Monthly Archives: May 2023

Although Soldier Field is the smallest NFL stadium in the nation, it still holds more than 60,000 fans. And with three, sold-out Taylor Swift “The Eras Tour” shows coming up at the current home of the Chicago Bears, its a venue that brings with it a big challenge to get in and out of.

Whether you’re a Swiftie attending the show, are on drop-off or pick-up duty, or just planning to spend time downtown this weekend, here’s your transportation guide to navigating the Museum Campus Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

Parking

Each night of the Swift show, the gates open at 4:30 p.m. But merchandise outside the stadium will be available beginning at noon, and parking lots will open at 2 p.m. each day.

This brings us to our first option: Driving and parking. However, if you haven’t already bought a parking pass for the shows ahead of time, you’re out of luck. “Parking lots are currently sold out from the advance sales of parking,” Soldier Field says.

If you do have a parking pass, great! Getting in is no problem, as everyone trickles in at their own time. But beware: with 63,500 guests at each show, getting out could be time consuming.

There are other parking lots nearby, too.

You can reserve parking spots in McCormick Place Lot B as well as Millennium and South Grant Park garages, with the Millennium Park Garage offering a shuttle to and from the stadium. The shuttle will operate at lower Randolph, and pick fans up at the Metra 18th stairs between 4 p.m. and 1 a.m.

Grant Park South, Grant Park North and Millennium Lakeside Garages won’t be offering shuttle service,

Rideshare Drop-Off, Pick-Up

Another option: Catching a taxi, a rideshare (think Uber or Lyft), or getting dropped off and picked up by a parent, chaperone, friend or chauffer. But note that this option involves two different pick-up and different drop-off points that local traffic control personnel often keep tight grip on.

Drop-offs occur at a turn-around, at 18th Street West of Lake Shore Drive, and it’s a brief walk into Soldier Field from there. However, due to heavy traffic, Soldier Field officials are mentioning the idea to drivers of dropping fans off at Columbus Drive or Michigan Avenue, and then having them walking to the museum campus.

For pick-up after the show, Swifties must make the trek north of the Stadium, to Columbus and Balbo.

“We encourage parents and chaperones to use this area in order to quickly reunite with family and friends,” a release from Soldier Field’s states. “Drivers may use the alphabetical signage markers to provide guests with identifiers. Stadium security and parking personnel will be present to provide a safe and organized operation.”

If you are planning to rideshare, keep prices in mind. I spoke to a livery driver who confirmed to me that most rideshare services will be surge-pricing all three nights.

Public Transportation

Something else to keep in mind, no matter how you plan to get to the stadium: wear comfortable shoes.

You’ll need footwear you can hike in if you are planning to take the CTA, which is the most wallet-friendly option to Solder Field, at $5 for 24-hours worth of rides.

The CTA Roosevelt stop — where the Red, Orange and Green Lines converge — is the closest CTA option, with a quarter mile walk to Soldier Field. Plus, CTA has added additional #130 and #146 buses and Red Line train service to and from Soldier Field, the stadium says.

The Metra Station, at Ogilvie and Union, is a longer walk, but many savvy suburban concert-goers experienced with events like Lollapalooza often catch a rideshare or a cab from Metra to get to the 18th street drop-off point. Metra Spokesperson Mike Gillis told NBC Chicago in an email “we are not currently planning any (service) changes, other than some longer trains.”  

Taylor Swift Shows Aren’t The Only Event This Weekend

The Bank of America 13.1 Chicago half-marathon takes place Sunday morning in Garfield Park, on the city’s West side. And while the race itself is away from the Lakefront, packet pickup is a two-day event in the South Loop neighborhood.  Those runners and fitness enthusiasts will also be using the Roosevelt CTA station Saturday and Sunday to get their packets at Roosevelt Collection, located at 150 W. Roosevelt Rd.

Just east of the museum campus at Huntington Bank Pavilion at Northerly Island, Two Friends is scheduled to perform Friday. On the South Side, the White Sox will be in town all weekend, hosting the Detroit Tigers.

And for the thousands of other people in Chicago, it’s just another summer weekend.

“Avatar: The Way of Water” and “E.T.” were just some of the films recognized at the 16th Krakow Film Music Festival in Krakow, Poland. The festival concluded on Monday, wrapping up the celebration of this year’s celestial lineup.

