Wicker Park Fest Finally Gets A Cool Line-up, Still Attracts Lame Crowds Though

By Tankboy in Arts & Entertainment on May 20, 2010 4:20PM

It's been years since Wicker Park was actually ground zero for good music (though kudos to Double Door and Subterranean for continuing the good fight) as yupster dollars fill the coffers of the new sports bars, so color us shocked by the solid music line-up for this year's Wicker Park Fest. Chicagoist faves fun. finally make a return visit to our city on a bill that doesn't include a half-rate emo mall-punk act, and the anchors for each evening -- Local H and Holy Fuck -- should do a fine job of aurally polluting the ears of baby carriage pushing jorts wearers while making us break out in great, wide grins. Add in proto-actual-emo-ers Cap 'N Jazz, sexy synth popper Van She heavy hitters Baroness and Torche, and angular indie skronks Plants & Animals and we're cooking with Crisco! In fact there are so many great bands and DJs lined up we'll even forgive the organizers for booking the absolutely atrocious Jacob Fred Jazz Odyssey. C'est la vie.

The festival takes place on July 31 and August 1 and this is the one that shuts down Milwaukee Avenue between North and Wood streets. We won;'t hold it against fest organizers that their press release actually contains the statement "Revelers will enjoy spirited alt-indie music that takes place continuously throughout the weekend on three stages." You wanna know why we're letting that slip past us? See the full line-up after the jump to answer your question.

SATURDAY, July 31

Holy F*ck
BoomBox
Auto Body
The Gaslamp Killer
Signal Path
Tokimonsta
Prepschool
Alex B (Tweener DJ sets)
Cap ‘n Jazz
Only Children* (DJ SET)
Moneypenny* (LIVE)
Bayside High* (DJ SET)
Gemini Club* (LIVE)
Kid Color* (DJ SET)
Blah Blah Blah* (LIVE)

SUNDAY, August 1

Local H
fun.
Plants & Animals
Van Ghost
Jacob Fred Jazz Odyssey
Jonathan Tyler & the Northern Lights
B.S. Brass Band
JC Brooks & The Uptown Sound
Jamie McLean Band
Save the Clocktower
DJ Lou Dooben (Tweener DJ Sets)
Baroness
Torche
The Hood Internet
Shapers
Zebo
Matt Roan
John Simmons