Music Schedule announced for 37th Annual Taste of Chicago
City of Chicago announces complete music lineup for the 37th Annual Taste of Chicago — a Free Cultural Experience for all your sense. Petrillo Music Shell headliners include Alessia Cara, Café Tacvba, Ben Harper & The Innocent Criminals, Passion Pit and The O’Jays—and the Bud Light Stage showcasing the best of Chicago’s local music scene—in Grant Park, July 5–9
The City of Chicago’s Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE) is pleased to announce the full music lineup for the 37th Annual Taste of Chicago, July 5–9, in Grant Park. The festival will present a diverse mix of chart-topping, crowd-pleasing acts at the Petrillo Music Shell that includes Alessia Cara, Café Tacvba, Ben Harper & The Innocent Criminals, Passion Pit and The O’Jays—plus the best of Chicago’s local music scene on the Bud Light Stage. Tickets for the seating area at the Petrillo Music Shell will go on sale Friday, May 5, at 10 a.m. at the Taste website, tasteofchicago.us. Admission to Taste of Chicago is free.
“This year’s Taste of Chicago is a cultural event for all of your senses with uniquely-Chicago food and beverage experiences, street art, dancing and a phenomenal music lineup,” said Mark Kelly, Commissioner of the Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events. “We are especially excited to feature high caliber national artists along with top local musicians—as openers at the Petrillo Music Shell and throughout the day on the Bud Light Stage.”
New for 2017, on Thursday, July 6, Sabor de Chicago will celebrate the culture of Chicago’s Latino community throughout the day with dining, dancing, special performances at the Petrillo Music Shell and the Bud Light Stage and more. Café Tacvba will headline the Petrillo Music Shell with ¡Esso! Afrojam Funkbeat with Los Vicios de Papá opening, and throughout the day, the Bud Light Stage will present local Latin artists. More details will be announced soon.
Wednesday, July 5, 5:30 p.m.
Multi-platinum singer-songwriter Alessia Cara has been topping charts and swaying hearts since her 2015 hit single “Here” debuted to critical acclaim, showcasing her song-writing skills as well as her larger than life voice. In 2016, “Scars to Your Beautiful” reached the top ten on the Billboard Hot 100 and hit #1 on the US pop radio charts. Cara’s single “How Far I’ll Go”, written by Lin-Manuel Miranda for the Disney film Moana, has been a runaway hit since its release. Her latest single “Stay” featuring a collaboration with producer and DJ, Zedd, is the summer jam of 2017.
Chicago-based songstress Eryn Allen Kane will open the evening with an electrifying performance. In November 2015, the budding superstar released her solo debut Aviary: Act I. The stunning 4-track effort featured both of Eryn’s breakout singles “Have Mercy” and “Slipping,” as well as new fan favorite “Piano Song” (featured on BET’s Being Mary Jane) which catapulted to #5 on Spotify’s “Global Top 50 Charts.” “How Many Times,” the hit single from her 2016 Aviary: Act II EP is a testament of her momentum as a star on the rise.
Presented by the Illinois Lottery, the concert will begin at 5:30 p.m. General seating tickets are $19 and premium seating tickets are $32.
Thursday, July 6, 5:30 p.m.
Café Tacvba, is widely recognized as Mexico’s leading alternative rock band and one of the most influential alternative groups to come out of Latin America. With a blend of rock, indigenous folk, electronic and punk music, their album Re was named the “Number One Latin Rock Album of All Time” in 2013 by Rolling Stone. Even after 25 years of music together, the multiple GRAMMY® Award-winning group continues to expand its already massive audience of devoted fans throughout the Americas, Europe and beyond.
¡Esso! Afrojam Funkbeat with Los Vicios de Papá opens the show at 5 p.m. After performing on the Bud Light stage at last year’s Taste of Chicago, ¡Esso! Afrojam Funkbeat will now bring their roots- rock-inspired dance music to the Petrillo stage. Los Vicios de Papá is a high energy Latin ska fusion band with an intoxicating mix of Cumbia, dancehall, Huapachon, hip hop, reggae and ska that will send fans into a dance frenzy. Los Vicios de Papá will also perform at the Bud Light Stage earlier in the day at noon.
The concert will begin at 5:30 p.m. General seating tickets are $22 and premium seating tickets are $50.
