Looking Ahead • Stefan Ponce & Ryan Hemsworth @ Lincoln Hall 10/29
It took a couple of years, but lately, it seems that on a nearly weekly basis we have an act from our buzzing scene here in Chicago. Whether joining a nationally-known act for a show, tour, song announcement, or whatever in between, that trend continues this Thursday as local beatsmith Stefan Ponce joins electronic heavyweight Ryan Hemsworth for a show at Lincoln Hall.
The show comes during a year that has seen Ponce take marked steps forward in his own personal branding and artistry that has seen his profile raise almost as high as his patented (and recently snipped) haircut throughout 2015. His monthly 'Stefan Ponce & Friends' party at East Room has grown into one of the city's best and even went on the road, performing the collective at Bottom Lounge and Soho House along with a set at this year's North Coast Music Festival. Oh yeah, and he had that production credit on Kanye West and Vic Mensa's "U Mad".
Needless to say, it's been a big year for one of our favorite acts who's been grinding around Chicago since he was in high school. At this point, Ponce deserves his shine in the spotlight and finds it at Lincoln Hall on Friday where he'll be looking to double down on the crowds familiarity with him and his work.
"I'm looking forward to looking very semi attractive, like an approachable attractive, the kind you see at a friend's birthday party on stage at one of my favorite venues in the city," said Ponce. "I have a couple special guests coming to join me as always. Hopefully, they don't outshine my mediocre attractive self."
Forever humble, Ponce's set at Lincoln Hall tomorrow won't be one you want to miss and serves as a prelude to much more excitement coming from the DJ/producer before 2016 hits.