Food Aid 2025: Two Nights of Cracker

WBEZ is proud to partner with Robert’s Westside for the fourth annual Food Aid Festival, a two-day musical celebration addressing food insecurity in Chicago’s Westside communities and neighboring suburbs.

Food Aid’s mission is to prevent individuals and their families from experiencing hunger. We believe that food insecurity should not exist, as the right to food is a human right. Through music and entertainment, Food Aid will serve as an important funding source for interconnected community organizations and initiatives aimed at addressing food insecurity.

Proceeds from this event will benefit A House In Austin, Austin Eats Initiative, Best Of Proviso Township, Beyond Hunger, the Oak Park Community Fridges and Westchester Food Pantry.

This year’s festival will take place at Robert’s Westside in Forest Park, IL, just down the street from this year’s Food Aid Block Party hosted by O’Sullivan’s Pub on Saturday, August 23rd.

Cracker headlines Day 1 of the festival. Cracker has been described as a lot of things over the years: alt-rock, Americana, insurgent-country — and have even had the terms punk and classic-rock thrown at them. But more than anything, Cracker are survivors. Co-founders Lowery and Hickman have been at it for almost a quarter of a century – amassing ten studio albums, multiple gold records, thousands of live performances, hit songs that are still in current radio rotation around the globe (“Low,” “Euro-Trash Girl,” “Get Off This” and “Turn On, Tune In, Drop Out With Me” to name just a few) and a worldwide fan base.

Rounding out Day 1 is Chicago’s The Shams Band, self-described as “rock ‘n roll with a banjo.” The Shams Band create whiskey-driven blues, complete with four-part harmonies.

Cracker returns for Day 2, supported by Chicago-based Americana artist, Rachel Swain. Hailing from Austin, Texas, Rachel has blended her country, bluegrass and soul influences over the course of two decades in the Americana scene, producing projects ranging from indie rock to 60s french pop.

Join us as we work to eliminate food insecurity through the power of music & conversation. More information at foodaidfestival.com

Tickets for Day 1

Tickets for Day 2

General Admission/SRO: $50 + Service Fees
Reserved Table + GA: $60 Per Seat + Service Fees
(Sold in groups of 4, General Admission included)

General Admission tickets do not include reserved seating. There will be limited GA seating available for the concert and it will be first come, first served. If you need a seat, please purchase reserved seating.

NO REFUNDS