Chicagoans and React Presents are no strangers to beach festivals. In 2012 and 2013, Wavefront Music Festival was held on Montrose Beach, bringing amazing variety to Chicago\’s festival scene. Wavefront hosted artists like Boys Noize, Duck Sauce, Chris Lake, Dubfire, Bad Boy Bill, Guy Gerber, and Lee Foss. It focused on a much different genre of music than Lollapalooza or Spring Awakening (another React event, also started in 2012). It was more of a beach party than a music festival. It was an older, more mature crowd and a different experience than anything else I had been to.
Wavefront was cancelled in 2014. Riverwest Music Festival was held in its place, but only lasted one year and was met with mixed reviews. This year, React Presents introduced Mamby on the Beach, which brought us the same music as Wavefront and a similar atmosphere. It felt like a rework of Wavefront in many ways; rather than being held at Montrose Beach (4400 N. Lake Shore Drive), it was held at Oakwood Beach (4100 S. Lake Shore Drive), which is Chicago\’s newest beach according to the city\’s website.
The far and unconventional location made Mamby feel like a weekend getaway inside of the city. Upon entry, concertgoers walked on a long grassy pathway to the festival. However, this walk was anything but boring. It was decorated beautifully, complete with artwork from local artists, yoga with a private DJ held three times a day, and great people, including a special celebrity appearance by Chicago\’s Manny the Frenchie.
Near the end of this pathway was the local stage, known as the Beach House. The entire festival was extremely small, but it worked rather well. Located next to food vendors, lockers, and the bathrooms, the Beach House was rarely crowded but a nice addition to the festival. It not only hosted local DJs like Zebo and Soultech (Gene Farris + Dustin Sheridan), but several live bands as well. Hopefully this stage will garner more attention next year, as it was barely decorated and felt like it was just randomly thrown in the corner.
The music variety at Mamby was not limited to the local stage. The Main Stage focused on live performances, often with an electronic feel. Acts included Cashmere Cat, Phantogram, Empire of the Sun, Cherub, and Passion Pit. Complete with a beautiful view of the skyline from the south side and the lakefront setting, the main stage was perfect.
Just a few seconds away from the Main Stage was The Tent, which was much more DJ oriented. This is where I spent most of my time; it was especially convenient during the cold and rainy Saturday. The party first began with Farley Jackmaster Funk and Felix Da Housecat, two Chicago house legends that did not disappoint. Zhu headlined the stage the first night, playing with a curtain in front of him the whole time – his identity is still largely unknown.
The next day brought Moon Boots, J. Phlip, Route 94, Cut Copy, Claptone, and Art Department to the covered stage. It was an awesome atmosphere, as there was an decent sized dancefloor in front, and behind the sound booth, there was another set of massive speakers, encouraging people to hang out in the back with their friends. When walking around the Tent, everyone could be heard talking and having a great time. It\’s so different than a typical stage at an EDM festival, where few people are conversing, everyone is facing the stage, and it\’s nearly impossible to move. Behind the Tent was a volleyball net, where games were being played all weekend and music could still be heard.
I barely heard anything negative about Mamby all weekend. The setup, the people, and the production were all executed very well. I loved being able to see great bands on the Main Stage while having the option to walk about thirty seconds behind me to see some amazing DJs at the Tent. Sunday\’s weather was perfect, with many groups of people enjoying the sun and laying out during the first few hours of the fest. VIP attendees were allowed to go in the water, and several took advantage of that throughout the day.
However, it was the festival\’s first year, and it wasn\’t without its problems. The shuttle buses leaving the venue to the Cermak-Chinatown Red Line station were ridiculously packed; I think they should keep the location, but React needs to do a better job with logistics next year. The Tent could use better production; not that it was bad, but I\’m expecting it to be much more impressive next year. Drink lines were obscenely long at some points, and more vendors and beverage tents will be a necessity.
Overall, this was a phenomenal debut for Chicago\’s new beach festival. Next year will undoubtedly bring better planning, improved production, and even more impressive artists. In a few years, this could be one of the best festivals in the city. Remember that both Spring Awakening and Wavefront started as small, two day fests, then evolved into larger three day festivals after just one year. I\’m definitely looking forward to 2016 and the incredibly unique festival that Mamby on the Beach will be.
View the full EDM Chicago photo album from Mamby below:
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