Category: Shows

What an epic Labor Day weekend at North Coast! Festival attendees came by subway, car, and even walked from the city to enjoy the three days of preposterous electronica & more face melting music at Union Park, IL. The festival had a four stages, merchandise, art vendors, and an endless amount of food vendors. With it being North Coast’s first year, the amount of attendees were unknown; but the astonishing line up brought out 10,000-15,000 people and filled Union Park over the course of three days.

I started my Friday off with Paul Van Dyk, a Dj from Berlin, bringing electronica and trance music to life. He set the tone for the rest of the evening with Pretty Lights taking the Groupon: What’s a Music? Stage; with an eclipse of lights that overwhelmed the crowd. They raged with “Finally Moving,” “Hot Like Sauce,” a crowd favorite, and “High School Art Class.” The Chemical Brothers closed the North Stage Friday. Their stage set up was amazingly different than any of the other bands. A full visualizor screen conveying images and flowing lights blew me away. The Chemical Brothers raged with “Galvanize,” “Hey Boy Hey Girl,” “Another World,” and “Swoon,” with walking images of people over the visualizor. This show was by far one of my favorites.

After the Chemical Brothers were done, the festival grounds closed. However, the after parties went full force with The Disco Biscuits, Jay Electronica, and Orchard Lounge at the Congress Theater. Two other after parties also shook up Chicago at the Bottom Lounge, located a block away from the festival, and Schubas, located across town.

Day two was also full of adventure starting off with New Mastersounds and a surprising house DJ from The Netherlands, Laidback Luke, took the Coast Stage with a ton of crazy beats, keeping the crowd bump’N. Next, Grace Potter and the Nocturnals filled the North Stage and surprised all with a powerful uplifting set. Grace covered Jefferson’s Airplane “Somebody to Love” giving me chills the whole time. Set to play at the Groupon: What’s a Music? Stage The New Deal rocked me with a jam electronica sound that kept my body mov’N. This was a dance party that will never be forgotton.

After The New Deal, Future Rock hit the stage, with Herm on lights, bringing a heavy jam to North Coast. Boys Noize lit the sky with flashing lights and brought the crowd to a full on RAGE! Next, Moby (DJ) came out during Boys Noize and took over the table with continuous music. Moby brought all ages of ragers to experience one of the greatest shows of the festival! Moby hit the stage hard and kept the energy a blazed. The last sets for Saturday concluded with De La Soul holding up the hip-hop end of the festival, bringing incredible flows. Umphrey’s McGee closed the North Stage with “Booth Love,” “Conduit,” amazing guitar solos, and jams to free your mind.

After the festival was closed, my peeps and I hurried to Bottom Lounge to experience Boys Noize, Kissy Sell Out, and Auto Body. Auto Body was a grand surprised from Austin Texas, whose high voice pitches complimented the melody while the bass still ripped your face off. Boys Noize was funky fresh making the crowd rolling till the peak hours. Kissy Sell Out, from London, closed the show with mixes from all genres.

Last days are always sad at festivals, yet simmer down Sunday was just as great as the first two days. Maps and Atlases started my day with chill vibes and melodic tones. Benny Benassi woke the crowd up and the rage began. The crowd became rabid as the drops became heavier and heavier. Flying Lotus was by far my favorite of the day. His hands never stopped bringing the drops and the dub to vibrate my body. He sampled Radiohead and Bone Thugs N Harmony “Ecstasy”. He definitely surprised me with his beats and skill. I definitely recommend seeing this artist.

As I had already seen The Disco Biscuits at the after party, I decided to see Lupe Fiasco and Nas & Damian Marley to end my North Coast adventure. Lupe flowed with “Go Go Gadget Flow,” “Superstar,” and “Hip Hop Saved My Life.” Nas and Damian closed the North Stage with peace, love, and enlightenment. A Jamaican flag dancer consistently waved the flag the whole hour and a half set. Nas dogged on the cheaters and haters and stood up for all real men. Contradictary enough, to end the show, Nas spoke on America being the best in the world while sharing the stage with Damian. A glance and a “Hey Man” from Damian, quickly grounded Nas and brought him back to the true meaning of equality.

North Coast was a Rage’N time and I can’t wait for next year. The line-up was spectacular. My favorite shows were The Disco Biscuits, Chemical Brothers, Flying Lotus, the surprising Laidback Luke, and the list is too long to continue. The vibes were great, the water supplies were limited to one fountain. However, the music was the magical twist to ignite the crowd. If you didn’t make it this year, I definitely recommend this festival!