Indie rock takes stage at Millennium Park
If you're looking for a way to enjoy an unusual night of live rock 'n' roll at a bargain-basement price, consider the “Downtown Sound: New Music Mondays” series at Chicago's picturesque Millennium Park.
The series, now in its third year, brings together some of the best indie rock bands for weekly outdoor concerts in the heart of the downtown area. The shows take place in the Jay Pritzker Pavilion, renowned for its beauty and pristine acoustics.
And the very best news? Each concert is free.
“This is a great thing for the area's residents and its visitors,” said Jack McLarnan, a program manager with the Chicago Office of Tourism and Culture. McLarnan helped curate this year's series. “People can come down, bring a picnic and enjoy great music in one of the area's biggest assets.”
New Music Mondays will run through July 25. Offbeat sounds, largely from the indie-rock realm, make up the prevailing taste of the series.
Country-rocker Justin Townes Earle and gritty r&b artist Andre Williams (a Chicago resident) are on the bill this Monday, May 30. Future shows include acclaimed bands like Iron & Wine (June 6), Low (June 27) and Ted Leo & the Pharmacists (July 25).
“We saw a need for this kind of music at the park,” McLarnan said. “Classical music, world music and jazz were already pretty well represented there, but there wasn't much for rock fans. And Monday night was available, so we went for it.”
Millennium Park is located at the intersection of Michigan Avenue and Randolph Street in Chicago. For more on the New Music Mondays series, go to millenniumpark.org.
<b>Downtown Sound: New Music Mondays</b>
<b>All performances start at 6:30 p.m.</b>
<b>May 30 —</b> Justin Townes Earle, Andre Wiliams & the Goldstars
<b>June 6 —</b> Iron & Wine, The Head and the Heart
<b>June 13 —</b> Phosphorescent, The Campbell Brothers
<b>June 20 — </b>Kings Go Forth, Ben L'Oncle Soul
<b>June 27 —</b> Low, Glen Hansard
<b>July 4 —</b> Seefeel, Cave
<b>July 11 —</b> Delicate Steve, Bombino
<b>July 18 —</b> Blonde Redhead, My Gold Mask
<b>July 25 —</b> Ted Leo & the Pharmacists, Rachel Ries