A distant trance beat led us down the stairs as darkness quickly engulfed into the comfort of Spy Bar’s black walls and industrialized ceiling. Red mood lighting sprayed the walls enticing us to walk further into the sex drive of this ultra-lounge. Modern chic decor paired with the intrigue of an underground feel and always providing the most tasteful choice of music. The modest and refreshing choice of stage provides an unparalleled intimacy that is felt between the guests and the DJs alike. 4500 square feet with fully open dance floor space, equipped with an island bar, and as well as a second bar along the wall side of the dance floor allows for easy access to drinks throughout the night. The club proves to hold an ample amount of tables accommodated with friendly staffing for bottle service. “The River North Party Paradise” according to Rolling Stone Magazine, has been running strongly for 18 years and has become a legend in Chicago.
Pleasurekraft, played a SIX HOUR exclusive set that went strong throughout the night. Thanks to the generosity of the Club owner, a Patrón on the rocks began to work its magic on me as I joined the celebrating crowd. Whilst becoming inebriated, I contemplated over whether I should be interpreting the name PleasureKraft as some sort of alien sex craft or rather an artful craft of providing musical pleasure but ended up deciding either name was was quite fitting and let go allowing these otherworldly synthesizers to mesmerize me.
Melodies wrapped tightly around the knocking of the beat as if it were a spine drawing all the elements seamlessly together. The catchy rhythms would not allow for the possibility of standing around and Pleasurekraft had the dance floor captivated by the shuffling patterns of music.
Even after the set the dance floor cheered for one last song; as if six hours wasn’t enough time for them! Pleasurekraft has successfully developed a very mature sound after the years of playing and is a true artist at the core. After speaking with him at the end of the night it seems all artists have much in common with evolving new sounds and retiring the old. It was a great boost of confidence and enlightenment that many artists go through the same struggles but should always persevere forward!
[ View more photos here]
Save the date for the 2nd annual Lucent Temple of Consciousness – Temple Days!
March 26th 2016
Situated in the heart of LA at Wanderlust Hollywood, this 12 hours urban wellness retreat focuses on exploring the diverse programming found within the Temple areas that is at the vibrational heart of Lightning in a Bottle. Temple of Consciousness encourages attendees to expand their mind with an abundance of heart opening spiritual lessons, whimsical teachings, group rituals and ceremonies, deep healing modalities, potent ancient technologies and breakthroughs in next level consciousness. Temple Days teases those transformative experiences by providing guests with workshops, yoga and movement, food, art and musical performances–just a taste of what to expect at LIB 2016.
This year’s “Temple Days” features an inspiring lineup comprised of world-class speakers, yoga, meditation, experiential workshops, performers, musicians and DJs – a high caliber curation that has become a signature characteristic found at both Lightning in a Bottle and Wanderlust events.
The March 26 pre-event takes place from 12am to 12pm at Wanderlust Hollywood,1357 Highland Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90028. To purchase tickets for Temple Days visit the website here and RSVP on the Facebook event page. Ticket prices start at $35, increasing to $45 on March 3rd and then up to $55 on March 24th.
Lightning in a Bottle 2016 takes place Memorial Day Weekend (May 25 – 30, 2016) at the San Antonio Recreation Area in Bradley, CA, and features music headliners Chet Faker, Jamie XX, Grimes, Tokimonsta, Guy Gerber, Cashmere Cat, and Four Tet, in addition to the Lucent Temple of Consciousness with an expanded Learning Kitchen, Healing Sanctuary, Meditation Nest, Mystery School, Pineal Playground, two yoga tents and more. To learn more about Lightning in a Bottle visit, http://lightninginabottle.org or purchase tickets here.
Jay Goldberg Events & Entertainment are proud to present the Second Round of
Artist Announcements for the 16th Annual Summer Camp Music Festival at Three
Sisters Park in Chillicothe, IL on May 27, 28 and 29, 2016.
Joining the previously announced lineup and appearing at the Summer Camp Music
Festival 2016 will be:
(Mike Campbell, Tom Leadon, Randall Marsh, Tom Petty, Benmont Tench)
(Big Gigantic + GRiZ + Gramatik)
Mudcrutch
Big Grizmatik
Excision
The Roots
Ani DiFranco
** Below listed in Alphabetical Order **
George Clinton & P-Funk
Cherub
Fishbone
Lil Dicky
Louis The Child
Lotus
Sam Feldt
Slow Magic
SNBRN
Andy Frasco
Exmag
Future Rock
Grandtheft
** Below listed in Alphabetical Order **
John Brown’s Body
