North Coast Music Fest: Friday

Unless you happen to be self employed or work for a company based in Europe, you are basically required to use that coveted PT or hang until at least 4pm before cutting out for the Holiday weekend. Happily, nothing really gets started at North Coast until 4:30PM on Friday. Which is good, cause my company is not based in Europe and I will be running late- straight from my day job and happy to be a part of Summer's Last Stand!

When the TLT crew does arrive, we will be checking out the Electronic heavy lineup. My first love was jam bands, but over the past few years I have found myself more and more drawn to beat heavy acts that play festivals like this one. Especially awesome here, because Chicago has one of the most diverse and forward thinking House scenes out there. That means that all of these acts are here to help you dance your workweek cares away. TLT will be bouncing around amongst the first 5 acts before settling down in front of a few favorites.

Kicking off the fest is Orchard Lounge, a Chicago collaborative of 3 DJs who rage beats ranging from dance dance party party to chill out late night. They have more or less been playing the Chicago club scene for the past decade. TLT may be a bit late to this party due to aforementioned day job, but luckily they will also be spinning at Friday's Bisco afterparty.

The crowd will really start to get fired up around 6:30, when Paul Van Dyk takes the stage. Arguably one of the best DJs out there (the best in some people's minds), Van Dyk throws down. The man fills large stadiums in Europe and makes dark, dingy clubs feel like a weekend in Ibiza. Involved in many other electronic fests this summer, prepare to dance with thousands of your best friends in Union Park to his craft.

Pretty Lights goes on at the Groupon stage at 7:30. Be THERE! I think that these guys alone are worth the price of admission to the festival. Don't believe me? Have a listen to the link below and hear their trippy beats mixed with heady melodies and hooks that you can't get out of your head. Last fall, I did a writeup on here about their October show at Park West. This resulted in field trips to The Vic for their NYE show, a stellar day and late night set at Summer Camp Music Fest, and now they are playing here in Chicago. Outside where we can feel the summer breeze. If their past summer performances are any indication, prepare to have a good time. Happily, you can download any of their music from their website for free (donations are accepted though- keep it going please!). And yes, the Lights are Pretty!

On the main North stage, The Chemical Brothers round out the night. If you haven't heard of the Chemical Brothers, well- I don't know what to tell you! Check out the Video below, courtesy of  www.chemicalbrothers.com. Widely known as a mainstream electronic act that got many people on board with "techno" back when it still applied to fleece vests from Old Navy, there has been even more evolution and these brothers are fully capable of attracting anyone who likes a good beat. Let's just say it's a good thing that this is only the first night of the festival, because there is no lag between The Chemical Brothers stopping and all of the afterparties!

After the fest, TLT will be heading to The Congress on Milwaukee to catch The Disco Biscuits w/Jay Electronic and Orchard Lounge. The Disco Biscuits throw a festival in and of themselves each year and tons of people flock to camp out and hear their blend of jammy dance. Do yourself a favor and wear something sparkly. I will be dressed head to toe in glitter:) Tickets are still available for $25.

Happy Dancing and hope to see you all having a great time! Follow us at @thelocaltourist and @randommsugirl for updates.