“Faced by the challenges posed by the pandemic, as well as the war that broke out at our doorstep, many of us have taken refuge in cinematic works – either trying to glimpse into the future or relive the amazing films from our childhood,” said Carolina Pietyra, director of the Krakow Festival office, in a statement. “The headline of this year’s edition of the Krakow Film Music Festival – Out of Space – stands for everything that takes us to other spaces and responds to our longing to explore realms unknown.”

The festival’s Space Gala featured otherworldly film scores including Jóhann Jóhannsson’s “Arrival,” Cliff Martinez’s “Solaris,” Steven Price’s “Gravity” and Benjamin Wallfisch’s “Hidden Figures.”

The gala ended with the world premiere of Simon Franglen’s “Avatar: The Way of Water” suite. Franglen also presented his experimental work “Sunrise I Sunset,” a project commissioned by the Shanghai Tower.

Steven Spielberg’s 1982 classic “E.T.” was also screened at the festival with live music. “We wanted to remind older members of the audience what it made them feel and share these emotions with children and youth. We believe that ‘E.T.’ is not a closed chapter in the history of cinema,” said Robert Piaskowski, the artistic director of KFMF.

Closing out the festival was composer Patrick Doyle’s 70th birthday concert. His work includes scores for “Bridget Jones’s Diary,” “Donnie Brasco,” and “Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire.”

“Patrick Doyle is one of the most prolific and diverse artists of our time – a composer who can masterfully wrangle melodies and paint detailed pictures of intimate worlds to highlight the psychological dilemmas of film characters. The brilliant performance left us longing for the next year’s festival,” said Piaskowski.

The festival was set to end on Tuesday with a concert from renowned composer Hans Zimmer, but was canceled due to illness.

The punchy “Ion Need” hinges on bass-y piano and a glitchy beat as sirens wail. Without apology, Vette proclaims, “I’m a motherfing P.I.M.P.” while asserting she doesn’t need a man for anything. In the commanding music video, men line up for a job interview to be Vette’s man and like the boss that she is, she denies them one by one.

Simultaneously, following the celebrated release of “Karma” on her YouTube channel, Vette answers the call of her fans, whom she lovingly refers to as her cousins, by making the song accessible on all major streaming platforms. The fiery song targets fakes as she warns, “I’m all out of favors so that free s is a no.” Brace yourself for a whole lot more to come from Big Boss Vette including her debut project in June.

Recently Big Boss Vette has been killing the stage! In addition to opening for Kehlani on her Oakland tour stop, she joined the acclaimed Hip Hop platform On The Radar to spit some bars in their “Ladies Night Part 2” cypher which is releasing soon.

Additionally, she joined them for a performance in their Atlanta showcase in partnership with ASCAP. She also just lit up the desert in Palm Springs attending events for Pitchfork Live, Poosh, Clinique, and more during Coachella weekend.

This summer, she’ll be at Sundown Alaska Festival, Rolling Loud Miami, and Lollapalooza. However up next, she’ll be performing at WHTA’s “Who’s Hot?” in Atlanta on 6/16 ahead of their HOT 107.9 Birthday Bash.

Recently, “Problem” earned widespread critical acclaim. Billboard named it among “R&B/Hip-Hop Fresh Picks of the Week” and proclaimed, “Big Boss Vette is wasting no time.” Brooklyn Vegan raved, “It’s loud, abrasive, and super catchy,” and Earmilk hailed it as “a bravado-laden track that is filled with pure energy and gusto from the fiery rapper.”

She has officially affirmed herself as St. Louis’s biggest, boldest, and best new artist!

“Problem” arrived on the heels of her hard-hitting “Pretty Girls Walk (Remix)” [feat. Coi Leray]. HotNewHipHop proclaimed, “it’s a creative and head-bobbing fusion of more modern percussion styles with a classic bassline that harkens back to the old days.”

Following her own set, Big Boss Vette and Coi Leray brought their undeniable energy to the stage as they performed the song together at Rolling Loud California.

She only continues to make waves. She recently guested on Apple Music’s The Plug Radio in addition to showing out “Bar for Bar” with VH1 in honor of Women’s History Month. Plus, she catapulted to #45 on the Billboard Emerging Artists chart.

