Performances By

For Chicago-bred T1 Fest, the idea that music can save lives is not just a philosophy – it’s an all-out mission. The annual event, which celebrates its 5th anniversary in 2024, began as a way to bring awareness to and critical funding for Type 1 Diabetes, a condition that affects 2 million Americans including 304,000 children, according to the American Diabetes Association.

“We wanted to use the power of music and community to one day find a cure,” says Jim Costanzo who, along with Joe Inglima founded the punk/pop-punk/indie-rock festival in 2019 after Inglima’s son was diagnosed with the serious condition at age three. The co-founders are also venerable punk rockers in the Chicago music scene, and active members of Capgun Heroes who play T1 Festival every year.

In addition to their own act, the 2024 lineup – on Thursday, October 10 through Saturday, October 12 at Reggies – also includes performances from Sludgeworth, Guttermouth, Diesel Boy, Kepi Ghoulie, The Jason’s, Violets (featuring members of The Methadones and Naked Raygun), The Bollweevils and more.

Past performers have included The Smoking Popes, 88 Fingers Louie, The Vandoliers, The Lillingtons, Brendan Kelly of The Lawrence Arms and others. Pinnacle moments have included bringing nerdcore legends Nerf Herder back to Chicago for the first time in 17 years as well as reuniting legendary Chicago band The Methadones for their first gig in five years. In 2023, T1 Fest was also nominated in Chicago Reader's annual Best Of Issue in the category of Best Music Festival.

“Every year, our goal is to book the very best lineup and bring people out,” says Costanzo. “We are friends with most of the bands who play the fest, and many have family members or ties to Type 1 Diabetes, including The Smoking Popes, The Brokedowns and Poli Van Dam, to name a few.”

Proceeds each year of T1 Fest (including $10,000 raised in the inaugural year alone) go to various organizations working on research towards a cure. The event also hosts an online auction and has a yearly T-shirt design for sale. This year, in honor of the 5th anniversary, “We will be pressing a compilation record on vinyl that will be available,” says Costanzo.

Heading into the future of the event, it’s all about building momentum, he says. “In 2023, we expanded to three full days and added a live stream that was watched all over the world. … It is possible that we would look to do additional fest in other cities,” Costanzo shares, adding, “By fostering a sense of community, we seek to uplift, educate and empower fans to become advocates for change. We really want to spread the word about Type 1 Diabetes, to one day find a cure, and help people get access to the resources they need to live and survive.”