Yelle

Into the heady realm of French electro-pop? Make way for Yelle. As the reigning queen of Francophone synth bangers, Yelle’s live shows are a glittery, sweaty, neck-whipping frenzy that will make your usual Wednesday night feel like a beige snoozefest. Imagine the most spirited European rave colliding headfirst with the edgiest NYC electro scene, and you're halfway to understanding the full-throttle energy Yelle brings. Forget stale indie trends; Yelle is your ticket to an avant-garde dance party where the beats are fierce, the lyrics are bold, and the audience is hotter than a B-side vinyl left in the summer sun. Brace yourself for a genre-bending, sequin-studded extravaganza that's more refreshing than a can of imported Perrier.

Get ready to trade your couch for a night of avant-garde ecstasy as Blood Club, Israel's Arcade, and Heels transform the city soundscape with their unapologetic indie rhythms. Blood Club leads the charge, boasting their infamous, edgy post-punk that shakes you to your core like a sonic earthquake. Israel's Arcade follows suit, bathing the space in waves of dreamy, lyric-driven art-rock that feels like an intimate heart-to-heart with your favorite poet. And then there's Heels—a band that has mastered the art of marrying the charm of vintage synthpop with the audacity of the DIY scene. This trio of indie titans promises an evening punctuated with moments of raw transcendence, electrifying the mundane and making you question the last time you felt this alive. So, dust off your dancing shoes, prepare your senses for a glorious attack, and plunge into this auditory rabbit hole. There's no room for boredom here—only blissful, boundless indie immersion.

Nestled within the vast wilderness of your overplayed playlists lies a refreshingly enigmatic act, Saxsquatch & Two Leos, who are bringing their pulsating rhythms and entrancing beats to Riot Fest. Known for their splashy sonic fusion, this show promises to be an outlier on your summer concert itinerary.

The Spotify presale kicks off on July 2nd, 10 AM sharp, followed by a Riot Fest presale at the same time—so set a reminder, lest you get left out in the ambient chillwave cold. General sale starts the next day, and if you've got the beat-hungry gumption, there's a VIP upgrade available.

But this isn't your usual cash-grab VIP package; we're talking about a chance to rub shoulders with the elusive Saxsquatch himself. Post-show selfies, a signed vinyl for your collection, and a Saxsquatch-branded bandana (the must-have indie accessory of the season) are all part of the deal. The VIP gig takes place right after the show, so no need to swap your dancing shoes for your sprinting kicks.

This is more than a concert—it’s a chance to be part of a cryptid's musical journey. Don't let your summer be the one that got away; this is the kind of show you'll brag about at future dive bar trivia nights.

Get ready to shapeshift your sonic sensibilities, because BANKS is back on the scene with her 'Off With Her Head Tour 2025'. After her epochal hiatus, the sultry siren of shadow pop is ready to plunge us into her spectral soundscape that's darker, deeper and more dystopian than ever. Expect a multisensory mise-en-scène of melancholy melodies, synthesiser sorcery and raw, intense lyricism that will make you question your very existence - in a good way. Before you dismiss it as another indie electronica gig, remember: BANKS isn't just an artist, she's an experience. And it's one you won't forget in this lifetime.

Catch BANKS as she embarks on her electrifying 'Off With Her Head' tour, an audacious sonic spectacle that's all set to redefine the indie landscape in 2025. This isn't just a show; it's an exhilarating exploration of sound, a pulsating, visceral experience that penetrates the layers of your psyche and leaves you gasping for more. BANKS's commanding presence, hypnotic beats, and raw lyrical prowess make every performance a riveting enigma wrapped in a throbbing bassline. Expect darkly illuminated stages, mesmeric synth loops, and an atmosphere that's as intoxicating as it is infectious. One thing's for sure, the 'Off With Her Head' tour isn't for the faint-hearted. It's for the brave, the bold, the ones who crave that electric shock of raw, unfiltered music. Miss this, and you're missing a slice of indie history.

<p>We’re called DJ LALA. Why? We were inspired by the female article “la” in Spanish, bringing women empowerment to our parties. And the other “la” like the musical note, because that’s what we love the most: latin music.</p><p>
We had our start at the Virgin Hotels rooftop in 2018, where we currently have a residency with Agency Afterhours.
We’ve filled some important rooms with music and dancing to celebrate good causes, like the 2022 UN Women USA Gender Equality Awards and the annual celebration for the Office of the City Clerk of Chicago, a latina woman in government.</p><p>
The quarantine didn’t stop us. When the world needed music and a happy hours, we hosted over 20 virtual parties with our DJ friends to raise donations for Off The Street Club, so they can continue their mission to help underprivileged kids in Chicago-even when their fundraising events were cancelled.</p><p>
Our latin set is rooted in Puerto Rican, Colombian and Venezuelan music-where we’re from. When we’re not DJ LALA, we’re M&G, an award winning creative team at World of Whirlpool.</p>

Defy the siren call of your Netflix queue—AMBR is set to illuminate the local scene this weekend and their sonic brilliance is not to be missed. The brainchild of a rogue art school dropout, AMBR’s soundscape fuses postmodern psychedelia with ethereal dream-pop, delivering an aural experience that rattles your ribcage and tugs at your heartstrings.

