This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.

Community Corner

The History of Rock continues at Naper Nights Aug. 23-24

Four bands, two great nights of music

 The musical journey through the “History of Rock” continues during the Naper Nights Community Concert Series, presented by Sikich, on Friday and Saturday, Aug. 23-24 at Naper Settlement, 523 S. Webster St., Naperville. Gates open at 5 p.m.

Friday night’s theme is the stadium rock of the 1980s featuring Michael McDermott and the Duke Street Kings performing a tribute to Bruce Springsteen.

Find out what's happening in Napervillewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

“We’ve designed a set of what I’d want to hear at a Bruce show, some deeper tracks and some of the most well known music as well,” McDermott said. “From as early as my first record, whether it was MTV or Rolling Stone, I’ve been compared to Bruce. Once or twice a year, we dust off the Bruce tunes and have some fun.”

Chicago native McDermott said that Springsteen has always been an influence. In 1994, McDermott met the famous rocker in New York City.

Find out what's happening in Napervillewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

“He told me he had read an article about me and congratulated me because it was in the New York Times,” McDermott said. “I told him, ‘If it wasn’t for you, I wouldn’t even be here.’”  

Friday’s opening act The Gecko Club has been playing in the Chicago area since 2004. Their tagline is “guitar-pop for a world gone mad,” which front man Andrew Huber says is power-pop on steroids with big melody, big guitar, vocal harmonies and a few twists thrown in for good measure. He said the band has a great set lined up including songs from Toad the Wet Sprocket, Gin Blossoms, Cheap Trick and many more. 

“We feel we can safely bank that everyone in the audience for our set will have at least one ‘oh my gosh –I love that song!’ moment,” Huber said. 

Named after a hit song by the Dave Matthews Band, Chicago’s Trippin Billies have been performing Matthews’ music for almost 20 years. The band is Saturday night's headliner.

“A big shout out and thanks to the Naperville community for having us,” said lead singer Grant Chinouth. “It’s always nice to play close to home and for a crowd that might be new to us.”  

He said when the Dave Matthews Band started in 1991, there was nothing like it.

“They were innovative, yet nostalgic to the Grateful Dead days and that type of concert experience,” Chinouth said. “I think their timelessness and the aura that surrounds their shows is the very reason we started Trippin Billies over 15 years ago.”

Saturday’s opening act The Mars Light will be paying tribute to the early jam-band pioneers, including the Grateful Dead, Allman Brothers, Jefferson Airplane and Traffic. 

Throughout the two evenings, Hugo’s Frog Bar and Fish House is featuring a Taste of Naperville with some of their specialties including filet sliders, crab cakes, shrimp cocktail, mini burgers, mac and cheese and carrot cake cupcakes. Wente Family Vineyards, Naper Settlement’s exclusive wine partner for 2013, will be offering six wines. Euclid Beverage, an event sponsor, is providing the cold beer. Pepsi products and water also will be available for purchase.  

Thanks to the generosity of Miller/Coors, taxi vouchers will be available for each concert evening. The vouchers have a $10 value good towards taxi fares with Flash Cab and 303 Taxi. Millers/Coors and Naper Settlement encourage everyone to plan ahead and drink responsibly. 

During the intermissions, attendees will be encouraged to form teams and answer rock music trivia questions via live social media. Top teams will receive prizes and the winning team or individual will be named the champion of the Naper Nights History of Rock Trivia Challenge.

Tickets for Friday’s concert are $10 adult/senior (13+) and $5 youth (ages 4-12). Saturday concerts are $15 adult/senior (13+) and $10 youth (ages 4-12). Under 4 years of age, Season Pass holders and Naperville Heritage Society members are free. No outside food or beverages are allowed. For more information, visit www.napernights.com.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

The views expressed in this post are the author's own. Want to post on Patch?