Friday, July 7, 5:30 p.m.
Ben Harper & The Innocent Criminals came together in 1999 to record the album Born to Shine which showcased Harper’s rock side, and he turns to the group whenever he wants to underscore his funky, fuzz-guitar talents. They have played together off and on over the years and in 2016 they collaborated once again on Call It What It Is. Ben Harper is a three-time GRAMMY® Award winner and is known for his skills on the guitar, along with vocals and live performances and his eclectic mix of blues, folk, soul, reggae and rock.
Opening the show is Chicago-based Twin Peaks. As their fans know well, these dudes like to rock and most certainly love to roll. Band members include Cadien Lake James (vocals, guitar), Clay Frankel (vocals, guitar), Jack Dolan (vocals, bass), Colin Croom (keys, vocals, guitar) and Connor Brodner (drums).
Presented by 93XRT, the concert will begin at 5:30 p.m. General seating tickets are $22 and premium seating tickets are $50.
Saturday, July 8, 4:30 p.m.
Passion Pit is an American indie electronica band from Cambridge, Massachusetts, formed in 2007. The band consists solely of Michael Angelakoson on lead vocals and keyboards, joined live by Chris Hartz on drums, Aaron Harrison Folb on bass and synthesizers, Giuliano Pizzulo on guitar and synthesizers and Ray Suen on guitar and synthesizers. Recent releases include Kindred with the hit single “Lifted Up (1985)” and a 2016 Christmas Album featuring the single “Stained Glass Windows” from Merry Christmas, Mr. Fields.
The Kickback immediately enters the front ranks of contemporary rock-n-roll with the 2017 release of Weddings & Funerals from Jullian Records. The album is a furious, exhilarating and deeply emotional collection from the Chicago based band with lead singer Billy Yost, guitarist Jonny Ifergan, and bassist Daniel Leu. In 2016, the band performed at Taste of Chicago on the Bud Light Stage.
Presented by Bud Light, this concert will begin at 4:30 p.m. General seating tickets are $22 and premium seating tickets are $50.
Sunday, July 9, 4:30 p.m.
With chart topping hits including “Love Train,” “Used To Be My Girl,” “Brandy” and “For The Love of Money,” The O’Jays connect with an era and a sound that provided the soundtrack for generations of R&B and soul fans. Inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2005, The O’Jays are still hitting the road with the same electrifying energy they’ve had for more than 50 years.
Maurice Jackson’s Independents will tap into the singer-songwriter’s career of recorded music as both a solo artist and as a member of the groups The Independents and Silk during the 70s and early 80s. The Independents, formed in the early 70s, released 8 singles, each of which rose on the billboard R&B charts. Their record “Leaving me” was a number one R&B hit.
The concert will begin at 4:30 p.m. General seating tickets are $22 and premium seating tickets are $50.
Bud Light Stage–a taste of Chicago music
The popular Bud Light Stage at the Taste of Chicago will offer five days of performances by Chicago’s best up-and-coming and more established artists, July 5–9 in Grant Park. The entertainment stage, located at the south end of Taste of Chicago at Columbus and Balbo Streets, is open from noon to 8 p.m. on Wednesday through Friday and 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. The full schedule can be found at tasteofchicago.us. All Bud Light Stage performances are free.
“Bud Light is proud to present the Bud Light Stage at Taste of Chicago highlighting top talent from the Chicago area,” said Greg Zielinski, Director of Trade Marketing, Anheuser-Busch.
2017 will offer an eclectic mix of genres and Chicago artists on the rise. Highlights include three ChicagoMade A&R Audition winners that were selected by a panel of music executives on October 22, 2016, including: rap artist The Boy Illinois and R&B artist Justin Ruff on July 5, folk duo Clique James on July 7 and pop/R&B artist Shuba on July 9. Other highlights include hip hop and underground rap artist ShowYouSuck on July 5, known for his collaborations with artists from other genres like punk and rock. On July 7, Jonas Friddle & The Majority led by Friddle’s banjo will perform for folk and country fans. On July 8, Split Single, a rock band led by singer-songwriter Jason Narducy, wrap up a full day of rock-n-roll. On July 9, Taste goers won’t want to miss the popular alternative country band The Waco Brothers featuring Jon Langford.
