Porterfield, Oddysseys, Lithia
Described as ‘spellbinding’ (MP3 Hugger) and ‘a force to be reckoned with… and to listen to in unabashed amazement” (Find No Enemy), Porterfield is an indie-alternative outfit based in Brooklyn, NY. The combination of vocals, guitar, synth bass, saxophone and fx, and drums “coalesces into a beautiful patchwork” (Divide and Conquer). There’s no such thing as taking it easy when it comes to Oddysseys. The Boston born and Chicago-based trio has always operated under a strong DIY ethos and work ethic. The band has forged their own organic growth in the underground music scene, leaving their impression on basements, warehouses, and legendary venues across the U.S. and Canada, offering dynamic performances that take their audience on a journey through a sonically diverse discography – leaving plenty of room for moshers, dancers, and arm-crossers alike. Lithia is a Chicago based project harboring sounds from indie/alternative/experimental rock. They are set to release their debut full length album, Pink House
Sara Mercurio, Lydia Shae, The Devil Said Jump
Sara Mercurio, born and raised in New York, is a Chicago-based musician and performing artist. A frequent performer and featured act at many open mics and DIY events, Sara has also performed at spaces like the Gallery Cabaret, Uncommon Ground, Reggies Rock Club, Phyllis’ Musical Inn, the Burlington Bar, and more. She draws inspiration from many different styles of music, including but not limited to rock, punk, and folk. The Devil Said Jump is a folk band from Chicago whose sound blends pop influences, folk instrumentation, and effortless harmonies. With quick-wits, and a knack for storytelling they’ve captivated Chicago audiences with their previous releases, including their debut album “All Shook Up” (2024). Also featuring Lydia Shae
Common Molly, Coyote Fire, Sin.
Blending sounds from punk, indie, grunge, blues and funk, Common Molly have cultivated their own eclectic sound. What certainly stands out is their stage presence. Every song is played from the heart and soul. With an explosive lead guitarist, a powerhouse singer, and a driving engine of a rhythm section they have proven to be a band pushing forward to great things. Chicago Psychedelic Garage Punk | Brought together by fate, a vision, or just bad luck; Coyote Fire captivates audiences with a ferocious blend of scorching guitar riffs, thunderous drums, and high energy punk rock. Their sound paints portraits of pain, rage, and vivacity of life. An untamed spirit poised to set the underground Rock scene ablaze. Sin. is a supersonic psychedelic garage rock project based out of the depths of the underground music scene in Chicago, Illinois. The band is fronted by Ethan Oliver on vocals and guitar, Brian Chindblom on lead guitar, Joe McTague on bass and Caleb Nelson on drums. This 4 piece powerhouse of a group uses glamourous sparkly chords, fuzzy and spacey guitar tones, simple yet effective rock beats, exhilarating bass lines, and chilling vocals to create a beautiful amalgamation of “Do It Yourself”, psychedelic rock fusion.Sin. Is a reclamation of the the biblical term “sin”. It is a rejection of the shame surrounding human desire and emotions especially as it pertains to the Christian faith. Sin. embraces our animalistic tendencies, our primal instincts, the darker sides of our hearts.
Sophia Lucia, Butthole, Th0rn
Sophia Lucia is an experimental musician, performeuse, and poet. She is based out of Paris and Chicago. She makes rock & roll / singer-songwriter / punk-cabaret music. She writes & produces her one woman variety show, ‘Freak Show Cabaret’ including but not limited to music, poetry, performance art, drag, clown, and improvisation. Butthole. They are the shit. th0rn makes indie pop for lovers and loners. expect dreamy vocals, emotional lyrics, and a set that feels like a spell. if you like sad bangers and getting a little existential in the pit, don’t miss it. <3
Danielle Crim, CRiX, CVKES, K.XXIV
Danielle Crim is an electro-pop singer, songwriter, producer and mult- instrumentalist based in Chicago, IL. By integrating use of an electronic soundscape with traditional rock instruments, Crim combines elements from Pop, R&B, Alternative, and Electronic music to develop her distinct creativesound. Danielle Crim draws inspiration from iconic artists like FKA Twigs, Rina Sawayama, and Lady Gaga to influence her music.Danielle’s work has been recognized by Madison365, Tone Madison, as well as The Overture Center for the Art’s: Only Intermission blog, with comments such as: “Crim’s sure-handed touch as both a musician and producer are on full display here and point to an extremely bright future both on either side of the boards” – Steven Spoerl (Tone Madison) in regards to Crim’s 2021 release “Shoestrings (Hold On)”. Danielle has released three self-produced albums: Floating (2021), Exploration of Life (2020), and Illuminate (2018), along with six singles. Quite the decorated artist, Crim has been awarded by the Madison Area Music Awards, Overture Center for the Arts Rising Star Competition, and the national NAACP ACT- SO competition. Most recently, in 2024, Crim won the Columbia College Chicago Manifest Song Competition with her original song, “Unbelievable” which she performed on the MainStage at the Manifest Arts Festival. Days later, Danielle graduated Summa Cum Laude with their Bachelor of Music degree in Contemporary, Jazz, and Popular Music. CVKES is Multi-genre artist who enjoys embarking listeners on a journey through emotions and story telling My name is K.XXIV and I’m a Recording Artist, Lyricist, and Producer currently based in Chicago, IL. Since 2018, I’ve made it my mission to spread my message on mental health and creative self-expression through my music. With a mix of sounds to the likes of Tyler, The Creator, $uicideboy$, and BROCKHAMPTON, I always aim to give a one-of-a-kind performance that exceeds audience expectations. Also featuring CRiX
