Akron/Family Returns to Chicago @ Metronome Celebrations (6/13/10)

Akron/Family breaks from recording new album to anchor Chicago’s Metronome Celebration alongside Van Ghost, The Right Now, and collection of city’s favorite roots musicians

Chicago, IL – For the first time since lighting up “Best of 2009″ album lists across the blogosphere with Set ‘em Wild, Set ‘em Free, Akron/Family is bringing its equally-legendary live performance back to Chicago. On Sunday, 6/13, Akron/Family will touch on everyone from Fela Kuti and Sly Stone to Neil Young and Bob Weir as they headline the Windy City’s most musically-inclined and affordable street fest, the Metronome Celebration (www.metronomechicago.com).

Thriving on both their need and ability to make the crowd passionately participatory, Akron/Family’s irrepressible energy is ideal for a beer-soaked summer night in Logan Square. The boys from Brooklyn will be supported by Chicago’s finest on Metronome’s “Folk Stage,” curated by the independent team behind the Chicago Bluegrass & Blues fest (www.cbbfestival.com), including….

Van Ghost (6:45pm) – These upstart indie darlings are quickly rising out of Chicago playing a unique blend of Americana & pop rock. Van Ghost features the vocal harmonies of Michael Harrison Berg & Jennifer Hartswick, the haunting melodies of (guitarist) Grant Tye (pedal steel) & Rocco Labriola, and a locked and loaded rhythm section of (drums) Greg Marsh & (bass) Klem Hayes.

The Right Now (5pm) – You probably couldn’t find tickets to their sold out Lincoln Hall show last month, so don’t miss out again on Stephanie Berecz’s sultry package and Brendan O’Connell’s soulful songwriting.

Kevin Flynn & the Avondale Ramblers (4pm)- No city stateside does Celtic folk and punk better than Chicago (that’s right, Boston), and no one represents Chicago’s hooligan hootenanny scene better than Kevin Flynn’s veteran outfit.

Chicago Farmer (3pm) - One man, a harmonica, and a guitar are all it takes to capture crowds from Summer Camp to CBB Fest year in and year out.

How Far to Austin (2pm) – When Eddie Money came to Chicago this spring, he chose HFTA as his opener. Enough said.

Great Divide (1pm) – Despite being the hottest campus band in one of America’s best college towns for tunes (Ann Arbor, MI), they decided to come to Chicago and get cool all over again.

Ben Ripani Music Co. (Noon) – They sound like John Hiatt making out with Son Volt’s mom while M. Ward paints the entire scene. Curious yet?

The $5 suggested donation goes to benefit Chase Elementary, Goethe Elementary, the GGNA, and the Logan Square Chamber of Commerce.