A Tale of Two Cities: Windy City – Big Mouf Bo, Closed Casket, Linda Sol
BigMouf’Bo is a musical artist hailing from the Southside of Chicago Closed Casket brings back the nostalgia of a deadly potent rap collective while offering a whole new idea of what that even means. Meet Linda Sol – the poet turned rapper hailing from the west side of Chicago making waves with her innovative style and captivating lyrics. From the final stages of slam festivals such as Louder than a Bomb and CUPSI, to POETRY magazine, to Lollapalooza 2020, Linda Sol is an artist that commands attention and instigates change.
Sands of the Hour & KW3, Harley Omega, SPIZM
Sands of The Hour consists of Levi Stress, Brother Tone and RD SLAW. Let THE Black Sands Reign on your parade. KW3 is a funky soul jazz trio that radiates energy and musical mastery. Fronted by the soulful tenor saxophonist and bass guitarist Keith Wakefield, whose notes dance effortlessly between nostalgia and innovation. With Michael Rataj on drums, laying down infectious rhythms that drive the heartbeat of the trio, and Erik Oldman on extended range guitar, adding funky licks that resonate with soulful vibes. Together, they create a sonic kaleidoscope that pays homage to jazz traditions while pushing the boundaries of soulful expression. KW3’s performances are a journey through the heart of funk, soul, and jazz, where every note is a celebration of musical synergy and pure, unadulterated groove.Harley Omega is an industrial/hip hop/electronic project based on creating a world outside of our own. Using themes of loss, mental health, politics and nerd culture, Harley Omega seeks to provide catharsis and escapism to people from all walks of life. Fully leaning into and embracing a synth-driven Cyberpunk sound, the drums and bass duo SPIZM continues to expand the breadth of its sonic boundaries with hell’s fury.
Silvertone, Vulgar Commons, UR Mom
Silvertone is an energetic pop rock quartet from Chicago with a strong emphasis on DIY. We self-released 6 singles and an album in the past year, with 5 more singles in the works for 2024. Featuring Zach Gray (vocals and guitar), Andrew Fisher (guitar and vocals), Mike Cangemi (bass), and Tyler Crady (drums), each member’s unique love of music weaves catchy melodies, harmonies, and riffs with powerful, up-beat drums and thundering bass to create an irresistible groove. All transplants to the Chicago area, our goal is to put on as fun, tight, and dance-inducing of a rock show as possible. Vulgar Commons is a Chicago based alternative rock band that is as furious as it is emotionally affecting. Described as having “a dexterous rock sound, showing shades of The Libertines’ hooky angst”, the band seamlessly blends ’00s NY rock revivalism with doses of classic punk to create music that is simultaneously nostalgic and refreshing.Meet Ur Mom, a rising force in the Chicago music scene, delivering a fresh & vibrant take on progressive rock. Raised in Park Ridge, IL- these soulful suburbanites are eager to bring back the importance of raw rock & roll. Ur Mom doesn’t have backing tracks, just pure talent.
Call Me Sy!, 6ixteenth, Bando Brando, Cvkes
Born to Pakistani immigrants in the summer of 93, Syed spent his early years on the north side of Chicago before drifting through various suburbs. After a musical shift in 2018, the artist “Sy!” was born. Swapping his gritty trap sound for a smooth, melodic approach. Incorporating harmonies, catchy flows, and vocal chops to a range of instrumentals spanning numerous genres.
Joey Aich, partywatcher, TBD
Joey Aich, pronounced Joey H, is a full-time independent hip-hop artist based in Columbus, OH. The Woodmere Village, OH-born emcee is known for his electric stage performances and personal charm.Joey has released several bodies of work including albums, “AichFiles” (2015), “If Money Grew on Trees” (2018), and “Open Treehouse” (2020), along with a myriad of singles and EPs over the course of his career. Most recently, Joey released the deluxe version of Open Treehouse, paired with a “pay what you want, how you want” campaign in which $3,500 in pre-orders were made prior to the release. Aich is a creative wordsmith who plans to change the world and inspire the next generation through his lyrics, performances, and the way he carries himself outside of music.Aich, known as “The Headband Assassin,” has performed across the country as a headliner and opening act for festivals, self-funded tours, and other events. In 2022, Joey traveled to eight cities for his Aich Madness Spring Tour. He made appearances in NYC, Los Angeles, Chicago, Huntington (WV), Detroit, Denver, also with his hometown performances in Cleveland and Columbus.In Joey’s time outside of music he teaches middle school students in Columbus, OH through We Amplify Voices, an arts enrichment program that is focused on allowing students to express themselves through outlets such as singing, dancing, visual arts, music making, and creative writing.
