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The CHIRP Blog
Alli Klein: Family of Noise writesWicker Park Fest 2013 Is Here!
For nine years, Wicker Park Fest has been one of Chicago’s top summer festivals. This year’s Wicker Park Fest promises more of the same, with three stages boasting some big names, popular restaurants, arts, and all kinds of family activities.
You know that we here at CHIRP are mostly anticipating the music selections and this July there are lots to be excited about. Performing on Saturday, the huge draws will be indie rock throwback sounding Cults and the Zappa-esque eclectic weirdos Man Man. Sunday welcomes psychedelic rock and roll founder Roky Erickson (of the 13th Floor Elevators) who is not to be missed, except of course if you’re a huge fan of indie punk rockers Ted Leo & The Pharmacists, or the local epic circus that is 30 piece marching band Mucca Pazza who are also headlining that night.
Check out Wicker Park Fest Saturday July 27 and Sunday July 28 from noon to 10 pm. The fest runs down Milwaukee Ave from North Ave to Paulina St. and there is a $5 suggested donation, going toward local schools, non-profits and businesses. Be sure to visit us at the CHIRP radio table to pick up some swag and say hello!
For the complete line up, visit wickerparkfest.com/music.
Mike Bennett writesFriday iPod/MP3 Shuffle—Happy Birthday Brian May Edition
Today let’s give a birthday salute to one of the all-time greatest rock guitarists, Brian May of Queen. The curly haired fretmeister is more than just a guitarist – he has a Ph.D in astrophysics. So it should come as no surprise that not long after his 16th birthday, Brian and dad made the main guitar he has played for almost 50 years, the Red Special. Made primarily out of wood from an 18th Century fireplace with ornate detail, the Mays designed the guitar so it would naturally feedback. This guitar is a large part of May’s distinctive sound, which has so many great Queen songs, including some of his own classic compositions such as “I Want It All”, “Tie Your Mother Down”, “Fat Bottomed Girls” and that sports stadium perennial, “We Will Rock You”. Queen was one of the most musically diverse bands of any era, so in that spirit, grab your iPod or MP3 player, hit shuffle and share the first 10 songs that come up.
Clarence Ewing: The Million Year Trip writesWeekly Voyages: Friday 07/19 to Thursday 07/25
(Do you have corrections or updates for this list? Send us an e-mail.)
Friday July 19
Pitchfork Music Festival + CHIRP Record Fair
Union Park 3pm
Mike Pinto, Natural Vibrations
Abbey Pub 9pm, 21+
Nathan Grant
Abbey Pub 9pm, 21+
Dead Town Revival, Death and Memphis, Sunset Empire
Beat Kitchen 9:30pm, 21+
Merchandise, Daughn Gibson, Connections, Steve Gunn
Bottom Lounge 9:30pm
The Hoyle Brothers
Empty Bottle 5:30pm, 21+
Clarence Ewing: The Million Year Trip writesWeekly Voyages: Friday 07/12 to Thursday 07/18
(Do you have corrections or updates for this list? Send us an e-mail.)
Friday July 12
Roster McCabe and Jimkata, EGI Ethereal Groove Inc
Abbey Pub 9pm, 21+
DJ Mark Flava
Beauty Bar 9pm 21+
The Hoyle Brothers
Empty Bottle 5:30pm, 21+
Come, Brother JT, Wrekmeister, Harmonies
Empty Bottle 9pm, 21+
Spiritualized, Guy Blakeslee of Entrance Band
Lincoln Hall 10pm, 21+
Mike Bennett writesFriday iPod/MP3 Shuffle—Happy Birthday RZA Edition
Today we’re paying tribute to an important figure in hip hop, RZA of Wu-Tang Clan. RZA was only 11 when he got into his first rap battle, a portent of things to come. In the early ‘90s, he led the amazing collective of talent that was Wu-Tang, kicking things off with the great Enter The Wu-Tang LP. Of course, RZA, like his fellow members, has made some fine solo music, and he has also acted in numerous films. Just last year, he directed his first film, the martial arts/action flick The Man with the Iron Fists. In honor of this hip hop giant, please grab your iPod or MP3 player, hit shuffle, and share the first 10 songs that come up.