Two Piece Fest: Copies, Kafiza, in shining armour, Calico Loco, Sun King Ba
Copies is a guitar-drums-voice duo from Chicago. They play loud and noisily and try to have a lot of fun doing so. “Then, under the raw glow of makeshift spotlights, two figures emerge on the “stage.” They bulldoze through 30-odd minutes of screaming guitar riffs and deafening drum fills. So, this is KAFIZA.” – these days magazine in shining armour – rock music from aidan and seth Calico Loco will melt your face off Sun King Ba is an instrumental sludge/stoner metal band from Chicago, IL. The duo of Anthony Santoro and Calvin Schaller employ pummeling riffs, intricate leads and thundering rhythms to narrate the legend of the reptile demigod Sun King Ba.
The Living Head, King Sans, When the Wall Breaks Down
Named after an infamous, clandestine doomsday cult from the 1960s, The Living Head is an apocalyptic post-punk band from Chicago, IL. Spontaneous, shapeshifting, ever-evolving improvised music from Chicago. Imagine two feral rats scurrying around you in the shadows of an alley. They’ll shriek and run, but then sing you a lullaby.
MINKA, 4×4 Animal Style, C.H.E.F., King Sans
Well, there’s really no way to fully capture the experiences and sounds of Philly-born band, MINKA. But if you want to let your imagination run wild: Let’s pretend some scientists got in the lab and crossed Bowie with Prince, and then sprinkled in some Talking Heads. King Sans – Chicago’s gothic noisepunk duo. Imagine two feral rats scurrying around you in the shadows of an alley. They’ll shriek and run, but then sing you a lullaby. 4×4 Animal Style is an Alternative Soul-Art Rock band from Chicago. Their sound ranges from an explosion of fast, loud, time bending tracks to soulful, gentle ballads. They got their start in the DIY Central Illinois College scene, playing living rooms, backyards and basements. It was here that they refined their bombastic stage presence and showmanship. They have since moved back home to Chicago, and have played a variety of the popular venues in the city. Their latest EP, Movement & Form, was released April 2025. C.H.E.F. brings a jam-centric groove to the table by mixing elements of psychedelia, funk, and indie-rock to hit all your sonic taste-buds. Come kick it late-night with a Cuppla Homies Emitting Frequencies
Model Cars, Kweelag, T. Maguire, Philadelphia Eagles
Model Cars Model Cars is an Indie Rock band from Chicago Illinois that expresses different shades of grief and angst from slow emotional melodies to upbeat garage rock riffs. T. Maguire is a five-piece post-hardcore band from Chicago. Kweelag is 3-piece fuzzed out Dark Souls rock.
Gen-X Joplin, Moon Goons, A Mammoth Task
Moon Goons is Indianapolis’ premier goblin-core psych-prog act. Known for playing songs about worms, wizards, and ghosts. Always on time for dinner. FFO: King Gizzard, Primus, BTBAM, Osees A Mammoth Task – Chicago’s angriest prog-punk Gen-X Joplin is cheeky heavy proggy mathcore
$50k Check, BAUGS, Heirloom Locket
50k Check is a Chicago band that blends 70s post-punk, 60s psychedelic pop, and a noisy indie rock that gives every song its own unique vibe. On their first album, songs build from pin-drop quiet to all-encompassing layers of sound, others peel a song, layer by layer, to reveal their essence. Behind Kelly Torch’s soaring vocals, the band sways between melody and fuzz, groove and trance, dance and lounge. 50K Check is Kelly Torch on vocals, Mason Payne on guitar, Kisira Hill on bass, Karl El Sokhn on drums and David Green on keys. BAUGS brings a distinct brand of toe-tapping dark pop through lush synthesizers L, spacey vocals, and the more-than-occasional harp.
Friday I’m In Love
It’s Friday I’m In Love Hosted by Vampurrra Come celebrate Valentine’s eve (Friday the 13th) with a Cure DJ sets by Heaven Malone, a Robert Smith lookalike contest, and a Cure Video Dance Party.
Cheap 52, Makeout Palace, Cowboy Neal
Cheap 52 is a Philadelphia-based DIY power pop/alternative rock band known for infectious riffs, high-energy live shows, and a “garagy” sound. They released their album Vermont in 2024 and are active in the local basement/house show scene. The band, formed around 2017, features members including Michael and Buster. Makeout Palace makes music for people to dance to, laugh to, cry to, and kiss to (not necessarily in that order) Cowboy Neal is an energetic six-piece band from Chicago, IL. Bringing frenetic, diverse performances, you’ll hear music inspired by The Talking Heads, Fela Kuti, Frank Zappa, King Crimson, Pom Poko, and black midi. Cowboy Neal has performed at many venues in the city: Bookclub, Beat Kitchen, Subterranean, the Burlington, and more! Come and dance with Cowboy Neal!
Cameron Davies, Leili Grzybowski, Karl Kirkpatrick, The Devil Said Jump
The Devil Said Jump is a queer Americana band from Chicago. An artist whose music evokes the punch and soul of Joe Cocker along with the sensitivity and self reflection of Jeff Buckley, Karl Kirkpatrick’s sound has found its home all across the Chicagoland area. Backed by Henry Carpender, Phineas Gleber, and Aval Stanley, Karl has been an active member of the singer-songwriter community of Chicago since 2021 and has performed at venues such as Schuba’s, Reggie’s, and Fitzgerald’s. Leili Grzybowski’s sound transforms through every new piece- one of her songs may be solemn and reflective, while others are wistful and full of hope- yet all of their music is able to capture the experience of being human through her acoustic guitar and a vocal mic. Themes of home, nature, and belonging are explored through this artist’s project. Using ambient noise, carefully plucked strings, and rhythmic strumming patterns, Leili explores what music is said to be, and how she can push those expectations just a little further every time they play. New to the Chicago area by way of Ohio, Cameron Davies brings his take on a smokey, soulful folk sound rooted deep in Appalachian folk, Chicago blues, and southern roots music. With influences like Bob Dylan, Muddy Waters, the Allman Brothers, and Mike Bloomfield, Cameron brings an eclectic mix of original music and cover songs to life.
STMNTS + Friends
STMNTS (pronounced Statements) is a 5-piece emotive pop punk outfit from Baltimore, Maryland. Formed in 2022, the band consists of vocalist Liam King, rhythm guitarist Jamie Black, lead guitarist Drew Chiodo, bassist Josh Pelc, and drummer Shawn Smyth. STMNTS takes influence from punk, emo, and post-hardcore groups ranging from the early 2000s to the current musical scene, such as: Four Year Strong, The Wonder Years, Bayside, and Like Pacific.