Dance 'Til You're Dead
By Veronica Murtagh in Arts & Entertainment on Aug 6, 2009 6:00PM
Even if you don't plan to attend Lollapalooza this weekend, the city is overflowing with opportunities to catch festival talent without the crowds and ticket price. We've kept you in the know about the rock-centric happenings and afterparties, and here's our rundown of the weekend's offerings for those of you who just want to dance.
THURSDAY, AUGUST 6
Passion Pit (DJ set), Brazilian Girls (DJ set), Daisy O'Dell, Joshua Glazer and Kid Color, Thursday, August 6, at Berlin, 954 W Belmont, 10 p.m., 21+.
Every good festival needs a pre-party and a DJ sets from Lolla acts Passion Pit and Brazilian Girls are a great excuse to hit the North side and jump start the weekend.
The Hood Internet, Car Stereo (Wars), Neiliyo and Moneypenny, Thursday, August 6, at the Hideout, 1354 W Wabansia, 9 p.m., $7 advance or $10 at door, 21+.
If you don't feel like traveling to the North side to hit up Berlin, ANTECEDAPALOOZA at the Hideout is sure to turn into an all-night dance party, with locals The Hood Internet leading the cause.
Danny Masterson, Heaven Malone, Mikul Wing, KHA and La Dolce Vita, Thursday, August 6, at Angels & Kings, 710 N Clark, 9 p.m., FREE, 21+.
Stuck working Thursday? After the office, stay downtown and swing by Angels & Kings for Danny Masterson (aka DJ Mom Jeans). We admit to being a bit curious what jams the That 70's Show star has in store.
FRIDAY, AUGUST 7
Kid Cudi, The Knux, Amazing Baby (DJ set), The Hood Internet, Rob Threezy, Friday, August 7, at EnVent, 344 N Ogden, 10 p.m., FREE, 21+.
URB magazine and Asics have pulled out some serious stops this weekend, transforming a loft into a two-day, hosted bar, no cover afterparty packed full of the Lolla artists you love and supported by Chicago's best local DJs. Friday evening is a lineup hip-hop fans will find especially pleasing. Entry by RSVP ONLY.
A-Trak, Treasure Fingers and Nick Catchdubs, Friday, August 7, at Sonotheque, 1444 W Chicago, 9 p.m., FREE, 21+.
Home to our favorite Chicago lady-rapper, Kid Sister, Fool's Gold is THE label to watch for the hippest in electronic music offerings. Treasure Fingers' set at Smart Bar last month was one of the best DJ sets we've heard in 2009 and we look forward to catching him again. Not only is the lineup great, but it's FREE. Entry by RSVP ONLY.
Crookers, Major Lazer, Simian Mobile Disco (DJ set), Kid Cudi, Bloody Beetroots (DJ set), Amanda Blank and Willy Joy, Friday, August 7, at Congress Theater, 2135 N Milwaukee, 9 p.m., $25, 17+.
The award for the afterparty that feels more like its own festival goes the Congress Theater's lineup of heavy-hitting party stars. Diplo and Switch's side project, Major Lazer, is an act on the tip of everyone's tongue and we're very curious to see how the eclectic, dancehall-influenced compositions translate to stage. The party is 17+ so it's a great option for the younger Lolla-goers looking for an afterparty.
Hey Champ, Friday, August 7, at Lumen, 839 W Fulton Market, 11 p.m., FREE, 21+.
Electronic-rockers Hey Champ are easily one of Chicagoist's fave local acts and if you haven't gotten around to checking them out yet, their free show Friday night at Lumen is the perfect chance.
White Lies (DJ set), Friday, August 7, at the Burlington, 3425 W Fullerton, 10 p.m., FREE, 21+.
Not all fans of electronic music favor a dance party and if you fall into this group, then a night of postpunk and darkwave provided by London trio White Lies over a beer in the dimly lit Burlington will be your best option for a post-Lolla nightcap.
DJ Greg Haus and Cosmix, Friday, August 7, at Berlin, 954 W Belmont, 10:30 p.m., 21+.
For something a little less rowdy than another show after a full day of show-going, Berlin hosts a Depeche Mode showcase with DJ Greg Haus spinning all Depeche Mode music including side projects, remixes and rarities.
Samantha Ronson, Friday, August 7, at Crimson Lounge, 333 N Dearborn, 10 p.m., $20, 21+.
Out-of-towners who don't have the energy to venture too far from their hotel can still catch some evening entertainment by swinging through Crimson Lounge for LA DJ and Lohan-cohort Samantha Ronson.
DJ Mel, Zebo and PR3-FROSH, Friday, August 7, at Evil Olive, 1551 W Division, 11 p.m., 21+.
Somehow a trip to the afterhours bars and clubs always feels justified on a festival weekend. We hit Evil Olive post-Lolla last year and can promise nothing but a completely debaucherous time once 2 a.m. rolls around. Turntablist and party jam master DJ Mel provides the tunes 'til 4 a.m.
SATURDAY, AUGUST 8
Bassnectar, Daisy O'Dell, Willy Joy, Moneypenny and Members Only DJs, Saturday, August 8, at EnVent, 344 N Ogden, 10 p.m., FREE, 21+.
URB and Asics continue Friday night's festivities with an appearance from Lolla electronic-headliner Bassnectar as well as the eclectic offerings of LA's Daisy O'Dell. Entry by RSVP ONLY.
Brazilian Girls (DJ set), Saturday, August 8, at Sonotheque, 1444 W Chicago, 9 p.m., $5-10, 21+.
Didn't feel like pre-partying Thursday night and missed the Brazilian Girls DJ set at Berlin? You can catch a second DJ set Saturday night at Sonotheque.
GZA (live), Samantha Ronson, Figo and Yello Fever, Saturday, August 8, at Angels & Kings, 710 N Clark, 9 p.m., 21+.
Now that the Beastie Boys are unfortunately off the Lolla lineup, the festival feels lacking in hip-hop offerings. Fans will be excited for a live performance from GZA of Wu-Tang Saturday night at Angels & Kings.
Tommie Sunshine, Saturday, August 8, at Crimson Lounge, 333 N Dearborn, 10 p.m., $20, 21+.
Tommie Sunshine is somewhat of a legend in the Chicago nightlife scene. Now relocated to NYC, Sunshine returns for the weekend and plays Crimson Lounge Saturday night.
SUNDAY, AUGUST 9
MSTRKRFT, LA Riots and the Dark Wave Disco DJs, Sunday, August 9, at Bottom Lounge, 1375 W Lake, 9 p.m., $18, 18+.
The younger crowd and the hard partiers will all be in attendance as MSTRKRFT and LA Riots get loud and rowdy and turn the Bottom Lounge upside down.
Death On Two Wheels (live), Friendly Fires (DJ set), French Horn Rebellion and DJ Mia Moretti, Sunday, August 9, at Angels & Kings, 710 N Clark, 9 p.m., 21+.
A curious lineup from a venue that often caters to the bottle service crowd on the weekends. If you haven't heard the French Horn Rebellion's disco-electronic-rock yet, you're in for a treat.
We can't possibly close a piece this long dedicated to partying without throwing out a mention of Rehab (aka where Chicago goes to get drink and dance on Monday nights). If your friends are still in town, you'll want to end their weekend at Debonair Social Club. Rumor has it Rehab's party king, Derek Berry, has a special post-Lolla lineup in store.