Bud Light Stage – Schedule of Performances
(subject to change)
Wed., July 5 – R&B/Hip Hop Day
Noon Dej Monae
1:20 p.m. Maurice Jackson’s Independents
2:40 p.m. ShowYouSuck
4 p.m. Pinqy Ring
5:20 p.m. The Boy Illinois ChicagoMade A&R Winner
6:40 p.m. Justin Ruff ChicagoMade A&R Winner
Thursday, July 6 – Latin Music Day
Noon Los Vicios de Papá
1:20 p.m. Vivian Garcia
2:40 p.m. The Luna Blues Machine
4 p.m. Mariachi Monumental
5:20 p.m. Contrabanda Live
6:40 p.m. Afinca’o
Friday, July 7 – Folk and Country Day
Noon Michael Riser Band
1:20 p.m. Clique James ChicagoMade A&R Winner
2:40 p.m. Swingabilly Slim
4 p.m. Jonas Friddle & The Majority
5:20 p.m. The Railway Gamblers
6:40 p.m. Jeff Givens & The Mugshot Saints
Sat., July 8 – Rock the Taste!
11 a.m. Steve Ramone & The Pensioners
Noon Blood Red Boots
1:20 p.m. Oceans Over Airplanes
2:40 p.m. Aeraco
4 p.m. The Gold Web
5:20 p.m. Bailiff
6:40 p.m. Split Single
Sunday, July 9 – Cornucopia of Music!
11 a.m. Laura Doherty & The Heartbeats (Kids Music)
Noon Tovi Khali (Blues/Funk)
1:20 p.m. Aleph Beatz (Afropop/Dance music)
2:40 p.m. Shuba (Pop/R&B) ChicagoMade A&R Winner
4 p.m. The Rad Trads (Jazzy/Rockin’ Soul)
5:20 p.m. Linsey Alexander (Blues)
6:40 p.m. The Waco Brothers (Alt Country)
Taste of Chicago is produced by the Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events in coordination with the Illinois Restaurant Association, which manages food and beverage operations. The festival is sponsored in part by 93XRT, Bud Light, CH Distillery, Chicago Transit Authority, Chicago Tribune, CLTV-Chicagoland’s Television, Communications Direct, Eli’s Cheesecake, Humana, IL Lottery, Lifeway Foods, Pepsi, Shoreline Sightseeing, Southwest Airlines, WGN-TV.
The 37th Annual Taste of Chicago is July 5–9 in Grant Park with hours 11 a.m.–9 p.m., Wednesday–
Friday, and 10 a.m.–9 p.m., Saturday and Sunday. For more information on the FREE admission festival, call 312.744.3316 or visit tasteofchicago.us. To plan your trip to Chicago, visit choosechicago.com. Join the conversation on Facebook at Taste of Chicago and follow us on Twitter, @TasteofChi (#TasteofChicago) and Instagram, @ChicagoDCASE (#TasteofChicago).
The Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE) is dedicated to enriching Chicago’s artistic vitality and cultural vibrancy. This includes fostering the development of Chicago’s non-profit arts sector, independent working artists and for-profit arts businesses; providing a framework to guide the City’s future cultural and economic growth, via the 2012 Chicago Cultural Plan; marketing the City’s cultural assets to a worldwide audience; and presenting high-quality, free and affordable cultural programs for residents and visitors.
Ray Hanania is an award-winning opinion columnist, author & former Chicago City Hall reporter (1977-1992). A veteran who served during the Vietnam War and the recipient of four SPJ Peter Lisagor Awards for column writing, Hanania writes weekly opinion columns on mainstream American & Chicagoland topics for the Southwest News-Herald, Des Plaines Valley News, the Regional News, The Reporter Newspapers, and Suburban Chicagoland.
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Hanania was named "Best Ethnic American Columnist" by the New America Media in November 2007, and is the 2009 recipient of the SPJ National Sigma Delta Chi Award for column writing.
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His award winning columns can be found at www.HANANIA.COM Subscribe FREE today
Hanania also writes about Middle East issues for the Arab News, and The Arab Daily News criticizing government policies in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Hanania was named "Best Ethnic American Columnist" by the New America Media in November 2007, and is the 2009 recipient of the SPJ National Sigma Delta Chi Award for column writing.
Email Ray Hanania at [email protected].
Follow RayHanania at Twitter
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