“Pretty Girls Walk” has emerged as a phenomenon. The contagious track exploded on Instagram Reels with north of 220K Reel “creates,” including videos from icons such as Reba McEntire, Madonna, Kate Beckinsale, Jennifer Lopez, Paris Hilton and Nicole Scherzinger. On TikTok, the song has inspired over 650K “creates,” eclipsing 2 billion views. Thus far, “Pretty Girls Walk” has gained over 14.4 million Spotify streams and 2.5 million YouTube views on the music video, which released last October. The “Pretty Girls Walk” video remains in steady rotation on mtvU, CMC, and more. At Rhythm Radio, it popped off as the greatest gainer.

Big Boss Vette canvased the country on Nick Cannon’s “Future Superstar Tour.” Alongside Symba, Hitman Holla, and more, performing across 24 cities in the U.S. and Canada.

Top digital platforms have been paying homage to the rising star and making sure she will be a household name. YouTube named Big Boss Vette its latest Trending “Artist on the Rise” and Tik Tok included Big Boss Vette in their #WomenInHipHop campaign including a billboard alongside artists Latto, Coi Leray, Monaleo and Exmiranda in Toronto’s legendary Scotiabank Arena. Not to mention, “Pretty Girls Walk” notably appeared on South Park’s 26th season premiere, furthering the momentum on the single.

Last year, Big Boss Vette shined in the 2022 BET Hip Hop Awards Cypher and starred in the 2022 Hip-Hop Awards edition of BET’s Rate the Bars. In addition to “Pretty Girls Walk”, her bossed-up single “My Sista” soundtracked a key moment of Hulu’s The D’Amelio Show. Building her audience, Big Boss Vette has attracted north of 1 million followers on TikTok and has crossed 2 million monthly listeners on Spotify.

Big Boss Vette continues turning heads and kick-starting conversation with her relatable and refreshing talent, solidifying her place as one of the top rising stars of 2023.

Performance Dates:

06/16 WHTA’s “Who’s Hot?” Atlanta, GA

06/18 Sundown Alaska Festival Anchorage, AK

07/21 Rolling Loud Miami Miami, FL

08/06 Lollapalooza Festival Chicago, IL

Budweiser Beats has two powerful brand attributes of inclusivity and high energy, which has helped the energy drink make a mark on its Indian audience, says Vineet Sharma, Vice President of Marketing, South Asia, and AB InBev. In a chat with exchange4media, Sharma spoke about the company’s strategic plans to expand across India, its ad campaigns and associations with sporting events globally.

Excerpts 

Budweiser launched ‘Budweiser Beats’ almost two years back. How has the brand performed in the Indian market in the last couple of years?

When we launched in 2021, we wanted our product to take centre stage, allowing consumers to try our offering without overwhelming them with a creative narrative. We focused on distribution and retail access, unlocking a route to market distinct from our familiar beer channels, and truly understanding the energy drinks segment in India. Over time, we have built a loyal and growing consumer base. Driven by data, and consumer insights; today, we’re able to create a relevant, authentic brand world for Budweiser Beats energy drink that resonates with the lifestyle and interests of our target audience.   

Furthermore, our campaign, ‘Get Your Beats On’, reflects the shared values of creativity and inclusivity championed by our core consumers. Beyond the campaign, Budweiser Beats energy drink, also wants to be where our consumers are, and our multi-pronged strategy is designed to fulfill this endeavor – enabling us to stay top-of-mind for the hyper-connected target group (dynamic Gen Zs and younger millennials). From partnering with leading and iconic festivals, tapping into passion points that our audience resonates with, to driving a relatable dialogue with emerging creators on cognitive energy- the brand aims to build a strong community and loyal following among the new generation of energy drink consumers.   

What’s your quarterly advertising budget and how do you plan advertising and marketing across the Indian market? Which categories are you investing your budget in?  

When it comes to advertising an energy drink, some endless opportunities and channels help drive engagement and deliver the overall brand narrative. Generation Z is the first 100% digitally native generation. Younger millennials too, show a preference for digital content formats and mediums. They are appreciative of brands that provide them with authentic, shareable content. 

At Budweiser, we curate content in line with the consumption patterns of this hyper-aware consumer group across short- and long formats for effective engagement. Real, raw, and relevant content draws attention. With rapidly changing algorithms and popular formats, we are dedicated to pre-empting trends and working proactively with our insights & social listening teams to be ahead of the curve. Our primary focus in advertising is digital platforms. India has one of the world’s largest sports viewing audiences and so, we’ve partnered with both Star Sports and JioCinema for IPL.  

