Photography: (Guetta) Larry Busacca/Getty Images for The Recording Academy; (Dot Dot Dot) Jessica Rose
Memorial Day weekend unofficially kicks off outdoor festival season in Chicago (there are 50-plus fests this summer). Here’s how one newcomer stacks up against an old standby.
| The New Fest on the Block |
The One That’s Been Around the Block |
|
| The Fest |
Electric Daisy Carnival Chicagoland Speedway May 24 to 26 electricdaisycarnival.com |
Belmont-Sheffield Music Fest Sheffield Avenue between Belmont Avenue and School Street May 25 and 26 chicagoevents.com |
| The Sounds | Electronic dance music: David Guetta, Avicii, Tiësto, Kaskade, Hardwell, and 90 more bands | Tribute bands such as the Trippin Billies (DMB) and Wedding Banned (’80s and ’90s)—oh, and Double Door regulars Dot Dot Dot |
| The Scene | Dance-prone club hoppers and enough lasers to give even the hardiest attendee vertigo | Families, street food, and those guys from your high school who are still in a cover band (see above) |
| The Style |
Neon sunglasses and a fishtail braid |
Madras shorts and linen dresses |
| The Extras | A carnival with an interactive circus, theatrics, special effects, and art installations | A bazaar of Lake View businesses, including Leona’s, Sheffield’s, and Trader Todd’s |
| The Go-To Drink | Smuggled-in liquor and soda | Bud Light (in a Solo cup, natch) |
| The After-Show | Camping out. Limited overnight camping is available for an extra $120. | Dancing. Hit the floor at Berlin nightclub, around the corner, where one of the fest bands could play a special DJ set. |
| The Price | $175 for a three-day pass, or about $2 a band | $5 daily donation, or about $1 a band |
Mark Your Calendar
Photo: Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune
Pitchfork Music Festival
Experimental rock acts take over Wicker Park for the Do Division Street Fest, curated by the Empty Bottle, May 31 to June 2. Hit Montrose Beach for electronic music and fireworks at the Wavefront Music Festival, July 5 to 7. The Breeders reunite at Pitchfork in Union Park, July 19 to 21. For a complete list of music festivals and events, go to “The Ultimate Chicago Summer Music Festival Guide.”