Taste Of Chicago Has A Touch Of Finest Rock

WXRT, which bills itself as Chicago’s Finest Rock, has presented a concert as part of the annual Taste Of Chicago festival for several years now. Possibly their most famous (notorious?) Taste concert was the one where The Replacements disintegrated on stage in the midst of a live broadcast. The 2016 lineup was recently announced, and this year, WXRT is offering The Decemberists on July 8. The Portland-based alt-rock band has racked up plenty of airtime on the FM station, although I can’t say I’m familiar with the opening act Shakey Graves.

What’s noticeable about this year’s five-day schedule is that most of the acts look like they could have been chosen by WXRT. Kongos and Elle King (July 7) are also regulars, although that show is being presented with support from 101WKQX. WXRT was one of the first U.S. stations to play Billy Idol, and he’s the headliner on July 9, along with the first-rate David Bowie tribute band Sons Of The Silent Age. The Isley Brothers (July 10, with Sheila E.) and The Roots (July 6, with Donnie Trumpet) have never been in heavy rotation on Chicago’s Finest Rock, but they they’re not total strangers either.

General admission for Taste Of Chicago is free unless you want to be in the seated area. Tickets for the seated area go on sale tomorrow.