Each year, thousands of attendees press into the back lot at O’Briens Restaurant (1528 N. Wells) to enjoy talented local musicians and widely-popular national acts. This year is no different, as an exciting mix of chart-toppers, fan favorites and energetic young performers take to the Wells Street Art Festival mainstage on Saturday, June 8th and Sunday, June 9th.
The Smithereens have been playing together for more than 30 years now, first hitting the national stage in 1986 with Blood & Roses, and stringing off several popular singles over the ensuing years, including A Girl Like You, Top of the Pops and other chart-topping songs and albums. They will be performing at the Wells Street Art Festival mainstage at 5:45pm on Saturday, June 8th. Trippin’ Billies, the always-popular Dave Matthews cover band, follows to close out the night, playing from 7:45 pm to 9:45pm.
Playing immediately prior to The Smithereens is Sophie B. Hawkins, who received regular radio and television play nationally in the 90s with hit songs like As I Lay Me Down, Damn I Wish I Was Your Lover and more. She will be playing until 4:45pm on Saturday, June 8th. Hawkins is in the midst of a Midwest tour that includes her appearance here at the Wells Street Art Festival and Pridefest in Milwaukee, WI.
Closing out the Wells Street Art Festival for the third consecutive year is Beatles cover band American English. American English is a favorite act for Chicago street festivals, digging through the expansive catalogue of the Fab Four to put together an entertaining show every time. American English plays from 7:30pm to 10:00pm on Sunday, June 9th.
The lineup is rounded out by a great group with Happiness Club starting out the Wells Street Art Festival at 12:45pm on Saturday, June 8th. On Sunday, June 9th, local groups Stache, The Hat Guys, and Generation perform (start times are 12:15, 2:30, 4:45, respectively). The Jesse White Tumblers will perform each day at 2:00pm.
Every year, upwards of 50,000 visitors arrive in Old Town to experience the Wells Street Art Festival — one of the City of Chicago’s premiere art events. In 2013, Wells Street will be packed with over 250 artists showing off and selling wares ranging from photography, ceramics, pain, glasswork and more.
The Wells Street Art Festival is produced annually as a community cultural event for Chicagoans and visitors alike. The Old Town Merchants & Residents Association — made up of member merchants and residents within the Old Town boundaries — is the presenting organization. The Old Town Merchants & Residents Association is a 501(c)(6) nonprofit organization whose mission is to support Old Town through beautification efforts, neighborhood marketing, government relations, event programming and other initiatives.
Main Stage Music
Saturday, June 8th
12:15 PM – 1:00 PM Happiness Club
2:00 PM – 2:20 PM Jesse White Tumblers
3:30 PM – 4:45 PM Sophie B. Hawkins
5:45 PM – 7:00 PM The Smithereens
7:45 PM – 9:45 PM Trippin Billies
Sunday, June 9th
12:15 PM – 1:45 PM Stache
2:00 PM – 2:20 PM Jesse White Tumblers
2:30 PM – 4:00 PM The Hat Guys
4:45 PM – 6:45 PM Generation
7:30 PM – 10:00 PM American English