Youth music fest takes stage Saturday in Carol Stream

Carol Stream’s Youth Council Music Fest began seven years ago with what could best be described as hard metal “screamer bands.”

And while the fest still has that element, it’s expanded in scope and popularity, says village Trustee Matt McCarthy, adviser to the youth council.

“You’re getting different styles of music. At first it was pretty loud, and now you’re getting some acoustic, some alternative. Last year we had country. It’s a really interesting mix,” McCarthy said.

That variety will be on display at the seventh annual fest scheduled from 2 to 10:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 11, at the Town Center, Gary Avenue and Lies Road. The free event features local teen bands; each band includes at least one Carol Stream resident who’s still in high school.

Performers this year include Nick Gaines, Buying Trouble, Reclaiming The Ruins, Make It To Midnight, The Onset, Sound Tactics, Austin Jones and YOLK.

Most of the concert attendees are ages 12 through 18, but there are also several adults who come out to listen to the music, McCarthy said.

“We get some parents and parents bring their friends, so you do get a good mix,” he said.

Carol Stream resident Matt Czarnecki, a member of the village’s youth council, is helping organize the fest. He says he’ll be working crowd control.

And that’s an important job, since more and more people are attending every year. Organizers are expecting about 500 attendees.

“It gets crazy. The big guys in our group go out there and control the crowd,” said Czarnecki, 15, a junior at West Chicago Community High School.

The youth council will be selling T-shirts donated by R&M Printing with proceeds going to the Carol Stream Christmas Sharing program, which provides food, clothing and gifts to the less fortunate during the holidays.