Tom Lynch

The damning sky dims post-downpour and dirty, damp rabble-rousers, armed with plastic cups filled with Goose Island’s finest, skip puddles in the backwoods off of Elston and Wabansia. The 11th Annual Hideout Block Party, foaming at the brim with both the hipster elite and families-of-four, seems to have dodged the afternoon monsoon, as Glen Hansard and his Frames take the stage to thunderous—uh-oh—applause.

An orgy of bicycles crowds the entrance—a black-marker-scrawled "SOLD OUT" sign hangs in the distance—and the beer line looks atrocious. "This is the worst I’ve seen all day," one says. "I’m getting my two and not coming back." The line for beer tickets, of course, is vacant. On stage, Hansard hauls out an acoustic and begins the gentle, moody "Falling Slowly," the most crushing song from the film "Once," in which he stars. The crowd, to say it simply, appreciates it, and chants along: "Take this sinking boat and point it home/We’ve still got time/Raise your hopeful voice you have a choice/You’ve made it now." The air cools.

"Tanks for coomin," Hansard offers in his Irish inflection, after the band powerhouses through a cover of the Pixies’ "Where Is My Mind?" (The second heard today, The Blue Ribbon Glee Club traveled this road just earlier.) Two tiny siblings crouch on the curb away from the mass, faces painted sparkling blues and greens and yellows, eyes terrifically tired. "Someone needs to get them a beer," an idiot in sandals croaks. Well, why not, it’s all for charity.

(2007-09-11)

Also by Tom Lynch

Tip of the Week
An always pleasing affair altogether, Hideout’s yearly block party often boasts the best festival line-up of the summer—2006’s Touch & Go joint-party was for the books—and this year’s batch of bands shouldn’t be missed either
(2007-09-04)

Tip of the Week
The author of the story collection "Drown" returns, finally, after a decade, with his first novel, "The Brief and Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao," a compelling, charming and ultimately touching account of a bumbling, lovesick fat kid
(2007-09-04)

Tip of the Week
Shadowy, lush and nearly medieval, Nadler’s echo-laden work is capable of shifting the mood at a staggering speed
(2007-08-28)

Echo Effect
Chicago's smart, seamless instrumental four-piece opened eyes wide with 2003’s "Australasia," as the group ingeniously brought instrumental doom back to attention. That record’s follow-up, 2005’s "The Fire in Our Throats Will Beckon the Thaw," is a masterpiece of glacial destruction, the profound melody and thick, nearly impenetrable guitar work by Laurent Lebec and Trevor de Brauw inciting a slow-burning, aggressive riot. The instrumental post-metal spoke at volumes most bands with vocalists could never reach
(2007-08-21)

Tip of the Wee
(2007-08-21)

Tip of the Week
(2007-08-21)

Comparable Comps
(2007-08-17)

Soundcheck
(2007-08-14)

Wright & Wrong
(2007-08-14)

Tip of the Week
(2007-08-14)

Tip of the Week
(2007-08-07)

Not Another Music Festival
(2007-07-31)

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