North Coast Single Day Lineup Announced!

 

The 5th Annual
Summer's Last Stand
NORTH COAST MUSIC FESTIVAL 2014  

Single Day Lineups Announced
Three-day Passes Almost Sold Out
Single Day Tickets On Sale Now
 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CHICAGO - The 5th Annual North Coast Music Festival is thrilled to announce the single day lineups for the 2014 edition of the festival! Single day tickets are on sale now exclusively at Clubtix.com.
 

FRIDAY AUGUST 29TH

BASSNECTAR   

ALESSO

Action Bronson | Chet Faker | Keys N Krates | Lettuce | Papadosio  

Showtek | Washed Out | What So Not | W&W

BADBADNOTGOOD | Chris V | Hexes  Kryal x Banko  

Mighty Thor & Why B | Orchard Lounge | Prob Cause | Sun Stereo
 

SATURDAY AUGUST 30TH

KID CUDI | STS9

NICKY ROMERO

Adventure Club | BoomBox | Break Science | Cashmere Cat | Future Islands   

Future Rock | Little Dragon | Grandtheft | J Phlip | the Nth Power   

Talib Kweli | Thibault

Alex  Wiley | Altered Tapes (Maker & Trew)  | Dopapod | Ghosthouse   

M4sonic | Milk n Cookies | The Motet | My Boy Elroy | Savant  

Thrift Works | The Trap House | Wyllys | Zebo

 

SUNDAY AUGUST 31ST

SNOOP DOGG

DADA LIFE | ZEDS DEAD

Auto Body | Dr. Dog | Cosby Sweater | Emancipator Ensemble | Hilltop Hoods | Griz    

The Floozies | Midnight Conspiracy | The New Deal | Ookay | Porn and Chicken 

Riff Raff | Slightly Stoopid | Wild Belle | Wolfgang Gartner    

Youngblood Brass Band  | Wick It the Instagator

Attak | Bisharat | Modern Measure | Muzzy | NORdjs  

Redux DJS | Saba | Zaramella

Tickets for the official North Coast Music Festival after parties are on sale now. For a complete list of shows, please head here.

For media inquiries and the press application, please head here. If you have any additional questions, please contact press@northcoastfestival.com. 

NCMF Assets

TICKETS: http://bit.ly/NCMF14tix
VIDEO: http://youtu.be/f1PbryeCXdc
PICTURES: http://bit.ly/NCMFpix14

North Coast Music Festival 2014
August 29th - August 31st
Union Park
Chicago, IL 60607
 

All Ages

Friday: 3 PM - 10 PM
Saturday/Sunday: Noon - 10 PM

www.northcoastfestival.com
www.clubtix.com

Announcements

Hey, blogspot readers, don't let the winter cold and doldrums get you down. It's time to think about spring/summer festivals, music and fun despite what the groundhog predicted. 

Recently, SouthSide received three announcements for the following events in which you should start saving the dates...

The North Coast Music Festival 2014 is set to return Friday, August 29 through Sunday, August 31 celebrating it's 5th Anniversary! Located in the beautiful city of Chicago, NCMF will bring another diverse range of established as well as up-and-coming artists of all music genres from EDM to swingin' Jazz, experimental/rock and more to Union Park. 

More details to come, blogspot readers, as soon as SouthSide receives it.

Spring Awakening Music Festival 2014 is ready to explode once again on Friday, June 13 through Sunday, June 15 at the historic Soldier Field. Now in its third year, fan can expect this SAMF is to be bigger than ever with featured headlining acts like Chicago's KASKADE, Colorado's PRETTY LIGHTS and the legendary DJ/producer TIESTO. Other featured acts include Knife Party, Diplo, Big Gigantic, Bingo Players, Eric Prydz and more across four stage, including two main stages. 

