my last minute decision i need to make in the next 4-6 hours: sleep on a couch in a room where other people will be possibly walking through, but in walking distance to the park and for real cheap... or book a hotel that will be more money, will require me to drive/park (though confident i know how to get free street parking) but will let me have privacy AND a bed with real pillows... chicago locals - whats the vibe of Hillside? leaning towards a hotel there as its just a long but straight shot on Roosevelt to douglass park. is it still city or cross into the burbs?
I used to live real close to Hillside up until a year ago. Not a bad place and you can easily go on 290 from there if you are driving. It's close to Bellwood and Maywood which can be a bit intimidating to non locals but if you just sleep at a hotel there you should be fine.
Of all the suburbs that way I’d pick it over others. I grew up in North Riverside so my perspective on the various suburbs is a bit different as none of them scare me.
@troyplaysbass you've had good luck with parking by the pink line and going from there right? To avoid actually having to drive anywhere near fest traffic, that is
Yeah, there's a little official CTA park and ride lot in an alley by the 54th/Cermak station. I've never had any issues with it. I usually try to get out by 9:45 (or earlier depending on the artist/how tired I am), and I don't usually have too much trouble at the Kedzie stop. California tends to be more crowded so maybe 9:30?
The fiancée will 100% be buying that cat shirt and that hoodie with the blue font is awesome. Usually I’m “eh” on their designs so this is refreshing! GarageLand also posted their prints for the fest today: Jawbreaker, Bouncing Souls, SoftPlay, and Screeching Weasel. They’re all pretty cool.
Swellers and Signals Midwest is quite the twofer. I’ll definately say hi. Not sure what I’m wearing but I’m 6’4, stubble with stache and tattoos.
The heat is brutal but… So much fun so far between Shonen Knife and Barbarians of CA! I’m in an Iron Roses t-shirt. And my partner’s got googly-eyed sunglasses!
Man fuck that Weird Al crowd lol Needed to get food after Rilo Kiley and it took so long to get through/around that we didn’t even bother trying to watch the second half like we planned. Knocked Loose was awesome though. But Al absolutely should have been on Roots. Other than that, really fun day once the clouds rolled in. Rilo Kiley was everything I’d hoped (though I’d still like to see a full headlining set), The Hold Steady was a blast, and Harrison Gordon is the future. So cool to see kids who have opened for my bands up on the main stage shouting out fucking Normal Illinois.