Taking Back Sunday @ House of Vans, Chicago, IL
Photos & review by Kris Lori | July 13 2019
As rockers grew nostalgic for the Warped Tour days, House of Vans recruited one of the best bands to play on their House Parties Series and fill that summer rock void. Taking Back Sunday is a long time friend to the Vans family and it made sense that the theme would commemorate those fond Warped Tour days. They were joined with Rozwell Kid and Pronoun as Brian Ewing was the featured artist of the night.
House of Vans filled to the brim with emo, pop punk, alt rock lovers of every sort, thrashed about as the iconic bass line dropped for their one of their many hits, “Liar (It Takes One To Know One)”. Outside the doors of the venue were a few folks lingering and singing along to some of their favorite songs from the band. What a way to honor a legendary era of rock music from a company that helped us all celebrate the summer right for 25 years.
Pitchfork Music Festival (Day Two) @ Chicago's Union Park
We sent our fearless co-founder Victoria Sanders to Pitchfork Fest for an array of bands and 105F humid Chicago summer temperatures. Who did we see? How did it go? Here’s a little visual recap below for you!
Scroll through our day two coverage of Ric Wilson, Chai, Belle & Sebastian, Jeremih, and The Isley Brothers.
P4K Music Festival
Day Two
Day two was more hot, more humid, and more intense than day one. Those who made it back out to the park for round two were more than ready to kick off their day with Chicago’s own Ric Wilson - who if you have not yet heard of him, you will soon. He’s doing major things, bringing an energy that you can’t ignore to the stage. Ric get’s his own gallery, and then some with his in the crowd dance.
Scroll through our day two coverage of Ric Wilson, Chai, Belle & Sebastian, Jeremih, and The Isley Brothers.
“I was lucky enough to work with CHAI, who were at Pitchfork from Japan. Their stage energy is unmatched, and their brand of feeling beautiful in your own skin and being cool being yourself pop-punk-indie music was what everyone needed.”
BANKS with Samoht @ House of Vans Chicago
BANKS curated House of Vans the night before her third record, III, was released and it was an intense, beautiful show full to the walls of fans ready for more and more. Samoht opened, and impressed everyone in the room (and even those choosing to stay outside by the variety of food trucks at the show).
BANKS & Samoht
House of Vans Chicago
Here’s some visuals from the night showcasing BANKS and Samoht. Photos courtesy of Victoria Sanders.
X Ambassadors with Your Smith @ House of Blues, Chicago, IL
Pitchfork Music Festival (Day One) @ Chicago's Union Park
We sent our fearless co-founder Victoria Sanders to Pitchfork Fest for an array of bands and 105F humid Chicago summer temperatures. Who did we see? How did it go? Here’s a little visual recap below for you!
P4K Music Festival
Day One
Day one brought us MIKE, Valee, Sky Ferreira, Rico Nasty, Earl Sweatshirt, Pusha T, Mavis Staples, and headliners, HAIM. Everyone sweat through their clothes, their shoes, and was glistening by the end of the night, but everyone came to dance and sing.
Reverend Horton Heat @ The Pyramid Cabaret, Winnipeg, Manitoba
With support from The Hooten Hallers and The Delta Bombers
Photos and review courtesy of Jenny Ramone Photos | June 28 2019
Rockabilly legend Reverend Horton Heat stopped played Winnipeg’s Pyramid Cabaret June 28, 2019. The Reverend and his band consisting of long time bass player Jimbo Wallace and drummer Arjuna “RJ” Contreras tore through about a dozen songs as a three piece before the stage faded to black and the Reverend removed his suit coat. Through the first part of their set the Reverend, real name Jim Heath, was focused and straight faced, smiling only when he was pleased with the tasty lick he’d just laid down, but once he removed his coat Heath relaxed and it became clear he was there to have some fun. In fact the band had brought along a couple of guest musicians to help throw a party on a hot summer’s night. Jerry Lee Lewis inspired piano phenom Lance Lipinksy was brought out first and wowed the audience with his 50’s style piano chops and sky high pompador. Montreal’s Bloodshot Bill, whose voice might be one of the most unique out there right now, rounded out the evening with some greasy, guitar licking, hip shaking blues. Even though he’s now in his 60’s the Reverend shows no signs of slowing down and can still throw one hell of a party!