Check out the other acts scheduled to appear - 3LAU, A-trak, Alex Metric, Alvin Risk, Andy C, Arty, Blasterjaxx, Borgore, Caked Up, Candyland, Carnage,  Chuckie, Claude Von Stroke, Dastik, Derrick Carter, Destroid, DVBBS, Dyro, Feed Me (DJ set), Ferry Corsten, Gladiator, Green Velvet, Gregori Klosman, Kap Slap, Kill Paris, Kill the Noise, Laidback Luke, Manic Focus, Markus Schulz, Midnight Conspiracy, Moon Boots, Nervo, Oliver, Ookay, Paper Diamond, Pete Tong, Sander Van Doorn, Sandro Silva, DJ Snake, Thomas Gold, Tommy Trash ...AND MORE. 

Stay tuned for more details as they arrive...

Beginning Thursday, May 15 through Sunday, May 25, it will be the 8th annual London Burlesque Festival, blogspot readers! This unique, one of a kind festival (founded by internationally acclaimed producer Chaz Royal) will feature 11 days of 12 sizzling, sultry signature entertainment with 100+ burlesque stars performing. It will be packed with high profile events, fans can expect London Burlesque Festival 2014 to showcase the most eclectic and diverse acts within this genre. And SouthSide has been told this is the most prestigious event listed on the International Burlesque calendar.

Here's what LBF, Producer Chaz Royal had to say:

"...The London Burlesque Festival 2014 is without doubt the world's greatest festival of International Burlesque talent and I'm pleased the event is growing yet again. LBF 2014 will be hosting 7 of the 12 events at the historic Conway Hall in Holborn Central London. With a fully seated capacity for 400 patrons and excellent sight lines, it's the perfect venue for our larger events. LBF is set to raise the bar yet again with 11 evenings of signature shows including our daytime conference 'The Big Burlesque Day Out'. Th world's best burlesque & variety artists have been chosen to perform from 700+ submissions worldwide and we are thrilled to be back again for our biggest and best year yet..."

And remember, blogspot readers, burlesque has been "...quintessentially British for 150 years..."

Participants are encouraged to dress to impress and join the fun at this extravagant celebration of Burlesque in each of its exotic forms!

For more event details and tickets, visit http://www.londonburlesquefest.com.

Until next time, support your local scene,

SouthSide

Top 10 SouthSide Wild Moments Around Town

Every On The Town  adventure has its wild and (sometimes) crazy moments, blogspot readers. And looking back at the year that almost was 2013, SouthSide had some wild and crazy adventures while rockin' the local ...some too racy to mention (but well documented for her tell-all book) meanwhile others too funny and/or too good to be true to be believable.

Yep, it's never a dull moment wherever this reviewer is prowling the streets of Chicago for a show...

10. North Coast Music Fest (Aug 30 - Sept 1) ...as exhausting for this first time Coastie to cover this huge 3-day music festival, SouthSide had the most fun dancing her way around the many stages with the liveliest bunch of party-loving, brightly costumed people within Union Park despite the weather being humid and hot. So ready to bang again next year!

9. I AM Fest (Aug 24) ...this one-day local art and music festival gets wilder and wilder every year as well as better with the bands chosen to perform on stage. This year's lineup feature wild drunken pirate rock to an electrifying energy by Energy Commission. Who knows what will happen during I AM Fest 2014, blogspot readers...

8. High Noon Saloon, Madison, WI (with Vintage Blue) ...it's SouthSide's first ever road trip to the Dairy state with a band! It can very wild at this capitol city, blogspot readers, especially since it's also a college party town at this venue. Nice western decor but wait until the hardcore party/music fans arrive that's when the wild times begin. Twice this reviewer was offered a "smoke" in the women's restroom ...she got "penguin" humped (a guy in a penguin costume) and if you're going to have sex in the restroom stall - CLOSE THE DOOR!

7. Protesting Alderman James Cappleman/Marching for Marriage Equality ...it may have been too cold to protest, blogspot readers, however it was SouthSide On The Town's civic duty to cover these two events as well as take part in the march and rallies...

