Bonnie "Prince" Billy with The Cairo Gang and Eleventh Dream Day at Pritzker Pavilion | Live review and photo gallery

Downtown Sound: New Music Mondays returned on a humid May 23 night. The annual summer long concert series kicked off this year with headliners Bonnie Prince Billy ft. The Cairo Gang and Eleventh Dream Day. Downtown Sound, presented by the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events, is a free event held at the Pritzker Pavilion in the heart of Millennium Park featuring two artists every Monday night for ten weeks.

New Music Mondays launched with the smoldering melodies of the Chicago-associated alt-folk artist Bonnie “Prince” Billy, featuring The Cairo Gang. The two partnered earlier this spring to record the double track EP, The Wonder Show of The World, for Drag City Records. All of the proceeds from the EP benefit Edge Outreach, a non-profit organization that helps provide reliable drinking water for the citizens of Haiti.

Eleventh Dream Day, the four-piece band signed to Chicago-based Thrill Jockey Records, kicked things off. Indie rock veterans released their tenth and latest album, Riot Now, in mid-April of this year. 

Following Eleventh Dream Day's sunny afternoon set, Oldham thanked the Norse gods for the weather and the peaceful scene he was about to embrace with his melodies. As the sun began to set, the breeze rose inhaling the cheers of a now subdued audience. There were meanderings of subtle applause, although the highly riveting effects of Eleventh Dream Day's more aggro set had rockers paralyzed in a state of bliss. It was a perfect balance to launch the series.

Downtown Sound, complete lineup 5/23 through 6/25

May 30 at 6:30pm
Justin Townes Earle + Andre Williams and the Goldstars

June 6 at 6:30pm
Iron and Wine + The Head and the Heart

June 13 at 6:30pm
Phosphorescent + Campbell Brothers

June 20 at 6:30pm
Kings Go Forth + Ben L’Oncle Soul

June 27 at 6:30pm
Low + Glen Hansard

July 4 at 6:30pm
Seefeel + Cave

July 11 at 6:30pm
Delicate Steve + Bombino

July 18 at 6:30pm
Blonde Redhead + My Gold Mask

July 25 at 6:30pm
Ted Leo and the Pharmacists + Rachel Ries