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Of all of the summer neighborhood festivals, Wicker Park Fest is the one most anticipated for its musical lineup. While decent bands may make a few appearances at other neighborhood fests around the city, it's hard to deny that Top 40 cover bands are the typical soundtrack that accompanies shirtless fest-goers scarfing down corn on the cob and Bud Light.
Silver Wrapper, the production company that presents the bands on the south stage, has already announced a partial lineup for the festival, which includes Benevento/Russo Duo, Elliot Lipp and a live band set by Prefuse 73. Maybe we're spoiled by last year's lineup, which included DeVotchka and the Starlight Mints, but we don't think this year's bands are very fest-y. Last time we saw the Benevento/Russo Duo, they spent 20 minutes in the middle of their set just "jamming," luring everyone into a hazy trance. We don't see that going over very well in the WP. Even at a fest known for its music, people want to hear something upbeat, something that might make them dance, something punchy ...
There's still hope. According to the Wicker Park and Bucktown Chamber of Commerce website, booking is not over, and bands are encouraged to send in their demos.
If we were booking the festival, we'd be sure to bring back the Starlight Mints, but we'd be biased, since they are one of our favorite bands. Who would you pick to liven up this lineup?
Wicker Park Fest 2006 photo via wickerparkbucktown.
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I guess the Wicker Park Fest is boring... if you don't have hotties crawling all over you like I do. The Bradster is going to be off the hook at Chicago's hottest street fests in '07.
There is a little Bradster in us all.
Until you log off the computer in your parents basement because you're late again for your job at Wal-Mart.
I am going to drink mad bar, i mean mad beers, at Cans during the festival.
We were spoiled last year. So we should keep that tradition going.
Yeah Yeah Yeahs aren't doing anything that weekend.
Derron at Housecall programs the other stage, and it was on his stage that had DeVotchka and the Starlight Mints ... so don't give up hope yet!
Silver Wrapper is always the lame-o, stinky hippy stage at the fest.
Give me Mike and Joe or Maggie Speaks any day. I don't go to neighborhood festivals to hear a bunch of no-name hipster assclowns.
Yea! I had #7 in the "which will be the first comment to contain the word 'hipster'" pool.
Let's remember that there is a North stage that is booked by the Subt. I guess it hasn't been officially announced but I've found that they will bring the rock with the Thermals, High on Fire, Maritime, Mannequin Men, Russian Circles, Man Man, Catfish Haven, Pit er Pat, Sybris, The Race, Don Caballero.
If you ask me, that's pretty impressive.
Well, keep in mind that Silver Wrapper is only booking the south stage. I missed the Starlight Mints last year, but I know Devotchka played on the north stage.
Last year I wondered why one stage seemed to be mostly populated by hippie bait and the other was more indie-oriented. I was informed it's because the stages are booked seperately, and Silver Future skews jammy. Today's announcement would seem to support that claim.
If you're too indie to twirl around arhythmatically, hold out for the north stage lineup.
Curse you Tankboy and Benno! Beat me to the Punch! If Benno's right that's a hell of a lineup!
While I'm at it, it's not really free. They do ask for a donation. I know hipsters like to pretend they're broke, but let's not treat this like it's a "free" fest just cuz you're too cool to throw down a few bucks to support bands and the 'hood.
high on fire? at a street faire? yeeaaaahhhhhh. see ya there, rockers!
haha, sorry Prescott. Couldn't resist! hope you won something cool in your pool, though!
I'm suprised the chilli peppers aren't playing. They seem to play at every other fest.
Benno, if you're right about that north stage lineup, it's good. Damn good.
Slayer and The Haunted.
Just to get rid of the annoying hipsters that all dress alike and act like they couldn't care less.
I just wish I was cool enough to drink at Cans
" I don't go to neighborhood festivals to hear a bunch of no-name hipster assclowns"
Not sure what you usually expect from a tiny neighborhood festival, but that seems to be the best any of them can typically do.
Fortunately, that isn't an issue here, as Prefuse 73 and Eliot Lipp are far from no-names...
You forgot to mention the best act that is playing at this fest: Centro-Matic
The Wicker Park people don't have it on their list, but the band's website is advertising the show.
Dude, I gotta figure how I'm dressing for Wicker Park Fest. I could throw on my Cub hat and Cub T-shirt which I would remove to showcase my killer pecs. Or I could wear my vertical striped shirt with backwards Cub hat. So many decisions. I'm gonna make it a game time decision, bro.
centro-matic is playing? when is this thing?
Well, the Northj Stage line-up for July 29 seems to be:
High On Fire @ 9:00 pm
Russian Circles @ 7:55 pm
Pit Er Pat @ 6:45 pm
Sybris @ 5:40 pm
The Race @ 4:34 pm
Don Caballero @ 3:30 pm
Mannequin Men @ 2:25 pm
July 29th line-up leaked:
High On Fire @ 9:00 pm
Russian Circles @ 7:55 pm
Pit Er Pat @ 6:45 pm
Sybris @ 5:40 pm
The Race @ 4:34 pm
Don Caballero @ 3:30 pm
Mannequin Men @ 2:25 pm