Bonnie 'Prince' Billy, Eleventh Dream Day kick off Millennium Park's New Music Mondays

Posted by Bobby Minelli

Bonnie "Prince" Billy

Will Oldham thanked Norse gods for the weather last night, and even suggested attendees of this year's first free "Downtown Sound: New Music Mondays" concert pay tribute by seeing Thor's new blockbuster movie. There are many to thank for the spectacular free outdoor concert series, including the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events, the Park's Department the Chicago Office of Tourism and Culture. While at points in the previous year the series was in danger of being canceled due to budget restrictions, this summer the lineup is as strong as it's ever been. There will be ten double bill concerts on Monday nights and, based on last night's attendance, Chicagoans are thrilled about it.

Eleventh Dream Day took the stage in the Monday afternoon sun and began what inevitably became a coming out party for Chicago--coming out from wherever we all go to get through the winter. It was a collective celebration, full of summer dresses, cut-off shorts, beer and Raybans, and Eleventh Dream Day's minimalist rock 'n' roll was the perfect way to start the party. The guitars carried up from the pit and rattled into the sky a pronouncement of our ended hibernation. The mix was great; one of my favorite aspects of the Pritzker Pavilion is the vocals carry well and are more audible than many outdoor venues. Chicagoans floated onto the lawn, the crowd continuing to grow throughout the entire set, and there was an overall feeling of both relaxation and exuberance. I can't recall the last time I saw so many smiles in public.

Chicago bands to celebrate Obama inauguration with show in D.C.

A group of Chicago musicians will head to Washington, D.C. in January to play a special show to celebrate the presidential inauguration of Barack Obama.

The show, dubbed "The Big Shoulders Inauguration Ball," will take place on January 19, the eve of the inauguration, at The Black Cat in D.C. It was organized by local rock club the Hideout and Interchange, a volunteer group that encourages political involvement through underground art.

Performers on the bill, almost entirely Chicago-focused, include Andrew Bird, The Waco Brothers, Eleventh Dream Day, Jon Langford, Tortoise, David "Honeyboy" Edwards, Icy Demons, Sally Timms, Freakwater and Judson Claiborne. Additional special guests are yet to be announced.

The organizers describe the event as a "celebration of citizen politics, independent music and Windy City civic pride."

Tickets cost $50 and are available here or at the Hideout, 1354 W. Wabansia. A portion of the proceeds will go to the Chicago Public Schools Marching Band Program and The Future of Music Coalition.The Hideout has chartered two buses to transport "performers, staff, friends and participants in its GOTV activities to the DC area and back."