A 14-year-old boy has died days after he was shot twice in the head while sitting in a parked car Thursday morning in Morgan Park on the Far South Side.
The teen, who hasn’t been identified, was sitting in the car with a 29-year-old man around 12:10 a.m. when someone in another car opened fire in the 1600 block of West Waseca Place, Chicago police said.
The boy was taken to Roseland Hospital by a family member and then transferred to Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn, police said.
He was pronounced dead Saturday morning, according to the Cook County medical examiner’s office.
The man in the car suffered a graze wound to his head and declined medical treatment.
Police have not announced any arrests in the case.
Researchers are finally including women’s health issues — and that includes Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) — in global data analysis.
New research published in July shows that women in developing countries still struggle to safely manage their periods, and lack access to menstrual products, water and private places to wash and change.
The report, by UNICEF and the World Health Organization, found that about one in five girls and women in Ethiopia, Samoa and Laos, and one in seven in Niger and Burkina Faso, used no suitable menstrual products during their periods, putting them at risk of infection and other health problems.
Other research shows that a berry — the chaste tree berry — acts to relieve PMS, especially anger, headache, irritability, depressed mood, and breast pain or tenderness. The berry comes from the chaste tree’s dried ripe fruit.
That’s nothing new, though, because sources indicate the chaste tree berry has been used as a women’s health botanical at least 2,500 years ago in ancient Greece.
It’s believed that it works on the pituitary gland, a pea-sized gland that regulates vital body functions by controlling the activity of most other glands that secrete hormones.
It’s believed the mechanism may be action on dopamine receptors, which decrease thyrotropin releasing hormone and prolactin levels, alleviating PMS symptoms.
Research on these and other issues have expanded in the past 28 years. That’s when then-President Bill Clinton signed a law requiring that women and people of color be included in federally funded health research.
WASHINGTON — For the first time since June 25, 2012, the Cubs started a day Saturday without Anthony Rizzo, Kris Bryant or Javy Baez on their active roster.
As the Cubs turned the page on their last core with their moves at the trade deadline Thursday and Friday, they are searching for pieces for their next core.
Catcher Willson Contreras was a 24-year-old rookie when the Cubs won the World Series in 2016 and is one of only three players left from that team, along with right fielder Jason Heyward and right-hander Kyle Hendricks.
”To be honest, it’s been tough,” Contreras said Saturday of the Cubs’ moves. ”It was really tough to see our brothers go. But at the end of the day, it’s a business. We have to understand the front office will do whatever they think is best for the team. The moves were made. There’s no looking back, no regrets. But from now on, we have to look to rebuild this team.”
Contreras, 29, now is a veteran in the prime of his career. With Bryant, Baez and Rizzo gone, he might be the player president Jed Hoyer builds around for this next era of Cubs baseball.
The Cubs would have to lock up Contreras to do that, and after they were unable to work out extensions with their superstar trio, he becomes the priority.
But while the Cubs are entering a rebuild with an unknown timeline, Contreras isn’t looking to abandon ship.
”I would love to stay here,” Contreras said. ”I love Chicago. I love my city. I love the team. This is the only team that I’ve played for. If they want to rebuild around me, I’m open to talks.
”I’m open to it. My doors have always been open. Whenever they want to talk, I’ll be open with my agents. I’m just looking forward to playing baseball.”
Not only did the Cubs lose a lot of talent with their moves, but they also lost their emotional leader in Rizzo. As they enter a new phase, they’ll need to fill the void. As their longest-tenured players, Contreras, Heyward and Hendricks will be asked to take on that role.
”I’m just gonna focus on leading the new guys on the right path the right way,” Contreras said. ”I’m gonna try to be their support. I told them [Friday] that it’s not gonna be easy the next few months. But we have to enjoy it, try to have fun and learn from each other.”
”I’ve had conversations with those guys and talked with those guys,” manager David Ross said. ”It’s been leaders in a lot of ways — J-Hey and Willy, and I will talk to Kyle after his start. I think those guys have been around winning, have identified it and understand what that takes.”
