Looks like someone in the mayor's office has taken a page from the Lollapalooza playbook and snapped up the hip-yet-mainstream-friendly Grammy-winning trio fun. to headline the 2013 Taste of Chicago.
"The theme is 'fun' for this year’s 33rd Annual Taste of Chicago," according to a Monday release from the Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events.
The Brooklyn-based rockers — whose hit "We Are Young" was heard just about everywhere in 2012 — will open the first night of the fest on July 10 along with California's Delta Spirit ("Girls" fans, keep your eyes peeled for a Lena Dunnam sighting).
Despite posting $1.3 million in losses last year, the lineup is a good indication the Taste is willing to fight for survival, particularly if that means investing in acts that will truly draw a crowd.
In 2009, the bookings showed evidence of the fest's budget woes with hardly heat-seeking acts like the Barenaked Ladies, the Wallflowers and Counting Crows.
While Taste headliners have often lacked real star wattage, the festival has done well tucking solid gems into the smaller stages and outside opening night. For 2013, a cluster of solid Chicago bands (who if you don't know yet, you should tune into now) will take the stage, including bluesman Lil’ Ed and the Blues Imperials on July 12 followed by the electrifying rock-soul ensemble the Congregation.
Fellow Chicagoans Canasta and Company of Thieves will perform the penultimate day of the fest on July 13.
Festival closer Kelly Hogan, a longtime Chicagoan whose 2012 record "I Like To Keep Myself In Pain" brought a huge resurgence in popularity, will play Sunday July 14.
More bands and additional stages will be announced in the coming weeks.