Chicago Bluegrass & Blues fest | Congress Theatre | Kingtello | React Presents

Chicago Bluegrass and Blues Festival Review

Congress Theatre - 12/12/09

Review By: Nicole Nicholson

Photos By: Caroline Bridges

In the dawn of winter, blues and bluegrass notes flooded out the doors of the Congress Theatre as the Chicago Bluegrass and Blues Festival took place this past Saturday. In an attempt to capture the feeling of a summer music festival in the middle of December, both bluegrass and blues bands performed on multiple stages throughout Congress Theatre, offering the audience a chance to escape from the cold, harsh winds of winter and simply enjoy the music.

Most music festivals take place in the summer in wide open areas, offering a number of different stages and bands to enjoy. Although it was indoors, the Chicago Bluegrass and Blues Festival was as good as a music festival during winter in Chicago could be. With performance areas set up in the entrance area, the balcony and the main stage, those who took part in the festival were able to walk around the venue and listen to a variety of different bands of both blues and bluegrass origins. With the doors opening at 11:00am and the last band playing at 11:30pm, the festival was an all day affair.

As the bands played and switched sets, diverse groups of people flooded into the doors of the venue. Families with children, couples on dates, and people who just wanted to enjoy the sounds all flocked together to enjoy the experience of live music. The Giving Tree Band, a Chicago-grown band of 8, brought the first large crowd into the festival as they began to play at 3:00pm. Consisting of violin, banjos, guitars, drums and a cello, this bluegrass and folk band attracted fans of all types. With such a large band, one may not expect all the members to be synchronized and in tune with one another, but this was not the case with the Giving Tree Band. The combination of stringed instruments, vocals and drums synched perfectly and got the crowd moving and dancing. As an octet should, the Giving Tree Band kept the energy flowing with their own enthusiasm and obvious love for what they do. This band provided the first surge of warmth on a cold winter day.

This musical warmth continued to surge as The Right Now, another Chicago-based group, infiltrated the Congress Theatre with a mixture of blues and soul. Playing in the entrance of the venue, The Right Now began their performance with a burst of energy, followed by a blast of saxophone, trombone, electric guitar and powerful, soulful vocals from their front woman, Stephanie Berecz. A mix of classic and contemporary sounds, The Right Now provided a refreshing and bubbly pop to the festival and kept the energy flowing throughout the venue.

After The Right Now proved that soul is still alive, the crowds flocked back into the main stage area to listen to Eddie “Chief” Clearwater perform. As he started his performance, the lights dimmed and even more people began to flood into the venue. Jumpstarting the evening portion of the festival, the Chief began his performance with a burst of energy that ignited glow sticks and glowing hula-hoops among the crowd. With his purple hat, electric guitar and deep, booming voice, he provided another surge of warmth that flowed through the venue. Before playing an instrumental piece titled ‘Midnight Groove’, Eddie stirred the crowd and got them dancing as he yelled “I feel like singin’ the blues!”

With a plethora of talented musicians, an array of vendors, and food provided by Brown’s Chicken, the festival had all the components of a summer music festival. The only thing missing was the heat from the sun and wind in the face. But with a number of bands providing warmth and energy with their talent and musical notes, who needs the sun’s rays anyway?

(The line-up for the festival can be viewed on the festival’s website http://www.cbbfestival.com)

About Chicago Bluegrass & Blues Festival

The Chicago Bluegrass & Blues Festival is a one-day festival celebrating our city’s unprecedented appreciation of roots music and culture. Hosted by the legendary Congress Theatre, Kingtello, React Presents, a bevy of homegrown talent will unite with some of contemporary music’s most accomplished and influential artists for a day of collaboration and cause. 12 hours, 25 bands, for only $35. And all in the name of a just cause and a plethora of musical styles that have evolved from the Bluegrass and Blues traditions that started it all. Aiming to help eradicate childe abuse and congenital heart defects in children, a portion of the event’s proceeds will contribute to the research efforts of the Chicago-based Saving Tiny Hearts Foundation and Prevent Child Abuse in America.

Chicago Bluegrass and Blues Festival Review

Congress Theatre - 12/12/09

Review By: Nicole Nicholson

Photos By: Caroline Bridges

About Chicago Bluegrass & Blues Festival

Band Links

Additional Links