And you thought music festival previews were done for the summer, didn’t you? Not by a long shot seeing how tomorrow begins the inaugural North Coast Music Festival in Chicago’s Union Park. This festival, unlike Pitchfork Music Festival or Lollapalooza, focuses on music genres that are usually put on the backburner such as jam band, Hip-Hop and electronic music. Did we mention the number of awesome local acts that will also be rockin’ out? (Like the always awesome Loyal Divide?)

Anyway, as per usual, we’re not going to sit here and talk every band on the lineup, and we don’t think you’d be too into that either. Therefore, we’re highlighting our picks for the can’t miss acts at the festival. So, let’s get to it, eh? This is your Loud Loop Press North Coast Music Festival Preview…

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 3

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WYLLYS: Red Bull Local Stage, 7:00 – 8:00 p.m. | Saturday, 9/4. Metro (with Omega Moos and DJ Thibault), 11:00 p.m. 18+. $22. | Sunday, 9/5. Bottom Lounge
(with Brendan Bayliss and Joel Cummins of Umphrey’s McGee and Van Ghost), 10:00 p.m. 18+. $18, $22.

Wyllys brings an all vinyl approach to the turntables keeping the grooves deep and the party going strong. He’s well versed in most dance styles particularly his favorite drum and bass but for his slot on Friday expect an especially funky set of Chicago house.  Whatever the vibe is in the tent – he’ll know how to lock in and elevate it. (Andrew Kahn)

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THE CHEMICAL BROTHERS: North Stage, 8:30 -- 10:00 p.m.

Pioneers of the big beat electronic dance genre that gained popularity in the 1990′s, Tom Rowlands and Ed Simon, The Chemical Brothers, are back with Further, which was released this past June. Didn’t really follow the electronic scene in the early ’90s? Doesn’t matter. You’ve still probably heard more Chemical Brothers than you realize. Rowlands and Simon started their career as the producer duo the Dust Brothers, which created all the mighty impressive samples for the Beastie Boys’ classic Paul’s Boutique record. Once they started playing original music in 1995, a lawsuit from the original Dust Brothers forced a name change to the Chemical Brothers. After that, there was no turning back as the duo pumped out some of the most bumpin’ and recognizable electronic music of the last two decades. Get ready go crazy on Friday night to “Block Rockin’ Beats”, “Galvanize”, “Setting Sun” and more. (Richard Giraldi)

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SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 4

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VAN GHOST: Groupon: What’s A Music? Stage, 3:00 – 4:00 p.m. | Sunday, 9/5. Bottom Lounge (with Brendan Bayliss and Joel Cummins of Umphrey’s McGee and Wyllys), 10:00 p.m. 18+. $18, $22.

Michael Harrison Berg no doubt is the leader of alt-Americana rockers Van Ghost – he writes the songs, he plays guitar, he sings the leads.  But Jennifer Hartswick is the band’s secret weapon.  With a voice so captivating she can save her trumpet for her other jazz and power rock projects and bring only her powerful pipes, pay attention when steps to the mic. (Andrew Kahn)

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GRACE POTTER AND THE NOCTURNALS: North Stage, 4:30 -- 5:30 p.m.

This Vermont, blues and soul outfit really gained a following after the release of their 2007 album This Is Somewhere, which featured the tracks “Apologies” and “Falling or Flying” that were both featured on TV shows such as One Tree Hill and Grey’s Anatomy, respectively. What really drives their sound is Potter’s smoky vocals that recall a more-countrified Stevie Nicks. Their latest self-titled album was released this past June and carries on that ’60s and ’70s approach to classic blues rock. Their music combines hopeful energy with dusty riffage, which should work perfectly on Saturday’s sunny afternoon. (Richard Giraldi)

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DE LA SOUL: Groupon: What’s A Music? Stage, 7:30 -- 8:30 p.m.

