Photos/ Alex Geshel & Zach Spangler
The Weekend Q101
Cubs host the Pirates (Thursday-Sunday)
The Cubs have a chance to make a real splash in the NL Central this weekend with a four-game set against their division rivals, the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Chicago Mayfest (Friday-Sunday)
Say a hearty hello to (almost) summer at Mayfest, the annual street party in Lincoln Park that’s outfitted with the usual selection of local vendors, tasty food, cover bands and ice-cold beverages. This year, the event will feature the Armitage Art Show, letting attendees experience Chicago’s top artists as they showcase and sell their works and present interactive art demonstrations.
Chicago Margarita Festival (Friday-Sunday)
This inaugural Margarita Festival in Pilsen promises three days of tasty Latin bites, live music, local art and (of course) refreshing cocktails. You’ll have over 15 varieties of margs to try, from classic to unique options, and be able to browse goods from local merchants. The entertainment lineup boasts cover bands Fuze (Santana), Revelacion de Amor (Mana) and local DJs.
CKY at Metro (Friday)
Bam Margera’s brother, Jess, and his band CKY storm the Metro on Friday night for a night of debauchery. Tickets can be purchased here.
Say Anything at the Aragon (Friday)
Say Anything is celebrating 20 years of …Is A Real Boy, a standout third-wave emo record. They’ll be playing that record in full in front of a packed Aragon Ballroom on Friday night. Get there early for folk-punk icons AJJ, who play second.
Bad Religion & Social Distortion at Salt Shed (Saturday)
Two punk rock legends, Bad Religion & Social Distortion, play The Salt Shed for the first time ever on Saturday night in front of a sold-out crowd. They’ll follow that up with an encore performance at The Riv on Monday. Tickets are still available for that performance here.
Chicago Bacon & Bourbon Fest with Free Game Play at HQ Beercade (Saturday)
It’s time to get down on all three of the greatest things on this earth: bacon, bourbon, and arcade games! Get ready for a mouth-watering experience filled with delicious bacon, smooth bourbon, and (hopefully) some high-scoring arcade game rounds. Tickets include 8 bourbon tastings, 8 bacon bites, free arcade gameplay, discounted specialty cocktails, and more!
Kathleen Hanna – Rebel Girl: My Life as a Feminist Punk at Illinois Institute of Technology – Hermann Hall (Saturday)
A trailblazing feminist icon, Kathleen Hanna changed the punk scene in the 90’s with her bands, Bikini Kill and Le Tigre. This rebel girl is back with her electric, searing memoir that takes us into her tumultuous childhood, her early years on the scene, and her connections with other music icons like Kurt Cobain, Joan Jett, and the Beastie Boys. Join Chicago Humanities with Women & Children First, Chicago’s feminist bookstore since 1979, for an evening with the music legend in conversation with Puja Patel, Editor-in-Chief of Pitchfork, on how both the hard and the joyful times fuel her revolutionary art and music.
Join Q101 for the Fight For Air Climb (Sunday)
The Chicago Fight For Air Climb is returning to Soldier Field, featuring one-of-a-kind views and the best set of stairs this side of Lake Michigan. Soldier Field is the perfect setting for a day of fun, challenge and camaraderie.
Join Q101 at the NASCAR All Star Race watch party at Emporium Arcade Bar! (Sunday)
Gear up for the 2024 NASCAR Chicago Street Race, where the excitement of high-speed racing meets the Windy City! This historic street race, which takes place in downtown Chicago, promises heart-pounding action and adrenaline-fueled moments. And guess what? A NASCAR Chicago Pace vehicle will be onsite, adding an extra layer of intensity to the event.
New Music Friday featuring Billie Eilish, Cage the Elephant, White Reaper, & 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.
Billie Eilish: Hit Me Hard And Soft
Before her two shows at the United Center this November, Billie Eilish is set to release her third studio album, Hit Me Hard And Soft. With 10 tracks clocking in at 43 minutes, this is Eilish’s shortest LP to date. Whereas her debut album was full of bouncy, in-your-face tracks and her second was full of dreamy, soft ballads, Hit Me Hard And Soft is likely the closest Eilish will ever get to recording a “stadium rock” album. The songs are big and unapologetic, blending Eilish’s personal lyrics with a sound fit for the United Center.
Cage the Elephant: Neon Pill
It’s been five years since the last Cage the Elephant album. 2019 brought us Social Cues and then an electric performance at that year’s Twisted XMAS, and then Cage went away. Well documented personal struggles of lead singer Matt Shultz put the band on ice for a number of years, but after a lengthy wait, Neon Pill is here. We can’t wait to hear these songs live on August 14 when Cage takes over the Credit Union 1 Arena.
