Hideout Block Party Fri Aug 30 2013

The Hideout Looks Forward: The Block Party's 17th Year

By Sarah Brooks

In 1934, the Hideout originally opened as just a dive bar, in an isolated location where those in the know knew precisely where to find it. Decades later, in 1996, founders Tim and Katie Tuten and Mike and James Hinchsliff transformed the burgeoning establishment into a dynamic hub for artistic creativity and innovation that will hopefully span many years to come. Often featuring fledgling local artists looking to get their start from its founding and packed-to-the-brim crowds, it's the place where creative relationships form, Chicago musicians band together, and creativity flourishes. It's the venue where bartenders often end their shifts only to get up onstage themselves. It not only features concerts, but film screenings, trivia nights, community events built around free bowls of soup and eccentric outlets for creative expression. After 17 years of live music and illuminations of art at The Hideout, we emerge in 2013 with the 17th annual Block Party & A.V. Fest.

If you haven't been to The Hideout yet or its annual Block Party, it's hard for those of us who are veteran attendees to explain just one thing that makes it so special: because honestly, it is everything. It's the emphasis on local musicianship and paying homage to a city so wonderful. It's listening to a new band that you haven't heard yet, only to fall in love with each song that they play. It's seeing Andrew Bird return to his city and play an unbelievable set. It's watching Mavis Staples sit in a throne designed especially for her arrival. It's listening to Wilco play a hometown show under the stars.

Unlike years past in which we Gapers Block staffers told you readers why we love Hideout Block Party & A.V. Fest, it's time for a new voice to take shape, as Hideout staffers themselves share their opinions; what do they most look forward to at this year's Hideout Block Party & A.V. Fest? Read on, and hopefully we will be seeing you out in the crowd soon.

Hideout staff (top row, l to r) Jacob Ross, Ryan Hembrey, Seth Dodson, (bottom row) Nat Ward, Anastasia Hinchsliff (not pictured: Amy Gard). Photo by Joshua Mellin

Nat Ward (Hideout Bartender):
Guitarkestra! Guitarkestra is pretty much the most amazing musical thing you've never heard of. Imagine a wall of sound 50 people wide, in a circle, jamming on E. The sonic reverberations will vibrate the frontal lobe at a frequency of 333 hertz, causing the pineal gland to resonate, causing your brain to access higher dimensions of being and reaching the Godhead. Maybe. But any way you cut it, it's the most drone, bad-ass hurricane of sonic ear sex that you will probably ever be a part of. Honestly, it's often awkward having Guitarkestra first; it's hard for other bands to stand up against such pure and unbridled beauty and art.

Jacob Ross (Sound Engineer):
I look forward to the Block Party every year because it's like The Hideout family reunion open to the public, all surrounded by the perfect Chicago mixture of working class grit up close and the money-dealers' towering skyline in the distance, dwarfed only by the majestic moonrises, sunsets, and the infinite communal powers of music.

Ryan Hembrey (Audio Manager):
I've always appreciated The Walkmen's musical aesthetic, but I admired their bold choice to cover Pussy Cats, Harry Nilsson's collaboration with John Lennon, front-to-back. It's one of my favorites by him though itself under-appreciated. Ted Leo's work ethic and stage energy has always impressed me, but the fellow also has one of the keenest memories out there. For someone who tours as much as he does, he must meet a lot of people. I've run into him a few times outside of Chicago since I first met him in 2006, and he always says "Hey Ryan — how're things at the Hideout?"

Anastasia Hinchsliff (Co-Owner):
I have been a huge Aimee Mann fan since her solo debut album, Whatever, was released in 1993, and I'm fairly certain that I've included "4th of July" on every single mix tape I've ever made. She writes great hooks and lovely lyrics, her voice is so beautiful, she plays the bass — the bass!! — and she is just really completely cool. Just when I thought she couldn't get any cooler, there she is in one of the best Portlandia episodes ever. Plus, I've always thought that if we lived in the same town we would be friends. I still think that.

Amy Gard (Bartender):
Girl Group Chicago: come one come all for an experience you will absolutely enjoy. I love them. Girl Group Chicago is a 20-member all-female 60s "wall of sound" supergroup, comprised entirely of local musicians whose musical backgrounds range from your greatest doom metal to musical theater to punk rock to marching bands such as Mucca Pazza. Shana East, the founder and lead vocalist gathered 5 vocalists, herself included, along with Chicago's hottest 6-piece horn section and a 3-piece string section (featuring Monica BouBou from Bobby Conn's band on violin) and the ever lovely Miss Mia Park on percussion. Rumor has it, The Revelettes go-go dance troupe will be joining them for several songs during their Block Party performance making a total of 27 woman on stage, a wild force to reckon with. Also, the amazingly talented Gina Bloom from Chicago soul outfit The Congregation will be singing lead on a couple of songs. It is well worth a listen. They perform at 2pm on Saturday, September 7. The whole gang is welcome. They are simply wonderful and you would be a fool to miss it.

Seth Dodson (Program Director):
The music line-up this year is obviously out of control and so good, but what good is a music festival with out some treats? I'm an ambitious imbiber so I'm excited to be satiating my thirst with Lagunitas IPA and Fusion 16 Hideout/A.V. Fest Ale. Being from Texas, you will find me eating tacos from Big Star and getting down with some County BBQ. Many more food trucks and vendors abound, but to top it off, there will be Jeni's ice cream for dessert. Yum! It's a good thing we don't eat with our ears so we can use all our senses and take in the whole beautiful event. I also just have to say that Neko Case's new album is fantastic and it comes out the week of the Fest!

This year's Hideout Block Party & A.V. Fest will take place on Friday, September 6 and Saturday, September 7, 2013. Full line-up information is included below, and tickets are available for a $35 for Friday, $40 for Saturday, and $70 for a two-day pass. The Hideout is located at 1354 W. Wabansia Ave, (773) 227-4433.

Friday, September 6

4:30pm - Gates open
5:15pm - Nude Beach
6:15pm - Trampled by Turtles
7:30pm - Mavis Staples
8:45pm - Neko Case

Saturday, September 7

12:30pm - Gates open
1:30pm - Guitarkestra
2:00pm - Girl Group
3:00pm - Jon Langford
4:00pm - The Both (Aimee Mann and Ted Leo)
5:15pm - The Walkmen
6:30pm - Superchunk
7:45pm - The Hold Steady
9:00pm - Young the Giant