Chicago
Dance Music Artists Aim to Impress—And Surprise—In Triumphant Return to Lollapalooza
“I’ve been replaying this moment over and over for months and it’s so much better than I could have imagined,” singer-songwriter Lauv proclaimed from the Lollapalooza main stage. It was a sentiment heard over and over again at the music festival’s 2021 edition, the first large-scale event to return in Chicago at full capacity in the pandemic era. For precisely that reason, the festival garnered a level of national attention unseen in recent years. Given the heightened visibility, artists were particularly eager to put their best foot forward for their loyal fans while also seizing the opportunity to reach new ears by embracing the element of surprise. It was a picture-perfect weekend in Chicago, and between the star-studded lineup, refreshing froze...
Take a Look Inside Brownies & Lemonade’s Larger-Than-Life Lollapalooza Aftershow
Since appearing in the Los Angeles EDM scene in the mid-2010s, electronic music collective Brownies & Lemonade has grown exponentially—with a cult following to match. Known for their off-the-walls, if-you-know-you-know shows, they’ve hosted everything from underground pop-ups and open aux concerts to high-profile artist showcases and curated festival stages. The powerhouse brand’s latest stop was in Chicago at Lollapalooza, which was the first major multi-genre festival to surface since the onset of the pandemic. Following a July 30th stage takeover, B&L headed to Chop Shop for a sold-out July 31st aftershow that proved larger than life. With its packed audience, stacked lineup and multitude of merch-clad fans, one thing became instantly clear: ...
DJ Snake Shows Chameleon Colors In Electrifying 2021 Tour Debut
DJ Snake‘s return to the stage to kickstart his 2021 U.S. tour highlighted just how much his cachet has grown since we saw him last. Immediately prior to the onset of the pandemic, February 2020, DJ Snake wrapped the biggest show of his career at the Paris La Défense Arena, performing in front of 40,000 people. It was an iconic moment, but no one could have expected the glacial freeze in momentum the music industry at large would sustain a mere month later. As we’re entering the other side nearly 16 months later, artists are beginning to reconnect with their audiences again—some more successfully than others. For DJ Snake, however, the start of the Chicago leg of his tour was met with a particularly warm welcome. It was a statement-making night for Snake at Ch...
Lollapalooza Ramps Up Personnel to Support COVID-19 Vaccine Screening Measures
Lollapalooza is just a couple of days away from kicking off its 30th annual event and preparations are in the final stages. Of course this year’s event proves to be especially unique. Following an online-only edition in 2020, Lollapalooza is returning to form with a plan that puts public health top of mind. This year Lollapalooza is staffing up particularly heavily to support the coronavirus screening efforts that will be taking place at the festival’s front gates. At the City of Chicago’s direction as well as the Department of Public Health, all attendees will need to produce a printed vaccine card or proof of a negative COVID-19 test in order to gain entry. Chicago’s Lollapalooza music festival. Lollapalooza (via Facebook) Recommended Articles Acco...
SVDDEN DEATH Teases “Largest Production Yet” At Upcoming Chicago Show
Spooky season is starting early this year in Chicago as SVDDEN DEATH has just announced he’s preparing to kick off October with his “largest production yet” in the Windy City. While the “Behemoth” producer hasn’t yet divulged specific details, he doubled down on the assertion that this would be his biggest show ever in an announcement shared via Instagram, noting that he has a number of tricks in his back pocket he plans to reveal for the occasion. It’s a declaration that bass music fans shouldn’t take lightly. Throughout his career, SVDDEN DEATH has made it a priority to deliver unique, headline-grabbing sets, oftentimes shocking fans in the process. Early last year, for example, he performed a surprise stunt in Los Angeles by levitati...
Chicago Is Hosting Free House Music Pop-Up Parties Throughout the City
Although many festivals in Chicago have gone fully virtual for the past two years, the city’s Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events has a solution for the house heads aching to get their groove on. In lieu of the annual Chicago House Music Festival, the department has announced a series of events called “House City,” which began on July 4th. DCASE is planning to host various pop-up parties throughout the city—the birthplace of house music—over the next few months. According to the Chicago Sun-Times, the events will be free and will take place in the neighborhoods of South Shore, Englewood, and North Lawndale, among others. Local Chicago talent will be featured at each pop-up. People dancing at the 2019 Chicago House Music Festival. City of Chica...