6. The Pump Room North (The Knocks NCMF after party) ...after partying at the park all day and then rockin' the Elbo Room for a show, SouthSide had some strength left to party at this party inside this legendary restaurant/club location in Chicago's Gold Coast. This was her first time basking in the glow of where the major Hollywood A-listers of the day (think Clark Cable, Frank Sinatra, et al) hung out ...ate and drank at booth 1. Now renovated with a modern atmosphere, this reviewer felt out of place (and not properly dressed) to attend this party but she did. WHAT A BLAST ...had a chance to meet the The Knocks (as well as briefly interview them) ...meet CEOs from NewYork (one was hitting on her) and yes, she did more dancing until the wee hours of the morning...

5. YELP's Elemental Experience & Walk On The Wild Side ...Yes, YELP does know how to throw a party, blogspot readers! Their parties are so popular that you have to cross your fingers and hope you get on the list to attend at least one of them after receiving the invite to sign up. SouthSide was lucky enough to attend and cover two YELP parties this year ...the Elemental Experience was held at The Castle (formerly known as Excalibur) where you got to experience the four elements (Earth, Fire, Air and Water) in four different sections featuring local restaurants, businesses and drinks. Meanwhile Walk On The Wild Side was held at the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum where you not only sample more food from local restaurants but also enjoy the museum exhibits (like the Butterfly sanctuary) too. Wild times that it was SO hard to leave when it was over...

4. SAIC Fashion Show 2013 ...first fashion show for SouthSide and dressed fabulous to attend it too, blogspot readers. Students from School of the Art Institute Chicago inspired the imagination with their futuristic clothes for the modern woman and man from the 20 something hipster to a woman and/or man SouthSide's age. This reviewer was in awe by the colors selected ...the many yet unique textures and unusual items used to complete their designs...

3. Carnivale Delirium ...it's more than just than dressing in your finest Victorian/steampunk attire, blogspot readers, it's a fun night of dancing, magicians doing slight of hand and more, enchanting burlesque acts, Lord Vourteque getting "married", Candy Town rockin' the stage in their harlequin makeup, vendors and so much more...

2. Scary Cherry & the Bang Bangs ...SouthSide finally got to meet her new friends from Dallas, TX when they rocked the stage at Underground Lounge. And this band made the most of their show since they were the only band performing that night (there was a band cancellation) HOWEVER they turned this into one WILD party, blogspot readers. Scary Cherry used every inch of the Underground Lounge (bar counter included) as her stage ...and SouthSide was also part of the show when she joined the band to sing Cherry Bomb on stage (she actually thought they were kidding about singing with them). A wild rockin' time inside the venue as well as after the show when they were immersed into the Wrigleyville bar nightlife. Bar hoppers taking photos with the band ...hanging out with them at Beggar's Pizza - they LOVE our deep dish! She hopes they come back in 2014...

1. Pink Floyd's The Wall at Logan Theatre ...this was the chance of a lifetime after viewing this iconic movie on small screen so many times to FINALLY viewing it on the big screen as it should be shown, blogspot readers. SouthSide noticed things about the movie that she didn't before ...plus it helps having other diehard Floyd fans experiencing this as well in which many of us were either singing and/or mimicking the dialogue or adding our own touches throughout the movie. She wasn't able to view the Tommy screening but hopefully Logan will run that and The Wall as a weekend doubleheader one day. SouthSide will definitely be taking the night off for that!


Honorable Mentions:
Trilogy of Terror at Door No.3 (Double Door) ...a classic Karen Black movie with Peter Propaganda on soundtrack on a frosty Black Wednesday night. Oh yeah - that was so much fun, blogspot readers.

Jake Shimabukuro at Park West ...a guy and his ukulele rockin' the stage in front of a sold out crowd. Sounds unbelievable but it really happened, blogspot readers. Plus he's the only performer SouthSide knows who can cover Queen's Bohemian Rhapsody on ukulele. It was awesome!