The London Souls
The Main Squeeze
Michal Menert & the Pretty Fantastics
Jay Goldberg Events & Entertainment
A division of Progressive Innovations, Ltd.
Urbana / Champaign Office • 1115 W. Oregon, Suite A • Urbana, IL 61801
Peoria Office • 311 SW Water, Suite 201 • Peoria, Illinois 61601
The Motet
Rising Appalachia
The Shelters
Steve Kimock & Friends
** Below listed in Alphabetical Order **
The Accidentals
Boom Forest
Earphunk
FlightWave
The Funk Hunters
Giant Panda Guerilla Dub
The Heard
Joe Hertler & The Rainbow
Late Night Radio
Squad
Gibbz
Seekers
Kung Fu
Miner
Mungion
Ripe
Shook Twins
Sister Sparrow & The Dirty
Win + Woo
Birds
Plus more still to be announced!
To see the full lineup to date, check out www.summercampfestival.com/lineup
Level One 3-day Tickets are $199.50 and are currently on sale on-line at
www.summercampfestival.com or by phone at 1-800-514-ETIX. There will be a
limited number of tickets available at this price, and once they sell out the ticket
price may go up without notice.
The Summer Camp Music Festival will feature over 100 artists on 8 stages including
3 days of moe. and 3 days of Umphrey’s McGee. On top of all the live music, festival-
goers have access to on-site camping, late night shows, musician workshops, a non-
profit village, unique arts & craft vendors and tons of great food and beer.
The Summer Camp Music Festival started in 2001. Since its beginning Summer
Camp has been known for its spacious, open fields for shows, trademark late-night
events, pristine campgrounds and amazing lineup of eclectic artists and bands.
2016 will mark the 16th year of the festival which has hosted a wide array of talent
Jay Goldberg Events & Entertainment
A division of Progressive Innovations, Ltd.
Urbana / Champaign Office • 1115 W. Oregon, Suite A • Urbana, IL 61801
Peoria Office • 311 SW Water, Suite 201 • Peoria, Illinois 61601
over the years, including: Steve Miller Band, Widespread Panic, Trey Anastasio
Band, Zac Brown Band, The Flaming Lips, Willie Nelson, STS9, Bassnectar, Jane’s
Addiction, Wiz Khalifa, The Avett Brothers, Pretty Lights, Skrillex, Primus, Girl Talk
and many, many more.
More information on the festival is available at the official festival website:
www.summercampfestival.com
www.facebook.com/summercampmusicfestival
www.twitter.com/summercampfest
McDowell Mountain Music Festival
Calling all music fans: McDowell Mountain Music Festival (M3F) announces the final lineup for the 13th annual Festival on March 11-13, 2016!!
The lineup is as follows by day in alphabetical order (no set order):
Friday- Animal Collective, Beck, Big Wild.
Saturday- Goldfish, GRiZ, Kid Cudi, The Main Squeeze, M!nt, Porter Robinson Live, St. Lucia.
Sunday- The Avett Brothers, Bird Dog, Gary Clark Jr., Kaleo.
Locals- Captain Squeegee, The Haymarket Squares, The Senators, Gus Campbell, Harper & The Moths, CooBee Coo, Huckleberry, Fairy Bones, Ruca, Luna Aura, Taylor Upsahl (set times and dates TBA).
Envision Festival Alive
Whether or not if you believe in Pangaea and that humanity has evolved from a from a single ancestor there is no doubt that on this earth there lie special places that ring with ancient energy leading back all the way before man ever recognized himself as man. Costa Rica has long remained, like this, a land of mystery, magic, and tranquility for the past few centuries since the Spanish left the America shores. What has evolved there has been what many believe to be a society that is more closely connected to their environment and infrastructure, land and sea, spirits and science, magic and medicine. A native land that, to this day, invites the world to come and experience their lavishly green shores and mysterious jungles.
Chicago Music Festivals is now, for the first time, heading down to Envision Festival; an educational art, movement, performance, and music gathering that for the past few years has been the best kept festival circuit secret of the Central American shores. Unlike BPM which just ended in Tulum, Mexico, or the other few big attractions of the Central American Electronic Dance Music world this festival derives its spirit from the country where it is being held. With a humble goal of teaching those who want to learn, cleansing those who longed to be cleansed, reviving those who need renewal this festival is becoming a destination journey for those looking to escape the western world philosophies for a short while and come back with a renewed spirit of love and change.
What is Envision Fest? Well, if you have heard about it and are in the midst of making your preparations for the next few weeks, you know that the festival itself starts two weeks before the main events on the last weekend of February 25th through the 28th. In those weeks prior are held some of the most inspiring and rejuvenating workshops, permaculture immersions, land exploration treks and medical classes that have ever been offered at the same time.

