Hey there, folks! It’s a big weekend for live music in KC and nationally.
#StreetBeast, McClain Douglas Johnson, has you covered with tips on hot shows and new music you need in your life.
YOU GOTTA GET OUT THERE AND CRUSH THOSE #INDIEROCKVIBES!

Young the Giant rock Starlight Theatre on Saturday.
Their new songs crackle with intensity. Live, they go even bigger and light it up.
Cold War Kids and Joywave also throw it down. It will be an epic evening of #indierockvibes.
You can get select tickets for $10.51 here.

On the weird tip, Primus and the heavy-hitting band Clutch will be melting minds at a SOLD OUT CrossroadsKC at Grinders on Saturday.
Primus bassist Les Claypool is a strange, funky man.
Shawn Quinn is a big Clutch fan and this will be quite the pairing.
Get ready to realign your chakras and get your third eye open.
We’re gonna get weird as heck.

The Pitch Steer and Beer Festival is at the Waldo Pavilion on Saturday.
Come chow down on some quality burgers and beast some brews and the Pitch’s 2^nd annual Steer and Beer Festival at the Waldo Pavilion.

I’m also getting fired up for Music Alley at Town Center Plaza,

featuring Missio with Colony House and Ivory Black on August 10^th.
Missio brings the heat live.
Colony House have put out one of my favorite tracks of the year, “You Know It.”
The soulful voice of local artist Ivory Black is a perfect fit to the show too.

Lollapalooza hits Chicago this weekend. If you can’t make it up to Chitown, the sets will be live-streamed online.

I recently beasted it in Chicago at Pitchfork Fest 2017.
Here are a few tips:

• Eat as much quality food as possible. From Italian beef to hot dogs and deep dish pizza, you can gorge yourself on some of the best of Chicago’s eats.
• Take public transit. The CTA trains are fast and run late.
• Always hit after-shows. I know what people always say, “I’m tired from the festival! I’ve walked my feet into bloody stumps! I think I have sun poisoning! I can’t find my dignity! BLAH! BLAH! BLAH!” No, you have to keep it rolling! Just because the festival is over for the day, it doesn’t mean the beasting stops. There is nothing better than seeing a band play a large fest then watching them crank up the intensity at a small club. These are the shows you will really cherish.
• Drink plenty of Malört. The Chicago-based liquor is an acquired taste, but it is cheap and will help you unleash the beast within!

Here are five bands and artists that got the #StreetBeast all musically excited in Lollapalooza’s expansive lineup:

• Warpaint. I love the trippy vibes of this LA-based band. They create music that will take you on a weird journey. Their newer songs are tighter and poppier, but they still have that special touch.

• Maggie Rogers. Maggie is golden-voiced and brings the groove in her own way. One day, the whole world will love her. Her EP is one of my favorite of this year.

• Alvvays. I’ve been a big fan of the indie-pop of Canada’s Alvvays for a few years. The reverb-soaked vocals and glorious melodies help make wonderful songs. Quality summer vibes.

• Mac Demarco. Mac is known for his chill vibes and excellent indie songwriting. His music has been described as “slacker rock,” but I saw him rip through a cover of Steely Dan‘s classic “Reelin’ in the Years” a few years ago at Pitchfork Fest. There was no slacking. It was all beasting!

• Justice. The French electro beasts are back on the live scene this year. Their music is great for partying and is the natural extension of the French Touch sound laid down by Daft Punk. There are side effects to listening to too much Justice. One minute, you’re grooving. Suddenly, you find yourself wearing all black, wearing a scarf in August and walking a poodle down the street. Justice’s music just has that certain je ne sais quoi.

The BeastMix

Alternative music isn’t always about staring staring at your feet and looking unimpressed at shows you’re actually enjoying. NO! Sometimes you gotta get down on those #indierockvibes. I proudly present a BeastMix of five of my favorite groovy indie vibes.

The Heirs “Suburban Wonderland”

Washed Out “Burn Out Blues”

Chairlift “Moth to the Flame”

Sylvan Esso “Kick Jump Twist”

The Brinks “Honey”

Get out there this weekend and BEAST IT HARDCORE! Those #indierockvibes aren’t going to catch themselves.