Thick As A Brick 1 & 2 at Ravinia and Star Plaza Theatre ...it was SO good the first time, SouthSide had to see it again amongst more diehard Tull fans young and old. Maybe she'll see it for a third time if Ian Anderson returns in 2014, blogspot readers.


Until next time, support your local scene,
SouthSide

01 Sept 13 - North Coast Music Fest: Day 3

 

Well, blogspot readers, all good things must come to end. What started off as a quite whimper is now going out with one huge exploding BANG!

 

It's Day 3 of North Coast Music Festival and the steamy hot weather doesn't deter anyone away because tonight's headliners - Wu Tang Clan and local guys  JC Brooks and the Uptown Sound were poised to leave everyone who came today with lasting memories until next year. Today's agenda for SouthSide included branching out further as well as around Union Park to soak up the many sights and sounds of North Coast Music Festival instead of staying to one particular area, blogspot readers. The music scene here was an eclectic mix of everything - from rap/hip hop to world fusion/reggae/ska and instrumental rock. There was even some Nawlins style Jazz rockin' a stage too! If you wanted to party to EDM again - this festival had it. Whatever your music taste was today, North Coast had it for you. However due to the extreme hot temps, this reviewer noticed how many spent Day 3 mostly in the shade (wherever it was possible) enjoying the cool breeze blowing by and/or stayed hydrated (too many long lines at the watering fountains!).

 

Upon arriving early that afternoon, Psalm One & Rhyme School was already in the middle of her act spilling a bit of knowledge to the attentive crowd over at the Dos Eqquis stage meanwhile over at The Last Stand stage, there was another crowd grooving to the funky rhythms of world fusion/ska by Ojo De Buey. While waiting for her friends The Coop to begin their North Coast performance, SouthSide viewed the artwork and the artists at work at the Reader Living Art Gallery that was located at the baseball field. Then, it was finally time to groove to the trippy experimental rock fusion by The Coop (http://www.thecoop.net), blogspot readers! SouthSide highly recommends checking out this local band that blends the elements of modern jazz rhythms with electrifying sparks of guitar rock and cosmic floetry of digital electronica and keyboards. When hearing how these different elements wonderfully meld together as the band instrumentally jams on stage, it might have you thinking of another band which almost has the same music fusion - Spyro Gyra.  During this set, blogspot readers, The Coop wowed the shiny happy people vibin' under the bright sun with new tracks like Hieroglyphics Technician (a mellow yet rhythmic techno-sounding instrumental coupled with complex but flowing melodies), Thousands of Days (the point of the performance when this band had this crowd feeling a bit earthy while jazzed up to the song's vibrant energy) and Loose Chains (another mellow track that allows your ears to ride the cosmic wave of flowing melodies amidst the gentle vocal tone on the lyrics). This particular song attracted many hoopers and hippie dancing people closer to the stage area.

 

Next on SouthSide's list of things to do today was to jam with her other friends, Gemini Club (http://www.geminiclub.fm) during their set at Dos Eqquis stage. However since this was another stage area where the bright sun was too stand under, most of the crowd found relief relaxing in the sparse shady grove of trees along side the stage, blogspot readers. Three years ago, Gemini Club played North Coast Music Festival at this area ...zoom to the present, they returned opening with a thunderous drum beat to kick of their 2013 set. Featuring the vibrant sounds of pop/electronic rock, this local group had many (who were adventurous to brave standing in the hot sun) dancing while the many others including SouthSide chilled in the shade. The heat wasn't the only thing effecting people today. It was causing Gemini Club some technical problems because (a) the band wasn't used to "working" in the daylight and (b) the above 90 degree temps made the computers on stage overheat. "...computers work best in 60 degrees..."  Even Tom's (front man/guitarist) guitar didn't want to tune properly, blogspot readers. Despite that, Gemini Club (also known for their DJ and club remix sets around town), did their best in giving their fans and other Coasties a good show by performing a couple of new songs coming out in a few weeks. Fans can now stream or download their latest EP - Here We Sit off their site. SouthSide would like to make a small suggestion for next year - how about having the stage face the opposite direction where it's not facing directly in the sunlight. Also there should have been a water station at this general area since most of the Coasties were either between the North, Coast and Dos Eqquis stages - it's long hike to the nearest and only one water station (for a fest this huge, not cool!) located by Tent stage.