It’s pretty impressive that this Long Island Hip-Hop trio formed in 1987 and are still going strong. De La Soul, comprised of Kelvin Mercer, David Jude Jolicoeur and Vincent Mason, is highly regarded as being highly influential to modern acts such as the Black Eyed Peas, while contributing much to the advancement of Alternative Hip-Hop and Jazz-rap. Their debut album 1989 debut, 3 Feet High and Rising, is considered a Hip-Hop masterpiece. Of course, these days you are probably most aware of their involvement with the Gorillaz, for which they won a Grammy for the collaboration “Feel Good Inc.” The group is currently hard at work on their next studio release, AOI III. (Richard Giraldi)

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UMPHREY’S McGEE: North Stage, 8:30 – 10:00 p.m., | Saturday, 9/4. Metro (Omega Moos featuring Brendan Bayliss  and Ryan Stasik), 11:00 p.m. 18+. $22. | Sunday, 9/5. Bottom Lounge (Brendan Bayliss and Joel Cummins with Van Ghost and Wyllys), 10:00 p.m. 18+. $18, $22.

What used to be a regular occurrence – an Umprhey’s set at Chicago summer festival – is now an all too rare treat.  Surely the members of the improv-focused, prog-heavy but wildly diverse group of tour-holics must be excited to sleep in their own beds after a show.  With many of their friends playing the festival don’t be surprised to see special guest sit-ins or these guys showing up during someone else’s set. (Andrew Kahn)

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SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 5

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MAPS & ATLASES: Coast Stage, 3:00 – 4:00 p.m.

The more I listen to Perch Paperwork, Maps & Atlases LP debut, the more I think it’s one of the best albums of the year. I do know for certain that this local outfit makes a great song over and over out of elaborate lyrics sung enticingly and carefully crafted acoustic rooted instrumentation.  This band and their genuine approach lingers with you in the best way possible long after their songs are finished. (Andrew Kahn)

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DIRTY DOZEN BRASS BAND: Groupon: What’s A Music? Stage, 3:30 -- 4:30 p.m.

The Dirty Dozen Brass Band are probably one of the most influential and respected New Orleans brass bands. For starters, they’ve been doin’ their thang since 1977 and created the much-derived style of incorporating funk and modern elements into their traditional brass band stylings. Led by Trumpeter Gregory Davis, when he’s not teaching Music Business at Loyola University New Orleans, the Dirty Dozen Brass Band will get you moving in ways you couldn’t possibly imagine. To close in short, it ain’t nothin’ but a party! (Richard Giraldi)

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THE RIGHT NOW: Red Bull Local Stage, 4:00 – 5:00 p.m.

The best way for a soul-rooted band to develop its chops is to hit the road and hit it hard. That’s exactly what lead singer Stefanie Berecz and the crew that makes up The Right Now have been doing: criss-crossing the Midwest night in and night out on the strength of their debut Carry Me Home, and getting tighter by the measure. Berecz brings a youthfully soulful tone that strays into R&B and pop with ease. (Andrew Kahn)

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LUPE FIASCO: Groupon: What’s A Music? Stage, 7:30 -- 8:30 p.m.

Chicago’s own Lupe Fiasco closes things down at the Groupon stage on Sunday night. Lupe hit the big time after Kanye West asked him to perfrom on his track “Touch The Sky” from the 2005 album Late Registration. A short time later, Lupe would release his debut album Lupe Fiasco’s Food & Liquor, which not only garnered critical acclaim but earned him a Grammy for “Best Urban/Alternative Performance” for his Jill Scott collaboration “Daydreamin”. Additionally, it was around this time that Fiasco became even more well known for his extremely high-energy live shows, which caused him to get booked a Lollapalooza three years in a row -- 2006, 2007 and 2008 -- something that you rarely see. We’re still waiting for Lupe’s new album, the announced Food & Liquor II: The Great American Rap Album, to see the light of day. Luckily, we did get a peek at one track, “Go To Sleep”, last week. Color us excited! (Richard Giraldi)

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Get the complete North Coast Music Festival Schedule at Jambase.com.