Subway, one of the world’s largest restaurant chains on the planet, is leaving people stunned with their decision to move away from Coca-Cola products to Pepsi products. Under the agreement, starting on Jan. 1, 2025, Subway will offer Pepsi products, including Pepsi, Pepsi Zero, Mountain Dew, Starry, Tropicana, Lipton, Aquafina water and Gatorade. The company said franchisees will have the option to carry a larger selection of Gatorade flavors.
The change will start in 2025 marking a huge shift for Subway which has offered Coke beverages since 2005 after previously ending a 15-year run with Pepsi.
It happens to all of us. At some point in time, you stare at a festival poster and go “I don’t know who these bands are”. There’s nothing wrong with that. It’s harder and harder to cut through all of the noise and various outlets to find out who is actually worth listening to. Luckily, I’m here. If you’re looking at the Lollapalooza lineup and you’re lost, these are 7 bands you need to know.
2024 ✶ See you in Chicago!
Sign up for a presale passcode at https://t.co/bmjLHHMiVU to guarantee access to 4-Day Tickets at the lowest price.
Presale begins Thursday, 3/21 from 10am-12pm CT. Prices increase at 12pm when the public on-sale begins. pic.twitter.com/gc5uYOYUxE
Chicago is experiencing a boom in local music not seen since former institutions like Double Door and Lounge Ax were thriving establishments. This is in part due to bands like Brigitte Calls Me Baby, who blew the doors off of Q101’s Twisted XMAS in December when they opened for Lovejoy. Led by crooner Wes Leavins, every bit of media that covers the Chicago act name-checks Morrissey, Roy Orbison, and the almighty Elvis – and rightfully so. Every bit of hype for this band is warranted. Lollapalooza will merely mark another box checked for a band that is crossing off coveted accolades at a remarkably fast rate.
Ethel Cain is humungous with Severely Online Gen-Z Teens. Chances are there is 0 overlap between those people and the people reading this, so let me explain: Ethel Cain turned heads with 2022’s Preacher’s Daughter, a daring collection of songs inspired by the Bible Belt and Cain’s Southern Baptist upbringing. In an impressive balancing act, Cain switches between obvious pop sensibilities and dreamy, down-tempo ballads akin to a Lana Del Rey. Preachers Daughter is a daunting hour and fifteen minutes, but the destination justifies the journey. It is immensely satisfying, albeit at times challenging in its subjects. If you are looking for a set to detach yourself from the general chaos of Lollapalooza, Ethel Cain may be your best bet.
Fleshwater
Where is MTV’s 120 Minutes when you need it the most? Fleshwater is a painful example of being in the wrong place at the wrong time – but that also might be what makes them so special. A biting, grungy act that packs enough punch to fill the Seattle-sized hole in your heart, Fleshwater are the unapologetically waving the flag of a bygone era in alt-rock. Their booking at last year’s Riot Fest made a ton of sense, aesthetically. Grant Park will provide a new set of challenges for the Boston-based quartet, however. Thankfully, this band seems up to the task.
Friko
I watched a grown woman cry earlier this month during Friko’s album release show at the Metro. That’s how good they were. Another shining star in Chicago’s vibrant scene, Friko are turning heads all across the globe, literally. Not only did they garner a booking at their hometown festival with Lollapalooza, but the band has captured a cult-like following in Japan, as well, which has led to a booking at Fuji Rock later this year. The band excels at mixing art school-favorites like Bright Eyes and early Modest Mouse with a classic Americana sound. They are writing songs well beyond their years, and you can’t help but feel like this band is only going to get bigger and better as time goes on.
Militarie Gun is a juggernaut that cannot be stopped. After a handful of years of relentless touring, Militarie Gun established themselves as some of the one of the finest rock bands in the entire world. Expanding their sound beyond the hardcore roots that frontman Ian Shelton cultivated his sound in, the five-piece pull from BritPop, grunge, and hip hop to produce a fully unique and authentic sound that simply cannot be duplicated. If you missed them in Q101’s Lounge, you have another chance to see them this summer in Grant Park.
Slow Pulp
Slow Pulp began releasing music in 2017, but 2023 marked a catastrophic shift in the way the band is perceived. Another white-hot Chicago band headed to Grant Park this year, Slow Pulp is continuing to rack up new listeners by way of undeniably catchy hooks and heart-wrenching sincerity. With the release of Yard last year, the band has clearly found their groove. They are making emotionally-rich music that is widely palatable, and at this year’s Lollapalooza, they’ll have another chance to showcase their brilliant music to the masses.