It remains to be seen what the Cubs’ long-term plans are and whether their timeline lines up with Contreras’. But he doesn’t seem too concerned that he’ll be moved, despite seeing many of his teammates leave town.
”I’m not thinking of getting traded,” he said. ”I’m thinking of guiding these guys in the right way. I’m trying to be their leader. I’m going to do my best.”
Just something I did for another silly story, don’t mind me
Yesterday was hard. No other way to describe what happened. Watching the greatest Chicago Cubs team in my life time being sold off piece by piece was painful. Even though I knew this was going to happen, I was still in a bit of shock. Yesterday a part of me died each time someone from the 2016 World Series champions left. They were officially and finally closing the door of what can only be described as one of the greatest moments in the lives of Chicago Cub fans.
I understand the business of baseball. Whether you believe the Cubs did enough to keep them here or not is not for me to argue. What we do know is that the Cubs did make offers to the three core players, all of which were declined. We also know that the players (specifically Kris Bryant and Anthony Rizzo) looked heart broken when they were told they were being traded. They appeared to have wanted to stay. Who can blame them? This was their first real Major League team. While Rizzo made his debut with the San Diego Padres, that was just for a cup of coffee. The Cubs were his true first team.
While many people currently hate Jed Hoyer for “what he has done,” yesterday had to have been hard for him…especially the trading of Rizzo on Thursday. Think about all that has taken place between those two over the years. From Rizzo being drafted, diagnosed with cancer, to trading for him in San Diego, to the trade to the Cubs. Those two have traveled a road together longer and closer than probably any other pairing in baseball. The relationship between the two is the only reason I see his coming back to the Cubs in free agency as a possibility.
However, the fire sale, white flag trades, whatever you want to call what happened, had to happen. There was no other way. Other than Craig Kimbrel, everyone was a pure rental for two months. There was no guarantee that Rizzo, Bryant or Javier Báez would re-sign before they hit free agency. You could not just let them walk away for nothing. Sure, you could have gotten a qualifying offer rejection pick from whatever team signed them. You could have gotten a compensation pick. But that would not have been enough of a return for who and what they were. They had to be traded. This is not even factoring in the current CBA which is coming to an end.
Looking at the trades though, the Cubs did not do all too bad in returns.
While minor leaguers are always a “scratch and win ticket,” the Cubs got back many of these teams’ top prospects. They didn’t get close to THE top prospect, but people who are a lot smarter than I am really like the players the Cubs have gotten in return. Three of them are already listed in the Cubs top 10 (Armstrong #6, Canario #7, Vizcano #8) and three more to round out the top 20 (Alcantara #11, Killian #16, Deichman #20). None, however, are a top 100 in all of baseball which is a little disappointing. That said, whether the new Cubs farm system rankings show how good these players are or how bad the Cubs farm system was I will leave for you to decide.
The Cubs are reverting back to a complete tear down and rebuild. We as fans are going to have to once again wait as Hoyer puts his plan into effect. Things will get ugly, and fans will complain as they have every right to do (and will be justified in doing so as things could get very ugly just as they did from 2012-2014. But remember what happened after those three years? Six of the greatest years we have ever witnessed.
Trust me, I do not want to relive those years again. Watching the games made me sick. Going to those games was draining and were more exhausting than a day at work. But they were worth the ending.
Rice Cube is the Executive Vice President of Snark for World Series Dreaming. Rice is not a native Chicagoan and thinks all your traditions are crazy but still loves the Cubs so hopefully we can all get along.
About a dozen family members of crime victims gathered Saturday afternoon outside the Leighton Criminal Courthouse in Little Village to demand judges stop releasing people accused of violent crimes on bond.
Some attendees held signs with photos of their loved ones, who they said had been killed by people who were on bond while awaiting trial in other cases.
Police Supt. David Brown has repeatedly complained that the county’s courts release too many people charged with crimes of violence on bond and rely too much on electronic monitoring.
