With the bigger fests like Lolla and Pitchfork out of the way, some Chicago staffers are headed this weekend to one of our favorites, the Hideout Block Party. Wilco, Iron & Wine, Glen Hansard, and Wild Belle are among those slated to play at the annual fest, which this year is also presented by The A.V. Club. The event is sold out, but you can find tickets on various corners of the Web (and elsewhere). Before you go, check out these must-listen tracks below.
“I Might” by Wilco: The Block Party headliner needs no introduction—the Chicago band has been playing since the mid-90s. They haven’t lost their touch, either. Their latest album, last fall's The Whole Love, was nominated for the Grammy for Best Rock album. Read more about The Whole Love here.
“Keep You” by Wild Belle: Local siblings Elliot and Natalie Bergman made a splash in March when they played this haunting single at Austin's South by Southwest. With an album scheduled for release in early 2013, expect to hear a lot more from this duo. RELATED: Wild Belle's Big Break
“Haunted” by Kelly Hogan: Hogan, the beloved former bartender at Hideout, takes center stage to premiere her new album, I Like to Keep Myself in Pain. After “Haunted,” be sure to check out the first track on the album, “Dusty Groove.” RELATED: Hogan's Album Made the Old-Fashioned Way
“You Will Become” by Glen Hansard: If the name rings a bell, it's may be for this song. Hansard has come a long with since his Academy Award for the movie Once—he recently toured with Pearl Jam's Eddie Vedder and also released his first solo album, Rhythm and Repose, in June. He's also no stranger to Hideout, having played there in a surprise show when he was fronting for Irish folk band the Frames.
“Best Night” by The War on Drugs: Psych-rockers The War on Drugs have been compared to Bob Dylan and Tom Petty for their escapist, open-road themes, and their most recent album, Slave Ambient, is yet more “excellent road trip music” from the Philly boys, according to Pitchfork.
“Civilian” by Wye Oak: Named for the Maryland state tree, the Baltimore indie rock duo is an impressive live show: while Jenn Wasner sings and plays guitar, Andy Stack is on drums, keyboard, and bass—all at the same time.
“A Man Needs Love” by The Lawrence Peters Outfit: Peters, a regular in the Chicago music scene, has played everything from swamp rock to “Western-pirate-surf music,” but it will be all country at Hideout—the group's new album, What You Been Missin’, is ten tracks of twangy tunes.