Embody (19th-24th) is a dance/movement mediation retreat that starts the week before the festival, teaching their students everything from biomechanics and self-care to hoop mediation and yogic belly dancing.

Grow Your Roots (19th-24th) is a permaculture immersion that has you roll up your sleeves and dive into the soil on a 40 acre organic farm in Finca La Marea where you will learn the ecology of the land and universal principals of permaculture.

Jungle Clinical (15th -29th) is a workshop and medical clinical that teaches physiology, pathophysiology, formulation, herbal education and clinical skills before and during the festival. Participants will learn how to care for the body and are given the honor and opportunity of volunteering during the festival at the clinic including admission to the festival itself.

Pre-Envision Tour (17th-24th) is an experience that gives you a taste of all the other pre-event retreats but includes rafting, zip lining, snorkeling and exploration of local spots.
Now, during the festival itself, which mind you is a camp out festival (that’s camp out in the jungle!), attendees will be immersed in a preverbal sea of classes, speakers, and artist installations hand selected and curated to blend with the already beautiful surroundings while enhancing the atmosphere and mentality of the unity and togetherness of the festival. ( http://www.envisionfestival.com/ – the village) Fire spinning, hooping, poi, dance, daily yoga on the beach will not only seen but featured to elevate the attendee to become active participants of the community, ultimately co-creating the world that drew them to the Costa Verde shores that weekend. If all this is not enough for you, a musical line up that boasts Shpongle and Beats Antique and over 25 others will carry you from morning to night making the experience a complete sensory candy land. (Link to full line up) Mind you this isn’t your typical Electronic Dance Music festival in fact you won’t find many candy kids making the trek as this festival encourages more education and enlightenment.
Come have fun and cleans your soul in the sands of Costa Rica. Whether this year or next make the trip; you deserve it. For those that will be there here is a last minute link to recommended travel preparations by the Envision Crew:
http://www.envisionfestival.com/travel-main/ http://www.envisionfestival.com/survival-guide-must-read/
Be mindful and look over this closely, if you are going. Remember you are in a foreign country and an ounce of prevention is well worth a pound of cure.
Stay tuned for the full post write up, photos, and videos.
http://www.EnvisionFestival.com
Recently Summer Camp Music Festival has announced their first round of artists taking the stage for 2016. Musical performances include; 3 days of Moe, 3 days Umphrey’s Mcgee, Thievery Corporation, STS9, Lettuce, Shiba San, and many more. Summer Camp is located at Three Sister’s Park in Chillicothe, IL and held annually on Memorial Day weekend of May 27, 28, and the 29th. Although the early bird special has been sold out; there are many chances to snag tickets in time to attend this life changing 3 day music festival.
Summer Camp is well known for its wide array of musical acts from many ground breaking jam bands to the most epic DJs; mixing raw music into the ever changing electronic age. Seven stages are sprawled out from one end of the camp to the next; each offering their own unique musical interpretations. But no matter what scene you find yourself in; its guaranteed to invite you into the fun.
Upon entry you will notice a forest to your immediate left where festival goes have set up camp. Here you can make yourself right at home within the endless tents adorned with colorful bohemian tapestry. The forest mirrors a working city within a city and upon nightfall it transforms into a whole new world when it is lit in neon from tree to tree. The walk ways fill with attendees sporting dreads and paisley printed harem pants as the faint sounds of gypsy belts jingle throughout the festival. Scampers are free to explore and make their way through the grounds discovering that each and every festie goer has something to offer the making of this great fest.
