It’s one of those combinations that seems a little… off. Music. Lobsters. Pairing a concert with a lobster meal seems a bit high-class, but the festivals organizers have done a wonderful job of making this event accessible to all types (not just lobster-eatin’ types) and a well-rounded representation of Chicago music.
Since 2010, Hemmingbirds have been winning over our indie rock hearts with their debut album Death Wave, and they’re not set to stop anytime soon. Their resume includes mentions by Alternative Press magazine, Indie Rock Cafe, and CMJ’s Top 200, and they’ve performed with an impressive roster of acts, such as Buke & Gase, Braid, Grandkids, and U.S. Royalty. We highly recommend arriving early and checking these guys out.
Ghosthouse | Grand Ballroom – 5:00-5:45
Ghosthouse is a party. The electrofunk outfit plays with synth, soul influences, and reckless vocals, all coming together to form the . Their live show is dynamic – it starts with energy and it ends with energy. We can almost guarantee you’ll see (or participate in) a whole damn bunch of head boppin’ and pelvic thrustin’ in between.
Save the Clocktower | Outdoor Stage – 5:45-6:30
This indie electronic outfit seems to have mastered irresistible pop hooks. Summer of 2012 saw the release of their most recent album, Through the Glass, an album that balances their ambient and dreamy side with their dancey electronic side.
Paper Thick Walls | Grand Ballroom – 8:45-9:45
Chicago folk darlings, Paper Thick Walls, have been making sweet, sweet music since 2011. The outfit doesn’t gig out as often as they did in their heyday, but their live performance is as strong as ever. We recommend catching them while they’re guaranteed to be there.
White Mystery | Outdoor Stage – 12:45-1:30
What would an outdoor festival be without Chicago’s first family of red-headed garage rock? Alex and Francis White should be considered rock legends at this point. Their latest release Double Dragon is one of their best albums to date. We’ve seen them play just about everywhere, bars, venues, trailers, parks, and now Navy Pier. Also, I’m pretty sure these new tunes pair well with lobster.
Santah | Grand Ballroom – 1:30-2:15
In May, the Chicago quintet released their 7″ single, AWWH MAN to a sold out crowd at Schuba’s Tavern. After relocating to the city from Urbana, IL, Santah released You’re Still A Lover in 2012 which received a vinyl release from Saki Records. The group’s brand of dreamy indie-rock is lead by fantastic boy/girl vocals from siblings Stanton and Vivian McConnell.
Bailiff | Grand Ballroom – 3:15-4:15
Chicago rock trio, Bailiff has been making major waves around the country since their formation via Craigslist in 2009. After raising over $16,000 on Kickstarter, the group released their sophomore LP, Remise, in April. With a set at Wicker Park Fest, an appearance on Good Day Chicago, and a feature on Guitar World, Bailiff has been keeping busy recently, and have definitely earned our attention.
To see the full line-up of music, click here. The Great American Lobster Fest will run you $10 in advance and $15 at the door, and a few bucks extra if you opt to enjoy a lobster meal. You can purchase tickets in advance here. Head out to Navy Pier this weekend, enjoy some live music, live lobster, and libations- a combination that’s sure to leave you satisified in just about every way possible.
