City, suburban music fests help fans say so long to summer
<i>Editor's note: The Get IN It Music Festival, originally included in this story for Saturday, Sept. 16, announced a to-be-determined postponement after press time. Refunds will be issued at Ticketmaster.</i>
As summer winds down, the suburban and Chicago music scenes still have a few tricks left up their sleeves. Here's a look at some of the biggies:
North Coast Music Festival
<b>Sept. 1-3 at Union Park, 1501 W. Randolph St., Chicago; northcoastfestival.com.</b>
Catch Chicago's three-day pop, rock and dance-heavy festival Friday through Sunday, Sept. 1-3. Electronic artists dominate the headlining slot Friday, including a dual set by deadmau5 and Eric Prydz; Saturday offers reggae with Damian Marley; and Sunday rounds out the weekend with alternative rock band Ween. Save room on your dance card for hip-hop's Gucci Mane and Big Boi, Bob Moses, The Cool Kids, Elephante, Late Night Radio and Chicago's very own Stefan Ponce, among others.
<b>Tickets:</b> $59 for single-day general admission; $89 for VIP. $149 for three-day general admission; $199 for three-day VIP.
Last Fling
<b>Sept. 1-4 at Rotary Hill, 440 W. Aurora Ave., Naperville, lastfling.org.</b>
Naperville bids farewell to summer with the Last Fling festival, the Jaycees' largest annual fundraiser for local charities. The fest, a celebration of food, rides and music, is highlighted Friday by Nashville-based Lanco, Bret Michaels on Saturday, and performances from Soul Asylum and the Barenaked Ladies on the main stage Sunday, along with Black Diamond, Bad Medicine and more on the side stage. Monday features Rosie and the Rivets, CoverGurl, 3AM, Infinity and more.
<b>Tickets: </b>Side stage is $5 on Sunday; main stage acts are $25 for general admission, $75 for pit access, $250 for Carillon tickets; Monday is free.
Riot Fest and Carnival
<b>Sept. 15-17 at Douglas Park, 1401 S. Sacramento Drive, Chicago; riotfest.org.</b>
Pick a genre out of a hat, and you're likely to find an act to fit it at Riot Fest. Top billing for the three-day lineup includes Nine Inch Nails, Jawbreaker, Wu-Tang Clan, Queens of the Stone Age, New Order, Minus the Bear, Gogol Bordello and many more. The local scene also earned some spots on this year's lineup, including The Lawrence Arms, The Orwells, Ministry, Vic Mensa, Knuckle Puck, Real Friends and Sleep On It.
<b>Tickets: </b>Three-day general admission is $179.98-$189.98; three-day VIP packages start at $329.98.
Long Grove Apple Fest
<b>Sept. 22-24 in downtown Long Grove, 308 Old McHenry Road, longgrove.org.</b>
Apple Fest wraps up the town's annual celebrations of deliciousness with a tribute to the wonders of the juicy fruit. Along with arts, crafts and treats galore, the fest features a three-day lineup of local musicians, including Modern Day Romeos, The Kevin Mileski Trio, The Millennials, Rebel Reign, American English and more.
<b>Tickets: </b>Music free with $5 fest admission; free for children 12 and younger.
Freaky Deaky
<b>Thursday, Oct. 26, and Friday, Oct. 27, at Concord Music Hall, 2047 N. Milwaukee Ave., Chicago, (773) 570-4000 or concordmusichall.com; also Friday, Oct. 27, and Saturday, Oct. 28, at the Aragon Ballroom, 1106 W. Lawrence Ave., Chicago, (773) 561-9500 or aragonballroom.org.</b>
Freaky Deaky is back to take over your Halloween weekend with four shows over three nights at two venerated Chicago venues. Experimental electronic producer Kayzo kicks things off at Concord Hall Thursday. Friday night, you get to choose between UK house duo Gorgon City at Concord and Oliver Heldens with Klingande at the Aragon. Saturday night, all Freaky Deakers can gather at the Aragon for DJ/comedian Dillon Francis and Australian producer What So Not.
<b>Tickets: </b>Tickets range from $20-$45 for the various events.