Spring Awakening: A Photo Diary

  Addams/Medill Park. June 9 through 11, 2017. This was my fourth year attending Spring Awakening Music Festival, and I've seen the festival progress to what it is now. To some, it may be quite shocking that it's still going. With the complications of last year and the drastic change in venue, many may have thought it wasn't going to survive. However, leave it to React Presents to land a stellar lineup in order to remind the audience that SAMF is not going anywhere. Legendary artists chose this festival. Names like Datsik, Gorgon City, Alesso, Martin Garrix, Marshmello, Armin Van Buuren, and Paul Van Dyk are some that always make headlines. But SAMF always takes a moment to look at up-and-coming artists like Mielo, Ratanjit Gupta, and Inzo. Not many festivals do that; you can go exploring all day. This year, I decided to look at the festival a little differently. With artists like these, there will always be vast, epic photos. But this time, I chose to look at the small moments. The smiles. The feelings. The color. The love and energy that Chicago has. 'Cause at the end of the day, we are all we need.