One Step Closer: All You Embrace
Post-hardcore standouts One Step Closer (not a Linkin Park tribute band, despite popular belief) are back with their second full-length record, All You Embrace. The band has toned down the aggression from 2021’s This Place You Know and has opted for a more melodic, post-rock sound on this release. They’ll be at Avondale Music Hall on Saturday June 29.
Shellac: To All Trains
Steve Albini’s band, Shellac, will release their sixth and final studio album on Friday. Recorded over four weekends in 2017, 2019, 2021, and 2022, respectively, this marks the last bit of material the band recorded before the untimely death of Albini.
Sludgeworth: Together Not Together
Chicago legends Sludgeworth, who played at the same time as the Foo Fighters at Riot Fest last year (I’m guessing many of you missed it), are back with their first bit of new music since 1995. The band will play Beat Kitchen on Saturday June 22.
White Reaper & Spiritual Cramp: Shimmy
The second of two split tracks from an upcoming 7-inch, White Reaper have joined forces with the chaotic and charismatic band Spiritual Cramp for a two-and-a-half-minute barn-burner. Good luck getting this out of your head after you hear it.
Pro-tem Dolton mayor appointed by Dolton trustees
Tiffany Henyard’s downhill slide continues.
The 2024 Q101 Piece of Garbage Madness winner Tiffany Henyard is being replaced – sort of. On Monday, Jason House was appointed as the pro-tem Mayor of Dolton after the numerous repeated instances with Henyard. The Dolton trustees opposed to Henyard said she has missed 25 of the special meetings and refuses to allow some business to be put on the agenda for the village’s regular meetings.
House will not replace the mayor, but he would step in when Henyard is absent, which some trustees say happens far too often.
Museum of Science and Industry changing name to honor Ken Griffin
The Museum of Science and Industry will officially be renamed the Kenneth C. Griffin Museum of Science and Industry on Sunday. The comes five years after Ken Griffin donated $125 million to the museum. The museum announced after that donation that the name change would took place, with the name change now happening on Sunday.
To celebrate the new name, the museum at 5700 S. DuSable Lake Shore Drive in Hyde Park will offer free admission on Sunday and open several new exhibits funded by Griffin’s gift.
Billy Corgan’s Adventures In Carnyland has premiered
Blame My Youth — The Lounge
Steve Buscemi ‘OK’ after being punched in the face in New York City
Steve Buscemi, the star of projects such as “Fargo” and “Ghost World”, is reportedly doing “OK” after he fell victim to a random attack in New York City on Wednesday. The actor had bruising, swelling and bleeding to his left eye. “Steve Buscemi was assaulted in Mid-Town Manhattan, another victim of a random act of violence in the city,” according to a statement Sunday from his publicist. “He is ok and appreciates everyone’s well wishes.”
Q101 continues to wish Buscemi a speedy recovery.
Steve Buscemi falls victim to random attack in New York City, punched in the face
Yesterday news broke that actor Steve Buscemi, known for his work in iconic films such Reservoir Dogs and Ghost World, was punched in the face by a random attacker that is still on the loose in NYC. “Steve Buscemi was assaulted in Mid-Town Manhattan, another victim of a random act of violence in the city,” according to a statement Sunday from his publicist. “He is ok and appreciates everyone’s well wishes.”
He was bleeding and had bruising and swelling. Buscemi went to a hospital for treatment.
5.12.2024 History Of Alternative
Young Rising Sons — Meet and Greet — The Lounge
Young Rising Sons — The Lounge
Photos/ Alex Geshel
The Weekend Q101
White Sox host the Guardians (Thursday-Sunday)
The Guardians have been excellent all year. The White Sox have not. This could be a very long four game series for the South Siders.
Upper Deck Golf (Friday-Sunday)
Once again, Wrigley Field is opening up their park to a select few lucky golfers who will be able to fire away at a makeshift course within the Friendly Confines. If you’re there on Saturday morning, you may even see Brian of Brian & Kenzie.
Stiff Little Fingers at Metro (Friday)
For the final time ever, the legendary Irish punk band Stiff Little Fingers will play in Chicago as a part of their final US coast-to-coast tour. One of the most underrated bands of all-time, don’t miss this chance to see legends in the flesh before they say goodbye.
Guitar Hero Night at The Town in Aurora (Friday)
So you wanna be a rockstar? The Town Bar & Grill welcomes you to our first ever rockin Guitar Hero Night. We will be playing Guitar Hero 3 and the top 3 highest scores will receive cash prizes. Rock on at The Town!
DEVO at The Riv (Saturday)
Iconic new wavers DEVO come to The Riv on Saturday night for a rare club date in the city to celebrate 50 years of being a band. Grab a ticket here.