In response, Chief Judge Tim Evans has said there is no data to support those claims, and cited a 2017 Loyola University study on the impact the state’s bail reform measures have had on crime as proof.
Nortasha Stingley, mother of Marissa Boyd-Stingley, who was gunned down in 2013, demands judges deny bail for people charged with murder and for habitual offenders during a press conference near the Leighton Criminal Courthouse Saturday in Little Village.Pat Nabong/Sun-Times
Nortasha Stingley, who lives in Englewood, said Saturday at the gathering that the man accused of killing her daughter, Marissa Boyd-Stingley, in a 2013 drive-by shooting was an example of someone who shouldn’t have been given a bond while he awaits trial.
“I just really want to ask some of these judges, what if it was your child? What if the shoe was on the other foot?” Stingley said.
Boyd-Stingley was 19 and in college with plans to become a pediatrician.
Reginald Reed, 44, was charged with the shooting last fall and his bail was set at $150,000 with electronic monitoring, meaning he would need to post $15,000 to be released with a GPS bracelet on home confinement while awaiting trial.
Defendants in murder cases are often denied bail in Cook County, but Judge Charles Beach noted during Reed’s initial hearing that prosecutors’ key evidence in the case — a witness identification four years after the shooting — was “weak.”
Judges make several determinations when setting bail, including the likelihood of the defendant’s conviction, if they will show up for their court hearings and whether they pose a danger to the community. Judges say they must balance the allegations against a person’s right to be presumed innocent until proven guilty.
Court records show Reed wasn’t on bond at the time Boyd-Stingley was killed and hasn’t been charged with any new offenses in the months since his bail was set.
Nikki Swoboda, whose son was shot and killed in February, speaks at a rally demanding judges hold defendants in violent crime cases without bail on Saturday near the Leighton Criminal Courthouse. Pat Nabong/Sun-Times
Another mother, Nikki Swoboda, spoke to the crowd about her son, Julian Castillo, who was beaten and fatally shot in February, allegedly by two reputed gang members.
Swoboda said judges who let accused criminals out on affordable bonds contributed to her 16-year-old son’s murder.
One of the men charged with Castillo’s killing, 21-year-old Jesus Moro, was on bond with a charge of aggravated discharge of a firearm at the time, court records show.
Both men charged with Castillo’s death are currently being held without bail.
“These judges won’t be getting my vote, at all,” Swoboda said. “You killed my son, you were a contribution to why my son is not living right now. He was a child… This is not normal and the city should not accept this as being normal. This needs to stop.”
Opponents of the cash bail system say it allows those with money to go home while keeping those who can’t afford to post bond in custody, sometimes for years while their case winds through the busy court system.
COLFAX, La. — A Zydeco musician was shot in the back while performing at an event in central Louisiana, his wife said in a statement posted early Saturday on Facebook.
Chris Ardoin was performing as the Friday headliner at Zydeco Bike Fest when he was shot, his wife, Kerri, posted on his official Facebook page.
“Yes, unfortunately tonight he did get shot in the back on his right side while on stage,” she wrote. “Doctors said thankfully he’s a built guy. The bullet didn’t penetrate his lung and stopped near his ribs. We are currently in the hospital. Please keep him in your prayers and will update you all later!!! Thanks.”
The shooting happened in Colfax at Louisiana Mudfest, an ATV and mudding park, The Advocate reported.
Ardoin was slated as the Friday headliner, with Lil Nate and the Zydeco Big Timers scheduled to perform Saturday night. Lil Nate posted on Facebook on Saturday that his group had canceled their performance.
The Grant Parish Sheriff’s Office said in a news release that they responded to the park after receiving reports of multiple people shooting into a crowd. They said two people were struck by the gunfire and suffered moderate injuries, including a 14-year-old child.
The sheriff’s office said hundreds of vehicles tried to leave at once as people fled in panic.
Two people armed with guns were arrested but their identities have not been released and police have not said whether they are accused in the shootings that injured Ardoin and the teenager.
