Pitchfork

Each year the good people behind Chicago's venerable (and cozy!) Hideout-- whose own Tim Tuten has emceed both Pitchfork Music Festivals-- host a block-rockin' Block Party, and this year is no different. In 2006, they partnered with Touch and Go to celebrate both the label's 25th and the Party's 10th anniversaries, and the resulting, reunion-bolstered three-day bash made for one of the raddest concert experiences your humble reporter has had so far. This year it's back to two days, but there's still plenty to freak over.

For one, Hideout has booked-- yes-- those punny Brits Bloc Party to play their 11th annual Block Party (but you already knew that), going down September 7 and 8. And that ain't the half of it. Also onboard to charm kids gathered in a massive parking lot outside the Hideout: Art Brut, 2007 Pitchfork Fest champ Dan Deacon, Windy City whistler Andrew Bird, and Irish mainstays the Frames.

Other acts include Cass McCombs, Cinematics, Golden Horse Square Dance Band, and the increasingly raved about Mucca Pazza. The Chicago Short Film Brigade will provide some visual fare, and many more performers are expected to be announced soon.

Best of all, all fest ticket profits go to three Chicago-based organizations: Literacy Works, Tuesday's Child, and Thomas Drummond Elementary School's Campus Park Project.

Behold, the lineup thus far:

Friday, September 7
outside Hideout

Bloc Party
Cinematics

Saturday, September 8
outside Hideout

Andrew Bird
The Frames
Mucca Pazza
Golden Horse Square Dance Band
Art Brut
Cass McCombs
Dan Deacon
Chicago Short Film Brigade