Sacred Rose Festival Day Three: Dawes, The Wood Brothers, Hiatus Kaiyote, Maggie Rose & More [Photo]

8/28/2022

Photography by Bobby Talamine
Writing and Editing by Fiza Javid

8/28/2022 - SeatGeek Stadium - Bridgeview, IL

Welcome back to the final day of the Sacred Rose Festival. This day proved that through rain or shine, these jam sessions were not going to stop, and rightfully so! This festival truly earned a reputation of being the most free-spirited festival to date. Here are the highlights:

Thank you Sacred Rose for giving us the chance to experience this celebration of jam music. Until next year,

Fiza Javid - JBTV Music Television

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Sacred Rose Festival Day Two: Umphrey's McGee, Moon Taxi, Lotus, Goose, The Disco Biscuits & More [Photo]

8/28/2022

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Photography by Bobby Talamine
Writing and Editing by Fiza Javid

The jam sessions continued on with day two of the Sacred Rose Festival. Here are the photo highlights from this incredible lineup:

True music appreciation.

Fiza Javid - JBTV Music Television

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Sacred Rose Festival Day One: Phil Lesh & Friends, Liz Cooper, Yves Tumor, White Denim, Lettuce & More [pHOTO]

8/28/2022

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Photography by Bobby Talamine
Writing and Editing by Fiza Javid

8/26/22 - SeatGeek Stadium in Bridgeview, IL

Welcome to the first annual Sacred Rose Festival. With a trove of guests ready to see jam bands, check out the coolest pins, adorn themselves in tie dye, and more importantly, check out some incredible performers.

Here are the notable acts from day one:

That's a wrap day one!

- JBTV Music Television.

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Swedish House Mafia Turns the United Center Into a Giant Rave - Paradise Again Tour 2022

8/15/2022

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Writing and Photography by Bobby Talamine
Edited by Fiza Javid

No need to be skeptical anything with these guys: Axwell, Steve Angello and Sebastian Ingrosso- otherwise known as Swedish House Mafia.
Their set- elaborate as all get out, with the main focus not just on the these three top notch DJ's, but also on their giant ring hovering from above, making their stage and setup the definition of otherworldly.

The buildup to the full reveal, with the houselights down, the giant black curtain up- the mix of low end hiss and drones building up to the beats to "Can U Feel It"- makes your pulse pound, that's for sure.
So when the curtain drops, and you watch the entire main floor of the United Center instantly go manic- well you know from here on out that tonight you're gonna be in for a sweaty treat.

The setlist throughout, to make a point, consists of mashups, like a giant rave in an abandoned warehouse, last minute announcements on when and where kept secret to the last possible moment.

A word of mouth event, kept under wraps except for the sophisticated and in the know.
Swedish House Mafia have consistently kept this kind of mystique going on for years, relishing in all things underground to some extent, my belief in allowing more freedom to create and experiment without much outside influence to harm the bottom line.
Even with their headlining set at Coachella earlier this year, playing what looked like to a 100,000 people or thereabouts- even then, and coming out unscathed after that mega performance, they still hold that mystique of their brand of cool with not much fuss, and laying low.

Yes, they are one of the pioneers of house music, along with a taste of sorts in all things progressive, with a constant ear to the ground on backbeats within beats, with not much use for fanfare and extravagance and going over the top with nauseating fills of screeches followed by repeated blips, like some popular DJ's in the know.
As much as their sonic weave holds captivating sound structures, it's in their genes and sauce to present things loudly and defiantly, but with not much use of jagged stops and starts. They know how to meld songs together, keep the dance-floor moving, allowing occasionally for the subtle breaks, a moment to catch your breath, followed by more sweaty dancing as one on the main-floor (name your building).

Put it this way- they know how to read a crowd, they know how to read a room.
And the budget for such a production such as this- can't even begin to fathom that.
This is some serious EDM / Sci Fi level stuff- lighting mixed with angled staging, and prominent use of pyro mixed within a PA that leaves an indelible thump through your chest, whether you be in the mezzanine level, back of the house, or main floor.
My goal in this review with Swedish House Mafia is to cover this spectacle from all angles, including the specs of putting together a production such as this.