Follow along with the Sun-Times as the tunes continue Saturday at Lollapalooza in Grant Park. Day 3 headliners include Megan Thee Stallion and Post Malone.
Cannons
Fate has treated Cannons well in the past year. After their saucy hit “Fire For You” landed on the Netflix teen drama “Never Have I Ever,” the L.A. trio was signed to Columbia Records and had a #1 hit on the Billboard alternative charts.
Keeping the crowd on bated breath, the act ended their dreamy early set with that number, as singer Michelle Joy commenting on how the track “changed their lives” after working on their craft for seven years, with bandmates Ryan Clapham (guitar) and Paul Davis (keyboards) finding Joy through a Craigslist ad.
It’s a story told a thousand times, but only a few bands like Cannons make it to a main stage at Lollapalooza — and they clearly have the je ne sais quoi to back it up.
It was also the band’s first time ever playing Chicago and the trio, accompanied by a live drummer, came dressed for the occasion.
Joy looked like a mix between Cher and She-Ra with a gold jumpsuit that hinted at her pop star career in the making. Her bandmates were wearing equally vibrant Midas shades, looking like they just got off the set of “Miami Vice.”
It makes sense since that seems to be their decade of choice. The band effortlessly floats in the ’80s post-disco electro-rock clouds, with a fresh pop veneer on songs like “Bad Dream,” “Talk Talk” and “Hurricance,” the latter debuting on Saturday, from their forthcoming album, out this fall.
Although Joy struggled at times to find her vocal footing, the set showed great promise for these up-and-comers. — Selena Fragassi
Michigander performs on day three of Lollapalooza in Grant Park, Saturday afternoon, July 31, 2021.Ashlee Rezin/Sun-Times
Michigander
Michigander’s Jason Singer swore he thought he’d only see about 20 people at his set, but there was easily a hundred times that amount of revelers taking in the easy-like-Saturday-afternoon performance delivering perfectly crafted indie pop.
Of course hailing from Michigan (Detroit, to be specific), Singer and crew imbued that laidback Midwest attitude in both their music and their exultation for being tapped for a spot at Lollapalooza.
The frontman commented several times it was a “dream come true” and something he could only pine for as a high schooler when he first began writing music, like the song “Fears.” But with his talent, it was really only a matter of time until people started listening — and they have.
The band hit a high note with material from the recently released EP, “Everything Will Be Ok Eventually,” a figurative place it feels like we’re getting back to, Singer said.
Later, they began with a cover of Radiohead’s “Karma Police” morphing it into their storyteller song “East Chicago, IN.”
The addition of a trombone player in the ensemble gave the band another layer to peel away and one that has many wanting to know more.
Thankfully, they were scheduled at the same time as Madrid indie rock band Hinds whose issues with visas prevented them from making an appearance at Lollapalooza, with Michigander filling in the gaps. — Selena Fragassi
Festival-goers flock to Grant Park for day three of Lollapalooza, Saturday afternoon, July 31, 2021.Ashlee Rezin/Sun-Times
Joy Oladokun
It’s really a wonder the BMI Stage at Lollapalooza is not the most crowded of the day, every day, with its track record of producing the next gen starts — and after seeing Joy Oladokun’s heartfelt, powerful, deep, timely and important set on Saturday, it’s clear she is next to launch.
Singer-songwriters with both universal appeal and resonating perspective like Oladokun don’t come around often, but when they do, they make their permanent mark. The songs she chose for this set touched on a range of themes — heartbreak and love (“Sorry Isn’t Good Enough”), the crossroads of religion and coming out (“Jordan”) and the current socio-political complex (“I See America”). The latter she interspersed with a house-toppling cover of Nirvana’s “Smells Like Teen Spirit,” the intersection of the two songs giving its own moment of pause.
