Guns N' Roses Playing Soldier Field, Chicago Music Fest News, And More
By Justin Freeman in Arts & Entertainment on Apr 8, 2016 4:55PM
This week belonged to Chance the Rapper. He not only announced an approximate release date for his upcoming mixtape, but also debuted a collaboration with New Era to design a series of limited edition White Sox baseball caps and released a new music video showing him riding on top of an L train. In addition, word at ESPN is that the White Sox are about to close a deal to hire Chance as a cultural ambassador to help the team appeal to younger people of color.
Meanwhile, we covered Jeremih's recent output of work and an animated lyric video for David Bowie’s ★ [Blackstar] which emerged online shortly before his longtime producer comes to Chicago to perform The Man Who Sold the World and other Bowie classics. Other interesting things happened this week as well. Let’s talk about them.
Guns N' Roses Tickets Go On Sale Friday
Earlier this year, it was announced that Gun N' Roses would headline Coachella with most of their original lineup. After years of infighting and bad blood, Axl Rose has reconciled with—or at least found a way to tolerate the presence of—original lead guitarist Slash and original bassist Duff McKagan, who will play together for the first time since 1993. Backed by longtime supporting musicians, the trio are about to embark on a major national tour and try to coexist long enough to finish the tour and get paid millions of dollars. They will play Soldier Field on July 1 and tickets, ranging from $44.50 to $250, went on sale Friday. If that’s too expensive and you’re feeling lucky, our friends at Do312 are giving away a pair of tickets.
This week, they played a “secret” show at the Troubadour in LA to kick off the tour.
White Mystery Makes Their Debut on Late Night TV
White Mystery is a local DIY garage rock band that has spent the last few years on the road, relentlessly touring around the world, and in the studio, recording various albums and EPs. Oh, and they also made a movie. That never stop moving tenacity has paid off with a large and ever growing fan base and an appearance on national television.
Recently White Mystery was the musical guest on an episode of Last Call With Carson Daly. They performed their singles “Best Friend” and “Sweet Relief.” Both songs continue what White Mystery has become known for, aggressive and crunchy garage rock jams. The band is going to release their new album, Outta Control, on the same day they’ve released almost every one of their previous albums—4/20. White Mystery’s next show in Chicago is April 15 at Emporium. Tickets are $10.
Over 5,000 People Have Signed a Petition to Try and Save Double Door
The last few months have been difficult for Double Door. The club is in the middle of a legal battle with Brian Strauss, the owner of the building it inhabits. Strauss wants to evict the club so he can put something more lucrative in its place. Double Door is fighting this and the two sides have spent the last several months clashing in court.
Last week, the Tribune reported that Strauss wants to raise Double Door’s monthly rent by $11,000. That would be in addition to the almost $23,000 a month they currently pay, bringing their monthly rent up to around $33,000. According to the Tribune, Strauss’s legal team argues that the rent increase “more accurately reflects the current fair rental market value.” In response, a petition was launched on change.org urging people to sign to show support for the club in it’s time of need. As of this writing, a little over 5,200 people have signed.
Photo of Nas at North Coast 2013 by Katie Karpowicz
All Kinds Of Music Festivals Made Announcements, Too
This week, we saw a flurry of activity around Chicago's music festivals.
- North Coast announced that they’re returning to Union Park on Sept. 2 to 4. UPDATE: And they've just announced their first wave of acts.
- Mamby on the Beach announced they’re coming back on July 2 to 3 to Oakwood Beach.
- Taste of Randolph celebrates their 20 year anniversary on June 17 to 19. Headliners include Peter Bjorn and John, MS MR and Atlas Genius.
- The country focused Windy City LakeShake Festival debuts at FirstMerit Bank Pavilion at Northerly Island on June 17 to 19. Performers include Kacey Musgraves, Lady Antebellum, Tim McGraw and a bunch of others.
- Chicago Blues Festival announced they’re returning to Grant Park on June 10 to 12, and performers include Lil’ Ed and the Blues Imperials, Shemekia Copeland and many more. Admission for the Blues Fest is free.
Neo-soul Rapper Releases New Single
Mick Jenkins is a local rapper heavily influenced by jazz and neo-soul who finds inspiration in artists such as Erykah Badu, Flying Lotus and Kendrick Lamar. His EP Wave[s] was one of our favorite releases last year, and Jenkins is currently wrapping up recording his upcoming album. This week, he released a new single called “The Artful Dodger.” The song is a play on Dickens’ clever and skillful pickpocket from Oliver Twist, and plays to Jenkins' strengths as a clever and skillful rapper. Jenkins’ next major show here in Chicago is Pitchfork this summer.
Check out a stream of “The Artful Dodger” below.