Portugal. The Man at The Salt Shed (Saturday)
It’s always good to see Portugal. The Man come to town! For the first time ever, our friends in PTM will be playing The Salt Shed and they’ve sold it out! We hope to see them again soon.
Major League Wrestling Azteca Lucha at Cicero Stadium (Saturday)
On Saturday night at Cicero Stadium, Major League Wrestling is bringing in some of the top stars in Mexican wrestling. In collaboration with Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre, stars such as Atlantis, Mistico, & Ultimo Guerrero will be wrestling in a rare U.S. appearance. Case the Producer will be there to bask in the great lucha libre culture.
Shrek Rave at House of Blues (Saturday)
Looking to do something on a Saturday night that’s a little different? The House of Blues will host the viral Shrek Rave for fans of DreamWorks’ popular animated franchise. The event will see live DJs spinning songs from the films, like Smash Mouth’s “All Star,” as well as non-Shrek music. Attendees are also encouraged to dress up as their favorite characters from the films.
Microwave at Concord Music Hall (Saturday, Sunday)
Microwave, hot off the heels of their new record Let’s Start Degeneracy, head to Concord Music Hall for two nights of outstanding emo music. While Saturday night is sold out, Sunday night still has some tickets available – tickets that should be purchased because this band has released some of the finest music of 2024.
RIP Steve Albini
Steve Albini, the legendary record producer and engineer behind Nirvana’s In Utero, Pixies’ Surfer Rosa among other classic History Of Alternative albums, has died of a heart attack. He was 61 years old.
Albini was born in Pasadena, California in 1962. He went to Northwestern University in Evanston and spent most of his career based here in Chicago, where he founded Electrical Audio.
Panera announces plans to “phase out” Charged Lemonade
Yesterday, a spokesperson from Panera broke the shocking news that Panera is going to discontinue their controversial lemonade, otherwise known as Charged Lemonade.
The drink has had numerous lawsuits filed against it. Panera previously advertised its Charged Lemonade as “Plant-based and Clean with as much caffeine as our Dark Roast coffee.” But the lawsuits said that at 390 milligrams, a large, 30-fluid-ounce Charged Lemonade has more caffeine in total than any size of Panera’s dark roast coffee, referring to the amount of caffeine that is in the drink with no ice. Panera has since updated its nutrition information to reflect how much caffeine is in the Charged Lemonade with ice, listing the large size of the blood orange Charged Lemonade, for example, as having 302 mg.
We can literally pour one out for Charged Lemonade.
blur: To The End documentary
blur: To The End follows the unique relationship of four friends – and bandmates of three decades – Damon Albarn, Graham Coxon, Alex James and Dave Rowntree as they came together in early 2023 to record new songs ahead of their sold-out, first ever shows at London’s Wembley Stadium in July last summer. Featuring performances of their most iconic, much-loved songs, footage of the band in the studio and life on the road, blur: To The End is an intimate moment in time with this most enduring of English bands, who have been at the heart of British cultural life and influence for over three decades.
White Sox rumored to trade every person on the team that has any talent whatsoever
A report from MLB Reporter Bob Nightengale has led people to believe that the White Sox will be selling off their entire team at the trade deadline. According to Nightengale, the team is looking to move RHP Erick Fedde, RHP Chris Flexen, RHP Mike Clevinger, RHP Michael Kopech, DH Eloy Jimenez, and OF Tommy Pham. You know, anyone on the team that has an ounce of talent.
Erick Fedde has been a feel-good story for the Sox this year, working his way back from a season in Korea last year, so of course, they’ll be getting rid of him.
Lolla: The Story Of Lollapalooza documentary
Lolla: The Story of Lollapalooza is a three-part docuseries directed by Michael John Warren, tracing the festival’s 30-year run from its early days as a touring punk event to its current iteration as a massive annual festival here in Grant Park.
All of the best jokes from the Tom Brady Roast
Last night, Netflix presented The Roast of Tom Brady, which pushed the former Patriots quarterback to nearly short-circuit as he was forced to attempt to act like a human. The Roast saw comedians like Kevin Hart and Nikki Glaser destroy TB12, as well as former athletes like Rob Gronkowski and Drew Bledsoe.
The highlights included Jeff Ross making Tom Brady extremely uncomfortable by making a joke about Robert Kraft:
Nikki Glaser taking shots at Brady for his crypto investment:
Drew Beldsoe took jabs at his failed marriage:
And at the end, with Brady at the stand, he landed a zinger on Kim Kardashian and her ex-husband, Kanye West:
Credit to Netflix for being able to make all of these rich weirdos look deeply uncomfortable on camera.
5.5.2024 History Of Alternative