Vendors set up shop with all sorts of gear imaginable such as hats, shirts, booty shorts, hoodies and along with a defining wave of geometric art. The most amazing part about these vendors is that they are all small ran businesses that were born from the creators of their art itself.
The camp ground of course also offers shops that include the absolute essentials such as; sunscreen, deodorant, aspirin, any first aid (if needed), merchandise, and more. They also have many delicious food vendors and best of all beer.
Other than music, Summer Camp will also be holding kid friendly activities, nonprofit outreach, art shows, greening and humanities education, musician workshops, and friendly competitions of field day activities.
With over 100+ bands playing on seven stages; Summer Camp Music Festival is a must for any music lover. The breath taking stage set ups, scenery, and the friendly companionship of your fellow “Scampers” will virtually teleport you into the center of this transformational music.
For more information about line up and tickets please visit their website, Summer Camp Music Festival
YES!
The moment you have all been waiting for, here it is the 2016 Lightning in a Bottle Lineup!
This years headliners includes Chet Faker, Grimes, Jamie xx, Moderat, Apparat, Four Tet, Cashmere Cat, and Big Gigantic!
With additional support from Mija, Mr. Carmack, electro-circus troupe Lucent Dossier Experience, Haywyre, Lee Burridge, and Lane 8.
Check out the full lineup below
Passes for LIB 2016 are already 50% sold out. Tickets are available via the Lightning in a Bottle website – be sure to grab yours soon as Do LaB expects LIB 2016 to sell out ahead of schedule.
General Admission 4-day tickets are $270 with the additional Early Arrival Pass add-on for $75. Lightning in a Bottle is also offering a 4-Payment Layaway Plan for tickets until February 15.
RSVP on the LIB Facebook Event Page and be sure to stay in the loop with upcoming Do LaB news by signing up for the LIB newsletter. See you there!

Full Lineup
Lightning Stage: Chet Faker, Grimes, Jamie xx, Big Gigantic, Lucent Dossier Experience, Moderat, Ibeyi, Emancipator Ensemble, Nahko & Medicine for the People, William Close & The Earth Harp Collective, Alina Baraz, Hundred Waters, Tourist, Marian Hill, Rubblebucket, Raury, The Russ Liquid Test, Elderbrook, Dirtwire, Pimps of Joytime, NoMBe, Fungineers, Vokab Company, Lafa Taylor
Thunder Stage: Cashmere Cat, Tokimonsta, The Polish Ambassador, Mr. Carmack, Mija, Crying Over Porcelain, PANTyRAiD, Minnesota b2b G Jones, Eprom, Haywyre, Autograf, Desert Dwellers (Live Experience), Thriftworks, Ekali, Dimond Saints, Hayden James, Bleep Bloop, The Funk Hunters, The Librarian, Clozee, David Starfire, Space Jesus, Atyya Haana, Michael Manahan, Gilligan Moss, Henry Pope
The Woogie: Four Tet, Guy Gerber, Josh Wink, Magda, andhim, Lee Burridge, &ME, Steve Bug, Just Be, Monkey Safari, Lane 8, Francesca Lombardo, Justin Jay, Jonas Rathsman, Guido Schneider, Shall Ocin, Sacha Robotti, Jonas Saalbach, David Scuba, Jamie Schwabl
Getting Four Loko with The Fat Jew
IRL presents an event sponsored by Four Loko that went off yesterday night. This event is absolutely unheard of in Chicago because it was completely free!! Meaning free entry, free coat checks, and on top that free Four Loko drinks!
What seemed to be an endless crowd piled along the outside walls of the building waiting for entry. The draw was so large that they had unexpectedly reached capacity and left many people waiting for their chance to enter. Although some were stuck waiting in the cold; it was worth it knowing this was a Free sponsored event.
Four Loko brought along hard liquor as well as their famous 16 0z. canned drinks with flavors Fruit Punch, Watermelon, Peach, Lemonade, Strawberry Lemonade, Grape, Blue Hurricane, Mango, Black Cherry, Green Apple and many more. Four Loko being based out of Chicago showed love to all of us by hooking it up big time with drinks, hats, and t-shirts.

