Festival Announces First Night Headliner and Performers on Bud Light Stage
2013-03-12 — /travelprnews.com/ — The theme is “fun” for this year’s 33rd Annual Taste of Chicago, July 10-14 in Grant Park and what better way to kick off the line up of headline talent at the Petrillo Music Shell than with recent two-time Grammy® Award winners, fun. The fun. concert will be Wednesday, July 10, opening at 5:30 p.m. with indie rock band Delta Spirit.
fun. received six Grammy nominations for the 55th annual Grammy Awards, and also were the first rock band to receive nominations in all “Big Four” categories, winning Best New Artist and Song of the Year for “We Are Young.”
Nate Reuess, Jack Antonoff and Andrew Dost began working together in New Jersey and just three years ago released their first album, Aim & Ignite, which featured the Song of the Year. “We Are Young” (Featuring Janelle Monàe). “We Are Young” reached #1 on Billboard’s Hot 100 where it remained for six weeks while climbing to that same position on the Top 40, Hot Ac, Alternative and AAA radio formats. It was the highest debut for a new artist EVER at Top 40.
Defying the cliche sophomore jinx, fun.’s second album, Some Nights, was named one of the top albums of the year by Rolling Stone, SPIN and Entertainment Weekly, which also named the band one of its “Entertainers of the Year.”
Having performed at Coachella and most recently, the 2012 Lollapalooza, Delta Spirit now brings its intense live performance to Taste. Comprised of Jon Jameson (bass), Brandon Young (percussion), Matthew Vasquez (vocals/guitars), Kelly Winrich (multi-instrumentals) and Will McLaren (guitar), the band has had numerous songs featured in television shows such “Friday Night Lights” and “Sons of Anarchy.”
Other headline acts will be announced as they become available. Tickets for the seating area will be priced at $25 per person while lawn seating remains free admission. Tickets go on sale in May with information available on the Taste website at www.tasteofchicago.us.
Taste attendees need not wait for the evening to enjoy great music as once again the Bud Light Stage located on the southern end of the festival, where performances begin at noon, has some incredible local and regional talent. Topping the list of confirmed artists is “Golden” girl and Chicago artist, Kelly Hogan who will headline the Bud Light stage on Sunday, July 14.
Other artists include: Chicago bluesman Lil’ Ed and the Blues Imperials on Friday, July 12 at 5:20 p.m. and at 6:40 p.m. theCongregation, which has opened for Wilco; local bands Canasta on Saturday, July 13 at 5:20 p.m. followed by Company of Thieves at 6:40 p.m. to round out a full day of indie rock performances.
One lucky band will get a chance to perform on the Bud Light Stage through the 10th Annual RedEye’s Rock ‘n’ Vote contest. RedEye is currently seeking submissions from Chicago bands through April 14. To enter, visit redeyechicago.com/rock. RedEye will select ten finalists, and from those ten, the readers select their favorite at a concert this spring. The winner will perform at Taste of Chicago on Sunday, July, 14 at 4 p.m.
Taste of Chicago is presented by the City of Chicago and sponsored in part by Aquafina, Blue Bunny® Ice Cream, Bud Light, Chicago Transit Authority, Communications Direct, Dominick’s, Gallo Family Vineyards, Humana, Illinois Lottery, LaGrou Distribution System, Pepsi, Radio Disney AM 1300, Shoreline Sightseeing, WTTW 11’s Check, Please! and 93XRT.
Media requesting credentials to cover the Taste of Chicago concerts, please submit requests in advance. Deadline to submit is July 1, 2013. Please visit the press room at www.tasteofchicago.us to apply.
The 33rd Annual Taste of Chicago is July 10-14 in Grant Park and is open each day 11 a.m. – 9 p.m. For more information on the free admission festival, call 312.744.3316; TTY: 312.744.2964 or visit www.tasteofchicago.us. To plan a trip to Chicago, visit www.choosechicago.com. Join the Taste conversation on Facebook at Taste of Chicago and follow us on Twitter, @TasteofChi2013.
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The Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE) is dedicated to enriching Chicago’s artistic vitality and cultural vibrancy. This includes fostering the development of Chicago’s non-profit arts sector, independent working artists and for-profit arts businesses; providing a framework to guide the City’s future cultural and economic growth, via the 2012 Chicago Cultural Plan; marketing the City’s cultural assets to a worldwide audience; and presenting high-quality, free and affordable cultural programs for residents and visitors.