Tom Lynch

As it did last summer, the Wicker Park Fest boasts the season’s best music lineup, one that will, unlike most other street fests, not make you sick to your stomach. Saturday features performances by local alt-country gents Catfish Haven; Davey von Bohlen-led indie-pop darlings Maritime; Will Johnson’s gorgeous, scratch-breathed Centro-Matic; the goofy, dance-o-matic Man Man; the blazing indie-punk of Portland’s The Thermals (one of my favorite bands) and the electronic dreaminess of Prefuse 73. Sunday’s just as impressive, with performances by space-rock locals The Race (whose "Ice Station" is marvelous), the illustrious, sparse indie rock of Sybris, the aggressive metal-riffing instrumental monster mash of Russian Circles and the doom and destruction of High on Fire. You probably shouldn’t miss this.

Wicker Park Fest 2007 takes place July 28-29 in Wicker Park, at roughly Damen and North and Milwaukee. Both days get started at 11:30am, and it’s only $5 for admission. (2007-07-24)

Also by Tom Lynch

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