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So, is everyone getting excited to once again “taste the flavor of Northcenter” on June 9th and 10th? Area marketing firm Big Buzz Idea Group released their annual Ribfest lineup this morning, and it’s a typical street fest mix of solid local acts and some curious headlining choices. 
Let’s take a gander at Saturday’s alt-country-heavy plate for a quick and dirty example. You’ve got your full on honky-tonk (Fulton County Line), your country punkers (Dollar Store), your local legend cowpunk jazz (The Blacks), and your blues/twang/rock amolgamation (Deadstring Brothers). Seems pretty well centered on the stuff you’ll find nightly just a stone’s throw up Lincoln Avenue at the Horseshoe Tavern, right? Well…your bewildered stroller shovers and casual outdoor-drinking fans will also be treated to the decidedly non-toe-tap-swingin’ stylings of Head of Femur, This is Me Smiling, Chin Up Chin Up, and, wait for it…headliners Lucky Boys Confusion. Big Buzz describes the main act providing a “hip, edgy Saturday night blowout finale.” No knocking these hard drink- uh...workers, but last we checked this may have been true if you were fifteen and living in the suburbs circa 1995. Chicagoist is betting that the real show here will be a West Side Story-like showdown between the Stetsons and the angular haircuts.
Sunday is equally schizo, featuring a few bands you’ve never heard of and, um, Bound Stems. Chicagoist is looking forward to the reunited Dolly Varden and Baby Teeth’s headlining set, but we’ll probably skip Great American Taxi (featuring the legendary Vince Herman of Leftover Salmon!) and fratastic homeboys Backyard Tire Fire.
A street festival is a street festival, we know…but all said, hit Ribfest for the ribs this year.
Ribfest Chicago claims the intersection of Irving Park, Lincoln, and Damen on June 9th and 10th from noon to 10pm. There's a $5 suggested donation to the Northcenter Chamber of Commerce.
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Ribfest had a good lineup last year. It was fun, but the weather was totally crappy. I just saw the lineup for Old Town School Fest and it includes the Knitters (members of X).
So Liz - Do you, or don't you, like Bound Stems?
Joe
Since my kids are too old to be shoved around in a stroller, does that mean I'll only be mildly addled?
Fratastic?
A street festival is a street festival, we know…but all said, hit Ribfest for the ribs this year.
waaah? ...you do realize you mentioned bound stems, chin up chin up, the blacks, head of femur, etc., etc... what the heck is "chicagoist" implying here?
and fyi, the 'shoe's been closed for a few months by now.
Mmm, who doesn't love ribs?
There is a new "Opening Soon" sign on the door at the Horseshoe I noticed this weekend. Not that I put much faith in that happening anytime soon.
Yeah, that about sums it up. And if you think the band lineup is schizo, you should meet our staff here at Big Buzz...We have a policy to try to keep it unique to other fests--no covers, no repeat bands and a blend for everyone (includes some for the young, the older, some country-style--the odd mix you'd expect at a backyard BBQ thrown by a friend of a friend, y'know?). Our policies, therefore, force us to look at every band possibility that would "fit" the fest. Who's new? Hip? Intense? Where do they sell out? Who brings the drinkers? Who's on tour where they can stop by Chicago? Which manager/agent/label will work with our miniscule budget??? It's work. It's fun. We listen to a ton of music. And we try to bring it to the show. The goal is to make the rib fans 'discover' a new band and the music fans to 'discover' other music. The alternative, any deviation whatsoever, would take no effort and provide little reward for anyone.
So why, exactly, is backyard tire fire described as "fratastic"?
it's posts like this that remind me why i rarely read chicagoist: i cannot handle the eternal sour attitude towards nearly everything.
Craig. . if its about discovering new bands. . then why Lucky Boys Confusion. . .I think the lineup is lackluster when compared to last year and it shows. . .but the festival is named after the ribs which are delicious.
HMMMM - skip Great American Taxi featuring Vince Herman???? I don't think that is such a wise choice. If you haven't had a chance to check these guys out live - Do it! They are the perfect street fest band.