We are also collaborating with OTT and video streaming platforms like Voot and Disney+ Hotstar to air our brand film. While digital is a dominant force, tech cannot match human nuances. The power of emotional connections should not be underestimated. Therefore, we make it a point to activate across touchpoints, connecting with consumers in moments that matter, or when they are creating/ making “core memories”. For example, we have partnered with iconic and culture-shaping festivals including Lollapalooza, Magnetic Fields, and Supersonic to create unparalleled, customised experiences.  

Recognizing the significance of gaming as a passion point for our target audience, we will also maintain a strong presence across gaming platforms. Looking beyond Budweiser Beats energy drink and at the mother brand, Budweiser- India is now among the top 5 markets for the world’s most-loved beer brand. As a growing beverage brand in India, with offerings ranging from beer, and whiskey to non-alcoholic products including an energy drink and 0.0 beer, we are optimistic about our growth in the country and are accordingly investing in advertising, PR, and media incrementally. Even beyond Budweiser, as the leader in the premium and super premium beer categories, we are seeing much enthusiasm for our Hoegaarden portfolio and Corona beer. Localised in 2021, these super premium brands are increasingly becoming a favourite among Gen Zs above LDA and younger millennials in urban centers.  

Do you have any market expansion plans in the coming months? Are you planning to expand the market across India?  

With a negligible penetration of 4-5% in India, the energy drinks category presents a lucrative opportunity for the recruitment of consumers by tapping into new occasions and need states. We are already available in pan India through modern trade and e-commerce. Accessibility and affordability are drivers of category penetration for any product. And, while Budweiser Beats energy drink may not be competing in the affordability segment, we are very confident about using distribution and innovative, disruptive marketing to drive growth for both the brand as well as the larger category by unlocking occasions and thereby unearthing its vast potential in India. To drive accessibility, we are developing comprehensive route-to-market strategies and building partnerships with key retailers, e-commerce platforms pan India.  

We are investing in building a strong distribution network as well as in standing out from the competition by offering a superior product with natural caffeine, differentiated trade visibility and disruptive positioning. Leveraging our existing relationships in the beer business, we are also making inroads into the on-trade channels. This includes not only bars and pubs but also airports, HoReCa (hotels, restaurants, and catering), and QSR (Quick-Service Restaurants). 

AB InBev entered the energy drink market with the launch of Budweiser Beats in the year 2021. Do you have more plans to invest in energy drink categories in the coming months? 

The energy drinks segment presents an incredible opportunity within the larger beverage industry. With only 4-5% penetration in the country and the growth trajectory of this segment witnessed in geographies world over, we believe, the category is set to grow at an exponential rate in India, over the next decade. The energy drinks market in India is divided into two segments: basic pricing. 50% (value market share) of the market belongs to the premium segment which houses three brands: Budweiser Beats, Red Bull, and Monster. Approximately 35% (value market share) of the energy drinks market falls under the value segment, comprising brands such as Sting and Charged. 

The core segment which includes brands like Hell, and Predator and also features our in-house offering, introduced in 2022, Hurricane, comprises 15% (value market share) of the energy drinks market. So, we’re straddling both – the premium and core segments – reaching a much broader base of consumers.  

Which events and sports is the brand associated with, to boost the overall revenue coming from Budweiser beats? 

 For Budweiser Beats energy drink, we want to be where our new-age consumers are, so we’ve partnered with leading festivals in the country- Echoes of Earth, Magnetic Fields, Lollapalooza, HG Street, VH1 Supersonic, Road to Ultra amongst others. We used these events to create unparalleled experiences for our audiences to increase brand recall and build positive associations, becoming an integral part of memory structures.  

We aim to go beyond the adventure-focused narrative promoted by competitors in the space and instead focus on cognitive and creative energy levers. Hence, we are tapping into culture north stars across art, design, photography, gaming, and comedy that interest the younger target group.  

What’s your audience in India and what kind of campaigns are you focusing on to boost the overall Budweiser market in the country?  

Our TG is millennials and Gen Zs, above LDA, and within that group, Budweiser Beats energy drink is focused on emerging, creative professionals and hustlers who are seeking refreshing beverage options to help them power through their day and unlock their creative best. While we are looking at India as a whole, tier 1 cities like Delhi NCR, Mumbai, and Bangalore witness higher consumption and are, therefore, a priority for our marketing efforts. Our recent campaign, ‘Get Your Beats On’, will help us increase product adoption and establish resonance with our target audience.  

