cover photo by Don Idio
We are two weeks away from The Big Weekend in Chicago! This inaugural festival takes places from October 4th through October 6th and is filled with numerous artists that are taking over 5 venues across town. The lineup is filled with some funk, jam, jazz, and rock. The venues across town that are hosting these shows include Concord Music Hall, The Riviera Theater, Park West, House of Blues, and the Aragon Ballroom. The mix of artists on the lineup has me excited to make my way back to Chicago again!
Big Boozy Brunch
Not only is this the first year for The Big Weekend, it is also featuring a Big Boozy Brunch that is hosted by Leftover Salmon’s Vince Herman on Saturday October 6 from 11am to 1pm! This brunch includes a special acoustic set performed by Vince Herman from Leftover Salmon, a bottomless bloody mary and mimosa bar, buffet style brunch, a souvenir Big Weekend coffee mug, lawn game competitions, and a bring your own T-shirt tie-dye station! You can view the details and purchase tickets for the Big Boozy Brunch here!
Artist Lineup
The Big Weekend is featuring a handful of artists that I’ve previously seen and am excited to be able to see again in various venues in Chicago! Here is a list of all the shows for The Big Weekend:
Oct 4 – Lettuce @ Concord Music Hall
Oct 5 – Emancipator Ensemble + Papadosio @ Riviera Theatre (Early)
Oct 5 – The Revolution @ Park West (Early)
Oct 5 – Spafford @ House of Blues (Early)
Oct 5 – The Motet + Special Guests @ Concord Music Hall (Late)
Oct 6 – Umphrey’s McGee @ Aragon Ballroom (Early)
Oct 6 – Leftover Salmon + Amy Helm @ Park West (Early)
Oct 6 – Spafford @ House of Blues (Late)
Oct 6 – SunSquabi + The Russ Liquid Test @ Concord Music Hall
I am looking forward to seeing a handful of these artists, but here are the two I am most excited to see!
Emancipator Ensemble
I have had the opportunity to catch Emancipator Ensemble and Electric Forest this year and at Red Rocks last year. Douglas Appling has produced music since 2006 when he released his first album, Soon It Will Be Cold Enough. He plays mutiple instruments that includes the violin, electric guitar, bass, and drums. He created his own live band, Emancipator Ensemble, as well as created his own record label! With Papadosio opening the same night, I am excited to get back to the Riviera Theater for another show!
SunSquabi
A three man band, SunSquabi is heading to Chicago to headline a show at the Concord Music Hall. Kevin Donohue (guitars, keys, production), Josh Fairman (bassist, synths), and Chris Anderson (drums) make up SunSquabi and deliver an “Electronic Hydro Funk Experience” show that is different every time you see them perform. They debuted their first EP through All Good Records titled Oydssey that had features from GRiZ and Dominic Lalli from Big Gigantic. With their performances that I have seen so far this year at the Riviera Theater, Electric Forest, and Red Rocks with OPIUO, I am ready for yet another installment of the “Live-Electronic” band to steal the show along with the Russ Liquid Test!
I am thrilled to be back in the city of Chicago to see all of these talented musicians and see what The Big Weekend has to offer for its first year! Check out the promo video below!
