101.1 is an iconic radio frequency in the Chicagoland area for alternative rock and WKQX brought us yet another amazing year of live music for Piqniq 2017. The one-day festival was once again hosted at the Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre. This year’s lineup included Lucky Boys Confusion, Warpaint, Joywave, K.Flay, Sum 41, Highly Suspect, Stabbing Westward, Bleachers, Jimmy Eat World, and The 1975.
The Festival consisted of two stage. The Saint Xavier University stage showcased the bands for the first half of the day. An excited crowd saw an impressive performance from Illinois native K.Flay and Chicago’s own Lucky Boys Confusion. Sum 41 headlined the Saint Xavier stage even bringing some fans to rock out with them during their set.
Towards the evening we moved over to the main stage and got an intense performance from Highly Suspect. Another Illinois born band Stabbing Westward rocked the main stage. The lead vocalist for the band Christopher Hall joked that part of the crowd in front was just waiting for headliners The 1975. He also serenaded WKQX host Lauren o’Neil for a song. Bleachers had the audience captivated by its melodic anthems. A very appreciative Jimmy Eat World thanked fans for their warm response and promised that their set was just a taste of what they would be bringing when they come back to the Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre with Judah the Lion and Incubus on July 29th.
Closing out this year’s Piqniq was the 1975 and they did not disappoint. A peaceful and moody glow came over the Hollywood Amphitheatre as fragmented distortion and ambient sound came together for this headlining finale. Matt Healy, front man of the 1975 came out astounded by how many people there were in the audience. The crowd sang along through the band’s catalogue while bathed in vivid hues.
Some of the acts from Piqniq 2017 will be back very soon! Lucky Boys Confusion will be at Do Division fest street fest next week on June 2nd. Warpaint at Lolla Aug. 5th and back August 30th with Depeche Mode. K.Flay returns October 8th with Grouplove and Imagine Dragons. Highly Suspect will also be returning in August at Lolla. Joywave will be back in September at Huntington Bank Pavilion at Northerly Island with Young the Giant and Cold War Kids. Piqniq 2017 was another solid year for WKQX and great kickoff to festival season and the amazing tours Chicago is in store for this summer!
Piqniq 2017 Photos J. Franklin
