'Like Getting Paid to Party': The Life of Cover Bands on the Chicago Festival Circuit

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

When summer hits, local cover bands are busy working Chicago's street festivals. It's not a national tour, but it's still a lot of work.

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

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 festiva…