Discover local bands at Wicker Park Fest this weekend

July 24, 3:00 PMChicago Rock Music ExaminerFrank Krolicki

Previous Next

Comment Print Email RSS Subscribe

Subscribe

Get alerts when there is a new article from the Chicago Rock Music Examiner. Read Examiner.com's terms of use.

Email Address   Include other special offers from Examiner.com Terms of Use

 

This summer is proof that Chicago is the place to be for great music festivals. With a long list of events - both huge and not-as-huge - including Pitchfork, Lollapalooza, Belmont Arts & Music Fest, Taste of Randolph Street and this weekend's Wicker Park Fest, local music fans are definitely not wanting for places to go and bands to see.

Wicker Park Fest runs Saturday, July 26 and Sunday, July 27, and features a variety of national indie acts, but also a number of local bands to check out. Here's a rundown of the fest's Chicago-centric portion of the lineup:

(Check out the suggested songs at the bands' MySpace pages by clicking on their names)

Saturday:

Future Rock - This electronic rock trio cites bands such as Daft Punk, Radiohead and Kraftwerk as influences, and specializes in minimalist-yet-powerful instrumental material. Listen to "Blink."

Joan of Arc - Joan of Arc have been playing their brand of experimental rock since 1995, and draw on heavy use of sampling, electronics and multi-track recording to create an unpredictable sound. Listen to "The Hands."

The 1900s - The 1900s' 60s-inspired folk-rock shines with perfect harmonies, melodies and a blend of male and female vocals. Their best moments are not only beautiful, but instantly memorable. Listen to "When I Say Go."

Brighton, MA - The name might be confusing, but this band belongs to the Windy City and pairs relatively straightforward, melodic indie rock with a definite Dylan vibe. Listen to "Ballad for Cool Hand."

Bailiff - This band has been described as "progressive blues," playing tense, mesmerizing, slow-burning rock.  Listen to "Emptied Out."

Sunday:

Van Ghost - Twangy, country-tinged indie rock. Listen to "Hurry Up."

Skybox - Originally from Arizona, Skybox is a quirky, off-the-wall indie rock five-piece that relocated to Chicago and released its debut record, "Arco Iris," in 2006. The album was a showcase for the band's bizarre-yet-infectious sound, combining glam a la David Bowie with playful, good ol' ragtime. Listen to "Various Kitchen Utensils."

Company of Thieves - Boasting strong female vocals that sound a bit like a cross between Regina Spektor and Fiona Apple, the Company plays polished, thoughtful indie rock. Listen to "Around the Block."

Algernon - This is atmospheric, jazzy, instrumental stuff that goes in whatever direction it pleases. Listen to "Deactivate the Motion Sensor."

Maps & Atlases - This band's bio says they "offer songs that wrestle themselves from flailing, algebraic fits of spazzy guitar notes and drum ruptures to lulling, voice-driven melodies that speak stories using lyrical images strung together like soup cans chasing a Cadillac." I'd say that's pretty accurate. Listen to "The Ongoing Horrible."

Kid, You'll Move Mountains - This group creates a big, epic sound that acts as a canvas for traded-off male-female vocals. They are currently finishing their debut LP. Listen to "Volts."

Aleks and the Drummer - The name doesn't lie. This band actually consists of singer and keyboardist Aleks Andra Tomaszewska and percussionist Deric Criss. Aleks delivers surf farfisa and icy vocals over Deric's pulsing drums to create something that sounds kind of like slightly spooky, out of control video game music. Listen to "Eye to Eye."
 

Here's the complete lineup:

Saturday, July 26th

South Stage

8:45pm > Bassnectar
7:25pm > Prefuse 73
6:00pm > Future Rock
4:30pm > Daedelus
3:15pm > Nomo
2:15pm > Dark Party (featuring Eliot Lipp & Leo123)

North Stage

9:00pm > Polvo
7:55pm > Joan Of Arc
6:45pm > Ra Ra Riot
5:40pm > Bishop Allen
4:35pm > The 1900s
3:30pm > Brighton, MA
2:25pm > Bailiff

Sunday, July 27th

South Stage

8:45pm > Bob Schneider
7:00pm > Charlie Hunter Trio
6:00pm > Dub Trio
5:00pm > Van Ghost
4:00pm > Skybox
3:00pm > Company of Thieves
2:00pm > Algernon

North Stage

9:00pm > Isis
7:55pm > Red Sparowes
6:45pm > Maps & Atlases
5:40pm > Film School
4:35pm > The Most Serene Republic
3:30pm > Kid, You'll Move Mountains
2:25pm > Aleks and The Drummer