Chicago Bluegrass and Blues Fest!

Over the weekend, me, Chelsea, and my lovely roommate checked out the Chicago Blues and Bluegrass Festival at the Congress.  We had the distinct pleasure of seeing Dawes perform (and they were d'awes-ome).  As you can see from the photos above, there were also people hula-hooping - with light-up hoops, no less.  I have the sneaking suspicion that Henhouse Prowlers brought them along, because I remember a lot of hula-hoopers when I saw the Prowlers at Kinetic Playground.  Or perhaps hula hooping is a bluegrass music thing that I'm not savvy to.

It was great to see so many people out at the festival, and pretty cool that there was a stage in the lobby as well as the main stage.  So much music to see!  So much dancing to be done!  And dance we did.  Next year, I'll have to bring a hula hoop.

Chicago Bluegrass and Blues fest continues at the Congress...

with a bunch of bands on Saturday, including Bailiff, Paper Thick Walls, and Great Divide.

I've been dying to see Bailiff live ever since I heard Red Balloon. "Crickets," the first track on the album, which is mainly instrumental, blows me away every time I listen to it.  This should be an amazing show.

Paper Thick Walls have reflective, melancholy thread that winds its way through their music, and their quasi-orchestral arrangements build to soaring proportions, especially in their song "Liar's Lawyer."


Paper Thick Walls - Liar's Lawyer : Audiotree Live from Audiotree Live on Vimeo.

Great Divide has a groovy vocalist and an upbeat, knee-bouncing, head-bopping sound that's making me dance in my chair at a coffee shop.


Great Divide Kickstarter - Shine from greatdividemusic on Vimeo.

None of the bands overlap, so go see them all!  Paper Thick Walls is playing on the lobby stage from 6:00-6:45, Bailiff will be on the main stage from 7:00-7:45, and Great Divide is playing at 11 on the lobby stage, just before Drive-By Trucker take the main stage.

It's Friday.... Holiday Song Edition, Week 3!!!

 4th Annual Chicago Blues and Bluegrass Festival artist Grace Potter and The Nocturnals released some more rowdy singles for Christmas including, "Naughty Naughty Children (Better Start Actin' Nice)"!!! It will it will make you rock around the Christmas tree for sure!

Day 1 - CBB

The Shams who played Saturday

Day 1 of Chicago Bluegrass and Blues festival, it was a wonderful start full crowd at Double Door. Sadly I was only able to catch two bands Cory Chisel and the Wandering Sons and How Far to Austin. If you haven't see both these bands, you have to check them out right away. I had never listened to them both before, and I was totally blown away by the stage presence and how amazing they were. It was How Far to Austin's EP CD release party, so you all will have to pick up the CD. Till next time How far is Austin from Chicago?

Go here to see more pictures.

Here is your chance to win a year-long pass to Double Door, see below for details.

Brought to you by -Do312 Is Giving Away a 2011 Year-Long Pass to Double Door
    
 DO312 & Fuse Music Loop presents:
the Soul Summit Dance Party
Win a Year-Long Pass to Double Door
 
 To be eligible, you must RSVP on Do312 at: http://do312.com/event/2010/12/16/soul-summit
 
The event is free, and the winner must be present to win. The winner will receive an engraved metal pass good for every show at Double Door in 2011.
What:    the Soul Summit Dance Party
Who:     presented by Do312 & Fuse Music Loop
When:    Thursday, December 16th
Where:   Double Door 1572 N. Milwaukee, Chicago, IL

Chicago Bluegrass & Blues Festival- Day 2 ='s AMAZING!!!!

Day two of Chicago Bluegrass and Blues festival was such a magical day. The first snow of the winter in Chicago, and what better way to celebrate then a day full of music? This isn't a regular old festival, it started on Friday at the Double Door (pictures to come), and yesterday was day two and took place at the Congress with three different stages, then tonight its at Lincoln Hall. For starters it puts a twist on the whole outdoors festival, no camping and no porta potties! From Van Ghost, The Giving Tree, Grace Potter, The Shams Band and final Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros. All the bands displayed such a energy all day, it was such and excitement that was so refreshing to see and hear it come through the vocals.




The ending performance by Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zero was one of the best shows I've seen this year(this was the third time seeing them this year). Lead singer Alex, engaged the crowd from the very start of the show, by going out into the audience and embracing the crowd. At one point the crew needed to give him a longer cord, because he simply didn't want to remain on stage for most the set. About half way through the set he lost his shirt as well, his pants were also coming loose. The whole band you can tell has such a bond, and yet can tell have different personalities that bring them together. Other lead vocalist Jade, was the most animated and had the most sweet demeanor about her. She was all smiles on stage and you could see beaming with in her she is just so happy to be up there. At the end of the performance Alex (leader singer) had the whole crowd sit on the crowd and went out there and sang (pictured above) and the rest of the band went to the ledge of the stage (pictured above). It was such a large crowd, but yet they made you feel like they were playing for you in a small studio apartment. I had a interview with Christen from the band a few weeks ago, but due to my computer crashing, I will post it soon.



To view more pictures, go to facebook.com/sticoftheweek.

Chicago Bluegrass & Blues Festival -This Weekend

Grace Potter & the Nocturnals at North Coast 2010

Edward Sharpe at Lolla 2010

Van Ghost at North Coast 2010

Chicago Bluegrass and Blues Festival is this weekend. It’s a three day festival and at three different venues. Friday – Double Door, Saturday – Congress Theater, and Sunday –Lincoln Hall (full schedule here). With headliners Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros, Grace Potter & the Nocturnals David “Honeyboy” Edwards, The Skatalites, Cory Chisel & The Wandering Sons, and Van Ghost. 

Don’t forget Stic’s local favorites Derek Nelson & The Musicians, Great Divide and Daphne Willis. 

Stic will be there all three days right in the action! In the mean time check out past review and interview with Derek Nelson. Soon to come interview with Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros guitarist, Christen.

See you all there!

Go here to get more information and tickets!

2 TICKET GIVEAWAY – EDWARD SHARPE & THE MAGNETIC ZEROS

How to enter:
email – stic.of.the.week@gmail.com, what your favorite song by Edward Sharpe is and why?

Ticket giveaway brought to you byDo312

Chicago Bluegrass and Blues Festival

Chicago Bluegrass and Blues Festival, one day, 25 bands, Congress Theater and ONLY $35; December 12th!!