Born in ’92, “I See America” is her reflection about being born in the year of the Rodney King Riots and, almost 30 years later, witnessing a similar uproar of the death of George Floyd: “It’s exhausting to have to do this all the time … this song is about the tension between what a country can be and what it shows itself to be.”
To close out the set, Oladokun (switching between electric and acoustic guitars) chose another interesting medley – pairing her latest imprint “Sunday” with Prince’s “The Cross,” bubbling into a musical baptism with its amount of spirit. “I would love for you to forever associate me with Prince, how he can make you think and dance at the same time,” she said.
Oladokun doesn’t give herself nearly enough credit for being able to do so already. She may come off carefree with her jeans and Jimi Hendrix T-shirt ensemble and a sing-a-long coffeehouse vibe, but she has a fire inside we will continue to see rise over time. — Selena Fragassi
After an “OK year” as nose tackle Eddie Goldman’s primary replacement in 2020, Bilal Nichols is back to primarily playing defensive end this season. It’s a comfort zone that has him thinking big in his fourth NFL season.
“All-Pro, simply. All-Pro and winning the Super Bowl,” Nichols said. “That’s the type of standard I hold myself to every day and reach that ultimate level. If I can reach that level, I can help our team tremendously. That’s all I’m focused on right now.”
The 6-4, 299-pound Nichols has been a steady, versatile, productive player since he was drafted in the fifth round from Delaware in 2018. He had a career-high five sacks and 13 quarterback hits and his first career interception in 2020.
Though Nichols can play anywhere on the line, being back at end — and having Goldman at the nose — figures to be a boon for the entire defensive line.
“It feels amazing,” Nichols said. “We all know what caliber of player Eddie is — Pro Bowler. Best at his position. Just to have a dominant guy like the back with you, holding down the middle with Akiem [Hicks] on the other side — it’s amazing. We feel like we’re back to full strength now.”
The timing couldn’t be better for Nichols, who is in the final season of his four-year, $2.75 million rookie contract and in line for a big raise. But he insisted that’s the last thing on his mind.
“I’m just focused on this year,” Nichols said. “I don’t really know. We’re just going to play it out and go from there. I’m just focused on wining the Super Bowl this year and all that stuff will take care of itself.”
Fields Effect
Rookie cornerback Thomas Graham said hangs out with fellow rookie Justin Fields — playing games and going over film — and already can feel the impact of Fields’ personality.
“Energetic. Positive. He likes to walk around with a little swagger,” Graham said. “Stays confidence. I like to be around a confident person, because it just [instills confidence] in yourself.”
The hoops team
Jimmy Graham’s basketball background came into play in Friday’s practice when the 6-7, 260-pound Graham used his size to beat 5-9, 178-pound Duke Shelly to a pass. “Big-bodied him,” coach Matt Nagy said. “Duke tried to get the ball from him and [Graham] just used his size.
“We joke around in our offensive meetings every now than about who our starting five would be in basketball in that [offensive] room.”
Nagy said the team would include Graham [“at the 5”], quarterback Nick Foles [“running the point”] and wide receivers Javon Wims, Thomas Ives [“he’s sneaky good”] and Allen Robinson.
Sprint relay
Wide receivers Marquise Goodwin (4.27), Damiere Byrd (4.28) and Darnell Mooney (4.38) all have sub 4.4 40 speed. So who would be the fourth runner on a 4 x 100-meter relay team? Goodwin picked rookie quarterback Justin Fields, who ran a 4.44 40 at his Ohio State pro day.
Bits and pieces
Rookie left tackle Teven Jenkins (back) did not practice again Saturday. Nagy did not give a timetable for his training camp debut. … Graham was given a “load management” day. … Safety Deon Bush had the first interception of camp, leaping to pick off an Andy Dalton pass … Nagy said the Bears will be in full pads for the first time in camp at Tuesday’s practice at Soldier Field.
Lollapalooza officially returned to Grant Park this week for four days of music and good times despite concerns about how bringing together over 100,000 people each day will affect the ongoing pandemic.
