If you watched the video then you know that Swedish House Mafia will be OPENING and CLOSING out ULTRA 2012. If i end up going to Ultra this item around, ill probably aim for the second weekend just to see Swedish House Mafia's last show, which ill naturally assume will be EPIC.
Let’s be honest here. UN was a fun place to go when you and
your friends did not have many options due to age limits in downtown clubs, at
least the ones that enforced age limits. Paying a $10 cover and having open bar
for 2 hours is a sweet deal even now, but when you had at most a part time job
and no money it was even better; you didn't even care how cheap the alcohol
was. All of this made UN popular with a
young crowd years ago and it was no surprise that both the bottom and top
floors were almost always packed; regardless if someone you knew threw a
birthday party there or not.
Like Stereo on Diversey Ave, UN has a specific feel to it
because of the crowd, which was always young.
Sometimes we used to call it the high school reunion spot because on any
given weekend half of your graduation class was there.
As the crowd grew older and started to explore downtown Chicago
UN has become a faded memory where the good times used to be had. This was apparent when I walked in a few weeks
ago due to someone’s random request to go check it out. The place was empty. Literally
you could count on both hands the amount of people that were there including
the bartender and DJ.
I’d avoid UN at all costs. I’d rather pay $7 for a drink somewhere
else. The music here is outdated and unlikely to make you want to dance. Even
if you are in a dancing mood there’s no one else to dance with anyway, so why
even bother showing up.
I’d be lying if I said that the MiD has NOT become one of my
favorite clubs in the past year, mainly because
of the huge amount of great talent that goes through this place all year round.
Whether it’s a huge party weekend, a
concert or festival after party, or just a weekend in Chicago you are almost guaranteed
to have some great talent go through the
MiD’s doors. This creates a good reputation which makes people come back and
come back they do as there is almost always a line outside this place after
11:30 (after most free entrance offers expire).
Location wise The MiD is close to a few other spots like
8fifty8, Lumen and Victor Hotel. So like Proof it’s a good place to start or
finish your night as you have a few other options within walking distance. Most
of the time I've heard people starting off at Lumen which closes at 2 and
finish at the MiD which closes at 4.
The MiD is a three level space with an amphitheater type of
set up around the slightly elevated Dj stage. When you walk in you reach a
staircase, when following it downstairs you see a coach check room and some
bathrooms. On the main floor you have two bars lining opposite walls with a
dance floor/bottle service seating. Depending on the night there might be a
smaller dance floor with lots of seats behind it or just a full dance floor. In front of the dance floor is the slightly elevated
Dj booth. I say slightly because when you put your hands up the Dj can pretty
much high five you which makes for an intimate atmosphere. Upstairs you have another bar on one side of
the “U” shaped upstairs balcony and on the other you have seating. In the
middle you have more clean and spacious bathrooms. Whether you are on the first floor or on the
second you’ll always have a great vantage point of the Dj booth which is great.
The only thing that blemished this specific visit to The MiD
was the fact that the lights were turned on at 3:30am and everyone was being
asked t o leave. Now I’m not educated in Chicago law and ordinances so I’m not
sure if this was done because everyone
has to be out of there by closing time 4am BUT if I’m paying a cover to party
till 4am I expect to party till 4am, not 3:30am and be asked to leave.
Besides the one blemish the MiD is a place every Chicagoan should
visit and experience at least once. Most will return, more than once for that
matter. The MiD does well what many clubs in Chicago don’t do, they bring in
the necessary talent to keep things fresh and the people coming back. Having a
good resident Dj as Nathan Scott does not hurt also. I hope to see you at the
MiD sometime and I come here frequently.
Watch the linked movie below for over 14 minutes of footage describing why you should NOT miss the 15th installment of Ultra Music Festival the largest EDM festival in North America.
But if you are too impatient to wait and hear the announcement i took the liberty of viewing the entire video to bring you the great news. ULTRA WILL TAKE PLACE OVER 2 WEEKENDS THIS YEAR NOT JUST ONE!!. Weekend one march 15-17 and weekend two March 22-24.
