Spoon, Weezer, Erykah Badu To Headline Taste Of Chicago
By Tankboy in Arts & Entertainment on May 12, 2015 4:00PM
Spoon, photo by Jim Kopeny / Tankboy
Though we suppose it could be argued that Weezer has become a pretty family-friendly act on the festival circuit, they're still a more playful choice than previous years so we're happy they're opening up the fest on July 8.
The following evening, July 9, Erykah Badu will take the stage and her sizzling take on R&B is sure to scorch the front rows and leave folks in the field feeling warm and tingly. We've seen her live sets in the past and she is a striking, mesmerizing and powerful performer.
On July 10 The Chieftains perform and while they're not exactly cutting edge, they are a sure crowd pleaser.
In our eyes, the big get this year is Spoon, performing on July 11. Coming off a year that included an album that rated near the top of most best of lists—including our own—this is a band that can deliver a sizzling club set that translates incredibly well to an outdoor, massive venue. And we can't help but be amused, since when we saw them play Taste Of Randolph in 2003 we remarked that was the first time the indie rock crew seemed to be gaining mainstream attention, and we hoped more street festivals would move away from the cover bands and bring in actual touring acts. Little did we know that not only would that happen, but Spoon would graduate to headline what is possibly Chicago's biggest street festival.
The Taste Of Chicago will close out with Maze, featuring Frankie Beverly, on July 12. His smooth and slinky style of R&B and funk should provide a lovely soundtrack on a sultry summer night, turning Grant Park into a big ol' field of folks making out and getting down.
Taste Of Chicago is July 8 -12. Main stage lawn seating is free but tickets for pavilion seats will run $15 to $50 when they go on sale Friday at 10 a.m. on the Taste Of Chicago website
[h/t Chicago Tribune.]