Opening sets were provided by Missouri’s blues rock trio the Hooten Hallers and 50’s infused rock’n’rollers out of Vegas, the Delta Bombers.
TD Winnipeg International Jazz Festival, Winnipeg, Manitoba
Photos & review courtesy of Jenny Ramone Photos | June 18 2019
Elijah Wood x Jamie Fine
2019 marked the 30th anniversary for the TD Winnipeg International Jazz Festival. The streamlined festival ran 6 days this year rather than the 10 days of past years. The festival kicked off with a show at the Canadian Museum for Human Rights on June 18th and continued through to June 23rd with free shows at the Cube in Wnnipeg’s Exchange District as well as ticketed shows in venues around the city.
Hip hop artist Common, New Orleans funk band Galactic, Jazz vocalist Bobby McFerrin and pop duo Elijah Wood X Jamie Fine were among touring headliners of this year’s Jazz Fest. The lineup was also stacked with incredible local acts like Dirty Catfish Brass Band, Sebastian Gaskin, Liam Duncan, Apollo Suns, Living Hour, Boniface and a collaboration between 3peat and Royal Canoe dubbed RC3PO.
Here are the highlights of what we caught:
Liam Duncan
The Cube in Old Market Square
Singer song-writer Liam Duncan, formerly of the Middle Coast, played the opening night at the Cube in Old Market Square for the 2019 Jazz Festival. The show fell just a couple days before Liam’s debut solo album “If I Don’t Feel Better” dropped. Liam’s honest, heartfelt music drifted through downtown Winnipeg as a light rain sprinkled on the Wednesday night crowd.
Common with Sebastian Gaskin
Centennial Concert Hall
Acclaimed hip hop artist Common made his first appearance in Winnipeg at the Centennial Concert Hall June 20. Common, backed by a six-piece band, played an explosive 80 minute in front of an enthusiastic, welcoming crowd. Opening the show was local R&B singer song-writer Sebasitan Gaskin. Gaskin’s sound flowed between genres throughout his set, at times guitar driven rock and at others straight up rap, but his thoughtful lyrics bridge any gap. Sebastian Gaskin is a name to remember as he is on his way to great places!
Snotty Nose Rez Kids
The Cube at Old Market Square
Indigenous hip hop duo Snotty Nose Rez Kids rocked the Cube in Old Market Square June 20th. The duo, comprised of high school friends Yung Trybez and Young D, write thought provoking lyrics aiming to dismantle the stereotypes surrounding the Indigenous communities of Canada. Their efforts have been rewarded by being long listed for the Polaris Music Prize two years running, being shortlisted for the Polaris prize in 2018, and being nominated for a Juno, a Western Canadian Music award and an Indigenous Music Award. Despite the accolades, the group remains focused on providing a voice for and uplifting their people.
Galactic with Dirty Catfish Brass Band
Burton Cummings Theatre
New Oleans funk group Galactic brought their infectious funky party vibes to the Burton Cummings Theatre June 21. Joined by guest vocalist Erica Falls, Galactic had the crowd on its feet grooving along through the entirety of their over an hour set. Kicking of a night of brass driven New Oleans sounds was Winnipeg’s own Dirty Catfish Brass Band who never fail to bring their A game to the stage. They game is so strong members of the DCBB joined Galactic on stage for one of the two songs in the encore.
Apollo Suns
The Cube at Old Market Square
Local psychedelic jazz rock outfit Apollo Suns played a late afternoon set on the outdoor Cube stage in Old Market Square June 22. The 10 piece instrumental group led by guitarist Ed Durochers creates innovative jazz influenced music that remains accessible and dancy to everyone in the audience.
Elijah Wood x Jamie Fine with Olivia Lunny
The Garrick
Breakout Canadian pop duo Elijah Wood x Jamie Fine brought their rowdy playful brand of pop music to the Garrick June 22. Since winning an episode of the Launch, a Canadian music reality TV competition, in early 2018 the duo’s chart topping single “Ain’t Easy” has been certified Platinum in Canada. Support for the evening was provided by Winnipeg’s Olivia Lunny whose catchy pop melodies were the perfect compliment for EWxJF’s genre jumping party tunes.
