Chicago’s Riot Fest and Carnival has announced a second wave of confirmed performers for its 2012 festival. Andrew WK, Minus the Bear, Hot Water Music, Pegboy, and many more have joined the likes of Rise Against, Iggy & The Stooges, Elvis Costello, GWAR, Reverend Horton Heat, Coheed and Cambria, and Dropkick Murphys for the festivities from Sept. 14-16.
Scott Morrow
Video: The Mars Volta’s “The Malkin Jewel” (live)
The Mars Volta: Noctourniquet (Warner Bros., 3/27/12)
At the start of spring, The Mars Volta released one of its most diverse, balanced albums to date — spiraling through progressive melodies, pop structures, and synthesized effects. Noctourniquet delivered on all fronts, and “The Malkin Jewel” was one of its standout singles.
Contest: Win eight general-admission tickets to Summerfest 2012
Now on its 45th go-round, Milwaukee’s massive Summerfest returns from June 27 to July 8, offering 11 days of high-profile and independent musicians performing around the 75-acre Henry Maier Festival Park along Lake Michigan. This year, our favorite performers include The Hives, Foo Fighters, Ben Folds Five, Devotchka, The Promise Ring, Galactic, Collections of Colonies of Bees, Atmosphere, The Roots, Common, Thievery Corporation, Mayer Hawthorne, and Lupe Fiasco.