It is, in fact, that time of year again. Chicago is gorgeous, the weather is unbelievable, and the line-up is stacked. I’m thrilled be heading to Union Park again, camera in hand, to document some of the best live music moments of the year.
Here’s what I’m most looking forward to on Friday evening.
Hundred Waters
I’m really taken with their record, The Moon Rang Like a Bell. It’s downright weird, but also alluring, with a wide dynamic range. I’m guessing they were picked to kick things off because they’ll make it interesting. Fingers crossed.
Nenah Cherry with RocketNumberNine
Some trivia for you. How many times has Nenah Cherry played in the US before? Give up? Once. Apparently, she didn’t take a victory lap during her “Buffalo Stance” days. Since that time, of course, she’s evolved into an intriguing international artist and her new album, Blank Project shows she’s at her most fearless these days. Also, if Kieran Hebdan or Robyn show-up (both guests on Blank Project) I’ll lose my shit. This historic set is fitting, too, when you look at the number of chanteuses on the three-day bill who mash up styles and ethnicities in Cherry-ian fashion. Call it neo-soul, alt-R&B, whatever—Nenah was there first.
SZA
Speaking of alt-soul, SZA is another artist whose potential for a memorable live shows seems pretty potent. And given that her collabos include headliner Kendrick Lamar and Chicago’s own Chance the Rapper, there’s every possibility we’ll see something special. Even on her own, though, SZA’s chill-n-B sound just seems right to transition us into the 7 o’clock hour on a Friday.
Sharon Van Etten and Sun Kil Moon
Of course, how much of SZA I see depends on how mesmerized I am by these two. There’s a vast difference in the experience levels of these Van Etten and Sun Kil Moon’s Mark Kozelek, but they both released low-key albums this year that can’t stop listening to, now matter how depressed they make me. And they both took a leap. Yes, after all these years, Kozelek can still dig deeper. Van Etten’s barely started, comparatively, and Are We There Yet show’s she’s just getting warmed-up.
Beck
Yes, Beck’s playing too, and I hope he surprises me. I dig most of his records, but I’ve seen him in person a couple of times and I always walk away disappointed. I’ll try to stay optimistic, though.