It’s no secret that Chicago is a hub for music festivals and festivalgoers; people flock from all over the country (and world) for the experience of seeing the most hyped artists of the year prove their mettle on the stages of Pitchfork, or of embracing neo-hippiedom on the Grant Park lawn at Lollapalooza. The prices for these festivals run hundreds of dollars for some big names, but in the Weekly tradition, we decided to dedicate these pages to music festivals taking place either on the South Side or in the spirit of Chicago’s musical tradition. Below, find those festivals listed—from the beloved, elderly Blues to the newest, exciting Ruido—divided up by genre. (Maha Ahmed)
Punk/Alternative
Fed Up Fest
Seeking to highlight and celebrate queer and transgender artists in the punk community, Chicago’s Fed Up Fest is a three-day festival featuring punk bands from across the country. Created in response to homophobic and transphobic tensions within the punk scene, Fed Up Fest aims to foster a dialogue directed toward addressing issues of oppression and abuse within punk music. In addition, the festival hopes to strengthen bonds between members of queer and punk communities, showcasing marginalized voices from the scene. This year’s iteration of Fed Up Fest will welcome artists like Los Angeles author and punk pioneer Alice Bag, Chicago’s own The Breathing Light, and Pittsburgh’s Fun Home. Check the website for location updates. Location TBA. Friday-Sunday, July 24-26. Free. fedupfestchicago.com (Peter Gao)
Black and Brown Punk Show
The Black & Brown Punk Show Collective’s fifth annual festival this August is designed not only as a show, but also as a safe space for queer and trans punks of color. The Collective’s mission is “to educate and unify” oppressed groups in the city through music. This year’s lineup is not yet released, but last year’s admission was $5-$7. Check their Facebook page for lineup and location updates. Location TBA. Friday-Sunday, August 28-30. facebook.com/blkandbrwncollective (Lauren Poulson)
Villapalooza
For the past four years, Villapalooza has brought an eclectic lineup of musicians, artists, and comedians to Little Village, transforming the corner of 26th Street and Central Park Avenue into a vibrant street festival. Aiming to create “non-violent spaces for arts, culture, and community engagement,” Villapalooza welcomes guests of all ages and in recent years has featured kid-friendly activities like carnival games and face painting in addition to the music. Past concert lineups have included a variety of international and local artists, spanning multiple genres, with last year’s headliners including New York by way of Colombia jazz fusion band M.A.K.U. Soundsystem and Chicago’s own post-punk band population. 26th St. and Central Park Ave. Saturday, September 5. Free. villapalooza.org (Peter Gao)
Riot Fest
Riot Fest, Chicago’s largest independent music festival, will be held this year for the first time in North Lawndale’s Douglas Park, after taking place in Humboldt Park for the past three years. Recently voted the country’s best music festival by readers of USA Today and 10Best, Riot Fest features a lineup of musicians spanning multiple genres, from rock and punk to rap and hip-hop. According to organizers, the festival welcomed approximately 160,000 guests to Humboldt Park last year, but due to 26th Ward Alderman Roberto Maldonado’s claims that the event caused $150,000 of damages to the park, this year’s iteration will move three miles south to Douglas Park. This year’s headliners include No Doubt, Modest Mouse, Snoop Dogg, and Ice Cube. Douglas Park, 1401 S. Sacramento Dr. Friday-Sunday, September 11-13. $169.98 for 3-day pass. riotfest.org (Peter Gao)
WORLD
Ruido Fest
This festival of Latino alternative music will take place in Pilsen’s Addams Park and feature a number of Latin@-fronted and Spanish-language bands from all points on the rock spectrum. The brainchild of the masterminds behind Riot Fest and the hosts of “Rock Sin Anestesia,” the city’s most popular Latin alternative radio show, Ruido will be the first festival of its kind in Chicago. Standouts for its first year include the Grammy-winning Zoé and multilingual rockers Zero Kill, plus many more. Addams/Medill Park, 1500 W. 15th St. Friday, July 10, doors 3pm; Saturday and Sunday, July 11-12, doors at noon. Single-day tickets $54.99; $75 day of show. All ages. ruidofest.com (Jake Bittle)
Chinatown Summer Fair
