With the North Coast Music Festival blowing through Union Park this weekend (worry not, late-deciders, tickets are here), Chicago's got dance on the brain. And, from official North Coast aftershows to some mightily well-timed happenstance appearances from some of dance music's leading lights, a lot of sitting's going to be in order by the time next Monday rolls around.
FRIDAY
For years, Glasgow's Sub Club gave its Sunday nights over to Optimo (Espacio), led by DJs JD Twitch and JG Wilkes. The pair, who call themselves Optimo no matter where they find themselves, have won acclaim well outside their native Scotland both with their storied DJ sets and their acclaimed LPs and mixes. Optimo will bring their genre-bending mixes to Smart Bar Friday night at 10 pm; $10 tickets are available here.
Until this summer, London newcomer SBTRKT was known primarily for his dizzying post-dubstep reworks of tracks from M.I.A., Radiohead and others. With the release of his critically lauded self-titled LP, though, the mystery-shrouded producer's stepped further into the avant-dance spotlight. It's not a role the identity-dodging SBTRKT seems entirely comfortable with as yet; good thing his music's got enough personality to cover for his lack thereof. He spins an official post-North Coast party Friday night at The Mid along with Wolfgang Gartner and DJ Thibault, with $25 tickets available here.
SATURDAY
Another post-North Coast bash, Saturday night finds the Congress playing host to superstar DJ/producer Diplo. Between scouring the Brazilian slums for sounds, befriending crunk genius Lil' Jon, and starring in T-Mobile adverts, few DJs have done what Diplo's managed in these last few years, and his wildly unpredictable DJ sets find the Philly weirdo following his peculiar muse down whatever path he sees fit. $25 tickets are available here.
Diplo is a well-known, well-respected DJ; Carl Cox, meanwhile, is a freakin' legend. The very sound of techno and house as they're known today were forged in part by Cox's turntable innovations twenty-odd years ago, and Cox is still at it, still pushing boundaries and moving bodies with equal ease. He spins an official North Coast bash at The Mid Saturday night, and $30 tickets are available here.
SUNDAY
The strobe'n'glowstick vibe of North Coast seem a little out of speed with how you tend to get down? Mosey on over to Longman & Eagle Sunday afternoon and dig on their "What's Happening Block Party?," a free outdoor pig roast featuring DJ sets from the funkmongering Windy City Soul Club. The no-cost shindig promises to be a grand day out with nary a tiny neon pacifier or pair of oversized plastic pants in sight. Things will kick off at 4 p.m. and run through 10 p.m.
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