The event was headlined by Dillon Francis and opened with close friend, The Fat Jew. The Fat Jew is a Dj who found a fan base through Instagram and well known for his wild choice of hair style and outrageous personality. This probably doesn’t come as a surprise given the stage name he goes by. He sported an over exaggerated Alfalfa where is hair was tied up in multiple hair bands and resembled more of a broom than any hair style I’ve ever seen. The celebration was in honor of his first book release; where he too felt generous and gave his book out for free to anyone willing to trip into the mind of The Fat Jew. Given that some of the first pages I opened up to was an admittance to a past crystal meth addiction and as well as a page dedicated to apologizing to his readers that many of the experiences he had written about were fragmentary black outs and some facts may be a bit skewed- I’m sure the book should be an entertaining read!

The Fat Jew’s set was accompanied by two dancers wearing gold ninja outifits meets catgirl meets gogo girl. They commanded the stage as he controlled the crowd with his energizing dance and hip-hop beats. He didn’t take any backstage to his dancers as he truly made a relationship with the crowd. It’s obvious just from one experience of his shows that he truly loves entertaining his fans.
After a wild introduction from The Fat Jew; Dillon Francis took the stage with a seamless transition. Francis who gained fame from his unique moombahton style tracks including thick bass lines, dramatic builds; and a two-step pulse and rave synths, with quick drum fills.
All in all the event went over smoothly and without any complaints from the crowd. It wasn’t hard to let loose to the music given the crowd was very well hydrated thanks to the generosity of its sponsors. The night started and ended on high notes and given the draw of this event; their next event will be greatly anticipated.
A festival inspired New Years event was in great anticipation as the crowds lined up to fill the Rosemont Convention Center. Being not only NYE party; but a two day event, December 30th and New Year’s Eve the 31st. The event thrown by React Presents and entitled Reaction was covered by Abc 7 News; bringing a true taste of underground Chicago into city and suburban homes alike. Acts such as Skrillex, deadmau5, Chance the Rapper, the Floozies, Purity Ring and some of Chicago’s own; Porn and Chicken and Autograf. 2015 passed and we took with us new inspiring acts of entertainment with newly arranged transcendental melodies welcoming us into the new year of 2016.
It was a night of free spirits who dressed every which way they felt to express themselves. Mixed throughout crowds from elegant black dress and stilettos to fringed Minnetonka moccasins and mid-drifts there was an unanimous joyous feeling that ran throughout. Large balloons of opal white lined the walk ways as violet lights sprayed the words Reaction across the focus of the molded wall.
Upon entering there were 3 main stages to choose from; The Warehouse, the Hall, and The Arcade Stage. And as the name implies; there were tons of arcade games to fill your minds with whilst enjoying a live dj set behind you.

