Blonde Redhead at Millennium Park | Photo by Audrey Leon
The Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events has now released the full lineup for the Downtown Sound: New Music Mondays summer concert series held annually inside Millennium Park. The department previously announced that the concert returns this May 28 through July 30.
These new headliners will join other such previously announced headliners as alt-folk singer Kelly Hogan (May 28), quirky singer-songwriter Jonathan Richman (June 4), Chilean cumbia act Chico Trujillo (June 25), and soul singer Charles Bradley (July 16).
The Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events have announced a preliminary lineup for this summer’s Downtown Sound: New Music Mondays concert series, which returns for ten shows, one each Monday at 6:30 p.m., beginning May 28 until July 30.
After news broke that Michael Orlove – former senior program director at the Department of Cultural Affairs – had been hired away by The National Endowment for the Arts, many wondered whether the free live music programs at Millennium Park that Orlove championed would continue. And, it appears – for at least this year – that they will.
Nothing makes you appreciate Chicago more than a free rock concert in the park, unless it’s 100 degrees. Then, you’d have to be mad to want to sit out there for three hours absorbing not only oppressive heat, but cancerous sun rays and thick humidity. If there were a pair of bands that could battle such harsh conditions it would be spooky art rockers My Gold Mask and experimental poppers Blonde Redhead, whose mix of digital samples and high-pitched, cutting vocals were enough to distract from the unbearable weather.
Even though snow made an appearance last night, yes, summer is truly on its way. One way you can tell is that the always incredible Downtown Sound summer music series lineup has been announced.
The concert series, which is presented by the Chicago Office of Tourism and Culture, will returning to Chicago’s beautiful Pritzker Pavilion in Millennium Park in late May and span for 10 weeks over the summer. All shows are free and start at 6:30 p.m.
This year’s the lineup once again include big names in indie and popular music including Bonnie “Prince” Billy, Iron and Wine, Low, Ted Leo and the Pharmacists and more.
Check out the complete schedule is after the jump.
Though the crowd was smaller than most expected, Pavement definitely did not disappoint at their Monday night show at Millennium Park’s Pritzker Pavilion. Be sure to check out our full review of the show and photo gallery. The final song of the evening was a fun version of “Range Life”, thanks to Bob Nastanovich’s quirky back up vocal antics. Plus, what’s not to love about a song that pokes fun at the alterna-era’s big acts such as the Smashing Pumpkins and Stone Temple Pilots. Anyway, here’s a great looking and sounding video of the performance from YouTuber dephot:
Stephen Malkmus of Pavement | Photo by Richard Giraldi
Back in July, Chicago saw Pavement headlining the sold out day three of Pitchfork Music Festival 2010. Sure, they rocked the festival, but something was lacking whether it was the fact that Malkmus’ voice was obviously shot from touring or the band shrugging off their best known songs without much care or interaction. But last night at the magnificent Pritzker Pavilion in Millennium Park, Pavement returned a more rejuvenated band in high spirits as they ripped through a two-hour set that was pure ear-candy to those who had stuck with them for nearly two decades.
Three someone-just-got-paid-and-you-know-what-that-means-yep-time-to-pay-bills reasons to to make sure that wine is a twist off and head on over to Millennium Park tonight…
1. Summer’s not going to last forever. Sure, we just spent a record 45 straight days in the 80′s and above, but if they’re playing football you know the end is coming soon. So, take advantage of yet another free Made in Chicago: World Class Jazz concert at the park we call Millennium. Tonight Alfonso Ponticelli and Swing Gitan, Chicago’s premier Gypsy jazz band are celebrating the face of Gypsy jazz, Django Reinhardt, with a night of his music on what would be his 100th birthday.
Even though snow made an appearance last night, yes, summer is truly on its way. One way you can tell is that the always incredible 
