With Chicago the spawning ground of the likes of the Smoking Popes and Screeching Weasel, annual pop-punk festival Windy City Sound Clash feels right at home. “Chicago offers a nice central location, dedicated scene and plenty of other activities to do to keep everyone occupied,” founder and curator Jeff Wegner says.
The festival showcases local bands like Vacation Bible School, alongside well-established touring acts such as Kepi Ghoulie from California and Canada’s Chixdiggit. “I think it’s important to have a showcase in Chicago,” Wegner says. “Some of these bands may only play to a crowd of twenty people if they came through on their own, but this way they can play to a couple hundred people.”
Planning a festival is no easy task. “Every year has been self-funded. It’s all a learning experience,” Wegner says. “It really does make me feel good when someone comes up and says that they can’t wait until next year.”
The festival is only in its third year. “I do Windy City Sound Clash so that everyone can have a good time,” says Wegner. “Seeing people smiling, drinking, partying and screaming is really the only motivation I need to keep going.” (John Wawrzaszek)
May 28, 4:30pm, $12, all ages; May 29, 3:30pm, $10, 17+ at Subterranean, 2011 West North.
Last Punks Standing: A Preview of Mekons at Hideout Mekons have endured by refusing to adhere to anyone's ideas regarding what is and isn't punk rock (which is in and of itself a defiantly punk attitude).
