101

WKQX PIQNIQ 2018
with AWOLNATION, Dashboard Confessional, BUSH, The Neighborhood, Bishop Briggs and The Front Bottoms
from Hollywood Casino Ampitheatre in Tinley Park
Sat June 30, 2018

101WKQX and their annual PIQNIQ from Tinley Park outside of Chicago, with Headliner AWOLNATION, featuring Lead Singer Aaron Bruno in full flowery short sleeve regalia, and totally soaked from head to toe by the end of the first song, surrounded by a set with a well lit picket fence, some Yukka plants, a couple pot plants, and heavy duty solid red lighting throughout.
A great set by these guys- AWOLNATION keeps getting better and better every time I see them perform live.
Chris Carrabba and his band Dashboard Confessional- a straight up front rock band, with not much in stage presence, but still emphasis is on the terrific songwriting, and a solid band to back up Chris Carrabba throughout.
Gavin Rossdale and his band BUSH.
A man with something to prove time and time again, three quarters through the show, leaves the stage, marches up to the lawn, traverses the entire lawn, stands on a few chairs inside the pavilion to yell some more before heading down an aisle back to the stage.
In this above 90 degree heat? Like running a Chicago Marathon.
And the band still plays fine and dandy by the way.
Jesse Rutherford and The Neighborhood.
All done in Black and white, as prescribed by the band – sure makes Jesse’s tattoos stand out I tell ya.
The Neighborhood have a cool laid back sophistication to their songs- an indie pop / electro pop style that fits perfectly with vocalist Jesse Rutherford and his style of being a frontman.
Thought The Neighborhood had one of the better sets of the day.
Want to hear more from these guys.
Bishop Briggs.
A rather cool and unique American musician / singer / songwriter, with an energetic style that fits her music and band, especially in the 90 degree heat and opening the main stage at 5 in the afternoon.
Would prefer this kind of alternative indie / synth pop more in the dark, and not with the sun still out.
No matter- Bishop Briggs is still such an amazing artist performing live.
The Front Bottoms, lead by Brian Sella on Lead Vocal and Guitar, headlining the second stage, with lots of teenage angst, Brian singing barefoot throughout, Jen on Violin at the back of the stage next to a long ass couch with two dudes laid back taking it all in.
The Front Bottoms: A band that has the feel like they’re playing for keeps at a college frat party getting kinda out of hand.
And their ya go- another 101WKQX PIQNIQ in the books, with DJ’s Walter Flakus, Lauren O’ Neil, Tim Virgin and Kevin Kellam acting as your hosts and emcees throughout the entire event, along with of course, The 101WKQX PIQNIQ Bears for added accompaniment.
Cheers- Bobby Talamine – Music Photographer