On a gloomy Sunday and just a week away from the Riot Fest music festival, the rock band LARGEMOUTH came together to rehearse at their studio and rehearsal space at Santopoalo Ranch in Rockton, Illinois.
Inside the small green and black garage, the sound of guitars and drums seeped through the walls as the ranch’s dogs ran around outside. With masking tape covering the window to keep out light, the young artists gave it their all, rehearsing on a giant red carpet. Retro signage lined the walls while fans, equipment, and instruments were spread out across the room. Above them, LED stage lights flooded the room as the band rehearsed for their Riot Fest debut.
Last month, LARGEMOUTH won the community band competition hosted in Douglass Park at the End of Summer Celebration, earning them a spot on the Riot Fest stage, an attainment they did not see themselves reaching this early in their band’s career.
LARGEMOUTH will be the youngest rock band to perform at Riot Fest. The band, made up of musicians across Chicago and Northern Illinois, consists of brothers Jeremy Abarca, 16, bassist and backup vocalist; Jorgie Santopoalo, 16, lead vocalist and guitarist; and Oliver Santopoalo “Ollie”, 11, drummer and backup vocalist. The band also includes the brothers’ close friends Oliver Mendoza, 16, percussionist, and Diangelo Esquivel, 18, second rhythm guitar…