Dillo Day


Dillo Day is an annual all-day music festival at Northwestern University that takes place at the end of May or beginning of June on the Lakefill. Initiated in 1972, it is organized by Mayfest Productions, a Northwestern student group, and is the largest completely student-run festival of its kind.

History

The festival has its roots in May Day, or Mayfete. Mayfete was a time when students would celebrate the "renunciation of the May Queen of the temporal world for a spiritual one," according to a 1951 history of the event. Although little is known about the early days, May Day was originally a celebration of the women of Northwestern. The crowning of the May Queen was the central event, and the pomp included a Maypole dance and cotillion. May Day expanded to May Week in 1946 to accommodate a women's sing, men's sing, and an honors ceremony.
Armadillo Day began in 1972. In 1981 the A&O board first produced a free two day outdoor concert event to coincide with Armadillo Day, featuring rockabilly revivalist Robert Gordon on Friday, and blues legend Muddy Waters on Saturday. The all-day Saturday concert event on the shores of Lake Michigan has continued the tradition of presenting major industry artists. Food trucks and a "Dillo Village" surround the two stages. Northwestern University lists Dillo Day as one of its most notable traditions.
On May 30th, 2020, Mayfest Productions hosted Digital Dillo, a virtual replacement for the annual music festival. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Dillo Day would not have been able to take place in an in-person format. As an alternative, students received a link to a livestream on which they could watch live performances and Q&A sessions with the artists. The virtual lineup included Rico Nasty, Jai Wolf, and The Regrettes.

2018 lineup

Student Acts:
Main Stage
WNUR x Nongshim Stage
Student Acts
Main Stage
WNUR Stage
2015
Main Stage
WNUR Stage
2014
Main Stage
IndieU Stage presented by WNUR
2013
2012
2011
2010
2009
2008
Past headlining bands include The Roots, Cake, and Lupe Fiasco in 2007, and Robert Randolph and the Family Band and Ben Folds in 2006. Performers from previous years include George Clinton, Yellowman, Third World, The Wailers, The Crystal Method, Outkast, and Bela Fleck and the Flecktones.

Legacy

Stephen Colbert mentioned Dillo Day at his 2011 Northwestern University commencement speech.