Wake Up! You’ve got to hand it to the Wake Up! crew. House and techno might be staples in this city, and there are undoubtedly always going to be new sub-genres in clubland that dictate a new night…but will they last more than a couple dates before the owners give up on it and ditch the promoters? Or perhaps the fickle crowd will disperse, realizing that a club hit from a new artist isn’t enough to tent-pole a new genre. Regardless, for all of 2007, Wake Up! used their monthly party to showcase the finest techno artists from around the world (probably doesn’t hurt that residents Kate Simko & Sassmouth have both spent time in techno hotspot Chile—with Simko recording with Andres Bucci as Detalles). Wake Up! has also capitalized on its partnership with Spectral Sound (Ghostly’s potent dancefloor division) to bring in the likes of Ryan Elliott and Matthew Dear. Even without regular Spectral residents, artists like the legendary John Tejada, and new blood like Par Grindik have dropped in to help create the healthiest home for techno in Chicago, with a strong emphasis on live performances, as well as DJ sets. Techno has always been considered futurist music, and here’s to Wake Up! having another strong year. Wake Up! Takes place next on October 18 at Sonotheque, 1444 West Chicago (312)226-7600
Audience choice: Dark Wave Disco Sonotheque, 1444 W. Chicago (312)226-7600
Best of Chicago 2007
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