XYZXYZ, Malamiko, LoBi LoBianco
xyzxyz is Chicago supergroup formed in 2022. Their first LP dropped last year, with a killer vinyl release and two music videos. Local artist Karen Mooney (moongerm) plays bass, Kyle Langer plays drums, and scene veteran Sam Fadness leads the band. Shoegaze / emo trio Malamiko stretch the definition of their genres, shaking you awake with feedback and noise. Cynicism and hope fuel their debut all pleasant dreams in equal measure. A better future is possible even if it hurts to get there. LoBi LoBianco is a multi-instrumentalist Emotional Math Rock artist. Their live band consists of LoBi on Guitar and Vocals, Garrett Holm on Guitar, Harry Willow on Bass, Stan Brueske on drums, and Josiah Jackson on keys
Nüde, Allergen, King Sans
NÜDE is an experimental duo comprised of Chicago-bred musicians Ruby Lucinda and Luke Clohisy. Both multi-instrumentalists, Lucinda and Clohisy write music that pulls from indie rock, drone, no wave, and grunge. The duo seeks to write honest music, about what feels like to be home— comforts and complications alike. ALLERGEN is an alternative rock band from Minneapolis, Minnesota fronted by Shannon Maroney. A project that has changed and expanded as Maroney has matured, their current lineup also features Mia Pariseau on bass. With choral & orchestral roots, Maroney and Pariseau find multiple outlets of melody, with moving vocal, guitar, and bass lines. Allergen’s debut EP, “Honesty Hour” was released in May 2020 after being produced with Claire Altendahl (boyish). These early foundations helped Maroney further curate what would become their current musical sound, something only found with age and experience. With vulnerable lyrics contrasting with distorted guitars, local music blog Ear Coffee describes Allergen’s released music “feels like a private conversation being broadcast to the world”. King Sans is a Chicago-based altrock/noisepunk band who only need two members to absolutely pummel you with sound. There’s a huge element of fun in their music as well, creating an addictive combination of energy
Soot, High, Waxed, super[MODEL]
Soot’s unique cross-genre dabblings in all directions heavy are what allow them to lend their sound to such a vast array of shows. Borrowing from traditions of manic post-hardcore and southern metal to gentler ambient and experimental sounds, Soot is carving their way into the contemporary American musical zeitgeist.Waxed (NASHVILLE TN DIRTY SOUTH CROSSOVER)super[MODEL] (members of Snuffed and Blackwater Sniper)
Disaster Kid, Light Blue Lines, Midamerican Elevator
Chicago Nostalgia rock trio Disaster Kid finds reflection at the core of their music. Packed together by vivid detail and passionate melodies, their cathartic indie rock sound is lined with lyrical storytelling which puts an emphasis to the mysticism in the mundane. Light Blue Lines is a rock band from Chicago, IL. Nostalgia-driven and introspective, their songs draw influence from indie folk, Midwest emo, and slacker rock. Indie-rock outfit Midamerican Elevator lifts vocal harmonies over busy rhythms with guitars that span between sparkly counterpoint and regenerative drive. They released their latest project, an EP titled “TELL IT TO ME NOW!”, in January.
MaryMary!, Cherryburn, Medical Miracle
MaryMary! makes dreamy and kinetic electronic pop music. Her most recent release is an EP by the name of MY STUPID HEART LIKE A SNOWGLOBE FULL OF BLOOD, available on all streaming platforms. She’s remarkably kind and puts on a fantastic show. Cherryburn is an indie rock band from Chicago, playing music to listen to with the windows rolled down. Medical Miracle is a two piece melancholy bedroom/pop rock band from Chicago powered by twinkly guitars and sad hearts.
The Knee-Hi’s, The Jett Girls, Greg Wheeler and the Poly Mall Cops
The Knee Hi’s look to romance the world with their love letter to rock & roll and to knock your socks off with their raw energy. The Jett Girls are a rag tag group here to wreak havoc, cause chaos, and marry their love for the absurd with high powered rock music. Straight out of Des Moines, IA, aka the ninth best place to live in the entire world, Greg Wheeler and the Poly Mall Cops deliver manic garage punk slime at its finest — whatever that means.
Black Sandwich, Half-Scratches, Camp Collar
Black Sandwich are an ovo-vegetarian prog grunge pop gloomcore group from maywood, forest park, iowa, and chicago Half-Scratches are postnatal people playing low-power educational/contrapuntal rock music which spans the entire emotional gamut (and then some). People should be excited to see us because we are accident prone, and mistakes are the spice of life! Also our songs are damn good (objectively speaking). Camp Collar is a Chicago based indie pop project inspired by the likes of Dayglow, Monsune, Beabadoobea, and Phum Viphurit.
Bled Tape, Mr. Softheart, Gerfety
Bled Tape is the solo recording project and occasional live band of Francis Shannon since 2015. Manic and unpredictable indie rock with noise elements and experimental flourishes in abundance. Named an “Artist to Watch in 2024” by Iowa Public Radio, Mr. Softheart has drawn comparisons to Suicide, Viagra Boys, Nick Cave, LCD Soundsystem, and The Cramps. Their sound blends post-punk, new wave, dance, and experimental elements, culminating in a setlist of “moody meditations” centered around lead singer Nick Fisher’s wry poetics and arch stage persona. Gerfety describes themselves as Chicago 3-piece Shadow Rock.
SADNESS, VAELASTRASZ, ARDENTE
Ardente (Lila Starless) is epic black metal in the vein of classic french bands and this will be an exclusive North American Black Metal performance NOT TO BE MISSED! Sadness play blackgaze, emo, shoegaze inspired songs Vaelastrasz is Dungeon Synth project from Azeroth-by-way-of-Virginia that performs loop-based dark ambient music and drone.
Stander, Genital Shame, NÜDE
Stander is a Chicago trio testing the boundaries of heavy music, infusing their penchants for improvising and dynamic, narrative songwriting into music both tense and cathartic. Genital Shame, experimental black metal from Pittsburgh, PA is the one-person project of Erin Dawson. NÜDE is an experimental duo composed of Chicago-bred musicians Ruby Lucinda and Luke Clohisy. Both multi-instrumentalists, Lucinda and Clohisy write music that pulls from indie rock, drone, no wave, and grunge. The duo seeks to write honest music, about what feels like to be home— comforts and complications alike.