Photo taken from Spring Awakening Music Festival’s official Facebook page.
Whether it’s closer or farther from you, Chicago’s Spring Awakening Music Festival’s new location in Hoffman Estates, Illinois has been the fest’s biggest buzz since the news dropped. It’s not a surprise, though: over the years SAMF has changed venues and left ticket holders trekking all over Chicagoland from its original home at Soldier Field to a more recent residence at Adams/Medill Park on the southwest side. With the change of plans, React Presents did what they had to, and came back with a lineup so stacked that all is forgiven, and we are not worthy.
The first wave of artists set to play at Poplar Creek over June 7th-9th weekend includes headliners GRiZ, REZZ, Illenium, DJ Snake, Zedd and Martin Garrix. Yet, we believe every non-headlining artist on this lineup deserves a shout out. When SAMF weekend announces these set times, friend groups are sure to part as everyone scrambles to convince their squad of which set will have a better groove, more lasers, and heavier bass. But we’re not ready to think about that stress just yet! Pull out your pens early and start writing your argument for these can’t miss acts.
Chris Lake
If you’re a Chicagoan, or if you become one during the glory that is Chicago festival season, then you might’ve caught Chris Lake opening up the Perry’s stage at Lollapalooza last year in the blazing sun. If you didn’t, the Dirtybird house DJ is back again to drop some booty-shakin’ bass equally as funky as the high-hats are crisp and clean. Plus, a city so obsessed with pizza deserves to (hopefully) hear a loud, live rendition of “Pizza” from Chris Lake and Chris Lorenzo’s side project, Anti-Up.
Malaa
Who is Malaa? You’re either asking this question to learn more about the future-ghetto-house DJ on Tchami’s record label, or you’re asking because you’re another detective working on the two-year mystery that is Malaa. The French DJ’s identity is unknown, but he’s rumored to be a collab between Tchami and DJ Snake (a headliner, how convenient!). For now, no one knows anything about the man behind the ski mask aside from the fact that his beats are infectious; a heavy dose of hip-hop influence brings some soul into his technical sounds. Plus, he’s dropped tracks with a few other artists on the lineup (bump his track with fellow billed artist Noizu below), and the possibility of a guest appearance is strong with this one. Check out his set and start pulling your weight in solving this mystery – one day, we’ll all know Malaa.
G Jones
SAMF has given us a nice balance of bass, dubstep, house and funk this time around. G Jones takes those influences to another level as a fresh, experimental artist that doesn’t quite fit in any genre by itself. G Jones is an artist by trade, with sets comprised of equal parts storytelling through slow, ambient tracks and others of heavy bass, chaotic tech-sounds and unexpected rhythms. His debut album, The Ineffable Truth, was in the works for two years before its release in late October 2018. Check out his new album live and witness the start of a very promising electronic career.
Blunts & Blondes
Blunts & Blondes. Should I stop there? What’s not to like? This heavy dubstep artist is another recent addition to Deadbeats, Zeds Dead’s record label that also houses REZZ and Rusko among others. Blunts & Blondes has been grinding on tour with Subtronics this year promoting a lifestyle of good times, good friends, good music and the best greenery. These are some wubs that you won’t want to miss – if Zeds Dead trusts in his bass, so can everyone else.
The first and second tier of GA three-day tickets are already sold out, and this is only the first wave of artists released with more to come. Get ready for SAMF on June 7th-9th 2019 and get your tickets here!