What do you think of this news? comment down below.
Stereo located at 5610 W Diversey Ave. occupies the same space
as Jedynka formally did. After Jedynka went through a renovation a few years
back I guess so did its name. But besides that cosmetic makeover it’s still the
same place it used to be which some will like and some wont.
This is the only club thus far where I can say the crowd
makes or breaks the atmosphere. Unlike most of downtown Chicago clubs where the
crowd is generally more diverse in terms of age and nationality, there is a
very specific group of people that goes to Stereo. Stereo just as Jedynka is known for being a
“Polish Club” and it lives up to its name. Being that it’s located in whatever remains a
Polish community that keeps moving west to the suburbs.
The club itself looks good after going through a renovation
with the bathrooms and bars getting a nice face lift while the dance floor
generally stayed the same. When walking
in you see a bar lining the right side of the club and next it you have tables
lining the walls. At the end of the bar opposite side of the building you have
your bathrooms which are large and clean which is a big plus. Next to the large
bar you have a dance floor with the Dj booth elevated with winding steps on
each side going down to the dance floor. On each end of the dance floor you
have two more bars which also have ample seating around them.
Stereo does have a separate room where most birthday parties
are catered, as that room is next to the dance floor and is as long as the
building. Here is where you find couches lining the walls and some larger
tables for birthday parties. There is also a bar lining the wall closer to the
dance floor.
We visited Stereo on a Friday night where guys paid a $10
cover to get in while girls were getting in free till midnight. Drinks and
beers what 50% off which made a jack and code $4.50 while my occasional corona
was $5. Seems like a good deal for the beer anyway, but it’s scary to think
that on a regular night a drink at this place is $9, which is more of a
downtown Chicago price without the benefits.
All in all you must ask yourself 3 questions before you
decide to go to Stereo. 1) Do you
have many Polish friends to come here with and or you enjoy the company of Polish
people? 2) Do you like Euro and
Disco Polo music? By this I mean straight up Euro music that Dj Marski make
millions of ski mixes of and the notorious Polish wedding dance music that only
Polish people listen to. 3) Are you
comfortable with a club at least half full with people older than you by an
average of 5-7 years?
If you answered yes to one or more of these questions I think
you might enjoy stereo but if you answered no to one or more of these questions
I think you’d rather skip visiting Stereo.
As I write this we are officially 161 days and just under 15 hours till Ultra Music Festival 2012 in Miami. As the biggest electronic music dance festival in the US which take place during Miamis Winter Music Conference, it's no surprise tickets sell out quickly every year. This year early bird tickets go on sale October 17, yes that is in 5 days!!. Below i have included a link to the site, i hope you get your tickets.
Monday, Oct 22nd - The Mid and React Presents are proud to help release the one and only Swedish House Mafia's newest Album "Until Now." This Absolut sponsored event includes giveaways such as tickets to see Swedish House Mafia in February at UIC and various S.H.M. gear such as posters, glow bracelets, stickers, and t-shirts. Come rock out with our hometown originals Mixin Marc and Dj Gus Karas and lets make this Industry Monday a night to remember.
RSVP HERE for NO COVER!!!
Vision has been known in Chicago as one of the better night
life spots to host big name Djs and a place for everyone to go to late night
after other bars and clubs close. It is the sister club to Excaliber given that
they are in the same building and you walk into them just through separate
entrances. The problem with living up to
this reputation is that in the last few years other promoters have been doing a better
job at hosting big name Djs and after parties to concerts and music festivals.
This was apparent after North Coast Music Festival this year as most Dj after
parties were at House Of Blues or The MiD just to name a few different venues
but I digress.
Vision occupies a huge space. When walking in you are greeted by a bar a small dance floor and stairs that lead up two more levels. On level two you have the Dj and another bar with plenty of couches and chairs to sit on or you can hang out on the railing and look at the dance floor below. On the third level you have a similar situation but the Dj booth is replaced by a set of tiny bathrooms. This makes for a very long and unsatisfying march up three flights of stairs to take care of business.
