September 22-23 – Goose Island 312 Block Party
Headliners To Watch
The Record Company – Indiana based The Record Company have a deep love for Chicago, and their energetic, roots-based sound fits perfectly into any summer festival. Infectious melodies and intense solos make the trio a show not to be missed.
Animal Collective – A longtime favorite and pioneer in the neo-psychedelic scene, Baltimore’s Animal Collective combine harmonic vocals with noisy instrumentals and otherworldly songwriting. Their unpredictable but renowned live performances are as essential an element of the band as the studio recordings, and fans are diligent in following them live.
The Undercards
Charles Bradley & His Extraodinaires – Unbelievably not a headliner, soul singer Charles Bradley may pull as many music fans to the block party as headliner Animal Collective. With an intense, James Brown-influenced live setup that includes horns and a tight, funky rhythm section, Bradley and his band just might be the best name on this stacked lineup.
Filthy Friends – Though little has been released by this supergroup, Filthy Friends features Sleater-Kinney’s Corin Tucker, R.E.M.’s Peter Buck, King Crimson’s Bill Rieflin and Kurt Block and Scott McCaughey of the Minus 5. Needless to say, fans of alternative rock will want to be in attendance to see what this talented roster can bring to the table.
You Need To Know
The festival requests a $10 donation to a number of charities at the door, and tickets are not sold in advance. The literal block party takes place outside of Goose Island’s Fulton and Wood production facility, shutting down multiple streets of the warehouse district. Beers are, obviously, provided by Goose Island, with a separate building offering rarities.
The Bottom Line
This is an incredible outdoor festival with an incredible lineup. With a mere six bands announced, it’s already a huge draw for music fans, and with good beer to complement it, the block party’s simply hard to beat.
