Drummer Greg Barton successfully played 128 Foo Fighters songs in one sitting, raising more than $7,500 for the Cancer Research Institute → https://t.co/wmlyDHArwb pic.twitter.com/TMcsItSLI6
— CONSEQUENCE (@consequence) June 9, 2024
New Music Friday featuring Brigitte Calls Me Baby, The Offspring, & more!
Every Friday, Case the Producer rounds up the most exciting new tunes in music and serves them up in one easy-to-find blog for you, the Q101 Crew Members.
beabadoobee: Coming Home
Excellent singer-songwriter beabadoobee is rolling out tracks in anticipation for her new record, This Is How Tomorrow Moves, which is slated to drop in mid-August. “Coming Home” is more of what we’ve come to expect from beabadoobee; soft, ear-worm-pop that promises to stay in your head all day. “Coming Home” is as cute as it is good, and it’s very cute.
beabadoobe makes her way to the Aragon Ballroom on September 17.
Brigitte Calls Me Baby: We Were Never Alive
Buckle up, folks: the summer of Brigitte Calls Me Baby is upon us. My personal pick for the best Chicago band running (with apologies to Friko, Sincere Engineer, and countless others), the crooners are back with the lead single for their debut album, The Future Is Our Way Out, which comes out on August 2. “We Were Never Alive” is one of the many tunes that this band has been playing during their live sets as of late. Steeped in alternative tradition (80’s keyboards, a bass breakdown that would make the late bassist of The Smiths Andy Rourke smile), “We Were Never Alive” continues the trend of BCMB putting their best foot forward. If this is any indication of what’s to come with their first full length record, we’ll have a new Album Of The Year Contender come August.
Catch Brigitte Calls Me Baby at Lollapalooza at the IHG Hotels & Resort Stage on Saturday August 3 at 12:30.
Falling In Reverse & Jelly Roll: All My Life
Grab your Monster Energy and pack a pouch of Zyn: Falling In Reverse has a collaboration with Jelly Roll and that is bound to make a certain type of person extremely happy.
The Offspring: Make It All Right (single)
The Offspring are back and ready to roll out their eleventh record, Supercharged. The lead single, “Make It All Right”, is a new entry into Offspring’s catalogue that sounds like classic Offspring. Supercharged will be out on October 11.
Pedro the Lion: Santa Cruz
Indie-rock legend Pedro the Lion is back with his seventh studio album. Santa Cruz is a return to form for Pedro, who weaves brilliant storytelling across heartbreaking indie rock for 11 tracks.
The Weekend Q101
Chicago Blues Festival at Millennium Park (Thursday-Sunday)
A legendary Chicago event since 1984, the Chicago Blues Festival is the world’s largest free blues festival. This year’s performances, part of Millennium Park’s milestone 20th anniversary season, will include living legend Buddy Guy.
White Sox host the Red Sox (Thursday-Sunday)
How could it get worse? I’m sure the White Sox will find a way.
Chicago’s Puerto Rican Festival (Friday-Sunday)
Fiestas Patronales Puertorriqueñas will traditionally be held on the beautiful grounds of Humboldt Park located in “Puerto Rico Town” on Division Street where the Annual Puerto Rican Day People’s Parade will take place. After the parade, you will flow right into the Festival & Carnival and continue the festivities!
Soccer Mommy (solo) at Schubas (Friday)
Soccer Mommy, who wowed Q101 with her stellar Lounge performance in 2022, is back on the road and this time she’s doing it solo. Soccer Mommy heads to Schubas this Friday for what should be a spectacular show.
The Return of The Flock featuring Jerry Goodman at Ravinia (Friday)
Ravinia season kicks off on Friday with The Return of The Flock featuring Jerry Goodman, followed by James Taylor on both Saturday and Sunday. Have fun and be wary of the cicadas!
The Double Features at Front Porch Music in Valpo (Saturday)
The Double Features are at Front Porch Music in Valpo on Saturday night at 8pm. They’ll be joined by Kirby Lyle from Nashville (Originally Valparaiso) will both be playing acoustic sets. Tickets are limited.
Paul F. Tompkins Comedy Show at The Riv (Saturday)
One of the funniest men on the planet, Paul F. Tompkins, heads to The Riv on Saturday night for Q101 Welcomes: Varietopia with Paul F. Tompkins.
Join Q101 at The Barn Hockey Bar for an exclusive chance to win a Beer with the Band experience! (Saturday)
Join the Q101 crew at The Barn Hockey Bar on Saturday, June 8th from 5pm – 7pm for your shot to have an ice cold Stella with LOCAL H & Lauren O’Neil. Come hang out & shoot some pool! Have a few laughs, kick back and enjoy a nice summer moment. Plus! pick up cool Stella swag and Q101 gear!
