A rain soaked crowd dances to a heavy hip-hop beat as the rapper on stage delivers heartfelt about their hometown. While it may sound like a scene from one of Chicago’s major music festivals such as Lollapalooza or Pitchfork, it was the Chicago Public Library who was behind this concert.
Three reasons to head to the Pritzker Park (344 South State Street) today to check out the Chicago Public Library’s Sound Off concert…
1. Check out winner Psalm One before she totally blows up.
By Ross Meyerson \ commentsThe Chicago Public Library have announced that the winner of their Sound Off music competition is Psalm One.
Additionally, a concert featuring Psalm One as the headlining act is set for Thursday, October 22, at Pritzker Park, located at 344 S. State Street across from the Harold Washington Library Center. Admittance to the park begins at 5 p.m., and admission is free.
By Richard Giraldi \ commentsAttention all musically inclined Chicagoans ages 14 and up: The Chicago Public Library is holding a competition for the best original musical composition inspired by the city of Chicago.
The contest is currently in full swing with submissions being accepted until September 27. The competition is being judged by Chris Force of ALARM magazine, The Girls’ Guide to Rocking author Jessica Hopper and Chicago rapper Rhymefest. The winner of the contest will headline the CHIPUBLIB Sound Off Concert held at the Jay Pritzker Pavilion in late October as well as receiving recording time with a local studio.
Additionally there is a “People’s Choice” category for the contest where anyone can vote on 10 finalists between September 28 and October 3 at Chicago Public Library’s Notwhatyouthink tumblr page. The winner of the People’s Choice award will be the opening act at the concert.
All submission should be made to the Chipublibsoundoff group on Vimeo.com. For more and all pertinent information regarding the Sound Off competition, check out the Chicago Public Library’s Nowhatyouthink tumblr page. Good luck!
By Richard Giraldi \ comments
[Editor’s Note: SOUND OFF is a column from Loud Loop founder/editor-in-chief Richard Giraldi. The views stated in SOUND OFF don’t represent the views of Loud Loop Press or probably anyone with half a brain.]
Remember last year’s Lollapalooza lineup? Sure, the middle-tier acts were lacking, but who cares? Radiohead, Rage Against The Machine, Wilco, Kanye West, The Raconteurs and Nine Inch Nails. That’s all I needed to know. Ticket bought.
However, it seems as though this year’s Lolla went the complete opposite direction in booking. The middle-tier acts are there, including a great number that played at 2008’s Pitchfork Music Festival such as Animal Collective, No Age, Vampire Weekend and Fleet Foxes.
But this year’s headliner selection is just so “Meh.” And I don’t mean the headliners just aren’t my cup of tea, but I’m talking about why are some of these acts even headline worthy? Since when did the Kings of Leon or The Killers become big enough to play opposite Jane’s Addiction or Depeche Mode?
Attention U.S. summer music festivals, I present you with a booking time saver.
Here are five sets of criteria that acts should meet in order to be a music festival headliner:
Let’s jump in, shall we?
By Richard Giraldi \ 2 comments
Windy City Rock
Radio Free Chicago
Can You See The Sunset From The Southside
Think Pink Radio
Fake Shore Drive
Thax Douglas Poetry
Underground Bee
[redthreat]
Time Out Chicago
love shack, baby
Outside The Loop Radio
The Deli Chicago