Worry Club
Worry Club are getting ready to embark on a tour with emo-adjacent standouts in Spanish Love Songs and Oso Oso. I can think of no better way to warm up for their eventual performance in Grant Park this summer. To-the-point and unapologetic, Chicago’s own Chase from Worry Club isn’t trying to hide how he feels. Song titles like “I Suck”, “BORED”, and “DEATHBLOW” all very clearly represent the maladjusted worldview that this project operates from. If you didn’t get your fill of angst at Sad Summer Fest, which takes place two weeks before Lollapalooza, and you can’t wait to let your rage out until Riot Fest, Worry Club may offer a solution for you.
A woman went viral on TikTok over allegations she made that the Hubbard Inn manhandled her and threw her down the stairs at their establishment. She then claimed that she was violently thrown out of the business. In her initial video, she said, “I’m just pushed down. He sends me flying down the staircase. Hysterical at this point, I think I start to yell, scream back at him, kinda push back at him. And he takes me a second time and shoves me again, and sends me flying down the rest of the staircase.”
Julia Reel, a TikToker, claims to have been thrown down a flight of stairs at the Hubbard Inn by a bouncer, but the venue shared security videos suggesting that is not true. pic.twitter.com/cNHcJzyJiE
The business then took to the Internet, providing security cam footage that does not match up with the story that has been floated out on the Internet.
The Chicago law firm of Corboy and Demetrio have linked up with Hubbard Inn in an effort to “protect the business’ reputation”.
i don’t like visualizers or official audios. so we are shooting a music video for every song on clancy – some of them lower budget diy types. we have 8 done right now, 6 to go (13 tracks but one has two versions, so 14 total) actually, 1 i don’t like so we’re reshooting so 7 more
Ronald Reagan once said that the nine scariest words are, “I’m from the Government, and I’m here to help.”
For McDonald’s, this could be a game-changer. After what seems like a lifetime of ice cream machine malfunctions, that headache could finally be addressed through some good, old-fashioned government intervention, as the Federal Trade Commission and the Department of Justice recently lobbied the US Copyright Office to issue an exemption to a software law that would eliminate the need to get a third-party involved to repair “commercial and industrial equipment.”
We all hope that one day, our children and grandchildren can live in a world with working McDonald’s ice cream machines.
Happy Pi Day to all of those who celebrate. Today, a number of chains are offering special deals for 3/14.
Blaze Pizza
Blaze Pizza will offer each guest an 11” pizza for $3.14.
Chiya Chai
The Chicago spot Chiya Chai will offer pies like masala chicken pie for $3.14 at their three locations, located at 2770 N. Milwaukee Ave., 79 E. Madison St. and 66 E. Wacker Drive, on pi day.
Marco’s Pizza
Marco’s Pizza will offer medium, one-topping pizzas for $3.14 with the online purchase of a large or extra-large pizza using code PIDAY2024 on March 14.
7-Eleven
7-Eleven will offer pizzas for $3.14 when using 7Rewards or Speedy Rewards on pi day.
‘This Is a Film About the Black Keys’ Review: The Duo That Rocks Together Stays Together, Even Amid Escalating Communication Breakdowns https://t.co/BIuGq3eTqH
The French government is doing hard-hitting research.
A new study on young people and their diets have revealed that young people don’t know anything about zucchinis. Those aged 15 to 24, which accounts for 20%, cannot tell the difference between a zucchini (more commonly known in France as a courgette) and a cucumber. Faced with an image of a zucchini, 18% of young people thought they recognised a cucumber while 2% thought they saw an aubergine.
Can anyone actually tell the difference between a zucchini and a cucumber?
It was bedlam in the NFL world yesterday as free agency began, and the Bears were one of the primary causes of chaos.
The Bears picked up D’Andre Swift in free agency for a a three-year, $24 million deal, including $15.3 million guaranteed. They also picked up another ex-Eagle in safety Kevin Byard. The Bears later inked Jaylon Johnson to a deal and in the ensuing press conference was something to behold.
Jaylon Johnson on his emotional journey and the decision to seek therapy: "We go through things. Everybody goes through things. … It’s OK to seek help. It’s OK to be vulnerable."
