Ravinia 2024 Issue 1

PAVILION 8:00 PM FRIDAY, JUNE 21, 2024 VIOLENT FEMMES † with the CHICAGO PHILHARMONIC STUART CHAFETZ, conductor † DJ Greg Corner –Intermission– Violent Femmes with the Chicago Philharmonic perform their debut album † Ravinia debut PAVILION 7:00 PM SATURDAY, JUNE 22, 2024 LITTLE FEAT and LOS LOBOS Los Lobos –Intermission– Little Feat VIOLENT FEMMES Vi o l e n t F emme s formed in 1981 as an acoustic punk band playing on the streets of Milwaukee, WI. Their main influences at that time were Gene Vin- cent & the Blue Caps and The Velvet Under- ground. After being rejected for an audition by a local nightclub, the Femmes set up outside a Pretenders gig—lead sing- er Chrissie Hynde overheard and asked them to open that night’s show, which gave the young band a publicity boost and caught the attention of Richard Hell, who invited the Femmes to open for him in NYC. A rave review in the New York Times eventually led to a record deal and, in turn, worldwide touring. Violent Femmes’ eponymous debut album became the first and only album in Billboard history to enter the charts with a platinum certification—eight years after its release. Over the ensuing three decades, the Femmes became a mainstay of festivals, clubs, and theaters in more than 20 countries. Their raw sound and lyrical perspective has been cited as an influence by artists as diverse as Pink, Keith Urban, The Smiths, The Pixies, John Cusack, Mark Morris, and Wim Wenders. More than 40 years into their careers, Violent Femmes continue to attract young audiences on tour, create lasting music, and inspire people of all ages. RAVINIA.ORG  • RAVINIAMAGAZINE 77