In the front row, at the melt show

Saturday was a bright, sunny, muggy, hot day at Taylor Street Festa Italiana. Chicago street fests are almost always a good time, but I don't get down to too many these days. However, a few weeks ago I discovered that the Old 97's would be playing Festa. Not only the Old 97's, but a Saturday bill that included Nora O'Connor, Chris Mills, Blue Mountain, and the Old 97's. Add Italian food, bocce tournaments and the fact that the cost of admission was a suggested donation of $10, and how could I possibly pass it up?

I couldn't. So Saturday early evening found me at Festa in time to watch some bocce, wolf down a good portion of a meatball sub from Rosebud, and make my way to the Peroni main stage for the second half of Chris Mills' set. I'd never seen Chris before, despite a decent number of opportunities. My loss - I thoroughly enjoyed what I saw of his performance on Saturday. His band included Fred Lonberg-Holm on cello and Ryan Hembry on bass, and they definitely made it worthwhile for those who braved the sun to check them out. The majority of the people watching Chris's set were lined up on the sidewalks in the shade, leaving the street wide open. Having preemptively slathered up with sunblock, I was unafraid of the sunshine. (I did forget to slather up with something that would block the 90-degree heat, however.)

Up next was Blue Mountain, yet another band I hadn't seen before. I've watched Laurie Stirratt play with her brother and with Healthy White Baby in the past, but I was out of town the only time Blue Mountain came around my neck of the woods. I was impressed by the amount of rock they managed to squeeze out of a three-piece band. I guess I hadn't really been aware that it would just be Cary, Laurie, and a drummer - but that's all they really needed. Laurie said they're working on some new stuff that should be out in the spring, so I'm looking forward to that.

Last but not least, of course, were the Old 97's. Sooz and I stood up front next to some very cute kids - big Old 97's fans - with homemade signs. They wanted to hear "Indefinitely," which was eventually played and dedicated to them. I hadn't seen the full band since October of 2004, and boy, did I miss them. (Especially when I saw Rhett with the Believers last year - sorry, Believers.) Saturday night was everything an Old 97's show should be - the crowd sweaty and dancing, Murry's big grins, Ken's intent jamming, Phillip propelling "Four Leaf Clover," and of course Rhett with his hair flying and hips swaying. Don't get me wrong; I think he's an extremely talented musician, but seriously. The man is hot.

They played a bunch of my favorite songs, but the song I most wanted to hear on Saturday was one I'd never seen them (or Rhett) play in person: "Over the Cliff." I figured there was a chance, given that it's originally a Jon Langford tune and we were in Chicago and all. Sooz and I yelled out for it before the first encore, and what do you know - they closed the encore with "Over the Cliff." It was obviously planned as the finale, but I'm going to go ahead and pretend that we were responsible. I think I pogoed for the whole song. The second encore was the requisite show-closer "Timebomb" - it just wouldn't feel right if they didn't play it, so I'm glad they did.

Afterward I chatted with Sam and Sooz for a little while, scored a free chocolate-covered apple slice from a random Festa booth, and stopped in White Hen for the largest bottle of water they sold. I should really get to more neighborhood festivals - especially these that celebrate my own heritage! Well, I guess I am seeing Wilco later this month at the Greek Theatre. That counts, right?

More photos can be found here.