Taste Of Chicago Announces 2017 Musical Acts
By Tankboy in Arts & Entertainment on May 2, 2017 2:20PM
Passion Pit will play the Taste Of Chicago this summer, photo by Jim Kopeny / Tankboy
The 37th Taste of Chicago released their musical lineup for 2017 this morning. While it's nowhere near as adventurous as the municipal music festival a couple miles north of our fair city, it is more satisfying than we expected.
Music will be split between the Petrillo Music Shell and the locally focused Bud Light stage. As in previous years, Petrillo's seating area will be ticketed, with a wide range of pricing between shows. Premium seating for some of the shows will be $50, so those of you seeking palm-frond fanning and being fed grapes, those seats may be for you.
While it appears the city thinks Ben Harper is the marquee attraction this year, we're more excited by other bookings. Up-and-coming pop star Alessia Cara will play the opening night of the Taste. We've seen her before and can attest that this young talent is more than qualified to command a massive stage. Passion Pit plays on July 8, coming off a self-released free album, and we are deeply curious to see how the band's live set, which usually inspires mad dancing, will be augmented by the deeply confessional nature of their new material. We're also excited to see Chicago's The Kickback will open that show, ensuring that between the two bands we'll get an evening of lyrical misery combatted by insanely catchy riffs and beats.
On the Bud Light stage we're also pleased to see that steadfast locals like Show You Suck, Split Single and The Waco Brothers will be getting a nice paycheck from the city as well.
The full line up for the Taste of Chicago is below.
Playing the Petrillo Music Shell
Wednesday, July 5, 5:30 p.m.
Alessia Cara
Eryn Allen Kane
Thursday, July 6, 5:30 p.m.
Café Tacvba
¡Esso! Afrojam Funkbeat with Los Vicios de Papá
Friday, July 7, 5:30 p.m.
Ben Harper & The Innocent Criminals
Twin Peaks
Saturday, July 8, 4:30 p.m.
Passion Pit
The Kickback
Sunday, July 9, 4:30 p.m.
The O'Jays
Maurice Jackson’s Independents
Playing the Bud Light Stage (and we are just reprinting this verbatim, partially because the last two "themes" are just so adorable)
Wednesday, July 5: R&B/Hip Hop Day
Noon Dej Monae
1:20 p.m. Maurice Jackson’s Independents
2:40 p.m. ShowYouSuck
4 p.m. Pinqy Ring
5:20 p.m. The Boy Illinois ChicagoMade A&R Winner
6:40 p.m. Justin Ruff ChicagoMade A&R Winner
Thursday, July 6: Latin Music Day
Noon Los Vicios de Papá
1:20 p.m. Vivian Garcia
2:40 p.m. The Luna Blues Machine
4 p.m. Mariachi Monumental
5:20 p.m. Contrabanda Live
6:40 p.m. Afinca'o
Friday, July 7: Folk and Country Day
Noon Michael Riser Band
1:20 p.m. Clique James ChicagoMade A&R Winner
2:40 p.m. Swingabilly Slim
4 p.m. Jonas Friddle & The Majority
5:20 p.m. The Railway Gamblers
6:40 p.m. Jeff Givens & The Mugshot Saints
Saturday, July 8: Rock the Taste
11 a.m. Steve Ramone & The Pensioners
Noon Blood Red Boots
1:20 p.m. Oceans Over Airplanes
2:40 p.m. Aeraco
4 p.m. The Gold Web
5:20 p.m. Bailiff
6:40 p.m. Split Single
Sunday, July 9: Cornucopia of Music
11 a.m. Laura Doherty & The Heartbeats (Kids Music)
Noon Tovi Khali (Blues/Funk)
1:20 p.m. Aleph Beatz (Afropop/Dance music)
2:40 p.m. Shuba (Pop/R&B) ChicagoMade A&R Winner
4 p.m. The Rad Trads (Jazzy/Rockin' Soul)
5:20 p.m. Linsey Alexander (Blues)
6:40 p.m. The Waco Brothers (Alt Country)