www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ykWmLXAvOA

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.

On Thursday, October 22, the Chicago Public Library held their first ever Sound Off concert at downtown Chicago’s Pritzker Park. The Sound Off concert grew out of the Chicago Public Library’s new “Not what you think” marketing campaign, which is aimed at getting more young adults and recent college graduates more involved with the library by holding art and music contests, exhibitions and performances. In late August, the Chicago Public Library launched the Sound Off competition with the goal being to find the best original musical competition inspired by the city of Chicago.

“We did an art competition last Spring around our URL, Chipublib.org, and got some amazing artwork out of it. So we thought, what’s the next big thing? The music world,” Chicago Public Library Director of Marketing Ruth Lednicer said. “We did the competition to see what we could get, and we were amazed at what we got. We got 40 entries from amazing musician from all over Chicago.”

Photo Credit: Richard Giraldi

It was announced on October 12 that out of the 40 entries, Shawn Pennington’s track “Doors Closing” won the fan-voted “People’s Choice Award,” and Chicago artist Psalm One’s entry, “My Bucket Song,” was chosen as the grand prize winner by a panel of judges, which included local rock critic Jessica Hopper, Chicago rapper Rhymefest and ALARM magazine founder Chris Force. The two winners were rewarded with a chance to perform at the Sound Off concert, and grand prizewinner Psalm One also received recording time at a local Chicago studio.

“I’ve always really liked Psalm One. Just as a song, I think it really worked,” Chris Force said. “From a lyrical standpoint, I think it was a really fun song. Obviously boasting where she’s from and her hometown. I thought it represented the inclusive feel of Chicago.”

Photo Credit: Richard Giraldi

While celebrating the talented musicians of Chicago was supposedly the Sound Off concert’s theme, it was the torrential downpour and near freezing temperatures that garnered most attention. However, nearly 35 to 40 music-lovers, Chicago Public Library supporters and curious Chicagoans gathered around a small stage across the street from the Harold Washington Library with umbrellas in hand to catch the free show.

But for Sound Off winner Psalm One, who enthralled the crowd with her old school, hip-hop beats and commanding stage presence, the night was more about saluting Chicago than being proclaimed a winner.

“The work that I did was really from the heart,” Psalm One said. “It was really for the city, so I’m excited that it got recognized for that.”

1. Check out winner Psalm One before she totally blows up.

2. Despite the pending doom of a very wet day you should take advantage of one more free day of music in the park before we all start to congregate inside exclusively.

3. Music critic, author and all around good people Jessica Hopper will be amongst guest judges offering goodie bags and something she calls “remarks”.

5:30 P.M. Thursday, October 22. Pritzker Park, 344 South State Street, right across from the Harold Washington Library Center. All Ages. FREE!

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.

As we reported earlier, CHIPUBLIB’s Sound Off competition set out to find the best original composition inspired by the city of Chicago.

Additionally, Shawn Pennington’s “Doors Closing” song won the People’s Choice Award, which was decided by online voters. Pennington, along with competition judges Chris Force of ALARM magazine, local rock critic Jessica Hopper and Chicago rapper Rhymefest, will also be in attendance at the October 22 concert.

Here’s the video for Psalm One’s winning entry:

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!

[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?

1) Be Relevant (meaning that you are either touring in support of a recently released new album or will be releasing a new album soon).

I never understood how an album cycle or two could pass and a band could still be headline-worthy. Tool exemplifies this. They’re touring on an album that came out in 2006. At least make it seem like you’re trying. (Exceptions to the rule: Kick ass reunions i.e. The Pixies or Rage Against The Machine).

2) Your debut album has to have been released more than five years ago.

The Killers barely make the cut here. Their first album came out in 2004. It’s 2009, and apparently they’re primed for playing opposite alt-rock legends and innovators Jane’s Addiction. The Killers? Well, they have that one damn song that you hear at bars, which everyone sings along with except you because, well, it’s The Killers.

3) You can only headline one festival per summer.

Every summer there is one band that’s the flavor of the month and they’re headlining like three or four festivals. It’s like, “Oh man, Kings of Leon were sure sweet at Lollapalooza in Chicago. I can’t wait to see them again in a month at Austin City Limits where they play the same set in the same time slot for the same length of time.”

4) Don’t Suck.

I can’t stress this enough. It’s a slippery slope. I mean Eminem is headlining Voodoo Music Festival in New Orleans come October. Weezer is the big name act on this year’s edition of the Virgin Festival. It’s only a matter of time before these guys are on the [insert beer brand here] stage playing in front of 50,000.

5) You are Radiohead.

If you are Radiohead, then none of these rules apply to you. Radiohead are the end game of headliners. They’ve got the cred, the songs and the following. Radiohead as a summer concert headliner is NEVER the wrong choice.