 

Walking around the fest, there were more fashionably dressed Coasties seen throughout the park such as a couple of nuns ...actually two guys dressed as nuns ...Alice and the Mad Hatter cosplayers ...a group of female superheroes as well as the pseudo hippie/flower children. There was even a Deadmau5 character walking around the fest too. However SouthSide mostly noticed there were children ...many of them younger that her youngest daughter's age with their parents at North Coast with no special area of their own except the blanket areas where their parents kept them away from dancing crowds. Perhaps for North Coast 2014, there should be a kids area where local (or national acts like Kid Koala and/or The Arggolites - they have songs which appeared on the television program Yo Gabba Gabba) kid friendly acts perform (under a shady area) with other special activities for the younger Coasties to enjoy with their parents without having being nearly crushed or trampled by wildly dancing people especially at Last Stand stage where Dirty Dozen Brass Band (from New Orleans) was jamming. These "dirty old men who feel like spanking somebody" had this crowd grooving to the sweet jazz sounds of the Big Easy, blogspot readers. While over at Tent Stage, EDM was rockin' a crowd of gyrating party people during Paul Universe's set to which many were going insane with glee song after after song. Yeah it was super nuts inside as well as outside this stage area, blogspot readers! Hey, SouthSide found Waldo! Then over at North stage (the largest crowd SouthSide had seen all afternoon) Dastik's EDM set had most within this park bursting to life from each pulsating beat heard around the area. You should have seen the hundreds of bodies dancing and going wild under the waning afternoon sun. It was totally incredible! It didn't matter where you were - near the front of the stage, knee deep inside the middle or towards the outer edge (where this reviewer was) - there was always bodies in constant motion. Oh cool - someone was wheelchair surfing! There's Cookie Monster ...and he's a Wu-Tang Clan fan too ...and so is Cheshire Cat. Who knew, blogspot readers!

 

SouthSide didn't stay the entire day (felt a little winded from all of the excitement) but if she gets a chance next year, she'll brave the entire lineup of music acts rockin' North Coast Music Festival, blogspot readers. It was, in a nutshell, a fun experience. She met and befriended Coasties from all corners of the world and states ...danced till her feet couldn't dance anymore and partied like there was no tomorrow! Though this reviewer may be tired now, she's ready to tackle next North Coast 2014 ...and hopes to see you there.

 

For more information about this music festival, visit http://www.northcoastfestival.com.


Until next time, support your local scene,
SouthSide

31 Aug 13 - The Knocks

"...everybody dance ...and clap your hands..."

Hey, blogspot readers, SouthSide's ready to party ...again! To cap off a very busy and exciting day around town, she went clubbing at the legendary venue in Chicago's Gold Coast area, Pump Room  North for The Knocks North Coast After Party. Earlier that day, this New York DJ duo performed at the Dos Eqquis stage at the music festival (held at Union Park in the West Loop area) but this intimate affair was designed for a selected group of invitees to have an up close and personal experience with them.

