Five Shows in Seven Days, Chicago Style.
The sole reason I didn’t relocate myself to some remote farm in Northern California was that I was given a challenge.
“If you move to Chicago, you could go to a show every day of the week,” said my uncle.
Between the dates of November 15 and November 22, I attended five shows in seven days. As this was my first attempt to attend a show every night of the week, I’d have to say I’m pretty pleased with myself. Here’s how it went down.
Slow Magic – Wednesday 11/15
To start off my spree, I attended Slow Magic for his “Float Tour” at Bottom Lounge. The venue allows for the musicians to be up close and personal with the audience. To top it off, the crowd was very intimate and fully invested in his set. He even took time to join the crowd with his drum and play in the smack dab middle of it. He played a mix of old favorites and new tracks off his most recent album, “Float”. I was most ecstatic to hear his new track, “Wildfire”, and old track “Girls.”
Bleep Bloop – Thursday 11/16
Dubstep and bass shook the walls of Bottom Lounge on Thursday, November 16, with a much more decorated and lively crowd than the show I attended the night previous. It was a treat to watch the change in attendees from one night to the other. Opening for Bleep Bloop was Somethin’ Somethin’ and Um… I swear, this isn’t lazy reporting — those were their names.
Bleep Bloop is touring his recent EP, “Fifth Pupil”, released this previous October. The EP takes bass to a new level of grimy.
Wookiefoot – Friday 11/17
Every year around Thanksgiving, Wookiefoot hosts two nights in Chicago at Reggie’s Rock Club. “Wooksgiving” is two nights of all the happy hippies and bagpipes that you can handle. I was greeted warmly with “Welcome Home” as soon as I reached the door. The sides and top of the stage were covered in black and white stripes, making the performers seem as if they were in a 5th graders shadow box project.
Friday night featured the up and coming band, Satsang. They were happy to return to Chicago, referring to it as their “second home”. Lead singer and guitarist, Drew McManus, ended the set strong with a memorable track about his wife. Love rang loud.
Wookiefoot played a collection of old and new favorites. Member, Maya Elena, stole the show for the evening with her breathtaking vocals and collected stage presence. She’s featured on tracks “You’re It” and “The Road” on their most recent album, “You’re It”. Both songs were performed that night.
Wookiefoot – Saturday 11/18
This was my fifth Wookiefoot show this year and a baker’s dozen of times in total. I decided that I might love fans of Wookiefoot more than I actually love Wookiefoot. Not once was I shoved in the crowd. After stepping out of the venue for some fresh air, I was pleasantly surprised to return to find my second row spot awaiting my return. I had been quickly accepted into a group of friends who annually attend both nights of Wookiefoot’s Chicago shows. Instead of checking my coat, I added it a pile guarded by a cuddly couple for the entirety of the night. They expressed appreciation for the alternative to a cement wall backrest and remembered whose coat was whose. I swear this only happens at a Wookiefoot show.
Opening for Wookiefoot was Chicago’s Ethereal Groove Inc or “EGi”. The band’s bass player, Allan Burokhovich, played with outstanding passion. The night was themed after The Beatles “Sgt Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band”. The stage was redecorated and Wookiefoot members wore bright suit coats, resembling those of the Lonely Hearts Club Band.
They played a mix of originals and Beatles tracks. Wookiefoot ended their show with “Let It Be” and even after the mics turned off, the crowd continued passionately in acapella as lead singer, Mark Murphy, stood on their hands. I’d be lying if I said I didn’t cry.
I thought this was the end of music spree for the week…
Crizzly – Wednesday 11/22
On Monday, I won two tickets from DoStuff to see Crizzly’s Wednesday show with supporting acts Kai Wachi and Eliminate at the Mid. Though I hadn’t listened to much of his booty shakin’ sound, I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to catch another show in a week’s time. Prior to the show I searched every corner of the internet for set times with no success.
I am ashamed to admit that the weeks prior festivities had me pretty worn out. When Kai Wachi’s set didn’t started till 1 a.m. and Crizzly’s didn’t look like he was coming on until 2 a.m. or later, I had to call it quits. Instead, I feasted upon 2 a.m. delivery breakfast. I love Chicago.
