DCASE announced the full music lineup for the 38th Annual Taste of Chicago.
The festival will present a mix of chart-topping national and international acts at the Petrillo Music Shell, including Brandi Carlile, Juanes, yasiin bey & Talib Kweli are Black Star, The Flaming Lips and George Clinton Parliament Funkadelic. The Bud Light Stage will feature five days of free programming with local talent.
“Taste of Chicago is a summertime staple, and this year’s music lineup will be even more vibrant and diverse than ever before,” said Mayor Emanuel. “This level of high-caliber local, national and international musical talent will put Chicago’s global reputation as a culinary and cultural capital on full display all weekend.”
Music Lineup at the Petrillo Music Shell
Brandi Carlile
Grammy® Award-nominated singer-songwriter Brandi Carlile, along with her longtime collaborators Tim and Phil Hanseroth, will headline the Petrillo stage on opening night. Their new album, By The Way, I Forgive You, received 4-stars in Rolling Stone.
Juanes
International Latin Pop star, Juanes will headline Taste of Chicago on day two. The Colombian musician has won more than twenty Latin Grammy® Awards and Grammy®Awards combined. He has received multiple Best Artist, Best Rock Song and Album of the Year awards for the songs “Me Enmora,” “Mil Pedazos” and albums such as Juanes MTV Unplugged, Loco De Amor, Mis Planes Son Amearte and Fijate Bien–his first album in 2001. Juanes is also involved in social activism, and in 2005 established the Mi Sangre Foundation to raise awareness and help the victims affected by land mines.
Blackstar's Yasiin Bey and Talib Kweli
For the third day, Black Star, the Brooklyn hip hop duo formed in 1997 by rappers yasiin bey (Mos Def) and Talib Kweli, will headline. Arising from the rap underground movement of the 1990s, Black Star has put out a number of singles and one album Mos Def & Talib Kweli Are Black Star released in 1998 is now celebrating its 20thAnniversary.
Madame Gandhi
Kiran Gandhi, who performs as Madame Gandhi, is an electronic music artist and activist based in Los Angeles. Having gained recognition as the former drummer for artist M.I.A, in 2016, she released her first EP Voices, and in 2017, she toured as the opening act for Ani DiFranco. Madame Gandhi is currently working on her debut full-length album and her mission is to elevate and celebrate the female voice.
The Flaming Lips
The Flaming Lips, from Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, have been together since 1983. They are famous for their elaborate live shows, which feature costumes, balloons, puppets, video projections, complex stage light configurations, giant hands, large amounts of confetti, and frontman Wayne Coyne's signature man-sized plastic bubble, in which he traverses the audience. Q magazine named The Flaming Lips one of the "50 Bands to See Before You Die."
Le Butcherettes
Le Butcherettes is a garage punk band from Guadalajara, Mexico, and now based in El Paso, Texas. They have collaborated with a number of well-known artists including Jello Biafa of the Dead Kennedys, John Frusciante of the Red Hot Chili Peppers and Iggy Pop, among others.
Half Gringa
Chicago’s Half Gringa is set to kick off Saturday’s performances, led by Izzy Olive. Their debut album Gruñona explores the Latinx and Midwestern identity and was named one of Chicago Magazine’s 10 Best Chicago Albums of the Year in 2017.
When & Where
July 11 – 15
Wednesday, Thursday and Friday 11 am – 9 pm
Saturday and Sunday 10 am – 9 pm
Grant Park Petrillo Music Shell
July 11 5:30 p.m. — Brandi Carlile
July 12 5:30 p.m. — Juanes
July 13 5:30 p.m. — Black Star
July 14 4:30 p.m. — Flaming Lips
July 15 4:30 p.m. — George Clinton
Bud Light Stage - Schedule of Performances
Wednesday, July 11
Noon–1 p.m. Raii and Whitney (R&B)
1:20–2:20 p.m. You Are Here (Rock)
2:40–3:40 p.m. NDPNDNT (Hip Hop)–ChicagoMade A&R Auditions Winner
4–5 p.m. Kiara Lanier (Alt/R&B)
5:20–6:20 p.m. Archie Powell & The Exports (Rock)
6:20–7:20 p.m. DJ Mike P
Thursday, July 12
Noon–1 p.m. Co-still (Hip Hop)
1:20–2:20 p.m. Lester Rey (Contemporary Latin)
2:40–3:40 p.m. Aniba Hotep & the Sol Collective (Soul/R&B)
4–5 p.m. Dave Weld (Blues)
5:20–6:20 p.m. Marina City (Rock)–ChicagoMade A&R Auditions Winner
6:20–7:30 p.m. DJ Mike P
Friday, July 13
Noon–1 p.m. Black Bear Combo (Balkan Brass Band)
1:20–2:20 p.m. Friday Pilots Club (Rock)
2:40–3:40 p.m. Beats y Bateria (Global Electronic)
4–5 p.m. Matt Muse (Hip Hop)–ChicagoMade A&R Auditions Winner
5:20–6:20 p.m. MASN (Pop/R&B)–ChicagoMade A&R Auditions Winner
6:20–7:30 p.m. DJ Mike P
Saturday, July 14
11–11:40 a.m. DJ Mike P
Noon–1 p.m. CASE (Pop)
1:20–2:20 p.m. Kingfatz (Hip Hop)
2:40–3:40 p.m. Fee Lion (Electro/Pop)
4–5 p.m. Emann & Jojo (Hip Hop)–ChicagoMade A&R Auditions Winner
5:20–6:20 p.m. Bianca Shaw (R&B/Hip Hop)
6:20–7:30 p.m. DJ Mike P
Sunday, July 15
11–11:40 a.m. DJ Mike P
Noon–1 p.m. Young DRA (Hip Hop)
1:20–2:20 p.m. The Claudettes (Indie Blues)
2:40–3:40 p.m. Adam Ness (Alt R&B)–ChicagoMade A&R Auditions Winner
4–5 p.m. Emily Blue (Pop)–ChicagoMade A&R Auditions Winner
5:20–6:20 p.m. Sa’Rayah (Soul/R&B)
Tickets:
Free seating on lawn
$18 – General Seating
$50 – Premium Seating
Tickets are now on sale for premier seating at various performances and also for the Taste Oasis Lounge.
For more information and to purchase tickets visit the Taste of Chicago website.
Photos courtesy of DCASE.
George Clinton
George Clinton Parliament Funkadelic revolutionized R&B in the 1970s, twisting soul music into funk. With hits like “Flash Light,” “Aqua Boogie” and “(Not Just) Knee Dee.” His music has become the soundtrack for the rap movement.
BJ the Chicago Kid
BJ the Chicago Kid is a Chicago artist. Bryan James Sledge (aka BJ the Chicago Kid) self-released an album in 2012 called Pineapple Now-Laters, a collection of songs that included "His Pain" featuring Kendrick Lamar.
The Boy Illinois
The Boy Illinois composes and delivers lyrics with, weaving together prose and poetry that draw upon his upbringing in Chicago. His music and lyrics are influenced by his Haitian heritage. In 2016 he was named a winner of the Chicago made A&R Auditions presented by DCASE and performed at the Taste of Chicago Bud Light Stage. His career attracted veteran rapper Lupe Fiasco, who invited him on some of his recent national tours.
This year, DJ Mike P will emcee the stage and spin each evening’s final set.