The stage set-ups were futuristic an with alien-esque vibe. Their vibrant colors and mesmerizing patterns pulled fans into the disembodiment of the music. Photographers filled the photo pit with electricity running through their veins trying to snap the perfect moment. The artistry of the stage complimented the music in such a harmonious matter; one could loose themselves in the beauty of it all. Computer graphics led this new wave of expression which evolved greatly from a Woodstock inspiration of color dyes and oils on primitive projector screens. Lights began covering the crowd in their warmth whilst dance beats realigned hearts in syncopation. Rhythms welcoming people of all forms and backgrounds allowed them to live freely at that very second and let go of reality.
Vendors sat on the outskirts offering intricately designed hats, shirts, pins and of course alcohol. A Monaco cocktail photo booth offered free polaroids and free samples of their favorite flavors. Grassroots California was also posted up faithfully for their dedicated followers; bringing along their famously designs hats.
With great inspiration from rock and funk the Floozies took the stage with a performing duo of Guitarist/ Dj Matt Hill and drummer Mark Hill. Crowds dripped in the juice of guitar solos as the Floozies allowed us within the bond of their brotherhood.
A shout out came from Chance the Rapper as Chicago Music Festivals stood within the crowd that definitely did not go unheard. Naturally born stage presence graced us with tongue twisting syllables all wrapped up in a caramel smoothness. He effortlessly combines lyrical rap with raspy melodic chorus; sharing from pages of his own life experiences.
Skrillex was saved for the last act of NYE. His music sent a pandemic over the crowd in synthesizers that crushed any hope of being able resist the power behind it. His high energy performance sent the crowds into a head banging frenzy; strong enough to misalign their spines. Spot lights swam from left to right in wild distortions as he bent and manipulated sounds transmitted from the unseen worlds of his imagination.
Promiscuity in dress and fashion, basketball gurus modeling the triceps/bicep combinations in sleeveless shirts, cold drinks, and lovely women filled the floors while an ontology of thought seemed to take hold behind each synthesized note. NYE brought entertainment and cosmic artistry into the same room and blended it all together. It can only be of my wildest dreams how the year 2016 will evolve these acts further. From the tireless innovations and hard work of our rising youth; Happy New Year!
Reaction Night One Photo Album | Reaction Night Two Photo Album

Where will you be in 2016?
Lightning in a Bottle to Electric Forest, Future World to Okachobee the festival gods have provided well for the music worshipers. With Christmas only a day behind us it’s only natural to start looking towards the new year. And with that comes the great debate “Where will you be when the ball drops?” New Years 2016 is posing to be a pretty stout party night with so many options available this year. But, only a few stick out to CMF.
The big party in town is undeniably REACT PRESENTS the REACTION NEW YEARS up in Rosemont. The line up is huge and one hell of a way to blow away 2015. Whether you catch Deadmau5, Chvrches, and Bonobo on the 30th or go into the new year with Skrillex, Chance the Rapper, and Autograf (or both) prepare to spend a few hundred if you are making a date of it. The two night event is more like a mini festival than a one night blowout. With hundreds of people exiting at the same time taking an Uber home might not be worth the hassle. If not that’s ok, the venue is close enough to the Blue line.

If large and out of control isn’t your speed or you just want to keep away from the tourist driven shindigs, there are a few other classy options available OUTFIT, GOMASSIVE, and BAM CREATES are throwing a all premium open cocktail bar at SMOKEY HOLLOW NYE featuring KAJENDR and Jordan V. The space and decor will provide an elegant back drop with an edge as BAM is known to spare no expense when it comes to detail oriented entertainment and visuals. The party will be a pretty penny for some but if you are with a decent sized party crew then for what and who you will see, consume, and take home this NYE party just might prove a topper to the already successful year for this promo group.

Now for those of you want to go underground and get your dance on then REVERSE Events is hosting an underground three floor dance party ZERO-DAY NYE in one of Chicago’s more infamous but well known sound studios Baseline ( the Old Riff) in the south loop. This party will hold three floors flooded with heavy hitting house music from a number major local acts featuring Inphinity, Dustin Sheridan, Twitchin Skratch and headlining with Cocodrills. This HO– USE will be going looooooooong after the ball drops making it perfect for you major night owls that like to see the sunrise before you decide to go home.

Check them out…