Music By The Lake And Under The El

By Scott Smith in Arts & Entertainment on Jun 24, 2005 2:43PM

In addition to MOBFest, one of the other "big stories" in music this weekend might be the inaugural shows at Meig...er, Northerly Island. (That name still reminds us of when Gary Harbor was renamed Buffington Harbor before they put Trump’s gambling boat in the water over there). Chicago plays two shows on Friday and Saturday with Earth, Wind and Fire while Brian McKnight drops some Smoove B style on the lakefront this Sunday.

Since the initial lineup was announced, two more acts were added to the summer roster: Kelly Clarkson and the Sugar Water Festival. Like a neo-soul version of Lillith Fair, the Sugar Water Festival features Erykah Badu, Jill Scott, Queen Latifah and Floetry. Perhaps Ms. Scott can use her visit here on July 29th to give the city a “make good” for her non-appearance at the Poetry Center last month. And perhaps Ms. Clarkson can stop by the Chicagoist offices and show us...uh, what’s behind her hazel eyes. Ahem.

With everything going down on the lakefront this weekend, we’re probably going to take refuge at the Bottom Lounge this Sunday and catch some friends of Chicagoist: a band called May or May Not. MOMN are throwing a CD release party for their new album Colors Only Bees Can See. We’ve listened to it and we’re surprised how much it hearkens back to 60s jangle pop like The Byrds, lo-fi 90s indie pop, and just a hint of ELO. Yesterday members of the Chicagoist staff were discussing what tune was going to be the “summer song” this year; if May or May Not were already MTV material, we’d be placing our bets on "Gotta Get Outta Here" (MP3) for all our road trip needs.