Chicago is like no other city when it comes to music festivals. Sure Indio, CA has Coachella, but the Windy City has so much more. For it’s big ticket festival, of course you have Lollapalooza, and indie lovers and hipsters have Pitchfork, and North Coast for the bassheads and Riot Fest for the rockers, but then you have especially unique festivals like Freaky Deaky (which takes place on Halloween) and Mamby on the Beach, which takes place on an effin beach! If a festival on the water sounds awesome, it’s because it is. And if you didn’t join us last summer for Mamby, you can pretend like you did and get ready for next year because the official after movie for Mamby on the Beach is out now!
UK garage band Disclosure released the music video for their latest single, ‘Magnets’, which features ‘Royals’ singer-songwriter Lorde. The aesthetic for the video is fire. And for some behind the scenes info, Lorde took to Tumblrto give everyone a better idea on what the video is about. Disclosure’s new album, Caracal is in stores now everywhere.
Last night, Hopsin brought his Funk Volume 2015 Tour to Milwaukee’s Turner Hall Ballroom with Dizzy Wright, DJ Hoppa and Jarren Benton. With some energetic sets from Benton and Wright, and even a short film played between performances, the man of the night and the whole Funk Volume crew definitely delivered. Hopsin performed a number of tracks from latest LP, Pound Syndrome, as well as a collection of his older tracks (including a few from his “Ill Mind of Hopsin” series. Hopsin gave his dedicated Milwaukee fans everything they asked for and more last night.
Check out our photos below and be sure to check out if the tour is coming to a city near you.
Last night, English new wave singer-songwriter Eliot Sumner performed at Chicago’s Lincoln Hall with Minnesota indie rock band, On An On. Performing a number of records from her 2014 Information EP, the Burberry Model turned indie rock singer gave an intimate performance for the Windy City crowd. Perhaps most known for her family tree, as she is the daughter of legendary rocker Sting (of The Police) and actress Trudie Styler, Sumner is currently making a name for herself aside from the shadows from her kin.
Opening her performance, Sumner greeted the crowd with a performance of her track ‘Dead Arms & Dead Legs’, the first taste of new music that her fans received in 2015. Throughout her 9-song setlist, Sumner was stern-faced and focused, but letting a sly smile sneak out at moments for her second to last stop on her current tour. Dressed in an oversized shirt and all black leggings (with all black shorts on top), Sumner keeps her emotion in check during her live performances, while still making sure everyone in the audience has a drink in hand and is enjoying their night.
After closing her set with a performance of ‘After Dark’, her second record from the new year, Sumner thanked On An On for having her, as well as the Chicago crowd. “You’ve been fucking awesome,” Sumner told the crowd before helping tear down her set, and even getting things ready for On An On. For a model/daughter to one of the biggest musicians in the world, Eliot Sumner is remarkably low maintenance and down-to-earth, but her voice and talented work on the bass guitar is what stole the show last night.
Check Eliot Sumner’s music video for ‘Dead Arms & Dead Legs’ and her setlist from last night below, and listen to more of her music on her official Soundcloud page.
Setlist
Dead Arms & Dead Legs
Firewood
I Followed you Home
Let Love Lie on your Life
After Dark
Halway to Hell
Wobbler
Come Friday
After Dark
The Game’s followup to his legendary LP The Documentary and forthcoming album, The Documentary 2, is just a couple weeks away (October 9th oniTunes). And in anticipation of his upcoming double album, The Game has released its next track, ‘Standing On Ferraris’. The new record features some clever shots at Interscope Records, talks about Kanye West’s shoe game, and even has some ad-libs and commentary from Diddy. It should be no surprise that Game isn’t siding with 50 Cent in the 50 v. Diddy beef. If you like what you hear, pre-orderThe Documentary 2 now.
Joseph Somers-Morales, better known by his fans as SoMo, serenaded the House of Blues in Chicago last night while on his “The Falling Up” tour. The YouTube sensation, turned R&B star on the rise, brought in help from newcomer Jordan Bratton and rapper Kirko Bangz. SoMo’s latest mixtape, My Life II, dropped earlier this month debuting at #2 on the R&B/soul charts and on the list for the Top 10 album charts on iTunes. Hitting chart after chart, SoMo is bringing back R&B to a new audience. Features in My Life II included: Ty Dolla $ign, Trey Songz, Hoodie Allen, and Jeremih.