After editing down my photos for this review, spent most of the day after scouring the internet on anything whatsoever to guide me in the dealings and tech background on this overall production.
After a few hours of this- found nothing to help in the search.
Could be because the shows are just getting started, with a few sporadic dates already in the books since coming to Chicago- having only played in Miami, New York, Toronto and Montreal.

Would love to know the goings on in making such an elaborate production of this kind- and the overall design aesthetic.
For a music hound like me, it's well worth investigating such things, having seen countless shows over the years, and witnessing firsthand time and time again that when a band or artist puts a lot of thought into a satisfying production, such as what I just witnessed, it's well worth documenting and writing about the splendor of it all.
Keep in mind the Chicago crowd as well- when the doors opened for the show, about two hours before the opening act- it was sparse in and around the United Center.
Even the house photographer for the United Center, a guy I've known for years made a note of this- he said he was told to try and get some pictures of the GA main-floor crowd lined up along the south face outside of the United Center. He said he only counted ten people waiting in line before the doors opened.

As odd as that sounds- was nothing like that at all by the time Swedish House Mafia took to the stage- from my vantage point from back of the house- the United Center was packed, form 300 level down to main-floor.

So all the sophisticates in the know knew to arrive, but arrive when ready to arrive.
And as far as the setlist- again, the definition of a rave mashup- a rave mashup done for an outright party.

From their opener "Can U Feel It"- mashed with "It Gets Better / Greyhound", and followed with more "Can U Feel It", followed by their heavy hitter of a song "Miami 2 Ibiza", which was reworked and amped up for dancefloor approval, followed by "Can U Feel It" yet again, to keep the crowd amped up, and then a remix of "Sacrifice"- the whole night was like this with SHM, twists and turns working from a heavy duty catalog, reworked and reimagined for the 2020's and all things "HOUSE', all things "RAVE", some 28 songs in total, ending with the blast beats to "Don't You Worry Child / For You / Save the World" - which of course ended all things in style, with a true Swedish House Mafia mashup on top of a mashup.
This was a show with Swedish House Mafia flexing their muscles, establishing yet again their prominence and dominance in all things EDM Progressive House, a show that lets you know they know how to fill big rooms, and how to play to big rooms.

If anything, I'll close with this- Swedish House Mafia embraced a sprawling set, with a sprawling production, making the United Center look like one big gigantic house party, no angle left unattended with poor sight lines.
No matter where you were for this show- you felt invited and that you belong- not uninvited.
That says lots in my book- taking to heart the complexity of your production, and making it for inclusion, not exclusion.

Bobby Talamine - JBTV Music Television Chicago

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Lollapalooza Day Four: J-Hope, Banks, Beach Bunny, Porno for Pyros, Green Day, Charli XCX, Måneskin, Horsegirl, hannah Wants, Goth Babe, The Kid Laroi, Lori Lightfoot and more

8/1/2022

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Photography by Bobby Talamine
Writing and Editing by Fiza Javid

Grant Park - July 31, 2022

Please don't wake me up when Lollapalooza ends. Or pinch me, because it was truly one worth thinking about for many years to come. The unpredictability and true ode to both Indi and renowned artistry made this year a true beacon for music lovers, and this had to have been the best weather Chicago had seen in many years.

Green Day and J-Hope fans swept the crowd, with a wide variety of attendees in either K-Pop styled outfits with glowing BTS light torches and fans, or a sea of green hair and Green Day shirts. With BTS and Green Day both being incredible JBTV Alumni, both with their own main stage, it was clear that any fan that wanted to catch both was in for some serious running across the park.

First up on this final day, which means every artist has to pack a punch, was the one and only Horsegirl. Hailing from Chicago, after their self release "Forecast," the music world forecasted a serious jump in their career. Taking on a Lolla stage was cake for them. They opened with "Ballroom Dance Scene" which was a sway-with-your-partner or a relaxing way to start a set, and an excellent way to introduce them to potentially new ears. Who wouldn't want to start off their festival day with some garage pop?

The crowd then wanted Hannah Wants. Her unpredictable mixes kept the crowd at the edge of euphoria, as it was clear that the crowd wanted to dance but not get rid of all their energy right away. Hannah Wants had a spectacular light show with her name strong on the backdrop as she truly shined.

