 | ||
Similar ¡Globalquerque!, Shakori Hills Grassroot, Old Settler's Music Fe, 80/35 Music Festival, Athfest Profiles | ||
Northwestern university dillo day 2015
Dillo Day is an annual all-day music festival at Northwestern University that takes place on the last Saturday of May at the Lakefill. Begun in 1972, it is organized by the Mayfest student group and is the largest completely student-run festival of its kind.
Contents
N e r d soldier at northwestern dillo day fest 09
History
The festival has its roots in May Day, or Mayfete. Mayfete was a time when students would celebrate the "renunciation of the May Queen of the temporal world for a spiritual one," according to a 1951 history of the event. Although little is known about the early days, May Day was originally a celebration of the women of Northwestern. The crowning of the May Queen was the central event, and the pomp included a Maypole dance and cotillion. May Day expanded to May Week in 1946 to accommodate a women's sing, men's sing, and an honors ceremony.
Armadillo Day began in 1972. In 1981 the A&O board first produced a free two day outdoor concert event to coincide with Armadillo Day, featuring rockabilly revivalist Robert Gordon on Friday, and blues legend Muddy Waters on Saturday. The all-day Saturday concert event on the shores of Lake Michigan has continued the tradition of presenting major industry artists. Food trucks and a "Dillo Village" surround the two stages. Northwestern University lists Dillo Day as one of its most notable traditions.
2016 lineup
Main Stage
WNUR Stage
Past lineups
2015 (Note: Dillo Day was canceled in 2015 due to high winds.)
Main Stage
WNUR Stage
2014
Main Stage
IndieU Stage presented by WNUR
2013
2012
2011
2010
2009
2008
Past headlining bands include The Roots, Cake, and Lupe Fiasco in 2007, and Robert Randolph and the Family Band and Ben Folds in 2006. Performers from previous years include George Clinton, Yellowman, Third World, The Wailers, The Crystal Method, Outkast, and Bela Fleck and the Flecktones.
Legacy
Stephen Colbert mentioned Dillo Day at his 2011 Northwestern University commencement speech (Northwestern is Colbert's alma mater, where he was a theater major in the 1980s).