Spring Awakening 2015 Preview: 3 "Don't Miss" Sets

Summertime in Chicago is just about here, so you know what that means, right? MUSIC FESTIVAL SEASON! Is it just me, or does Chicago host more music festivals than any other city in the world? Seeing that I rarely go outside the city limits, I'm going to go ahead and say the answer to that question is YES!

The gateway to the summer festival season in Chicago for the past few years has been the EDM extravaganza, Spring Awakening, held at Soldier Field, and this year is no different. Spring Awakening is back and bigger than ever. The line-up features a "who's who" of the EDM world. Diplo, Paul Van Dyk, Tiesto, Afrojack...you name it, Spring Awakening's got it!

Spring Awakening 2015 is a three-day smorgasbord of electronica,from June 12-14, with different headliners closing the show each night. Even the newbiest (word?) of EDM fans know to stick around for the Midwest debut of Jack U (Diplo and Skrillex's super group), but what deeper sets should an EDM virgin check out? That's where the mighty QB comes in to help.

Here are 3 non-headlining sets, 1 from each day, that if you truly call yourself an EDM fan, you'll stick around for. You're welcome.

Upcoming Show: Future @ Concord Music Hall 5/25/2014 - Presented by React Presents

So, this past December I was invited to the Chicago leg of Drake's Would You Like a Tour tour (hey, if 2 Chainz can get paid to rhyme foreign with foreign, then I can say tour back-to-back for free...sue me), which, along with Drizzy, featured PARTYNEXTDOOR, Miguel, and Future. Due to my work schedule, I was only able to catch both Miguel's and Drake's sets.

I had no regrets about missing Future's set until he joined Drake on stage and injected some unadulterated energy into Aubrey Graham's show. The rapper/R&B singer from Atlanta definitely brought it. I told myself that I would check him out if he ever came back to Chicago anytime in the near future.

Well low and behold, the fine folks at React Presents have persuaded Future a.k.a. Mr. Freebandz a.k.a. Future Hendrix a.k.a. Ciara's fiance to make his way to the Concord Music Hall on May 25th and hit his fans with some new music off of his recently released sophomore album, Honest.

Future will be accompanied by another rapper/singer, Rico Love, and fellow ATLien Que, who is riding a strong wave of popularity from his current hit OG Bobby Johnson. This show should provide its audience with a good mixture of sounds from the urban music spectrum, and with as many people as Future has collaborated with, there could even be a few surprise appearances in store.

I'm just looking forward to hearing my guilty pleasure song of the moment, Move That Dope. For tickets, click here and pick your package. Until May 25th, enjoy some Dope. You're welcome.

Tycho & GEMS @ Concord Music Hall 4/10/2014

I was a trance virgin until last Thursday, when I popped my trance cherry at the Concord Music Hall by going to see Tycho presented by React Presents. The doors opened at 8 PM, and there was a line for ticket holders that was long, but the line moved quick. When I entered the hall, blue and green lights danced across the main floor as I made my way to the balcony. Lucky for me, there was also a bar hiding in the balcony. Drink in hand, I found a suitable observation spot as the opening act, GEMS, took the stage.

GEMS is a shadow-pop duo based out of Washington D.C. I wonder if they have had a chance to take a selfie with POTUS yet? Any-who. Clifford Usher and Lindsay Pitts harmonize together over guitar, synthesizers, and thick bass. The whole stage was flooded with purple lights, and when the bass kicked in the strobe lights would flash, putting the whole room in a trance. The crowd pulsed with music and roared after each song. So much energy. It was an excellent show and I plan on seeing them again whenever they come back this way.

Tycho is the musical pseudonym of Scott Hansen, an ambient music producer out of Sacramento (Sac Town for the cool kids). Tycho is backed by a drummer, a guitarist, and a bassist. No vocals, purely instrumental. Like I said before, I am fairly new to the trance genre, so the experience was just different for me. In contrast to the high-energy GEMS, Tycho played mellow, soothing tones. I enjoyed the live drums played alongside the echoing melodies. The crowd swayed as lights pulsed slowly in yellow and orange to accentuate the flowing music. Tycho's set massaged the crowds mentals for the remainder of the evening.

All in all, for my first live trance experience, it was very enjoyable. Through both acts, I was able to see both ends of the trance spectrum. GEMS was there to get that last lap of energy out of you right before Tycho came in to tuck you in, a perfect combination. See you next time.

Classixx @ Double Door Chicago on March 7, 2014

One of the many perks of blogging, besides my annual salary of $0, is the fact that I am constantly discovering new and exciting music outside of the realms on mainstream. One group that has slowly created a buzz on my iTunes playlists is the California nu-disco/electro duo known as Classixx.

Classixx is made up of childhood friends Tyler Blake and Michael David. That's right guys, 2 men...4 first names. For the last 4 years, Classixx has been blessing followers of the electronic music genre with a very energetic sound. Their tracks display influences from all over the music map from old school hip-hop to 60s folk music. Classixx has offered up production and remixes for a wide range of artists, including Mayer Hawthorne, Major Lazer, and Lana Del Rey.



Classixx released their debut album, Hanging Gardens, in May of 2013, and are now embarking on their first major tour in support of the album. Guess what people...they are making a stop in Chicago! Yes, ladies and gentlemen, Tyler and Michael will be at Double Door on March 7th. Take a listen to some of their music posted, and if you like click here to buy tickets to the show. Have I ever steered you wrong? Don't answer that. Just listen to the music, buy some tickets, and we'll talk about it at the show next month. You're welcome.

5th Annual Chicago Bluegrass & Blues Fest

You don't have to wait until summer in order to enjoy a good ol' fashioned Chicago music festival. The fest season starts next week when the 5th Annual Chicago Bluegrass & Blues Fest kicks off at the Concord Music Hall.

I know what you're thinking, "what the hell do you know about bluegrass music!?!?" Not much, but I'm sure many of you reading don't either, so this is the perfect opportunity for all of us to get familiar with this forever evolving genre.

Many people associate the term "bluegrass" as being a younger sibling to country and western music, and while that statement might hold some merit to it, country is only a small fraction of what influences can be heard in today's bluegrass. If you listen closely you will hear traditional sounds from many European countries (Ireland, England, and Scotland to name a few), a sprinkle of of folk music, and even a splash of jazz.