Matty Wood$, MVTE, Jayfro Reywas
Matty Wood$ is a St. Louis native with over 50+ million global streams. He has set a precedence to make his presence known from his distinct melodies and word play. Matty Wood$ has a deep, yet intentional catalog that resonates with all age ranges in some shape or form. He has over 5 songs with a million + plays on spotify alone; his most notable being Sunday, Kelso, Drugs on Me pt. 2, and I’ll be fine. He has made his own lane with his melodic tone and pushing the boundaries within himself by experimenting with the vulnerable subject matter in his tracks. If you would to categorize him into a genre it would be hiphop with R&B attributes. By mixing the two ever so eloquently, he has captured the attention and support of a core and loyal fanbase.
Emil and The Skinny Hendrixx Experience, Blake Davis, DJ sets by LEGIT and Cado San, Sounds by Mobeethicc
Cole’s Cutz Vol.2 is a night of sounds brought you to by Emil (aka Brokeboy Gamer, aka NoFoneFonz) an alternative rapper from Chicago, Illinois whose musical influences range from MF DOOM to Pink Floyd’s The Wall. Emil uses bombastic drums and balances humor with silky production to turn every song into a moment.Emil and the Skinny Hendrixx ExperienceFeaturing Murph Watkins and Blake DavisWith DJ Sets by LEGIT and Cado SanSounds by Mobeethicc
Illville Vanguard, Left Jones, The Avantist
Illville Vanguard is a Chicago based music group that’s all about creating new ideas. Illville created a sound that is unique and can’t be compared to anything else. Led by Gabriel Alston, Illville is known for providing a high energy atmosphere that’s fun, free, emotional and exciting. Their musical sound is heavily shaped by Jazz, Gospel, Funk, Jazz Fusion, Hip-Hop, Latin and Neo Soul. Having a wide range of musical influences places Illville’s sound in a category of its own. Illville is second to none and will always leave listeners satisfied and craving for the next Illville experience.Hailing from Chicago’s vibrant South Side, LeftJones is a genre-blending powerhouse that offers a unique sonic experience. Fronted by rapper M.E.R.C and driven by the musical direction of saxophonist Kenneth Leftridge Jr., the band boasts Bobby Wonderfull’s dynamic vocals and trumpet, Jeremy Jones’ resonant basslines, and Alfonzo Jones’ rhythmic drums. Deeply influenced by Chicago’s hip-hop pulse, LeftJones crafts a sound that’s both authentic and innovative.The Avantist (Chicago) are descendants of Mariachi.
GOOD GRIEF, NEWT, ACEDAVINCI, UPTWNDRUGS, Colm Lennon, Club Malos
GOOD GRIEF, NEWT, ACEDAVINCI, UPTWNDRUGS, Colm Lennon, Club Malos
Rell Cash, Ashlee Bankz, Stock Marley, Raymi
Rell Cash absorbed his talent effortlessly through imitating his father as a child. Although his relationship with his father wasn’t always the best, his father was his main source of musical influence. His interest and natural ability to freestyle and write songs came about as his father vast tastes of music. He would sing and rap along with some of his fathers favorite songs; and when he wouldn’t remember a line or so, he would come up with his own lyrics.Ashlee Bankz is from Flossmoor, IL, a south-suburb of Chicago and describes herself quite simply, and adequately, dope as fuck.Stock Marley hails from the Westside of Chicago. FREENATION memberA Chicago native, Raymi brings her soulful grit & edgy play through lyrics & music videos. Using her verses, Raymi reveals her perspective on issues, that without experience & undertakings, she wouldn’t otherwise be able to comment on. A lifelong dancer, she started out freestyling with friends which made her realize there are different ways to love music. To her, it made sense, rap is rhythm & poetry.