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DS Show Review & Gallery: 6th Annual Slackfest night 2 – The Slackers; Eastern Standard Time; Los Vicios de Papá; and Lady Hatchet. Chicago (11.18.2023)

Slackfest, the annual event presented by The Slackers hit Reggie’s Rock Club recently. Dying Scene was on the floor at the S. State Street venue. The ska fest was a night of joyful noise featuring plenty of the subgenre’s signature horns. The Slackers, the iconic NYC ska group, once again provided an energetic capper to […]

Published

5 months ago

November 24, 2023

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The Slackers, the iconic NYC ska group, once again provided an energetic capper to the weekend’s festivities. It was a dynamic set with trombonist and singer Glen Pine out front and center with an especially animated performance. The band is playing out west for the next couple of weeks before heading back to its native east coast. Don’t slack on catching a set (yes I know that was lame. But the band is everything opposite of that).

Eastern Standard Time, from Washington DC, led by the smoothly charismatic Unikue Peace on vocals and percussion. It was a lively set and the perfect penultimate one to the headliner.

Los Vicios de Papá, out of Chicago, performs its music in Spanish. I once was more fluent in the language than I am now. No matter, it was a high-powered performance combining Latin ska, reggae, and Cumbia. Los Vicios de Papá had the crowd stomping on the venue’s concrete floor in the very best way.

Lady Hatchet, aka Kristin Forbes, kicked off the night with a fun set. Dunia Best joined her for several songs which upped the already entertaining level a notch. This is the first time I have seen them perform. It was also the first time I have seen performers literally dancing as they set up and take down their gear before and after their set. I look forward to seeing both parts of these musicians’ performances in the future.

Please see more photos from the 6th Annual Slackfest night 2 below. Thanks and Cheers!