Yardapalooza

It all started in 2022, in a yard full of music and dreams. I invited family and close friends to see a show I was starting and they made solid plans and travel arrangements.



I didn’t know any bands, have any show gear, or have full songs but the date was set and people were coming.

So I rented 2 small PA speakers, wrote an album, and performed it alone but I knew I’d discovered something beyond even my own music.

I dove head-first into my local music scene to meet bands. Before they even knew me I was pitching Yardapalooza ‘23, making friends, meeting artists,sourcing better gear when suddenly…we had a show!

Artwork by Hannah “Catdroool” Sellers

It was a blast.

This is Emily! She took all the photos!
        Emily Madigan Photography

We’re keeping the name though.

The party was just getting started. We entered our 3rd year by going out into the public! 16 bands, permits, port-o-potties, and a dedicated staff of volunteers. All in the eye of some of Chicago’s worst weather of the summer.