It was huge social scene here during the late night hours ...and SouthSide felt like Cinderella attending the prince's ball. And even though feeling slightly under dressed for the tres chic atmosphere, blogspot readers, this reviewer instantly fit right in with the many others enjoying and/or dancing to the bumpin' remixed music that also could be heard outside the private room as well. While having a fun-tastic time at this North Coast after party, SouthSide met and mingled with CEOs and other music promoters like Parag Bhandrari, founder and CEO of UG Strategies (New York) and one of two people who put this party together and Kris Kish, founder and Editor-in-Chief of TheSightsandSounds.com. There were others like Shawn, the other half co-authoring this party and the furniture designer who was demonstrating to his  friends about how relaxing the Pump Room end sectional was. 

Also this reviewer got the extreme chance to chat with two local DJs who opened for The Knocks by keeping this ever flowing group of people within the party mood. First, SouthSide was introduced to and chatted with DJ Miguel Martin who's also part of a band called eCHOdROIDES (http://www.echodroides.com). DJing since the 80s, Miguel had the right setlist of danceable remix selections which put everyone in the private room either at ease or enjoying the festive time with friends. SouthSide liked how his tracks flowed from one to the next without breaking the energetic buzz being felt around the Pump Room, blogspot readers. Then, she met Nigel Hunt after his hard hitting EDM set that (at times) kept this room constantly vibrating with intense rhythmic beats. Throughout his DJ set, SouthSide enjoyed the floetry of energy that really made you want to dance ...fun was what he was all about, blogspot readers, since he DJed a combination of old school classics such as Michael Jackson's Wanna Be Startin' Something, Inner City's Good Life, Technotronic's Pump Up The Jam and other hits with his remixed EDM rhythms. Blogspot readers are advised to keep their eyes (and hears) for HUGE upcoming news about this DJ ...sorry, SouthSide promised not to reveal what said publicly ...yet.

Before continuing the mood of the party, SouthSide had a few moments to chat with J Pratt aka James Patterson, one half of The Knocks who told her that they're "...going to be rockin' the party with a little new and old school House music..." Way cool! House music is still alive and well even in New York! And for this reviewer, it has been years since she jammed to vivacious beats and intricate remixed rhythms off sampled (or original) tracks. As soon as this duo took over the DJ booth, inside and parts of outside the private room immediately came to life with dancing party goers, blogspot readers, especially when the track Everybody Dance was played. Throughout the late night hours, J Pratt switched between DJ duties with his partner DJ B-Roc with each selected the right tracks to create the perfect mood for everybody dancing (which included SouthSide). Featured in their set were old school classics like Marvin Gaye's Give It Up that was incorporated with bumpin' bassline and Michael Jackson's PYT (Pretty Young Thing) remix. Overall, SouthSide had a fun time rockin' this North Coast after party however she had make an early exit, blogspot readers, for she had a very busy day in the morning covering Day 3 of North Coast Music Festival.

The Knocks promised to return to Chicago ...so expect a full On The Town review when that happens. In the meantime, visit their site at http://www.heavyrocmusic.com or follow them on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/theknocks or you can "like" them on Facebook.

Until next time, support your local scene,

SouthSide

31 Aug 13 - North Coast Music Fest: Day 2

      

After the heavy rains from last night and early in the morning subsided, that North Coast Music Festival newbie feeling had finally worn off and SouthSide was ready to get down to serious business of being a party animal! This afternoon, blogspot readers, she spent most of her time hanging out at The Last Stand stage where other delightful costumed characters and attendees were in a constant state of perpetual motion aka dancing and having a good time while vibin' to the music. For this reviewer, this was a prime spot to do some people watching too because there were many fashionably dressed attendees around her. 

Making her way (very carefully, SouthSide must add) towards the stage, she had arrived in time to catch the rest of Milk N Cookies' (http://www.milkncookiesmusic.com) opening act. These twin duo DJs absolutely rocked the stage, blogspot readers! They had this EDM scene bursting to life through such of a lively mix of bumpin' electronic beats and techno rhythms for the entire hour ...keeping happy people like a "Papa Smurf" (it was hoisted on a stick), a "Darth Vader" helmet wearing stick, and a fluffy pink fairy bear as well as pseudo tie-dye wearing kids everywhere dancing, hopping, et al continuously. Hey, someone brought their glittery disco ball to the party!