The festival, which opened Thursday with vaccination or proof of a negative COVID-19 test required for entry, represents the largest public event to date held in Chicago since the emergence of the coronavirus last March. Despite worries over the virus’ Delta variant and rising caseloads nationally, the show will go on this weekend.
Miley Cyrus performs at the T-Mobile stage, Thursday, July 29, 2021.Tyler LaRiviere/Sun-Times
Black Pumas performs at the T-Mobile stage, Thursday.Tyler LaRiviere/Sun-Times
Michigander’s Jason Singer swore he thought he’d only see about 20 people at his set, but there was easily 100x that amount of revelers taking in the easy-like-Saturday-afternoon performance delivering perfectly crafted indie pop.
Of course hailing from Michigan (Detroit, to be specific), Singer and crew imbued that laidback Midwest attitude in both their music and their exultation for being tapped for a spot at Lollapalooza.
The frontman commented several times it was a “dream come true” and something he could only pine for as a high schooler when he first began writing music like the song “Fears.” But with his talent, it was really only a matter of time until people started listening – and they have.
Tyler, the Creator was trending on social media ahead of his headlining set to close out Day 2 of Lollapalooza. Half of the people were upset the festival was not yet streaming his performance on Hulu and had chosen to broadcast Marshmello instead, and the other half were pleading with the universe to make his rumored appearance with his Odd Future cohort Frank Ocean happen (though that seemed like a tall order).
One was righted as the livestream picked up the performance a half-hour later, thankfully allowing a much larger crowd to pay witness to the visionary, art-driven set that melded jazz, R&B, rap, trip hop, and darkcore.
The Grammy Award winner astutely merged the worlds of live theater and concert in his hour-plus set, sparing no effort to bring his full production stage the “creator” part of him is known for, even as live touring just starts to make its comeback and while most sets this weekend have been understandably scaled back.
Starting her Lollapalooza headlining set with “We Can’t Stop” (preaching the general theme of “it’s my party and I’ll do what I want to”), Miley Cyrusset the tone early on: It would be one helluva time and she would be making all the rules. In following those two tenets, the genre-bending star dominated the festival’s opening night.
There were fireworks, some memorable covers, a motley crew of guests, moments of nearly flashing the videofeed cameras, and the artist taking a stand on the important of freeing Britney Spears. During Cyrus’ performance Thursday of her hit “SMS (Bangerz),” which features Spears, the jumbo screens next to the stage broadcast the trending #freebritney message superimposed with caricatures of handcuffs. (Cyrus recently championed Spears’ conservatorship emancipation at a show in Vegas too.)
Lightfoot takes the stage: ‘Thank you for masking up and vaxing up’
Mayor Lori Lightfoot, who has been outspoken about her decision to keep Lollapalooza as scheduled despite the uptick in cases of COVID-19 and numerous variants spreading around the country, made a not-so-surprise appearance on the festival’s opening day.
Wearing a Black Pumas T-shirt, she introduced the group’s midday set at the T-Mobile Stage and hailed the Pumas as one of the greatest rock bands of today.
“The rate of vaccination in this crowd is off the charts,” she said.
First Lolla fans optimistic as 2021 festival kicks off amid COVID-19 precautions
Thousands of fans streamed into Grant Park Thursday marking the return of Lollapalooza after COVID-19 halted last year’s iteration of the 30-year-old music festival. While some fans said they were slightly worried about COVID-19, many expressed confidence in Lollapalooza’s new protocols.
But not everyone knew about the vaccine mandate in order to attend the music festival.
Lolla signs warn attendees they assume risk for COVID-19
The thousands of people entering Lollapalooza on Thursday are being greeted by signs explaining something that’s not included on their public health and safety website: By attending the festival, “you voluntarily assume all risks related to exposure to COVID-19,” which they mention “can lead to severe illness and death.”
