By Robert Dean
In case you live under a rock, Moonrunners Festival 4 is happening again this summer. Being a former Moonrunner, it thrills me to my core to see the festival alive and well. Jahsh and Elle have managed to find a niche within Chicago and crank it way up. And to boot, the festival keeps getting better.
Like many of the Chicago festivals, Moonrunners fills a hole that many people hadn’t realized was missing: for three days at Reggie’s on the city’s south side, you’ll get an array of talents that are awe-inspiring and bewildering, just the same – all of which are very much Non – Chicago.
Who knew so many folks in the crown jewel of the Midwest liked good country music? Sure, buck-toothed fuck face Luke Bryan call sell out arenas anywhere in the country, but show me a packed room of ugly bastards swaying to Jeff Shepard, and I’ll ask what time you I need to eat something before we get smashed.
In the past, Moonrunners has had an interesting lineup shuffle. From country to bluegrass, street punk, rockabilly, blues – the lineup has had a lot of looks. This year, though, it feels like the show has a theme, a sense of identity. Bands don’t seem misplaced, nor ad hoc. Moonrunners 4 comes off as masterfully put together and offering a little something for everyone.
Consider in one weekend, July 1-3, you get to see Supersuckers, Dale Watson, Slim Cessna’s Auto Club, highlonesome, Pearls Mahone, etc., etc., etc. There’s a lot to like about this year’s lineup, and only good things can come from such a well-rounded list.
One thing that works decidedly in the favor of the artists, the wonton feel of the old school SXSW – there’s a lot of talent to be discovered and enjoyed. Not everyone may know That Ol’ Coondog, but chances are they’ll leave a fan. That’s one of the endearing aspects of Moonrunners; it’s a hangout with epic drinking sessions that isn’t to be missed.
If you’ve got an itch to make plans for the summer, I suggest skipping up to Chicago and getting your foot stomp on to some good music that soothes the soul. Tell em’ we sent ya.
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Tickets available here: http://www.reggieslive.com/show/moonrunners-music-festival-4-2/
Full lineup:
Split Lip Rayfield, Supersuckers, Scott H. Biram, Dale Watson and his Lone Stars, Slim Cessna’s Auto Club, Wayne ‘The Train’ Hancock, Joseph Huber, Black Eyed Vermillion, Urban Pioneers, Old Salt Union, Rachel Brooke, Those Poor Bastards, Izzy and the Catostophics, Hellbound Glory, Gallows Bound, Filthy Still, Joseph Huber, Call Me Bronco, Ford Theater Reunion, The Peculiar Pretzelmen, Escape from the Zoo, Carrie Nation and the Speakeasy, WT Newton, Kiel Grove, JB Beverley, Pearls Mahone, Last False Hope, Rickett Pass, Joshua Morningstar, The Tosspints, Highlonesome, CW Ayon, That Ol’ Coondog, Th’ Piss Poor Players, Mason ‘Damn’ Tinsley, Brittany Avery, Still Alive, Death and Memphis, Last Daze, The Kountry Kittens, Hunter Grigg, Stump Tail Dolly, Gary Moore II, Tony French, Curio, Blackgrass Gospel, Black Actress, Murphy’s Lawyer, Clem McGillicutty and the Burnouts, Traveling Broke and Out of Gas, Tail Light Rebillion, Rock Bottom String Band, Spike McGuire, Lonewolf OMB, Noah Tyson, The Exilirs, Melomaniac, The Ridgelands, Matthew ‘Mule’ McKinley, Stufy Summers
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