Malort Crawl in Wrigleyville (Saturday)
Calling all fans of Chicago’s most infamous liqueur! This crawl through Wrigleyville will take you to some of the neighborhood’s most popular watering holes so you can get your fill of Malört. Tickets include an official bar crawl T-shirt, a brunch buffet, gift cards to use on crawl, specials and more. If you want more Malört, check out our list of the best Malört cocktails to try in Chicago right now.
Aurora Pride Parade (Sunday)
Get ready to celebrate love, acceptance, and diversity at the Aurora Pride Parade! This vibrant event promises a day of joy, unity, and community spirit. Whether you’re part of the LGBTQ+ community or an ally, everyone is welcome to join in the festivities.
UPDATE: Man who went viral for driving on suspended license never actually had license
This story keeps getting weirder.
The man who went viral for showing up on a Zoom court hearing about his suspended license while driving is back in the news. Yesterday, we reported that a clerical error was the reason that any of this happened in the first place and that the driver, Corey Harris, had done nothing wrong.
Now, it’s come out that Harris never had a drivers license to begin with.
“Let me make it very clear, based on what the court looked at. [Harris] has never had a Michigan license. Ever. And he has never had a license in the other 49 states and commonwealths that form up this great union. He has never had a license,” the judge said. “The shocking thing about it is, it’s for driving with his license suspended that he didn’t take care of.”
Free our man.
Blur announce Live at Wembley Stadium album and concert film
Man caught driving on a suspended license is vindicated
The man behind the viral video that showed him driving on a suspended license has finally seen justice. As it turns out, a clerical error by the court had kept this man in a legal doghouse that he didn’t belong in.
When asked about the situation, the man in question said, “What was I thinking? I was thinking about getting my wife medical help. That’s what I was thinking…I wasn’t thinking about the fact that I got a suspended license. I don’t care about all that.”
Happy 40th birthday Metra!
This week Metra is celebrating its 40th anniversary with a number of special offers for you!
Monday June 3: Metra will ask its riders to share their favorite memories about riding Metra on social media.
Tuesday June 4: Customer Appreciation Day – Metra will hand out a gift, including coupons from local businesses, to riders at downtown stations while supplies last.
Wednesday June 5: Metra will ask travel buddies to share photos of themselves on social media.
Thursday June 6: Metra’s “Throwback Thursday” will include 80s trivia on social media.
Friday June 7: Metra will ask riders to share their favorite travel destinations on social media.
Saturday June 8, and Sunday June 9: Travel on Metra will be completely free for all riders.
“Whether you have been riding Metra for 40 years or took your first ride today, we want to thank you,” said Metra Executive Director Jim Derwinski. “And as we look to the past and celebrate four decades of serving the Chicago area’s transportation needs, we are also looking to the future and making plans to continue that service for many more decades.”
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Seize The Awkward: A Very Special Lounge Event with Shinedown and AFSP
Photos/ Alex Geshel & Zach Spangler
Dr. Pepper now ranked as the second most popular soda
There’s new competition for Coca-Cola.
According to the Wall Street Journal, Dr Pepper is now tied with Pepsi for the second spot in the soda game. According to data from Beverage Digest, which is our favorite publication, DP has continued to rise in popularity while Pepsi continues to fall.
Dr. Pepper drinkers, unite.
Drummer will attempt to drum every Foo Fighters song in one take
Barton will play through all 128 Foo Fighters songs from each of their 12 albums. He’s embarking on this challenge in honor of his Grandmother, who is battling cancer, as well as a tribute to Foo Fighters’ late drummer, Taylor Hawkins. There’s a donation link with all proceeds going to the Cancer Research Institute.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iSGiSjYXhHs
Tommy Pham gets thrown out at home, acts tough, as Sox lose 11th straight
The White Sox are finding new ways to be awful.
On Sunday, the squad dropped their 11th straight game, a new record for the 2024 campaign. Late in the game with the Sox down 1, Tommy Pham attempted to tag up on a ball that could’ve led to the Sox evening up the score. Instead, Pham was out by a mile.
Pham, despite being so obviously out, postured up against the Brewers following the play. After the game, Pham remarked that he “spends the offseason fighting” and that he’d be ready to f*ck someone up if need be.
You know what Tommy Pham should do during the offseason? PRACTICE BASEBALL.
New Music Friday featuring Beach Weather, Eminem, & more!
Beach Weather – High in Low Places
Q101 PIQNIQ alumni Beach Weather are back with a new single, “High in Low Places”, a song in which they ditch the beach for a desert disco. You can listen to the single below.
