper Closes Out Pitchfork Music Festival 2015
[iframe id="http://cdnapi.kaltura.com/p/1859091/sp/185909100/embedIframeJs/uiconf_id/28773021/partner_id/1859091?iframeembed=true&playerId=kaltura_player_1437587861&entry_id=0_mscjlojs&flashvars%5BstreamerType%5D=auto"]
Header by Vanessa Bly, video by J. Frank Visuals
It's been an amazing run for Chance, and his Sunday night-cap performance to close off Pitchfork Music Festival 2015 is just one of the many, many major highlights of his career. Even for just a moment, it felt like Chicagoans in attendance could come together and show support for one of its hometown heroes and ignore every ounce of negativity that has been afflicting the city.
If you couldn't make it out to Pitchfork this past weekend, check out this mini-video recap of Chance the Rapper's AMAZING Pitchfork set, shot and edited by J. Frank Visuals!
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
[RH Photos] Melt-Banana Returns to Chicago
Photos by Geoff Henao
On Tuesday, July 14th, Japanese noise-core band Melt-Banana returned to Chicago's Empty Bottle for the first time in 15 years. Touring across the country with them is stoner metal band, and genre-defying Hot Nerds opened the show.
For months since the show was announced, my expectations were extremely high. 2015 marks the 10-year anniversary since my first Melt-Banana show at the Abbey Pub on May 5th, 2005. And considering Melt-Banana only comes to America every other year (their last show at the Double Door back in October 2013), I was ready for my bi-annual ritual. The Empty Bottle is also my favorite venue in the city, thanks to its dive bar aesthetic and acoustics that especially benefit loud, punk rock-esque bands like Melt-Banana.
[youtube id="1lA0oJPC5cg"]
Prior to the show, I had never hear nor heard of Hot Nerds. Their eccentric style of hardcore vocals (modified through a vocoder), mixed with noise-core-influenced sampling played through a keyboard and mixer, and backed by metal drums accentuated with a double kick pedal. They were reminiscent of a young Melt-Banana and got the crowd hyped and energized.
[youtube id="VZa3qlfSPzs"]
Unfortunately, all of the energy coursing throughout the venue was lost as Torche came on to play. My prior knowledge of the band came from Ruby Hornet's own Travis Marmon's praise of the band's style of slow-burning stoner metal. However, the drastically low tempo and lack of high energy severely lowered the audience's excitement. At one point, I had begun falling asleep... standing up and directly next to one of the stage's main monitors.
[youtube id="UobRyLSn9KI"]
Nearing midnight, Melt-Banana took to the stage, backed by an enormous wall of speakers intended to replicate the duo's loud volume of noise when they originally toured as a band. However, as singer Yako and guitarist Agata grow increasingly comfortable playing as a duo (with Yako controlling a drum machine and samples with a device), so too do their shows share similarities to years past. However, their live performances have changed to reflect their adapted style of power-pop/noise-core, shedding the more extreme hardcore elements that represented their earlier years. Despite some technical difficulties with one of Agata's guitar cables and a crowd that, surprisingly, wasn't as excited for the band that I've seen in years past. Nevertheless, the crowd eventually warmed up to them as their set drew to a close.
Check out my photos from the show below!
Amazon to Release Spike Lee's Chicago Film in Late 2015
The much-criticized "Chicago" film by Spike Lee recently wrapped production last week. Story details are still under wraps, but as we noted many moons ago, the film was rumored to be a musical comedy based on the Greek play, Lysistrata, with a cast led by Mad Men's Teyonah Parris alongside Nick Cannon, Jennifer Hudson, Wesley Snipes, John Cusack, Angela Bassett, Samuel L. Jackson, and more. However, the "musical" element of the film is in question, as the script, co-written by Lee and Kevin Willmott, is in a lyrical style similar to Shakespeare, but assumedly modernized.
Originally, the film was going to hold its world premiere at Cannes Film Festival 2016 (if accepted), but both Spike Lee and Amazon Studios, the film's distributor, are confident enough in the film that they're bumping its release up to December 2015 as part of a limited theatrical run to qualify it for the awards season. Furthermore, the film will be Amazon Studios' first original film, establishing Amazon's film distribution program that was started back in January. The film will officially open next year in theaters, followed by an Amazon-exclusive release online.
