Lollapalooza Preview: Day One

Posted by Wade_County | 0 comments

Every year, in the dead of summer, thousands of wild-eyed lunatics spend an entire weekend in downtown Chicago living vicariously through their rock star role models: thrashing, convulsing and chanting drunken obscenities at friends and strangers alike. Many of these people even do this at Grant Park, for the annual Lollapalooza music festival. This year (much like 2008) is front-loaded with star power, with megastar Lady Gaga, legendary grunge rockers Soundgarden and current media darlings Phoenix all bearing the distinction of headliners for this year’s event. Day 1 is packed with promise, featuring a plethora of great bands worth checking out, culminating in a dreamy dusk showdown between the aforementioned pop princess and The Strokes.

Worth Checking Out On Day 1:

Keep in mind, there is plenty to see in between. This is really just a grab bag of acts worth catching. Although to play at a festival like this, I’d like to think they all are.

B.o.B. (11:30a – Adidas Stage) – How he ends up playing before noon is a mystery to me. Those willing to brave the early sun and start time are in for one of the few hip hop delights Lolla has to offer.

Wavves (12:15p – Budweiser Stage) – It’s past noon, so it’s perfectly okay to enjoy your choice of adult beverages for this one. The smashing of said beverage’s glass container on the forehead of adjacent person is up for debate. (I’m not even sure if the lead singer is old enough to buy his own Milwaukee’s Best).

Peanut Butter Wolf (3:15p – Perry’s) – Vintage 90′s Stones Throw rap nostalgia. It’s as fun as it sounds and I’m not being an asshole about it.

The New Pornographers (4:00p – Budweiser Stage) – My only hope is that they draw a crowd far superior to the zombie funeral homes I’ve seen on YouTube for their shows. How can you not get excited for “Mass Romantic”? Seriously!

Matt & Kim (5:00p – Adidas Stage) – My friend Gabe says they are a great deal of fun to watch live. Gabe is what most would deem to be of above average intelligence. I trust Gabe. I will probably watch Matt & Kim. I probably won’t just stay for “Daylight” and then leave, either. Probably.

The Strokes (8:00p – Budweiser Stage) – On hiatus for a while, with only an interesting (albeit uneven) Julian Casablancas solo joint to satiate the hunger of their rabid fans. Their new album reportedly drops in March 2011, and so one can hope for a new song or two to show up on the set list. At the very least, you can hope for a spazzed out demolition of “Take It Or Leave It”. And if you don’t get it then, just look back on this and sigh:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=csD4ZgMPgvg