Best Sets with Caroline Patton

This is Best Sets: A deep dive with some of your favorite people on their favorite concerts.

Caroline Patton is a live music entrepreneur and content creator, and the founder of the Chicago Show Calendar, highlighting concerts and music in Chicago and beyond. With almost 9 years of professional experience under her belt, she’s starting her new endeavor. That Dog Presents - a boutique event production & promotion company striving to create music events with a twist.

Three things Caroline wants you to know about her and life in general: 1) The Chicago Show Pals music community (the membership group she created as a way for live music lovers to connect easier) is the best thing she’s ever done for her career thus far. 2) Tennessee Mexican food is not Tex-Mex and its offensive to her if you think otherwise. 3) Her favorite photobooth in Chicago is at Charleston Bar and her favorite dirty martini in Chicago is at Club Lucky.

Look out for upcoming That Dog events, but until then, get put onto some new music...

1) What is the best set of live music you’ve ever seen? Miley Cyrus at Lollapalooza 2021. When I say I literally peed my pants a little bit when the guitar riff of 7 Things dropped I’m not kidding. She’s a 1/1 star the live set was everything I wanted and more.

2) Who is doing live music better than anyone right now? l just saw Masayoshi Takanaka and like holy shit. He never stopped playing for two hours straight, genuinely seemed excited to be there was so grateful, and was interacting with the crowd every step of the way. Plus, the merch is unmatched.

3) What is your favorite city to see live music in? Maybe I’m biased by definitely Chicago and I’ve actually heard multiple musicians back me up on this. If I had a second choice it would be Melbourne.

4) Who do you think should have more eyes on them but don’t? M.e.h. I don’t understand how she isn’t in larger spaces and in every conversation right now. The vocals, the aesthetic, its all star quality.

5) Who would you want to see live that you haven’t seen yet? Gorillaz & Phoenix. finally got Gorillaz tickets after wanting to see them since birth basically. Phoenix I had a chance to see and I didn’t go, I’ve thought about it many times sense and regretted it.

6) Is there a dream festival you’d like to attend one day? Basic answer is Glasto just because how is it not everyone’s answer? But also there’s this incredibly unique festival in England called End of the Road. The lineup is always great and from what I’ve heard it gives Glastonbury energy just way smaller and easier to get tickets.

7) What’s the best piece of concert merchandise that you own? This band TWEN used to buy up old plain t-shirts from the thrift store and screen print their own logo on it. Such a good idea. I have this black/white Adidas soccer kit from them. Its covered in stains and I still wear it.

8) Have you ever had an experience with someone you’re a stan of? I am in a magazine with the Jonas Brothers which is my claim to fame. I sent this picture to J14 on Myspace no less, and a few months later there I was. Poor me I really thought Kevin was going to fall in love with me that day.

9) What was your first concert? My first concert was 98 degrees but I truly barely remember it. The first concert that really made me go “woah I want to do this forever” was the Best of Both Worlds tour with Miley Cyrus (there is a theme here I suppose).

10) F***, Marry, Kill: the pit, the seated balcony, side stage? F*** the pit, marry the seated balcony, kill the side stage. I’ve never seen anyone looking like they’re having fun side stage ever. When I’ve been side stage I’m too scared to smile even its so overrated. When I’m there I feel like Meg Stalter saying get me outta here.

Caroline Patton calls Chicago, IL home. You can join the Chicago Show Pals membership community by clicking the link here.