Lee had this to say about the film and Amazon Studios' involvement:
I’m honored to be part of the film that will launch Amazon Studios and to tell a story that is so important. Please don’t be fooled by the title of Chi-Raq, this new Spike Lee joint will be something very special.
I've already cast judgment on the film and its offensive title, but I'll hold any real criticism until the film is released. Could this be Spike Lee's return to form? I can only hope.
[via The Hollywood Reporter]
[RH Photos] Weezer Headlines at the 35th Annual Taste of Chicago
Photos by AngieStar Photo
The 35th annual Taste of Chicago kicked off yesterday in Grant Park's Petrillo Music Shell, with Weezer as their first headlining band. The 2015 Taste of Chicago is featuring over 100 menu items from 60 food trucks, pop-ups and restaurants representing Chicago’s diverse culinary community. But of course, the food isn't the only thing, the live music has been well known at the festival and this year is no different.
From beginning to end, Weezer performed smash hit after hit such as "Say it Ain't So", "Beverly Hills", "Hash Pipe", and many more. They even introduced a newer track titled, "Go Away", from their fourth album Everything Will Be Alright In The End. As it began to rain, the night ended with an encore performance of "Buddy Holly" that turned the crowd way up.
Yesterday was only beginning as Petrillo Music Shell still has a few more headliners still to go:
July 9, 5:30 p.m. ERYKAH BADU, Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue
July 10, 5:30 p.m. THE CHIEFTAINS, Special Consensus
July 11, 4:30 p.m. SPOON, Houndmoth, Madisen Ward & The Mama Bear
July 12 4:30 p.m. MAZE featuring Frankie Beverly, DJ Duane Powell
Reserved seating starts at $15 and the lawn is FREE. To purchase tickets visit the Taste of Chicago website.
In case you missed their set, be sure to check out these photos:
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"]
Illinois Lawmakers Pass Bill to Grant Amnesty to Underage Drinkers Who Call 911
Despite many attempts to curb underage drinking, it's an inevitable fact that teenagers will find a way to get drunk. Hell, I've been drinking since I was 17, and looking back on the past 11 years makes me realize just how ridiculous my friends and I once were (let alone the fact that we've been drinking for a very long time).
I'm in no way glamorizing underage drinking, but simply relating to the information at hand - pending a signature from Governor Bruce Rauner, Illinois may pass a bill that would pardon underage drinkers (and their friends) who call 911 for alcohol-related emergencies. However, it's up to the attending police officer to determine whether or not to grant amnesty.
The bill, officially referred to as HB1336, is meant to mirror similar legislation that intended for heroin overdose victims. As the Chicago Sun-Times notes, the purpose of the bill "signals to parents and young people that it’s safe to do the right thing," according to HB1336 supporter Rep. Kelly Cassidy.
However, if the bill is officially passed, it serves as a double-edged sword that will send mixed messages to Illinois teens: "Drinking underage is illegal, but if you get sick and are in need of medical assistance because of you breaking the law, we might give you a pass." I write this with my tongue in cheek, but that's basically what it represents. At the same time, it's progressive for Illinois lawmakers to recognize, acknowledge, and try to adapt with a problem that has been prevalent for years (and will continue to do so for many more) in a manner that will actually assist those who truly need help. I just fear that many teens will see this bill as a "free pass" for them to get drunk without facing legal consequences.
[via Chicago Sun-Times]
Chicago's First Annual Ruido Fest Music Schedule
Chicago adds yet another new outdoor music fest to their list this summer with the first annual Ruido Fest, held in Adams Park, just north of the Pilsen neighborhood on July 10-12, 2015. Collaborated with some of the most experienced event organizers in the country, the principals behind Ruido Fest are with strong ties to the Chicago Latino music industry and to local area communities. Pilsen being historically known for it's strong Mexican and Latino identity, there's really no better place to hold such an event.
Created for the Latino alternative music audience, the three-day outdoor music fest, which is the first of its kind in the country, is slated to bring some of the best in Latin Alternative music and culture, with headliners Café Tacvba, Zoe, Molotov, Nortec Collective and Enjambre. These are amongst more than forty acts scheduled to appear.
Just this week, the fest's official lineup was released creating quite a buzz. Find tickets here, and check out the lineup below.
