Recap: GRiZ in Chicago #FreeShowsForThePeople
Thursday, August 15 started out the same as any other day. That is until saxophone player, Griz tweeted at 10:17 a.m. that he landed in Chicago.
#FreeShowsForThePeople is about to happen in the Windy City.
“I woke up this morning thinking I would go get a buffalo chicken wrap,” shared Griz fan, Tania. “But, I ended up here, in line to meet Griz.”
This would be Griz’s third and fourth #FreeShowsForThePeople with one the night before In Detroit and one on July 19 in Denver. For each event, Griz uses social media to announce a free DJ set only hours before it takes place. Whoever gets there first, gets in. And did we mention it’s free? He can usually be caught headlining music festivals and selling out Red Rocks. This format creates a welcomed, intimate experience with the musician.
Less than an hour after he shared his arrival, he announced a meet and greet from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. at Grassroots Chicago, a clothing and glass store located near the loop.
Fans lined the streets for a chance to chit chat with the artist, get an autograph and purchase fee-free tickets to Ride Waves: Season Two at Navy Pier on October 5. Even though Griz probably won’t be there, tickets can still be purchased at the location.
The line was already two blocks long when I arrived at 12:30 p.m. Planes practicing for the Chicago Air and Water show rushed over head, adding an uncanny excitement to the air. Literally. Everyone was as friendly as could be. Each with a story about how they called off work, got their shift covered or just walked out. Others were students, grateful school hadn’t begun session.
People were sharing food and favorite Griz memories when a piece of paper with an address began floating around with the disclaimer ‘might be the show.’
My new friends and I (Hi Avery and Tania!) made it in the store by 3:30 p.m. and had a few moments each to chit chat with the man himself. He was genuine as ever.
Ready to take a risk, we made our way over to the ‘L’ to scope out the next location. A line had already begun to form outside the Virgin Hotel, where intimate rooftop venue Cersies is located. Vivian and I were within the first 100 people to arrive to the 200 person capacity event at 4:30 p.m.
Everyone felt like a family. Seriously, who let so many hippy lookin’ kids into such a nice place? Conversations centered around what kind of set he would play and where the next show would. Many, including myself, were about to experience their first rooftop show.
Griz and Prob Cause showed up at 7 p.m. Griz pulled out his fanny pack with his USB’s and started to throw down some good ol’ house music. Prob Cause jumped on the mic and the two threw down a conglomeration of “My Friends and I” from Good Will Prevail and “My Friends and I Part 2” from “Ride Waves” followed shortly by new collaboration.
The DJ added some dub to the mix but went hard on the early 2000’s hip hop with songs such as ‘Wasn’t Me,’ and “It’s Getting Hot in Here.” He then slipped in his track release from the day prior with Subtronics titled ‘Griztronics.’
For those who did not make it in, Griz himself went down to let them know about where the second #FreeShowsForThePeople of the day would take place: Bottom Lounge.
We left the rooftop show after about an hour to hopefully make it to the Bottom Lounge. By the time we arrived at 8:30 p.m., doors were at 9:00 p.m. and the line was wrapped around the block. Still riding the high of the day, we waited in line until 10:30.
“He tweeted, it’s over,” said a girl leaving the line.
At 10:04 p.m., Griz took to social media one last time.
“Bottom lounge is maxed. Gonna play soon. Please everyone be safe tonight and be peaceful. Shit we shoulda done a 10k person venue.”
The man had spoken.
Griz did more than meet fans and put on free shows. He brought us together and fostered a sense of community. The large city can feel lonely, but a little less when surrounded by fellow humans who want to ‘Show love, spread love.’
Photos by Alycia Grace
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