According to company officials, the company aimed to corner a 10 percent market share after the pandemic. Have you achieved the estimated numbers in the last couple of years?  

While we cannot provide precise figures or percentages at this moment, we have been working diligently to build our brand presence and capture a share of the market. With Hurricane also joining the mix in our energy drinks portfolio, we are making steady progress toward achieving our ambitious goal. The global pandemic undoubtedly impacted consumer behaviors and market dynamics across industries. As a young and agile brand, we have been quick to pivot and adapt our approach to navigate these challenging times and remain committed to our long-term growth plans. 

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Taking place in New York City, Governors Ball Music Festival isn’t just one of the biggest music festivals on the East Coast, it’s one of the biggest music festivals in America. For this year’s edition, it moves from its previous home of Citi Field to nearby Flushing Meadows Park in Queens. No matter where its location may be, Governors Ball provides a winning combination of world class talent and hospitality. It’s the best music festival in New York. It takes place between June 9 and June 11, 2023.

If you are looking for a music festival experience that will be the highlight of your summer, it’s worth making the investment in the Governors Ball Music Festival. Tickets are still available. If you are looking for a place to eat before or after the festival, maybe take the time to check out this Italian cafe or the world’s largest Chick-Fil-A.

With the unofficial start of summer now behind us, many are already looking forward to Lollapalooza, Chicago’s flagship music festival that is slated to take over Grant Park during the first weekend of August.

While tens of thousands will head downtown to see their favorite acts during the four-day festival, many fans seek out “aftershows,” where some artists who are on the Lollapalooza lineup play additional shows at smaller venues throughout Chicago.

In 2023, 17 different venues across Chicago will be hosting official Lollapalooza aftershows during the week of the festival, with shows running from Tuesday through Sunday.

Tickets for all of the shows will be available beginning at 10 a.m. local time on Friday, June 2 on Lollapalooza’s website.

Below is a list of the venues that will host aftershows this year along with the date of the scheduled show. Start times are not given, although final performances at Lollapalooza typically conclude by 10 p.m. local time.

To celebrate its 10th anniversary, the Splash House summer concert series in Palm Springs is honoring the past while toasting the present and looking to the future.

The series takes over a trio of hotels including the Renaissance Palm Springs Hotel, Margaritaville Resort Palm Springs and The Saguaro Palm Springs for three weekends on June 9-11, Aug. 11-13 and Aug. 18-20. These 21-and-over only events will feature live music, drinks and other poolside activities. There’s also special after-hours parties scheduled at the Palm Springs Air Museum.

The June edition of the fest will include performances by Armand Van Helden, Ash Lauryn, Black Loops, BONES, Bontan, Chelina Manuhutu, Chromeo (DJ Set), Dennis Ferrer, DJ Susan, Gerd Janson, GORDO, Heidi Lawden b2b Masha Mar, HoneyLuv, Matt Sassari, Maximo, Nic Fanciulli, Purple Disco Machine, Ranger Trucco, The Knocks (DJ Set), The Sponges and others.

The 10th anniversary lineup is diverse and includes old friends and past performers, even a few that were part of the inaugural run in 2013.

For Tyler McLean, creator and founder of Splash House, he said it definitely feels like everything has fallen into place for this anniversary and he’s hoping to provide a summer event that fans won’t soon forget.

“It’s certainly a bit surreal that we’ve been doing this for 10 years,” he shared with a laugh during a recent Zoom interview. “It’s a great time to just be reflective and celebrate this milestone because there’s not a lot of events that can stay around for 10 years. I believe it’s a great testament to (Splash House) and everyone who’s been involved. But, most importantly, it’s a moment for fans and the community that has been created over the event. So it’s a special era for us, and it feels great.”

The evolution of Splash House was a slow, steady rise McLean said, yet it still had the capability of bringing in bigger crowds and names as the years went on. And since 2018, it’s sold out every weekend, drawing more than 7,000 fans to the desert. As a Palm Springs local, McLean and friends formed Splash House as an independent party to create something fresh and unique for their hometown.

Even in the early days of creating the summer series, McLean knew it was the perfect destination for a festival, poolside event. There was no master template on how it would unfold, but he said that they did have a vision to mix house music with the desert. And that’s worked in their favor so far.