On the third floor there is also a walkway to cross over to a much more open space with several more bars a much larger dance floor, with what is a Dj Stage elevated above the dance floor surrounded by several more levers of balconies which creates a cool atmosphere as the crown packs the space.
I spent a good chunk of my night trying to locate several friends throughout the club (they don't go clubbing much) which could hurt someones overall experience, but that being said Vision is not a place you can visit once to see everything it has to offer. Looking at its floor plan online it seems I have missed many locations which is why they were omitted in this review.
That being said I'd have to add that Vision provides a unique birthday package compared to other clubs I've either hosted or experienced elsewhere Not only does the birthday host receive a free bottle of champagne (most clubs) he/she receives a wristband worth 10 house shots (only seen it at Vision), everyone gets in free before midnight and if guests get in before 11:30pm they receive 2 free drink tickets (similar to Soundbar) not a bad way to get a few people started on a good buzz if you ask me.
Bottom line visit Vision maybe even give it more than one shot. The club itself has a specific personality. Explore it and see where you like to party most. I'd book a birthday here because the package seems to go above and beyond anyone else I have visited to date. But getting here by 11:30 to take advantage of those drink tickets (birthday parties only) you might be one of only a few people in the club as it is open till 5am on Saturdays.
So Halloween is just around the corner and as always Chicago night clubs and promoters will be hosting several events to ring int he occasion the weekend before the actual day, as it turns out to be a Wednesday this year. If you are looking for something NEW this year and are able to get out to Bloomington IN (really close to Indianapolis) on Wednesday October 21st check out Bounce Music Festival showcasing Dada life and Borgore. Get your tickets HERE!
Unfortunately due to a back injury, Tiesto has to postpone and reschedule his October Club Live College invasion tour dates. What does that mean to us Chicago-ans? Well the October 13 UIC Pavilion date has been moved to DECEMBER 7.
For more information about the tour reschedule dates follow this LINK.
Huge news!!! Swedish house Mafia announced the final leg of their world tour, One Last Tour and Chicago is proud to host the superstar Djs!! They will be performing in the United Center on February 20, tickets go on sale Friday September 28th at Noon through tickekmaster. Are you as excited as I am?
Swedish House Mafia will be releasing their second compilation album entitled "Until Now" on October 19. it will serve as the soundtrack to the tour. Follow the link the check out n preview the track list.
Check out their new music video for "Don't you worry child" in the mean time.
So summer is over, and you are feeling blue? Don't be sad We here at Undercover Clubber came up with a very extensive and detailed list of upcoming EDM concerts and special events from today September 18 all the way till new Years Eve. Looks like there'll be a lot to do this winter.
It’s been two weeks since “summer’s last stand” or Chicago’s
3rd annual North Coast Music Festival and I’m still having a hard time putting
into words a concise non rambling review.
I’ve also been attempting to judge North Coast by its own merit but I do
have to compare it to Spring Awakening (which I attended) in order to make some
of my points make more sense.
The Pros:
Lineup – Unlike Spring Awakening North Coast focuses on 3 genres of
music not 1; hip hop, EDM and jam bands vs. just EDM respectively. This is not
to say that Spring Awakening was not a great festival to attend, but it’s good
to get away from the heavy bass lines and drops even for a few minutes to catch
your breath. The music selection also ties into the crowd.
Crowd- With a mix
of new age hippies, hipsters (for the jam bands) hip hop enthusiasts and of
course the ragers, you saw a pretty diverse crowd which added to the festival
experience. This is somewhat comparable to Electric Forest minus the hip hop
enthusiasts.
Vendors- I know there
are many vendors at each music festival one attends, but North Coast’s
selection of merchandise, food and beverage vendors seemed a lot larger. Some
did run out of water towards the end of Sunday, but the variety of products
attendees had to choose from should be commended.
Prices – Clothing
was roughly 20-25$ a Dos Equis beer was $6 red bull $3 and water $2. I don’t think
those are bad prices at all when other festivals would charge you $5 for water
or upwards of $8 for a beer.
