June is finally upon us and that means it's summer festival season in Chicago! Throughout the next few months, music enthusiasts close to the city should consider themselves lucky as there is something for everyone in terms of music, especially at the major festivals people from all around the country flock to. The great thing about the festival scene in Chicago is that each one provides a unique experience, whether it's through the variety of the lineup, the location, or the vibe of the crowd. React Presents' Mamby On The Beach, which happens this year on June 23rd and 24th, definitely covers all of these bases and more. Returning to Oakwood Beach for its fourth year, Mamby is Chicago's only major beach festival, offering festivalgoers a chance to take in some awesome artists and do various activities all with a great view of the city's beautiful skyline as the festival's backdrop. Though that's reason enough to check it out, here's some of the music we're most excited to see at Mamby On The Beach this summer.
Grizzly Bear
https://youtu.be/BDQ7KgvwfaQ
Although Mamby has gained a reputation over the past few years for being one of the finest electronic festivals in Chicago, their lineups often include some great rock acts as well, most notably MGMT and Animal Collective in recent years. Grizzly Bear released their most accessible record yet, Painted Ruins, last year as a follow-up to their 2012 record Shields. Grizzly Bear will surely deliver a dynamic and memorable set and make a great addition to Mamby's lineup. While I enjoyed Painted Ruins quite a bit and look forward to hearing songs such as "Mourning Sound" or "Three Rings" live, I'm especially excited to see how this new sound will fit into their set in conjunction with some of their older classics, as Yellow House is one of my favorite records of all time.
tUnE-yArDs
https://youtu.be/3-7je-jsuC4
Eclectic electronic project tUnE-yArDs, fronted by Merrill Garbus, is a must-see artist on Saturday at Mamby On The Beach. The danceable polyrhythms of her music, complemented by expressive basslines and an abundance of African percussion, will make it hard for anyone in the vicinity of Oakwood Beach to stand still. Their new album I can feel you creep into my private life came out earlier this year in January.
CupcakKe
https://youtu.be/hu_XwnAiMXg
Mamby On The Beach always manages to find quality, high-profile local acts to put on their lineup each year and this year is no exception. CupcakKe will be delivering her energetic and hilarious style of Chicago rap on Saturday, June 23rd. Her most recent record, Ephorize, came out this past January and is full of bangers and overtly sexual one-liners that will be sure to entertain the crowd throughout her set. Personally, I'm cautiously excited to let loose during "Duck Duck Goose".
Whethan
https://youtu.be/56NvMT8DB-g
Electronic wunderkind and Chicago native Whethan will be hitting the stage at Mamby on Sunday, June 24th. Fresh off of a tour with The Chainsmokers, he'll be bringing his unique brand of future bass and trap that has garnered the attention of artists as influential to the genre as Skrillex and Louis the Child.
Jamila Woods
https://youtu.be/t3MhH2WekcY
Coming off one of the strongest R&B records of 2016 and a powerful set at Pitchfork Music Festival 2017, Jamila Woods is yet another excellent Chicago act to see at the festival on Sunday, June 24th. She'll deliver with a smooth, soulful vibe that will fit perfectly on what will hopefully be a beautiful day on Oakwood Beach.
Richie Hawtin
https://youtu.be/C5PSxe6iCnI
Minimal techno pioneer Richie Hawtin will be headlining the Mixmag x Beatport tent on Sunday, June 24th. He's been a legend in the genre for decades and I'm very eager to see how the crowd will respond to his style of abstract, yet danceable electronica. His set will be a must-see for fans of old-school electronic music or for people looking to just lose themselves in a trance of hypnotic rhythm.
Stay tuned for more festival news from WIUX!