Jaylon Johnson just admitted he saw a therapist for sexual addiction last season. That might be a first for a new contract press conference opening statement.
JUST ANNOUNCED 🧑🚀💙 Weezer with The Flaming Lips & Dinosaur Jr. at Allstate Arena on Friday, September 6 on the Voyage to the Blue Planet Tour. Weezer will be playing the Blue Album in full for its 30th anniversary. Get tickets Friday, March 15 at 10AM pic.twitter.com/k49YJRiMXK
New York’s Division of Food Safety and Inspection has the case of a lifetime. The agency announced that they’re conducting a “full investigation” against Cindysnacks, a company that claims to be entirely vegan and gluten-free. The controversy surrounding the company comes from the accusation that the company has simply been repackaging Dunkin’ Donuts and selling them as they’re own.
Chicago legend Bake & Destroy explains below.
Who knew a controversy between two vegan bakeries in Long Island would be the most engrossing story of the week?
Since Cindy’s Snacks published their original post on Instagram, Savory Fig has deleted its social media presence, and local food safety officials in New York have… pic.twitter.com/eMwfGQCTdL
The Bouncing Souls at Epiphany Center for the Arts, Bottom Lounge (Friday-Sunday)
New Jersey punk legends The Bouncing Souls are in town for a triple-shot in Chicago this weekend. The band kicks off the festivities on Friday night at the Epiphany Center for the Arts with a special acoustic set before moving to Bottom Lounge on Saturday and Sunday for the usual Souls-related fun. Tickets are available here.
Harrison Gordon at Beat Kitchen (Friday)
Remember the name Harrison Gordon. The emo standout from Normal, Illinois has been making a name for himself by hustling in the DIY scene for the last few years, but you can’t help but feel like bigger and better things are on the horizon for Gordon. A brilliant lyricist, Gordon is the most exciting emo artist to hit the scene in a few years. This show is sold out, which could be a reoccurring theme throughout Gordon’s career if things continue to go the way that they are now. If you find yourself at Beat Kitchen on Friday, be sure to say “ahoy” to Case the Producer.
The Moss at Lincoln Hall (Friday)
Q101 is proud to present The Moss at Lincoln Hall on Friday. With one of the best songs of 2023 under their belts with “Insomnia”, this is sure to be a good time with an evening full of feel-good indie rock.
The Strokes at Credit Union 1 Arena (Friday)
The Strokes and Beach Bunny storm the former UIC Pavilion on Friday for a fundraiser for Kina Collins. Tickets can be purchased here.
Uncorked: Chicago Wine Festival (Saturday)
The Museum of Science and Industry hosts the annual Uncorked Wine Festival, where guests can enjoy more than 150 wines and Champagnes as well as a variety of exhibitions and experiences. Spring for a VIP ticket to get an extra hour of tastings and a food voucher card, plus gain access to a private lounge with higher end wineries.
Sausagefest in the West Loop (Saturday)
Love sausages and beer? Then join Haymarket for its annual Sausagefest, where guests can sample over 20 encased meats and 30 craft brew selections. Guest sausage makers and brewers will be paired up and competing for people’s choice awards, which is voted on by the people.
Blue October at The Riv (Saturday)
Blue October, the kings of “hey, they have more great songs than I remembered”, are back at The Riv on Saturday night for what should be a raucous night of rock. Grab a ticket here.
St. Patrick’s Day at Gallagher Way (Sunday)
Gallagher Way celebrates St. Patrick’s Day a week early with a host of family-friendly activities. Catch live performances by Trinity Irish Dance, Shannon Rovers Irish Pipe Band and Old Town School of Folk Music; take introductory Irish dancing mini lessons or sip on festive green beer and Irish coffee. For the little ones, there will also be face painting, balloon artists and a make-your-own Rainbow Stuffie craft station.
Blackhawks host the Coyotes (Sunday)
The Blackhawks ended their torturous losing streak against the Coyotes earlier this week, and luckily, they have a chance to double-up this Sunday.
As discussed yesterday with Brian & Kenzie, McDonald’s has sadly taken a lot of amazing things off of the menu over the years. The most infamous menu-removal is the McDLT, which Seinfeld’s Jason Alexander beautifully sang and danced about prior to his role as George Costanza.
McDonald’s, please bring back the McDLT, snack wraps, and Chicken Selects.
