Backlot Bash Announces New Saturday Headliners

Press release from Skokie Park District:

Skokie's Backlot Bash organizers today revealed the full music lineup for the Bash, August 27-29.

With the recent news that Matthew Sweet is unable to travel in August due to health restrictions, Skokie's Backlot Bash Saturday lineup has been re-stocked with a quadruple bill of heavy-hitting rock acts, featuring The Verve Pipe, Smoking Popes, The Handcuffs and special guests Material Issue.

In addition, a wide variety of afternoon acts on Saturday and Sunday have also been booked.

The Bash, now in its fourteenth year, will feature 17 live music acts that will play on two street festival stages over three days, featuring rock, funk, indie rock, folk, punk, soul, roots and more.

The Bash begins on Friday night with ‘70s funk superstars, the Ohio Players, hitting the stage and busting out their hits “Fire(link opens in new tab)” and “Love Rollercoaster(link opens in new tab).” The opening act will be Chicago jazz bassist Jeremiah Hunt, on this night bringing the funk.

Saturday evening will feature a quadruple bill kicking off with Chicago power-pop legends Material Issue at 4:30 p.m., revisiting songs like "Valerie Loves Me(link opens in new tab)," from their 1991 hit album International Pop Overthrow. The Handcuffs, fronted by Chloe Orwell and featuring The Romantics drummer Brad Elvis, will then roll out hits like “Can't Get the Girl Without the Good Stuff, Baby” and “Dirty Glitter.”

Chicago’s Smoking Popes will take the stage next, playing new songs and ‘90s hits, including tunes like “Need You Around,” “I know You Love Me” and “Megan.” The Verve Pipe will finish the night with their hits “The Freshmen(link opens in new tab), “Photograph(link opens in new tab)” and “Hero(link opens in new tab).”

On Sunday, Tributosaurus, a collection of some of Chicago’s finest studio musicians, will become The Allman Brothers Band(link opens in new tab).

The three-day street festival will also host a carnival midway, a large beer tent with a small music stage, the Backlot Dash 5K Run and Half Mile Youth Color Fun Run, a bingo tent, exhibits at the Skokie Heritage Museum –– and on Sunday, a farmer's market, and the Rotary Pancake Breakfast from 8-11 a.m., featuring a bloody mary & mimosa bar. Other events are still being planned and will be announced soon.

Final Music Lineup for 2021

Friday, August 27
8:30P – Ohio Players (funk)
6:45P – Jeremiah Hunt (funk)
6P – Silver Rose (country swing) beer tent

Saturday, August 28
8:30P – The Verve Pipe (rock)
7P – Smoking Popes (indie/punk)
5:45P – The Handcuffs (rock)
4:30P – Material Issue (rock)
3:15P – The Mosquitos (jam band)
2:15P – Katie Grennan & Jim DeWan (traditional Irish) beer tent
1:30P – Donna Herula Trio (blues & roots)
12:30P – Jacob Sweet (acoustic rock)

Sunday, August 29
6P – Tributosaurus becomes The Allman Brothers Band (blues rock)
4:30P – Farewell Captain (rock)
3:30P – Frantastic Sound System (zydeco party)
2:30P – Andrea Bunch Duo (acoustic rock) beer tent
1:30P – Kaben Kafo (traditional Malinke Djembe)
12:30P – Louis Bardales (fingerstyle/folk) beer tent

See the history of music at the Bash.(link opens in new tab)

Skokie's Backlot Bash is located at the corner of Floral & Oakton in downtown Skokie. For up-to-the-minute new information please visit www.BacklotBash.com.

Skokie's Backlot Bash is presented by the Skokie Park District, the Village of Skokie, the Skokie Public Library, the Skokie Chamber of Commerce & Industry and Niles Township High School District 219.

This press release was produced by Skokie Park District. The views expressed here are the author’s own.