R. Kelly Transferred From Chicago Prison To New York Ahead Of Trial
HipHopWired Featured Video Source: Cook County Department of Corrections / Cook County Department of Corrections Imprisoned R&B singer R. Kelly has been transferred from a Chicago facility to a detention center in Brooklyn, N.Y. ahead of his sex crimes trial there. Kelly is now being held at the Metropolitan Detention Center (MDC) and he’ll face trial starting this summer. According to a report from the Chicago Sun-Times, Kelly 54, has been held at Chicago’s Metropolitan Correctional Center for almost two years, adding that Kelly’s stay at the MCC has been replete with some issues that include him being attacked by an inmate among other concerns surrounding the coronavirus pandemic. Kellly will face racketeering charges in New York, and this request was known for quite some time, this ...
Chicago is Giving Out Over 1,000 Free Lollapalooza Passes to Vaccinated Residents
Receiving the COVID-19 vaccine could punch your ticket to one of the nation’s most iconic music festivals. As the city enters its final reopening stage, Chicago’s health department has announced plans to give out 1,200 free single-day passes for Lollapalooza‘s 2021 edition to anyone who makes an appointment at select vaccination sites on June 26th. The promotion is part of the Protect Chicago Music Series, which offers free tickets to concerts for vaccinated residents. According to city officials, Chicago will transform four of its vaccination sites into “Lolla Day” events, each offering a live DJ, custom Lollapalooza-branded giveaways, and a pass to the festival. Those who have already been inoculated will also have a chance to secure a free ticket....
Waka Flocka Flame Named Commencement Speaker For Chicago High School
HipHopWired Featured Video Source: Paras Griffin / Getty Waka Flocka Flame earned his fame as a boisterous rapper known for his booming hooks, but he’s settled into a different role in the latter stages of his career. Very soon, Waka will deliver the commencement address at a Chicago high school and hopes to deliver a message that will inspire the soon-to-be graduates at Chicago’s Soldier Field. TMZ reports that Waka Flocka Flame, 35, will deliver a virtual message of hope to the graduating class of 2021 at Innovations High School, an alternative school that services students between the ages of 16-21. The school implements the creative arts within their curriculum, and pledge full support to the student body while demanding a high level of excellence. As it stands, Waka has long bee...
Barack Obama Makes A Surprise Visit To Chicago Youth Football Team
HipHopWired Featured Video Source: JEWEL SAMAD / Getty The Chicago Southside Wolfpack youth football team got a surprise visitor to their practice that they’ll never forget – former president Barack Obama. “I told you I was coming by, coach! You didn’t believe me!” the former president and sports fan said, laughing. The team, composed of boys aged eight to sixteen, plays in Jackson Park on the South Side of Chicago. Part of the park where their field is located will soon become a part of the site where the Obama Presidential Center will be. Obama spoke to the players, cheerleaders and coaches to reassure them that they will always have a place to play. “To come here and stand in front of our kids and talk to them, he gave them hope,” Coach Ernest Radcliffe said. The Obama Foundation worked...
Chicago Councilman Proposes 24-Hour House Music Clubs
Chicago is known around the world as the birthplace of house music. Despite that fact, however, the city apparently does not have any late-night clubs. City Alderman Carlos Ramirez-Rosa recognizes that problem, and is seeking to change it. “House music was born in Chicago,” he tweeted on May 31st. “I’ve met many tourists who are shocked to learn Chicago has no late-night House music clubs. We should consider allowing two 24-hour nightclubs (one downtown/northside, one southside) to tap into the international market for Chicago House music.” While the idea of two nonstop house music clubs will undoubtedly be appealing to any clubber, Ramirez-Rosa also highlights the impact such venues would have on Chicago’s tourism sector and the revenue that could be ge...
Lollapalooza Reveals 2021 Daily Lineup Schedule
Following the announcement of Lollapalooza‘s full lineup two weeks ago, organizers have released the daily schedule breakdown for the upcoming four-day event. As in prior years, electronic artists have nabbed two of the top headlining slots. This year ILLENIUM and Marshmello will fill those roles on Thursday and Friday, respectively. Meanwhile, fans of the festival’s dedicated electronic outfit, Perry’s Stage, will have no trouble staying busy. Thursday features notable sets from Kaytranada, Steve Aoki, and Tchami while Friday belongs to the bassheads, boasting performances from Wooli, Subtronics, Riot Ten, and more. Saturday finds a balance with Oliver Heldens, SLANDER, and Lost Kings dotting the lineup while Sunday holds some of the festival’s...
