By now, you’ve been to Grant Park’s annual Taste of Chicago (June 26-July 5) plenty of times. You’re convinced you’ve got the thing down. It’s always essentially the same, right?
Wrong. This year the Taste Stage delivers an exciting variety of local acts (including tributes to Chicago-based Bloodshot, Thrill Jockey and Earwig record labels) in addition to a few notable Petrillo Music Shell headliners. Here’s where your ears should hang while your eyes and stomach feast. Obvious reminder: The food ain’t free, but the music is!
Kid, You’ll Move Mountains
2:30 p.m. Fri. at Taste Stage
The name sounds supremely optimistic. But the indie rock from this appealing Chicago outfit is wonderfully bittersweet, bridging the gap between sorrow and glory into something both jaded and catchy. The band’s debut, “Loomings,” offers the sort of sophistication and polish not often found on a first outing.
Empires
7 p.m. Fri. at Taste Stage
Little more than a year after releasing its debut, “Howl,” for free download, this Chicago quintet shows no signs of slowing down, with upcoming slots at Milwaukee’s Summerfest and Wicker Park Fest and a new record in the works. We look forward to the ride.
Andre Williams
Noon Sat. at Taste Stage
Not many cats in their 70s can do anything close to what Andre Williams does. A rumbling tub of badass soul, Bloodshot Records artist Williams has been mastering funky, bluesy R&B since before you were born. Saying he’s still got it is an understatement.
Scotland Yard Gospel Choir
5:15 p.m. Sat. at Taste Stage
While one of Bloodshot’s prettiest acts is overdue for a new record, we can’t resist pointing to this well-composed folk-pop group, which doesn’t let soothing voices or pleasant acoustic guitars stop them from using words to break the skin.
Waco Brothers
7 p.m. Sat. at Taste Stage
A Bloodshot band that uses its twang to nudge its middle finger even higher, Jon Langford’s local alt-country outfit has built its name on raucous live shows and was doing booze-soaked party anthems before the Hold Steady first plugged in their guitars.
The Wallflowers
5 p.m. Sun. at Petrillo Music Shell
These guys may not be the hottest kids on the block, but they do come armed with a decade-plus worth of solidly crafted rock albums that hold up considerably well over time. Listen to their self-titled debut or “Breach” and just try to argue that Jakob Dylan doesn’t deserve to be regarded as more than Bob’s son.
Chicago Afrobeat Project
5:15 p.m. Mon. at Taste Stage
This world music collective has spent the better part of the decade turning local listeners into crazy dance machines. Some fest acts are better for audiences sitting near the stage than grooving near it, but Chicago Afrobeat Project will have the wallflowers feeling totally lame — and unable to resist letting their feet tap along.
Ne-Yo
5:30 p.m. July 1 at Petrillo Music Shell
It’s almost not fair for anyone to be as smoothly dapper as this R&B star: He sings, he produces, he charms and he knows how to turn a live performance into a class act. Appropriate dress for this show would probably get a little sweaty in the July heat, but if Ne-Yo can make it work, you can too.
Eleventh Dream Day
5:15 p.m. July 2 at Taste Stage
As part of the Taste’s salute to Thrill Jockey, veteran Chicago pop-rockers Eleventh Dream Day demonstrate what locals have known for decades: Chicago rock is ever-shifting and resilient as hell. Yes, that goes for both the band and the label.
Booker T.
3 p.m. July 4 at Petrillo Music Shell
Buddy Guy’s also playing this show, and it goes without saying that you’ll want to see the legendary Chicago bluesman. Arrive early to see veteran R&B/funk maestro Booker T. Jones, who just released “Potato Hole” — his first solo album in 20 years — and will share the stage with Drive-By Truckers. Sweet!
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mpais@tribune.com
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Taste of Chicago
When: Opens 11 a.m. Friday-July 5. Closes daily 9 p.m. exceptJuly 3 (9:30 p.m.) and July 5 (6 p.m.)
Main entrance: Congress Parkway and Michigan Avenue
Cost: Free entry; $8 per strip of 12 food and drink tickets
Basics: The 29th annual extravaganza opens Friday with food from more than 50 local restaurants, plus a wine garden, live music, cooking demos and more. 312-744-3315.