The Chinatown Summer Fair was started by family-owned Chinatown business Junk Restaurant in 1979, and has been running every year since. The fair brings Chinatown businesses together and honors the cultural heritage of the neighborhood. This year’s fair will feature cultural performers in dance, singing, and drumming, as well as a parade—including a Dragon and Lion Dance procession—plus delicious Chinese cuisine, and artisan goods. Chinatown Gate, 200 W. Cermak Rd. Sunday, July 19, 10am-8 pm. Free. chicagochinatown.org (Lauren Poulson)
BLUES/GOSPEL
Chicago Blues Festival
This June, the 32nd annual iteration of the Chicago Blues Festival arrives. The largest free blues festival in the world, this year’s celebration will feature five stages for three days. The festival has a long, rich history of featuring the best blues musicians in Chicago and the country. This year’s headliner is Buddy Guy, a blues guitarist—perhaps one of the best alive—who lives in Chicago and recently won a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award. Other headliners throughout the three-day period include Zora Young, a Chicago blues singer; Clarence Carter, a blues and soul singer from Alabama; Grammy award-winner Willie Dixon; and a tribute to Muddy Waters, the “father of modern Chicago blues.” Grant Park, Jackson Blvd & S. Columbus Dr. Friday-Sunday, June 12-14, 11am-9:30pm. Free. (312)744-3315. cityofchicago.org (Lauren Poulson)
I Have A Vision Community Gospel Festival
The larger Chicago Gospel Festival happened this past month in Millennium Park, but those who want a lower-key, locally centered day of gospel music can still get their fill on July 11, when South Chicago’s Bessemer Park will host the “I Have A Vision” festival, a day full of free gospel music and family-friendly activities. It’s being hosted by Shama Ministries, a nonprofit that aims to improve neighborhood quality of life and awareness of family. There’s no lineup for this festival, but something tells us name recognition isn’t the draw here—nor is that a bad thing. Bessemer Park, 8930 S. Muskegon Ave. Saturday, July 11, 11:30am-6:30pm. Free. (312)744-3315 (Jake Bittle)
JAZZ
Universal Alley Jazz Jam
The Universal alley Jazz Jam is a weekly summer event featuring vendors, performers, and—as one would assume—a local jam session dedicated to “revitalizing the community through arts & culture.” Because the “lineup” is created via an open call to artists, you are free to sign up to test out songs you’ve had in the works, hone your stage presence, and sing along to some great tunes. A community mainstay, these jazz jams are sure to brighten up any summer Saturday. Bring a friend and a lawn chair. Black United Fund Building, 1801 E. 71st St. between Ridgeland Ave & Constance Ave, outdoor terrace. Saturdays, 2pm-8pm. Free. (312)953-1075. facebook.com/UniversalAlleyJazzJam (Maha Ahmed)
Chicago Jazz Festival
A mainstay of the city’s festival scene, the Chicago Jazz Festival will return for its 37th edition during Labor Day weekend, featuring artists like Chicago pianist Muhal Richard Abrams and Minneapolis jazz fusion singer José James. With events taking place in the Chicago Cultural Center and in Millennium Park, the Jazz Festival provides ample opportunity to soak in the last rays of the summer sun while enjoying the sounds of a diverse roster of national and international musicians. Additional artists slotted for the festival include singer Dee Dee Bridgewater and the band Butler, Bernstein, and the Hot 9, ensuring that the weekend will feature enough variety to please jazz fans of all tastes. Chicago Cultural Center, 78 E. Washington St. and Millennium Park, 201 E. Randolph St. Thursday-Sunday, September 3-6. Free. (312)744-3315. cityofchicago.org (Peter Gao)
Hyde Park Jazz Fest
The smaller, younger sibling of the larger Chicago Jazz Festival, this two-day fest has a more local- and South Side–focused lineup, but still draws upwards of 20,000 fans to Hyde Park each year. Artists whose fame levels range from “old but relatively known” to “totally obscure” perform all day both days across the Midway and in venues such as Rockefeller Chapel. It’s completely and utterly free, and there’s the added amusement of getting to see bushy-tailed UofC freshmen, who usually arrive on campus just as the festival gets going. 1130 E. Midway Plaisance. Saturday, Sept 26, 1pm-midnight, and Sunday, Sept. 27, 1pm-7pm. Free; suggested donation $5. (312)744-3315 (Jake Bittle)