Birdhouse 2019- Chicago’s Perfect Dirtybird Fam Affair
Dirtybird isn’t just a label, it’s a family. The fans are ride or die and there’s a special bond between them and the artists, too. Listening to my favorite house and techno songs while surrounded by the loving and accepting people who are part of this family creates an energy that brings me to euphoria. The shows really are like big family gatherings and that’s exactly what we were graced with this Saturday at Chicago’s Birdhouse Festival.
The Location
We could not have asked for a better venue to host Birdhouse. The Theater on the Lake was (to put it frankly) beautiful! Why aren’t there more events hosted here!? There were ample amounts of grass to dance, roam around, chill, and hold the rides and activities. The festival was also not too packed which made it feel more intimate. Watching the sets with the magnificent Chicago skyline as the backdrop was just the icing on the cake.
Birdhouse Activities
There was an abundance of things to do outside seeing the sets. Decorate your own birdhouse, rides, and carnival games are just a few. Birdhouse also gave fans the opportunity for some one-on-one time with their favorite artists through a skee ball tournament with VNSSA, a basketball shootout with Walker & Royce, and a fortune-telling session from Claude VonStroke.
Birdhouse Festival Sets
Mason Maynard
Mason Maynard has been on my list ever since hearing his song “Puffy” for the first time over a year ago. He absolutely crushed it and kept the crowd dancing through his entire set.
Claude VonStroke B2B Paul Johnson
Paul Johnson is a local house music legend who made huge strides in the scene in the ’90s. It was incredible to see him up on stage doing a b2b with current house music legend, papa Claude VonStroke. The two of them really fed off of each other’s energy and played a fantastic set. The whole crowd was grooving.
Walker & Royce
I won’t lie, this was my most anticipated set of the day and turned out to be my favorite! I have seen Walker & Royce numerous times and not once have been disappointed. They kept up with their track record this Saturday and played hella new songs we have never heard them drop before. Fingers crossed for these to be released ASAP! We have been waiting for “San Frandisco” since Holy Ship!
Birdhouse Overall Reactions
Reactions from attendees have been nothing but positive. It looks like there have even been some new recruits for Dirtybird Campout coming up October 4th weekend. People know they won’t be disappointed because outrageous tunes and unconditional love is a given with the Dirtybird name.
I will be moving to Los Angeles at the end of the month and this event was one last final reminder of how much I love this city, my favorite genre of music that was born here, and my friends that I have met through it. Cheers and a big thank you to Dirtybird for an unforgettable day that I will always cherish as one of the best I’ve had in Chicago. Oh my Clawed, we went out with a bang!