Some of the names on the Lolla lineup are a lot bigger than others. Selena Fragassi parses through the dozens of bands and artists to break down 10 must-see acts that attendees won’t want to miss this weekend. Here’s what Fragassi says about one of the festival’s earliest performers, Orville Peck:
No one exactly knows who this incognito Canadian country singer is (his trademark look is a long, fringed mask and cowboy hat) but the boudoir-looking John Wayne has heaped tons of due praise in his few years on the scene. Both for crafting a highly contagious psychedelic outlaw sound that refreshes the genre and for being an LGBTQ iconoclast whose work with Trixie Mattel and Gaga will soon put him in a new league.
With coronavirus case figures rising across the country amid lagging vaccination rates and the emergence of the Delta variant, Lollapalooza put in place security measures to help make the festival safer.
Follow along with the Sun-Times as the tunes continue Saturday at Lollapalooza in Grant Park. Day 3 headliners include Megan Thee Stallion and Post Malone.
Cannons
Fate has treated Cannons well in the past year. After their saucy hit “Fire For You” landed on the Netlix teen drama “Never Have I Ever,” the L.A. trio was signed to Columbia Records and had a #1 hit on the Billboard alternative charts. Keeping the crowd on baited breath, the act ended their dreamy early set with that number, singer Michelle Joy commenting on how the track “changed their lives” after slaving over their craft for seven years, with bandmates Ryan Clapham (guitar) and Paul Davis (keyboards) finding Joy through a Craigslist ad. It’s a story told a thousand times, but only a few bands like Cannons make it to a mainstage at Lollapalooza – and they clearly have the je ne sais quoi to back it up. It was also the band’s first time ever playing Chicago and the trio (accompanied by a live drummer) came dressed for the occasion. Joy looked like a mix between Cher and She-ra with a gold jumpsuit that hinted at her pop star in the making and her bandmates were wearing equally vibrant Midas shades looking like they just got off the set of “Miami Vice.” It makes sense since that seems to be their decade of choice. The band effortlessly floats in the ’80s post-disco electro rock clouds, with a fresh pop veneer on songs like “Bad Dream,” “Talk Talk” and “Hurricance,” the latter debuting on Saturday, from their forthcoming album, out this fall. Although Joy struggled at times to find her vocal footing, the set showed great promise for these up-and-comers. — Selena Fragassi
Michigander performs on day three of Lollapalooza in Grant Park, Saturday afternoon, July 31, 2021.Ashlee Rezin/Sun-Times
Michigander
Michigander’s Jason Singer swore he thought he’d only see about 20 people at his set, but there was easily 100x that amount of revelers taking in the easy-like-Saturday-afternoon performance delivering perfectly crafted indie pop. Of course hailing from Michigan (Detroit, to be specific), Singer and crew imbued that laidback Midwest attitude in both their music and their exultation for being tapped for a spot at Lollapalooza. The frontman commented several times it was a “dream come true” and something he could only pine for as a high schooler when he first began writing music like the song “Fears.” But with his talent, it was really only a matter of time until people started listening – and they have. The band hit a high note with material from the recently released EP, “Everything Will Be Ok Eventually,” a figurative place it feels like we’re getting back to, Singer said. Later, they began with a cover of Radiohead’s “Karma Police” morphing it into their storyteller song “East Chicago, IN.” The addition of a trombone player in the ensemble gave the band another layer to peel away and one that has many wanting to know more. Thankfully they were scheduled at the same time as Madrid indie rock band Hinds whose issues with visas prevented them from making an appearance at Lollapalooza with Michigander filling in the gaps. — Selena Fragassi
:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/22753352/merlin_99657808.jpg)
:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/22753353/merlin_99657826.jpg)
:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/22753277/LOLLASAT_080121_25.jpg)
:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/22753472/LOLLASAT_080121_16.JPG)
:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/22753336/LOLLASAT_080121_05.JPG)
:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/22751544/Image_from_iOS__4_.jpg)
:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/22750578/LOLLATHUR_073021_63.jpg)
:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/22749645/LOLLATHUR_073021_41.jpg)
:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/22554944/unnamed.png)
Leave a comment