In our 2016 Best of Chicago issue, Brianna Wellen wrote about the joys of Logan Square’s Comfort Station: “Just as the building itself has remained untouched, so has the creative spirit that now drives the space.” Built in 1926 as a warming station, it’s since become a hub for independent arts events in the neighborhood: Comfort Station screens shot-on-video oddities, displays art by local illustrators, and even hosted a recent reunion performance by Chicago underground rap pioneers Stony Island. The all-ages space needs money to continue its quality programming, though—it’s run by volunteers, and its events are generally free. To that end, Comfort Station has partnered with two DIY labels based in the neighborhood—Tall Pat Records, run by occasional Reader contributor Patrick Sullivan, and Maximum Pelt—for the 2016 installment of its annual fund-raiser. On Saturday, August 20, they’ll throw a daylong party at the Illinois Centennial Monument (just west of Comfort Station on Milwaukee) that’s packed with primo local rock bands.
Sullivan says the fund-raiser will include a dozen bands, though only ten have been announced so far. Many are among the best and brightest in the local underground rock scene: the Yolks, Vamos, Dumpster Babies, Vacant Vessel, Wet Piss, Comm to Black, the Bingers, Glyders, White Mystery, and Flesh Panthers. Sullivan says he’s planning some surprise guests too. The concert is free—an unusual strategy for a fund-raiser—but access to the beer garden is $20, which covers your cold ones till the beer runs out or the servers cut you off. “It’s gonna put Lollapalooza, Pitchfork, and Riot Fest to shame,” Sullivan says. The Comfort Station Annual Fundraising Party on the Square runs from 3 till 10 PM.