Joining them are The Sinkers, the city’s murkiest grunge-rock outfit with the gift of turning a regular Tuesday into a hazy, 90s-tinged time loop. They're the gritty yin to AMBR's celestial yang, serving raw riffs that'll make your soul shake.

The evening's wildcard, Cameron Davies, rounds out the line-up. Fresh off a cottagecore sojourn, Davies melds hauntingly intimate lyrics with lo-fi folktronica, creating a magnetic pull that lingers long after his set wraps up.

These acts are not just making music—they’re curating shimmering soundscapes, painting vibrant aural portraits, and questioning the status quo, one decibel at a time. You know where you need to be.

Buckle up, audiophiles—Serenity Now! and Fecto Glen are cannibalizing all your played-out playlists and spitting out the kind of sonorous splendor you didn't know you were starved for. This isn't just a gig; it's a no-holds-barred audio odyssey, a synesthetic supernova, a sonic soiree that'll leave your cochlear begging for mercy—and a second helping.

Serenity Now! is the troubadour of tranquility, spinning out dreamy, lullaby-like melodies that make you wanna curl up in a hammock by a moonlit lake—until Fecto Glen crashes the party with a cavalcade of synths that'd make even Daft Punk do a double-take. It's a toe-tapping, head-bobbing juxtaposition of chill and chaos.

So, do you hang back and bask in the Serenity, or do you dive headfirst into the Fecto frenzy? Why not both? The only wrong answer, dear reader, is no answer at all.

The House of Burlesque is about to shake you out of your jaded stupor this weekend. They’re taking over the iconic House of Blues and turning it into a mosh pit of skin, sequins, and scintillating tunes. The powerhouse troupe led by the sizzling Skirt! are set to unleash the most tantalizing tease this side of the Mississippi, backed by an explosive live band. And this ain't no seat-in-the-back snoozefest, folks—this is a bone-fide, standing-room-only gig. So lace up those dancing boots and prepare for a night of raw, raucous, and racy revelry. The doors swing open at 7:30PM, but the real shindig kicks off when the clock strikes nine. Remember, this is a 21 AND OVER event. So leave your kid-sister and your inhibitions at home. Catch you on the flip side.

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Torching the rulebook with their kaleidoscopic synth cascade, Vinto Van Go is a sonic odyssey that you can't afford to skip. They're set to storm the stage, with The Spindles – the shoegaze virtuosos for the post-digital age – and Go Time! – the punk alchemists who've turned frenzied discord into a fine art. Cutting through the ennui like a Bowie knife through hot vinyl, this is not just a show, it's a seismic event in the indie scene. So shake off that existential dread, don your best flannel, and prepare to dive headfirst into a night that's one part chaos, two parts catharsis, and wholly unforgettable.

Prepare to be submerged in a tidal wave of emotional daredevilry as Indigo De Souza and Mothé come together for a night of raw, resonant indie vibes. De Souza is a North Carolina native with a catalog that reads like a diary set to music, brimming with the kind of emotional honesty that leaves you feeling both exposed and empowered. Her new album, Precipice, drops on July 25th and it's a call and response to the universe, a surrender to the potential darkness of change, and a beacon of hope. A portion of each ticket sale goes to The Trevor Project - adding a layer of altruism to your evening of auditory bliss. Plus, the VIP package includes early venue entry, pre-show soundcheck, a Q&A with De Souza herself, a signed poster, tour laminate and crowd-free merch shopping. The whole thing is an ethereal, indie dream come true – like stepping into a Wes Anderson movie, but with a killer live soundtrack.

<p>Alexander Great is a creative storyteller that weaves genres, influences, eras & ideas that spark curiosity into journeys full of soul. As a strategist, he explores his passion for storytelling & examining humanity. As a DJ, he unpacks his love for music & history - taking listeners on a trip across the diaspora. Collectively, he aims to mirror & magnetize communities, providing spaces for people to feel seen, inspired & cherished.</p>

<p>Alex Alvarez, open-format DJ and award winning designer, knows how to get the party jumping. A little bit of Latin spice, mixed with hip-hop/trap, house and a touch of pop results in the perfect blend of breezy, succulent, dancefloor treats.</p>

DJ C-Ro loves getting his spinning inside ppl and complementing their down time, whether solo or w old friends and new. He loves putting out house music and counts Tiesto and Nora En Pure as his favorites to vibe to. Outside of DJ’ing, the former Major League Baseball scout can be found playing poker or reveling with all that the Chi has to offer.

<p>Neriya, or simply DJ gnar (<a href="https://instagram.com/@_gnar._">@_gnar._</a>) is a lover of all genres - growing up studying piano and jazz guitar before finding his way into the house music scene many years ago.</p><p>
During the day, he works in product marketing helping to build the future of travel and in-person connection at TravelPerk.</p>

<p>ShamPain Wishes (aka Police State) is an Artist, DJ and man-about-town who wears many hats. Though you may never know what exactly he’ll play during a set, you can rest assured that you’ll be taken on a sonic journey touching cities from Chicago to London, Detroit to Rio de Janeiro and wherever else the music is banging and bodies are moving. Whether breaking new records or paying homage to classics and deep cuts, you’re for sure to be entertained and possibly educated when they’re curating the vibe!</p>