Posted on April 15, 2010 by Margaret The UnCool

Taste of Chicago has released their 2010 music lineup and it’s a doozie.

There are few things in this world that make The UnCool happier than the impending Chicago summer festival scene. We are even known to brave the masses at the annual Taste of Chicago summer outdoor music shows in Grant Park. A little beer in the sun with Chaka Khan is totally a good thing. Ok, I’m no expert, and hate to be a jerk about it because I actually have seen how hard it is to line up bands. Due to scheduling conflicts, asking prices and other capricious factors, you just don’t end up with the lineup you set out to build. And, Ok we get the whole retro thing. We could be swayed by a Salt-n-Pepa and Bell Biv Devoe lineup. No shame in that game. Not that ToC is known for groundbreaking lineups, but we were thinking back on schedules that included the likes of Wilco, Stevie Wonder, Cracker…  In 2006 they gave us Ray Davies, My Morning Jacket (with local hero Andrew Bird), Mike Doughty, india.arie, Liz Phair and Fountains of Wayne all in one season. You may debate the benefits of some of the above, but I personally will take Liz Phair over a secondary character on Hannah Mantana and Fountains of Wayne over Los Lonely Boys. (How many times have they played ToC now?)

Looking at the lackluster quality of the overall schedule this year we can only assume that if we were to ask the Taste organizers, “But what about people who really really love music?” the answer might be something like, “Meh, whatever. It’s free, whaddya want?” And I guess they’d be right.

Here’s the lineup schedule:

Friday, June 25, 2010 – Presented by the City of Chicago and V103

* V103 Rap Down Rewind ftg
* Rob Base, Slick Rick, Doug E. Fresh
* Salt-n-Pepa
* Bell Biv Devoe

5:30 pm

Saturday, June 26, 2010

* Gavin Rossdale
* opening act – tba

5:30 pm

Sunday, June 27, 2010 – Presented by the City of Chicago and Radio Disney

* Emily Osment (of Hannah Montana repute)
* Allstar Weekend (opening act)

3:00 pm

Monday, June 28, 2010 – Presented by the City of Chicago and Broadway In Chicago

* Broadway In Chicago
(we can only assume at this point that this will be a live mashup of Broadway musical numbers from shows currently playing on mainstream Chicago stages.)

6:00 pm

Tuesday, June 29, 2010 – Presented by the City of Chicago

* Los Lobos
* Los Lonely Boys (co-headliner)

5:30 pm

Wednesday, June 30, 2010 – Presented by the City of Chicago

* Mat Kearney
* Brett Dennen (opening act)

5:30 pm

Thursday, July 1, 2010 – Presented by the City of Chicago and WGCI

* Trey Songz
* Teairra Mari (opening act)

5:30 pm

Friday, July 2, 2010 – Presented by the City of Chicago and Bud Light

* Rob Thomas

5:30 pm

Saturday, July 3, 2010 – Presented by the City of Chicago

* Steve Miller Band

3:00 pm

Sunday, July 4, 2010 – Presented by the City of Chicago and 93XRT

* Headliner – tba

1:00 pm

We eagerly await the July 4 headliner announcement. Sometimes they snare great acts and that would make us feel much better about what we are currently calling The Taste Lineup Debacle (TTLD).

On the Illinois Lottery Stage:

June 25: Americana & Folk Friday, including Jon Drake & The Shakes

June 26: Garage Rock, including The Yolks and White Mystery

June 27: Dance Party, including Men From Mars and Kong Fuzi

June 28: Ethnic Music, including Rebel Roots (Jamaican) and Carlos Ortega & The Red Merle Crooner (Hispanic)

June 29: Cover Band Day, including Jammsammich

June 30: Salute to the ’80s, including 16 Candles and Hairbangers Ball

July 1: Variety Day, including Occidental Brothers Dance Band Int’l featuring Samba Mapangala (African/Dance)

July 2: OTSFM Ensemble Day

July 3: Rabbit Factory Soul Review, including The Heavy

July 4: National Country Music Day, including Katie Quick and Jason & The Haymakers

Here are some of the logistical details from their site:

Dates:

Jun 25, 2010 – Jul 4, 2010

Hours:

* 11 am – 9 pm Daily
* Except Saturday, July 3: 11 am – 7 pm; Sunday, July 4: 11 am – 6 pm
* Ticket sales end 30 minutes before the Taste of Chicago closes.

Location:

Main Entrance

Michigan Ave. & Congress Dr.
Chicago, IL 60604

Admission:

* FREE Admission into the festival grounds.

* FREE Admission to see the concerts at the Petrillo Music Shell.

Food & Beverage Tickets

Food and beverages are sold by tickets only. Tickets are sold in strips of 12 for $8 at the festival, which includes a $2 surcharge that contributes to event amenities including clean up, security and recycling.

Each vendor has the food prices posted on their booth. More than 200 different food items are available at the event, with no food item costing more than 12 tickets “Taste of” portions (smaller offerings of one of the restaurants menu items) are available for 2-4 tickets.

Visa, Mastercard and American Express are accepted at the ticket booths. Positive I.D. is required when making a credit card purchase.

UnCool Update: The Taste of Chicago 2010 Makes Us Sad10.0106