Wicker Park Fest's First Wave Of Musical Acts Is Out; Guided By Voices & Doomtree Headline

By Tankboy in Arts & Entertainment on May 25, 2017 4:35PM

This is what fun looks like, right? RIGHT? Photo courtesy Wicker Park Fest.

Over the last couple of years Wicker Park Fest has exploded to become one of Chicago's largest street festivals. In fact it's grown so large, we've begun to question if you can even call the now-sprawling monster a "street" fest. Whatever the nomenclature, Wicker Park Fest will return this year from July 29 to 30.

While the crowd size and navigability of the fest has earned the stink eye from us, that has at least been offset by the growing caliber of the musical acts. If you're going to be penned in like human cattle along Milwaukee Avenue between North and Paulina, you may as well have a decent soundtrack to listen to.

Organizer announced the first wave of bands this morning. Guided By Voices tops the list, and are a dependably entertaining live draw. Given the group's last double album and most recent lineup changes, we're pretty stoked to see what they'll deliver.

Minneapolis hip-hop collective Doomtree also has us excited, especially since it appears they'll also be playing Subterranean on July 28, before the fest kicks off. So you'll have a chance to see them in an intimate space and in front of a massive crowd. Whee!

Stoner-rock duo JEFF the Brotherhood will also be playing, so those in the mood for beer-swigging party rawk will find themselves heartily sated.

On the lesser-known (to us, at least) side, Florida's SALES will be bringing their lo-fi synth-pop to town, as well as indie duo Brick + Mortar, and the slinky R&B of Turquoise Jeep.

Wicker Park Fest runs from July 29 to 30, and they ask for a $10 donation at the door. No, you don't have to pay, but since the money goes back into the neighborhood, don't be a jerk; just pay it. Free bike parking is available by the North Honore Street gate. Well-behaved dogs on leashes are also welcome.