All around SouthSide was nothing but a flowing sea of shiny happy people partying it out in the drying mud ...sometimes prancing in crazed fashion or dancing in circles like hippies but that's how you should react, blogspot readers, when attending an EDM party like the one Milk N Cookies had at North Coast. This performance featured wild remixes of Fatboy Slim's Praise You as it gradually merged into another which definitely had this growing crowd leaping and/or waving their hands in jubilation. Also the duo DJs rocked the stage with other tracks titled Ghost and Animals Remix to which they donned tiger masks as they closed out their set.

"...So ya ...thought ya ...might like to ...go to the show ...to feel the warm confusion, that space cadet glow..."

Are you SRTB (So Ready To Bang), blogspot readers?

SouthSide was! And so were the many hundreds now within the stage area.

After being thoroughly warmed up by Milk N Cookies, chants of "Porn N Chicken" erupted as the EDM party group set up and prepared for their hour-long performance But before the show could go on, this crowd had to have the correct look - a few red bandannas with yellow Porn N Chicken lettering were tossed around. The crowd erupted with boisterous cheers and chants as soon as they saw the Chicken and Dom "PornandChicken" Brown appearing on stage. Yep, they were SO ready to bang ...and perhaps more with Porn N Chicken Dance Party, blogspot readers. Opening with a rousing remix of Pink Floyd's In The Flesh to get the EDM party goers revved up for the fun. And like Las Vegas ...what happens at a Porn N Chicken party, stays at Porn N Chicken.

Though it was a day performance (and SouthSide knows they couldn't feed everyone with complimentary chicken wings), Porn N Chicken Dance Party did not skimp on the action. There was grinding electric sparks, crazed dancing on stage and on the DJ booth, sexy ladies prancing around and of course, random images of porn in between the dazzling graphics. The porn images totally made the experience more enjoyable for this crowd as they got insanely wild. Yes, blogspot readers, let's get weird! All around this reviewer was pure madness or weirdness while many danced to the remixed and mashup EDM tracks of bumpin' electronic beats and rhythms that were tearing up the stage.

Blogspot readers, SouthSide apologizes now if she doesn't rightly describe or paint a clear picture about ALL of the insane crazy things that happened during this dance party.

Let's see - besides The Last Stand stage packed with gyrating dancers, the music Porn N Chicken provided kept inciting near riot antics and craziness especially where SouthSide (towards the sound booth). Chicken dancing all over the stage. Dom righteously blessing the crowd of people close to the stage with spurts of champagne. Even with bouts of dark clouds hanging overhead, people were having too much fun to care if it would rain or not. Oh wow - Dom's now crowd surfing towards the middle of the action where he decided to party with them before returning to grind hot electric sparks on stage with a female dancer who's also grinding. And they carefully shoot the sparks at those closest to the stage! Basically, blogspot readers, you had to be there to have witness this and more.

Then again, you might believe what you're seeing either. However, it was exciting to see how massive the crowd grew by the minute throughout Porn N Chicken's performance. A constant flow of costumed party people rockin' their bodies to the infectious music while bedazzled by the graphics and porn. More champagne ...and a guy wearing shorts made out of grey duck tape? Yep, SouthSide saw that. Dom yelling at the crowd "...take your shirts off..."? Yep, so true, blogspot readers. And several lucky ladies got their 15 seconds of fame by joining the Dom and the PNC crew taking their shirts off and dancing wildly on stage. Now, it's the Chicken's turn to crowd surf before Porn N Chicken ended their performance with a new mashup that sent this crowd into a frantic frenzy! In the end - this crowd was left wanting more of Porn N Chicken.