Sunflower Summit, The Violet Hearts, Andrea Dirkes
Sunflower Summit (she/they) is a queer Latinx Chicago based artist, writing and performing music that hits right in the feels. Made up of vocalist and writer Maria Requena, cellist and bassist Allison Hill, drummer Dan Munk, and guitarist Justin Merchan, the group creates intimate and cozy energy for every performance that any listener can connect with!Since 2019, Sunflower Summit has released a combination of albums and EPS, including Love Notes, In This Moment, and When It Snows, and a new album is in the works! Follow along on Sunflower Summit’s happenings on Instagram and support them on Patreon! The Violet Hearts is a genre-bending collective of friends who enjoy swapping instruments and trying new things. Andrea Dirkes (she/her) is a Chicago based singer-songwriter. Her music is best described as primarily folk, with alt country, punk, and indie-rock influences. With a background in classical guitar, her music features the acoustic and electric guitar and mandolin. She is known for her storytelling and evocative songwriting
Impulsive Hearts, Phil Yates & The Affiliates, Mammals
Chicago’s “sad-surf” indie-rock band Impulsive Hearts. They shared their third album Fit 4 The Apocalypse last year via legendary indie-rock label Cavity Search Records (Elliott Smith, Helio Sequence) and dropped a remaster of their debut album Sorry In The Summer this spring.Echoing the likes of Best Coast and Dum Dum Girls, the all-women band adds a “hint of indelible Midwestern sadness” to the band’s garage pop sound that the band has dialed in since a decade ago. Atwood Magazine shared their last music video last month, writing, “Impulsive Hearts’ Fit 4 the Apocalypse is the Chicago indie rock band’s boldest, warmest, and most ambitious offering to date.” As a staple in the Chicago music scene for the past decade, Impulsive Hearts has received plenty of local acclaim across their body of work. Jessica Hopper wrote in the Chicago Tribune before that Danielle’s “songs are studies in contrast, sweet melodies and then distortion and rage.” “Hyperliterate pop-rock with shades of Elvis Costello and Big Star…” – Chicago’s Phil Yates & The Affiliates specialize in three-minute hook-filled pop songs loudly played. Phil Yates’ merry band of Affiliates include Michael Kennedy on guitar, Jay Lyon on bass, and Bill Urban on drums. Mammals is a 4-piece rock ‘n’ roll band from the Chicagoland area that brings heart and soul from the garage to the stage. They draw inspiration from classic ’60s rock ‘n’ roll, ’70s power pop, and more modern garage rock and punk to create their own energetic, melody-driven originals.
Milkswarm, Daundry, Paper Hotel
Milkswarm- Chicago music farm Daundry is a three-piece grungagze band from Chicago IL. Paper Hotel is an experimental indie rock band- with themes of tension, push and pull, and vulnerability.
Model Living, Rocco and His Bones, Riddle M
Model Living are a Chicago-based post-punk quartet formed in spring 2023. Their angular songwriting & urgent-yet-poetic lyricism seek to capture life in Your City (USA) & the ever-encroaching doom surrounding them. Guitarist Jay Martinez, drummer Nico Ciani, & bassist Matt Ciani create a hazy backdrop of repetition & tension for vocalist Geoff Daniels’ frantic depictions of a city ravaged by displacement, restaurant groups, & Exponential Growth.Model Living formed as an opportunity for Daniels, also of art rock project Upstairs, & the Cianis, joining from Chicago dance-punk outfit Arthhur & synth-doom dirgers Flesh of the Stars, to collaborate, having worked out of the same rehearsal space for years & finding similar interests in post-punk luminaries The Fall, Priests, & Protomartyr. Building on the rhythm section’s unyielding, ripples-in-your-water-glass intensity, Martinez brings a nervy sharpness & dissonance in his guitar playing, conjuring squalls of feedback & sharp stabs of melody in equal measure. Together, Model Living craft propulsive rock songs with a strong point of view. Rocco and His Bones is a psych/garage punk band born out of a DIY barn venue in upstate SC. Touring up the East Coast and Midwest following the release of their singles “On Display/Trees,” the band fuses early 2000s garage & 80s new wave into their set of songs influenced by The Oh Sees, early The Misfits, and Prison Affair. Riddle M has dug through the trenches using 4 track tape recorders bringing sounds from the dead. A Lo Fi glam gem looked to pioneers like The Cleaners from Venus, Joe Meek, and Ariel Pink. Peal your eyes for a surprise from one who grew up in Decatur IL (Pride of the prairie) and took his spaceship out to the industrial city of Chicago to bring his sound to the big ones.
Miniskirt, The Scratch-Offs, Wallplant
Miniskirt is a Chicago four piece that draws on a love of 60’s girl groups, garage rock, power pop, and punk to make a dreamy and energetic sound. They inspire a raucous pit or a joint to be passed around. From the hazy hippie hangover that is Madison, WI come the Scratch-Offs, with their dumb power chords, garage pop riffs, and X-inspired harmonies, ready to take a fat ol’ chance on the lottery of life. Wallplant makes bedroom pop inflicted post punk