Don’t Hate, Appreciate: SAMF 2019
“I’m from Chicago,” gets thrown around too carelessly. Considering Chitown is the epicenter of a tri-state intersection, “Chicagoans” can be from Wisconsin, Indiana, or any of the Chicagoland suburbs as much as 60 minutes (or miles!) out. So when Chicago’s top EDM fest, Spring Awakening Music Festival, announced they were relocating to Hoffman Estates (literally 38.1 miles outside of city limits), there was a definite response. Why, though, I wonder? Half of you are from there. Or nearby…
I’m here to remind you that all of this down-talk about SAMF is ridiculous. Not only will most of the trash-talking socialites complaining on the ‘Book end up going to Poplar Creek in Hoffman Estates this June 7th–9th, we know they’ll be ones raging and raving at DJ Snake, Martin Garrix, and Zedd, along with us.
This week, Spring Awakening teased 6 headliners to get us all jazzed up for the first Chicagoland fest of the summer. Among them are also Griz, Rezz, and Illenium: newer artists who are less mainstream and more up and coming than the co-headliners. Also, their dedicated fanbases will bring only the plurest of vibes!
Griz is a DJ/producer (and Detroit Sax Master!) known for showing love and spreading love. Not only is this creative the brains behind some of the most progressive and charitable events in the Midwest, he is also one of the only electro-funk and dubstep DJs who will move an entire audience with a reed-instrument on stage. Griz is dropping his 8th studio album, Ride Waves, this April and GrizFam couldn’t be more proud or excited! This album will feature some highly-anticipated drops including “A New Day”, a song featuring Matisyahu, “Maybe” featuring Yoshi Flower, and other collabs with Snoop Dogg, ProbCause, Wiz Khalifa, and Bootsy Collins. Preorder the album and album artwork now! Griz’ Ride Waves Tour starts officially this May 3rd! #SLSL
Rezz, a female Canadian DJ has grown so much in the past few years! With ties to both Deadmau5' Mau5trap and OWSLA Records, her expertise in the field is no surprise. Rezz has played at top-notch festivals such as Bonnaroo and Summercamp, and has totally earned her headlining title.
Illenium and I have a love/hate relationship. I love his live sets so much, but his remixes are so emotional and provoking, it literally brings fans to tears (and I hate crying at shows.). His melodies are eerie, magical, and highly-recognizable, so grab your bestie, tissues, and glitter to hide those tears! We’ll be singing-along in a loud wave of melodic, future bass and letting it all go!
With another lineup announcement around the corner and tickets already on sale at their cheapest prices, now is a great time to commit. I will 100% be at SAMF19 and you should too. Grassroots California and Grassroots Chicago have been sponsors of SAMF since 2013 by making the official hats and apparel, but we also vend on-site! Stop by our vendor booth to say “hi” and snag the newest styles on the GRC shelves. We’ll also be hosting pop-ups, glitter dusting, giveaways, and mini-challenges throughout the SAMF weekend so make a point to come through in between sets and water breaks! Looking for the official festival merch? Head to the SAMF Merch Booth too. As always, don’t forget to tag your festival squad wearing your favorite Grassroots outfit with #GSproutGang to be reposted! See you there, fam!
Update: Griz’ newest song “Find My Own Way” featuring Wiz Khalifa is now live! Watch the music video below, snag the Ride Waves album here, or join Griz on his Ride Waves Season One Tour in the US this Spring!