Eminem – Houdini
Eminem is trying to kill Slim Shady. The iconic rapper is back with a new single, “Houdini”, a high-concept track that sees Eminem harken back to his younger years with a series of enjoyable callbacks. Could this mean that we’ll see Eminem in Chicago soon?
Milky Chance – Naked and Alive
Milky Chance, the geniuses behind the song “Stolen Dance”, are back with a new song “Naked and Alive”, which could be the next great summer anthem.
Speed – The First Test
Australia’s finest, (A Gang Called) Speed are back with a new single that may very well be the first ever hardcore song to feature a flute. Keep your eyes pealed for A Case For: Speed next Monday on Q101’s YouTube channel.
The Weekend Q101
Maifest (Thursday-Sunday)
No, you haven’t stumbled into an early Oktoberfest—this is just how Lincoln Square welcomes street-festival season and the beginning of spring. Hoist a stein, grab a pretzel, and embrace the neighborhood’s German heritage over the course of one fun-filled weekend.
Lincoln Park Greek Fest (Friday-Sunday)
The street in front of St. George Greek Orthodox Church hosts three days of gyros, spicy feta spread, dancing, traditional music and more during Lincoln Park’s annual celebration of Hellenic culture. Show up to feast on Greek delicacies, shop for gifts at the craft fair or catch some live music.
Do Division Street Fest (Friday-Sunday)
Kick off the start of summer festival season at Do Division, the street shindig with live music booked by Empty Bottle and Subterranean in West Town. Catch performances at two stages—including acts like Divino Niño, Arm’s Length, Susto and Avey Tare—and check out food trucks, a fashion show, vendors for shopping and a Family Fun Fest area with kids activities, among other attractions.
Bark at the Ballpark with the Chicago Dogs (Friday)
Bring your furry best friend to Impact Field, the home of independent professional baseball team The Chicago Dogs, for an evening of dog-friendly fun! The first 1,500 fans will receive a bandana for their pups upon entry, and all pets are welcome to run the bases after the game. Tickets start at $9.
John Cusack at the Auditorium Theater (Friday)
Join John Cusack for an intimate screening of his 2000 hit romantic comedy High Fidelity. Afterwards, the actor will sit down for a conversation about his career and the making of the film, and take questions from the audience.
Drain at Metro (Friday)
Hardcore heat-seekers Drain are back in Chicago for a two-night residency at the Metro for ‘Drain’s Beach Party’, a mini-festival in which they’ll be joined by the likes of Terror, Angel Du$t, God’s Hate, Mindforce, and more. This will surely go down as one of the craziest gigs of the year. At this time, limited tickets are still available.
Frank Turner & the Sleeping Souls at the Aragon (Friday)
The legendary Frank Turner returns to the Aragon on Friday night for what should be a stellar show with his band The Sleeping Souls. Tickets can be purchased here.
Ceremony at Lincoln Hall (Saturday)
Ceremony is one of the greatest punk bands to ever exist. In fact, they were such a good punk band that they pivoted from blistering, hardcore intensity to eclectic new wave music, and they’re equally as good at that. On Saturday night, they’ll storm Lincoln Hall alongside Chicago standouts, Smut. Tickets can be purchased here.
Chicago Fire host the LA Galaxy (Saturday)
Bend it like Beckham at Soldier Field on Saturday as the struggling Chicago Fire kick off against the Galaxy on Saturday evening.
Windy City Hot Dog Fest in Portage Park (Saturday-Sunday)
Whether you like your hot dogs dragged through the garden or topped with ketchup, this Portage Park fest has you covered. Local favorites, including Byron’s, Chicago Doghouse and Lola’s Coney Island, will compete to see who makes the best frankfurter, as voted on by fest-goers. In addition, there will be live entertainment, arts and craft vendors, a kids area, a top dog parade and a hot dog eating competition.
Tom Morello will receive 2024 Woody Guthrie Prize
“Woody Guthrie was a fearless agitator, a six-string instigator, a poetic truth teller and a harmonizing hell raiser,” Morello said in a statement. “He was the original punk rocker whose life, music, art and lyrics were beacons of justice and liberation for the downtrodden and oppressed. In my own work, Woody has been an inspiration to tell it like I see it without compromise or apology and to play my songs (and his songs) on the picket line and at the barricade whenever and wherever people are taking a stand.”
Lollapalooza 2024 Aftershows Announced
Lollapalooza Weekend has finally taken shape. After last week’s announcement regarding the daily lineups, the festival has announced a series of exclusive, intimate shows to take place over the course of the week.
Notable shows include Chicago’s own Friko at Lincoln Hall, Militarie Gun at Cobra Lounge, Two Door Cinema Club at Metro, and The Last Dinner Party at Thalia Hall, which Lauren has tickets to in the 12 o’clock hour every day this week.