Lined up and packed in to see their favorite artists, The House of Blues last night could not disappoint. The venue was filled with great music from SoMo’s dynamic voice, Bratton’s soul filled performance, and Bangz’ thrill ride verses.
Opening the show was rapper Kirko Bangz. Bangz, who is best known for his hit ‘Drank In My Cup’, which when released peaked at number 28 on Billboard Hot 100 chart in 2011. Bangz energetic and adrenaline filled performance set the pace on high for the rest of the night as he brought a headlining caliber performance from the start of the show. His non-stop demeanor rubbed off to concert goers as it set that bar high the rest of the night.
New to the scene Bratton, a Long Island native, has worked with artists like Fabulous and Chance The Rapper (to name a few). Dim light set the mood as Bratton brought the concert goers down to his mellow smooth pace level. Bratton performed original songs like ‘Danger’ and ‘Prisoner’ with even covering Ed Sheeran’s ‘Think Out Loud’. Bratton after his set ventured off into the crowd to greet fans and to pose for pictures.
Known by his core fans for his ‘SoMo Sunday’ cover songs on YouTube, SoMo has come a long way since his YouTube days. SoMo’s performance brought concert goers into his own personal intimate world. Making a name for himself, we’re set to see a lot more of SoMo as he reaches news fans for his smooth and infectious lyrics. With all the characteristics of becoming more recognized for his work SoMo’s next few career moves could set him up in a big way.
Check out more photos (by Jesus Montero/The Early Registration) below and see if SoMo is coming to a city near you here.
Stefan Ponce is more than just the producer behind your favorite records from Childish Gambino, Vic Mensa and Chance The Rapper. Although his name is forever attached to some of your favorite rappers, Ponce is currently making a name for himself. Don’t label him as the Grammy-nominated Stefan Ponce, or the Childish Gambino-affiliated Stefan Ponce, or the guy who produced ‘Down On My Luck’ and ‘3005’, Ponce is an artist of his own, with an album of his own that’s on its way. We sat down with Stefan Ponce to talk about his forthcoming project, and some of his artist friends who have helped him get to this point.
Chicago doesn’t subscribe to the idea that music festivals need to end in the summer, which is why React Present has totally expanded their Halloween music festival this year with Freaky Deaky. And while you purchase your tickets and await it’s full schedule, Freaky Deaky has just announced its daily lineups. Fans on Freaky Deaky’s opening day will be trick or treated to performances from Bassnectar, 2 Chainz, Action Bronson, Flying Lotus, Markus Schulz and many more. On Saturday Armin Van Buuren, Big Gigantic, Logic, Joey Bada$$ and more will hit the state. Then on Sunday, the Windy City will see sets from Chicago’s own Vic Mensa, Pretty Lights, Aluna George, A-Trak, Carnage, Mac Miller and many more.
With appearances from 2 Chainz, Vic Mensa, Flying Lotus, Mac Miller, Logic, Joey Bada$$, Action Bronson and Riff Raff, Freaky Deaky is set to have the biggest rap and hip-hop presence of all Chicago music festivals this year.
We are just a few weeks away from the release of Atlanta rapper/singer Raury’s debut album, All We Need, the follow up to his critically acclaimed mixtape Indigo Child. The LP will drop on October 16th and in promotion of the forthcoming project, Raury paid a visit to Stephen Colbert, as one of his first guests on The Late Show. The ‘Devil’s Whisper’ performance (which is the lead single from All We Need) also marked the 19-year-old’s first network television appearance.
Watch Raury’s powerful performance of ‘Devil’s Whisper’ below.
Watch as A$AP Rocky pays a visit to Jimmy Kimmel Live for a special performance of his At. Long. Last. ASAP record, ‘Canal St.’, with California rapper Bones. If you like what you see, you definitely need to catch Rocky on tour with Tyler the Creator on their new joint tour. Their tour (also with Vince Staples and Danny Brown) kicked off last weekend in Lowell, MA and it will hit a number of stops throughout the U.S., including Chicago, New York, Phili and more. You can get your tickets now at RockyAndTyler.com.
Watch A$AP Rocky’s performance of ‘Canal St.’ below.
The Early Registration 