Other – With
Groupon hosting its own huge tent with a silent disco (everyone entering
received headphones with 2 channels, each channel had a different DJ spinning
you could alternate between the two) and Dos Equis having its own birling
arena, it kept festival goers occupied while they waited for their favorite
acts to hit the stage. There were some performers spotted that walked around
all which contributes to a festival feel.
The Cons:
Location – Last time
I checked React Presents claims that over 45000 people attended North Coast over
the 3 day weekend. That’s only 5000 less
of what React claims showed up to their first Spring Awakening Music Festival.
The difference is that the 50000+ at Soldier Field had a lot more room to move
around. There was never a time where you couldn’t get through from one stage to
the next. This should be addressed if North Coast continues to grow in popularity.
Union Park might not cut it in the next few years.
Stage Set up- I don’t
think I’m alone when I say that I think the North and Coast Stage are way too
close to each other. This not only left
many gaps in scheduling acts for both stages (when you look at the schedule,
acts alternated between the two stages) but also caused a huge stagnant crowd
to form very close to the main part of
the festival. My suggestion is
consolidate to 3 stages giving enough room for maneuverability between stages
or maybe put in some kind of other entertainment in the open space. This would
also potentially allow that one stage (Dos Equis Stage) to be closer to the
major crowds and not stuck in a corner of the park.
Water Refill Stations
– With the crowd getting larger each day of the festival which actually caused
some beverage tents to run out of water; couple that with Chicago humidity
(especially Sunday after a drizzly sat evening) it was a no brainer for North
Coast organizers to have water refill stations set up around the festival
grounds. The only problem was, I was only able to locate one, which had a 30
minute wait for it by Sunday. Now I know it wasn’t like Spring Awakening where
we had the scorching heat of a mid July Chicago summer, but there should have been
more water refill stations.
Summary- All in
all North Coast Music festival is a great way to end your summer, with a
variety of acts and activities that will keep you entertained all 3 days of the
weekend. But be prepared to fight your way through the crowds progressively throughout
the weekend which makes getting around and getting some food or beer a hassle.I will point out that even though Union Park gets filled quickly it is easily accessible by the green line (even though the stop was packed with people in the evening see picture on the right) and street parking was not that hard to find within a few blocks of the entrance all 3 days.
Below you'll see a recap of the artists I went and saw, for those that i recorded a video theyre located below as well. Also My picture enjoy.
Vision has been known in Chicago as one of the better night
life spots to host big name Djs and a place for everyone to go to late night
after other bars and clubs close. It is the sister club to Excaliber given that
they are in the same building and you walk into them just through separate
entrances. The problem with living up to
this reputation is that in the last few years other promoters have been doing a better
job at hosting big name Djs and after parties to concerts and music festivals.
This was apparent after North Coast Music Festival this year as most Dj after
parties were at House Of Blues or The MiD just to name a few different venues
but I digress.
Unfortunately due to a back injury, Tiesto has to postpone and reschedule his October Club Live College invasion tour dates. What does that mean to us Chicago-ans? Well the October 13 UIC Pavilion date has been moved to DECEMBER 7.
Stage Set up- I don’t
think I’m alone when I say that I think the North and Coast Stage are way too
close to each other. This not only left
many gaps in scheduling acts for both stages (when you look at the schedule,
acts alternated between the two stages) but also caused a huge stagnant crowd
to form very close to the main part of
the festival. My suggestion is
consolidate to 3 stages giving enough room for maneuverability between stages
or maybe put in some kind of other entertainment in the open space. This would
also potentially allow that one stage (Dos Equis Stage) to be closer to the
major crowds and not stuck in a corner of the park.
Summary - All in
all North Coast Music festival is a great way to end your summer, with a
variety of acts and activities that will keep you entertained all 3 days of the
weekend. But be prepared to fight your way through the crowds progressively throughout
the weekend which makes getting around and getting some food or beer a hassle.I will point out that even though Union Park gets filled quickly it is easily accessible by the green line (even though the stop was packed with people in the evening see picture on the right) and street parking was not that hard to find within a few blocks of the entrance all 3 days. 
