Story thread · 2 reports / 2 sources

“Like getting paid to party”: The life of cover bands on the Chicago festival circuit

suntimes.com · 13d · first reportShare

It’s a nearly perfect Sunday afternoon in Chicago: sunny, 75 degrees, albeit with a little wildfire smoke. Chrissie Olstad brushes back her burgundy hair. She’s got her boots and fishnet tights on. She’s ready to jump onstage at a festival on the city’s North Side. “I am so excited,” Olstad said. “We love the Burger Fest in Roscoe Village. We're gonna rock it out.” It’s the height of summer in Chicago and no matter where you go, a street festival is likely just around the corner. Restaurateurs are serving popular bites, makers and artisans are selling handmade goods and in the air is the sound of Fleetwood Mac — but that’s not Stevie Nicks singing. Cover and tribute bands are street fest staples. The musicians aren’t performing their own original pieces but music that a general crowd will bop along to because it’s familiar. Olstad is the lead singer and rhythm guitarist of The Gingers; everyone in the band has red hair, mostly artificial. “It’s kind of crazy, but fun, thrilling, yet sc