If you have never attended a Porn N Chicken Dance Party (usually held at EvilOlive - sorry, kids, you have to be 21 and older to attend), SouthSide highly suggests following this group on Twitter (http://www.twitter.com/PornNChicken) or check out their web site (http://www.SoReadyToBang.com) or "like" them on Facebook for when and where the party will be happening next. And be SRTB (So Ready To Bang), blogspot readers, all night long! Oh get there early, for the free chicken (wings) too.

Sadly, blogspot readers, SouthSide had to leave the party early due to another show she had to cover however she would return for Day 3 of festive fun at North Coast.

Until next time, support your local scene,
SouthSide

30 Aug 13 - North Coast Music Fest: Day 1

Music, fun, warm summertime weather, colorful costumes, hoopers and heavy rains - that's how SouthSide would describe her first day at North Coast Music Festival held inside Union Park, blogspot readers. This annual music fest (now in it's fourth year) attracted a huge crowd on the first day as music acts like Ghosthouse, The Heard, Zebo and Howie Doin thrilled their fans with a rockin' variety of dance music from retro 80s pop/rock to funk and EDM (electric dance music) even while looming dark clouds threatened overhead. And taking a cue from Lollapalooza, North Coast soon enacted their emergency weather plan via Twitter, Facebook, et al and also on the video screens located on the fest grounds advising attendees to seek shelter from the impending storm. Not to worry, blogspot readers, the festival did resume around 8p to attendees for Passion Pit, Mac Miller, The Disco Biscuits and more.

This being SouthSide's first time inside North Coast she did overwhelm herself with all of the sights and sound this unique music festival had to offer, blogspot readers, that she burned herself out before 6p. Besides the music performances running constantly on five stages around this West Loop park, there's also a Living Art/Graffiti gallery sponsored by the Chicago Reader and an artist meet and greet at Thissongissick.com booth. SouthSide was somewhat in awe at the many attendees who come "dressed" up in their fest fashion whether it was in their flower power child hippie style to summertime hipster look or whatever was cool to them. However on this steamy hot day, staying hydrated with water was the object of the afternoon before heavy rains doused the music fest at the beginning of the evening lineup. Bring with you a clear plastic bottle to refill with water at the many water stations. When this reviewer returns Saturday afternoon for Day 2, she promises to slow down and pace herself to enjoy North Coast a little more.

In a nutshell, blogspot readers, North Coast is one amazing event. They have free bike parking if riding your bike to the park ...of course there's public transportation near by too. This reviewer highly recommends loading up your CTA fare card before entering the fest grounds so that way you're not stuck in the long lines at the fare machines when it's time to go. As a cool incentive, this fest also offers a VIP upgrade (have to be 21+) from your General Admission ticket to where you get awesome amenities like elevated viewing platforms, private bar (with way cheaper prices) and air conditioned bathrooms - just to name a few. Oh yeah, bring some patience with you while going through security. All bags are subjected to be searched, blogspot readers. And if you can't join in the fun, not to worry - you can always stream live performance feed at http://www.northcoastfestival.com/streaming.


Until next time, support your local scene,
SouthSide

02 May 13 - North Coast Music Festival

Hey, blogspot readers, this recent press release came across SouthSide's desk about the North Coast Music Festival and she thought she should pass along the news to you!

On August 30th to September 1st, the 4th annual North Coast Music Festival will be rockin' Chicago's Union Park (located on Ashland Between Washington and Lake) again featuring headliners the legendary Wu-Tang Clan and they will be performing their seminal album in FULL - Enter the Wu-Tang Clan-36 Chambers. Also there will be performances by DJ and Producer AfroJack, Colorado duo Big Gigantic, NaS, local guys JC Brooks & the Uptown Sound, Claude Von Stroke, Just Blaze, Stream, Paper Diamond - just to name a few of the first wave artists.

Stay tuned to this blog for more updates about the lineup as they come to SouthSide.

For more information about tickets and more, visit http://www.northcoastfestival.com/.

Until next time, support your local scene,

SouthSide