The same can certainly be said for Goth Babe and James Hype. Contrary to the belief that may have arrived from the name, Goth Babe offered California, beach vibes, almost leaning toward a "Milky Chance" sound, which was cathartic. He rocked his white bucket hat and truly played with the audience in the most fun way.

James Hype lived up to his name, who definitely shined for his "hypefans" as he calls his most notable followers. His trance style and ability to utilize samples in a way that doesn't take away from the original, nor does it get drowned out into a mix-mesh, is a perfect combination to send fans into a state of pure bliss. He is the perfect mixer for anyone who wants to dance or simply vibe. For Lolla fans, this was precisely the sound they needed on their final day to just jam out.

If you truly wanted to be torn between head banging into oblivion without looking up, or looking up in awe for the entire time, Måneskin was your cup-of-tea, or really your ticket to a real buzz. This Rome based band showed the audience just how badass Italy can be. They opened with "ZITTI E BUONI" and "IN NOME DEL PADRE" along with having a cover of "I Wanna Be Your Dog."

They were the essence of rock n roll. With vocalist Damiano David, bassist Victoria De Angelis, guitarist Thomas Raggi, and drummer Ethan Torchio, it was not just their music but their persona that showcased them beyond classic rock, but glam rock. Victoria came out with red flare pants and red star pasties, while Thomas sported shiny black flare pants and a shiny pink top. Their immensely cool clothing added to the fashionable aesthetic that we would not only appreciate from an Italy, but the fact that this was a powerful, and rare Italian rock band with a truly rugged sound and in your face sense of energy and clothes, the crowd truly adored them. Everyone was bouncing around in unison, and Måneskin continued to give them more with every new song played. Just goes to show, you gotta be bold to be able to take on Lolla day four, and this band beyond owned their title.

Beach Bunny was perfect for anyone reeling from Måneskin, as their sound was truly comforting. They rocked out at the Coinbase stage, offering a groovy base, as well as groovy bass. From "Weeds" to "April" and "Colorblind" they were amazing. Beach Bunny hails from Chicago and is notable for becoming TikTok famous with "Prom Queen," so by the time that song hit, all the phones came out. It is apparent that they have a gravitational presence for social media app surfing music fans, which at this point was just about everyone. Even Bob Odenkirk is known for praising them, and at Lollapalooza, they were the perfect chill vibe for a wiped out crowd.

Banks, banks, banks. She has us beggin for thread, every single time. From "Waiting Game" to "Fuck with Myself" she always comes out with a sound that is perfect mix of transcendence and pure confidence. Sporting a black lace corseted top, and black flare pants, with the most incredible, veiled dancers, she worked through the stage dancing and giving the audience fierce eye contact. Her voice is all magic, and the moment "Waiting Game" hit, the audience was half screaming with some crying faces. She is a deeply loved artist, with music that hits such an emotional pang, with a stage presence that doesn't stop giving in the entertainment department. Banks is unique because she knows she doesn't need the look or the dancers, and she could carry a Lollapalooza completely with her voice alone, but she always manages to go above and beyond with every single performance. Lollapalooza day four needed a chance to dance and reminisce, and Banks is the star for the bill to truly bring that excitement. Honestly I would love to see her on the main stage, and just like Dua Lipa owned it, Banks is truly a shining beacon of artistry.

Some notable mentions include The Kid Laroi, Charli XCX, Denzel Curry and of course Green Day. This was an incredibly tough choice for shows, and Green Day is a band where it is damn near impossible to get a ticket. So for Lollapalooza to deliver us some Green Day on the same day as Charli Denzel or Kid Laroi, we must have been praying for ages.

Charli XCX came out with a motorcycle style bathing suit with a slitted leather skirt. She performed the iconic Icona Pop "I Love It" that every festival fan needs, and she was magnificent. From her gyrating dance moves, she shines like Madonna and Lady Gaga, but is a truly unique, modern pop star. She had a meditative head bang and laid down on the stage, like she was on a cloud. Every single second of her performance was gold.

Perry Farrell's Porno for Pyros was absolutely a show stopped. They are rugged, grungy, melancholy and just perfect. During their set they brought Billy Corgan on stage to perform "WHEN THE LEVEE BREAKS" BY LED ZEPPELIN. And this rock loving audience was going bonkers for it. From "Cursed Male" to "Cursed Female" to "Tahitian Moon" which was certainly a great way to bring in the beautiful summer moon, as Farrell mentioned himself, they weren't just the perfect pre-show to Green Day, but they were the show. Perry not only walked in like he owned the place (I'm not the first one to make that joke, but it is purely a compliment) and he truly owned the stage. We couldn't be more grateful for him and the music.

Later on at the Bud Light Stage, he came out with Lori Lightfoot to announce 10 more years of Lollapalooza, and honestly, they may need to add another zero to that number.

Green Day played through all their incredible hits, while allowing the audience to sing along to "Bohemian Rhapsody" among other fun songs to sing to. However, the craziest moment was when they GAVE AWAY A GUITAR to an audience member who played three chords on stage. The young lady named Abbie, who was a fan through and through, was called for this moment, and proceeded to rock out in the best way possible as the audience chanted her name. Green Day's "Holiday" and "Basket Case" among their early hits, along with their cover of a Kiss song, was truly the greatest way to end the night for any fans who camped out at the T-Mobile stage.

J-Hope was and is unstoppable. With his devoted fans awaiting his arrival since 11am at the Bud Light Stage, there was definitely an air of suspense on what he would do. How would he set himself apart from BTS? Would the fans accept it?

The moment he came out, the orbs were glowing through the field and screaming ensued. There was a bit of poetry to introduce "MORE" and "Pandora's Box" but the moment he came out, he showcased his ability as a solo icon.

Truth of the matter is, J-Hope can do absolutely anything, and not only would it fuel love for BTS, but also draw appreciation for any one of BTS's members. He came out with a pure grunge look, with a pure love for rap in his heart. His rap style was clean and effortless, and the show was the perfect mix of dance, rap, and entertainment. He did include one BTS song which was "Dynamite" and his ability to showcase Korean rap, while also throwing in an INCREDIBLE cover of "Chicken Noodle Soup," with a backdrop of canned soup graphics and the most talented kids on stage. Becky G came out for this song and the roars were deafening. J-Hope is an artist, an icon, and doesn't need any marketing. His stage presence and star power carries him, and while BTS is legendary, J-Hope is a new chapter, who is exceeding expectations.

J-Hope and Green Day. I can't think of a better way to treat music lovers than this. Chicago has definitely dealt with a tumultuous year, and Lollapalooza always manages to create a space for a wide array of old and new artists, diverse genres, and a place all ages to enjoy. Who else could you have gotten to see Metallica, J-Hope, Green Day, Dua Lipa, J-Cole, Machine Gun Kelly, and a sea of the most talented artists in the same bill? Perry Farrell and Lori Lightfoot have cemented its continued place in Chicago history and the hearts of forever devoted Lolla fans.

With love and appreciation, until next year - Fiza Javid - JBTV Music Television

Perry Farrell, Lollapalooza, 2022, Green Day, Charli XCX, Denzell Curry, J-Hope, BTS, Lori Lightfoot, Porno for Pyros

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THE JBTV BLOG

Sacred Rose Festival Day Three: Dawes, The Wood Brothers, Hiatus Kaiyote, Maggie Rose & More [Photo]

Sacred Rose Festival Day Two: Umphrey's McGee, Moon Taxi, Lotus, Goose, The Disco Biscuits & More [Photo]

Sacred Rose Festival Day One: Phil Lesh & Friends, Liz Cooper, Yves Tumor, White Denim, Lettuce & More [pHOTO]

Swedish House Mafia Turns the United Center Into a Giant Rave - Paradise Again Tour 2022

Lollapalooza Day Four: J-Hope, Banks, Beach Bunny, Porno for Pyros, Green Day, Charli XCX, Måneskin, Horsegirl, hannah Wants, Goth Babe, The Kid Laroi, Lori Lightfoot and more

Perry Farrell, Lollapalooza, 2022, Green Day, Charli XCX, Denzell Curry, J-Hope, BTS, Lori Lightfoot, Porno for Pyros

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