Tom Lynch

Chicago has been bombarded with festivals this summer, as it usually is during these brief warm months, but this weekend’s Lollapalooza, the third time the fest’s called this city its lone home, is simply overwhelming. There have been some criticisms, of course—the three-day endeavor is very expensive as compared to the Pitchfork Music Festival or last weekend’s killer $5 Wicker Park Fest and, while the majority of the lineup shows a reasonable range of genres, the headlining slots have been given to rock ‘n’ roll dinosaurs, like this year’s Pearl Jam (who I actually appreciate), or, absolutely worse, last year’s Red Hot Chili Peppers. A little inventiveness would go a long way, but, hey, at least it’s not Dave Matthews Band.

But what’s good about this year’s marathon is really good, a mixture of proven live acts and up-and-comers that many have yet to experience in person, and if you’re into outdoor affairs, you can’t beat the setting. Here’s a run-through of this weekend’s highlights.

Friday

The first day—when eyes are as wide as the lake—begins at a ripe 11:15am, but local indie art-rock band Chin Up Chin Up plays at 1pm at the Citi Stage. Leader Jeremy Bolen’s poetics, mixed with the band’s increasing guitar-weave innovation, made last year’s "This Harness Can’t Ride Anything" an awe-inspiring record, one of the best local releases of 2006 for sure. One of the best live acts in America, best bands even, Ted Leo and the Pharmacists play strangely early as well, at 1:30pm at the MySpace stage. The indie-punk songwriting master Leo has struck gold multiple times, most recently on the excellent "Living with the Living," a political grilling that won’t be forgotten soon. The magical, bright goodness of The Polyphonic Spree sings its heart out at 2:30pm at the Bud Light stage and, immediately after at 3:30pm at the adidas stage, Mark Linkous and his pop-rock Sparklehorse sling their way through (last year’s "Dreamt for Light Years in the Belly of a Mountain" was lovely). The elusive Blonde Redhead, 5:30pm at the MySpace stage, is said to put on a fantastic show (I’ve never seen them), and the explosive and entertaining LCD Soundsystem should get the crowd amped at 7:30pm, at the same place. But the biggest of them all, perhaps the most anticipated show of all three days, on the AT&T stage at 8:30pm, is French house gods Daft Punk, who, as soon as it was announced the duo was playing, sent everyone into a chaotic frenzy. Reportedly, the recent shows have been legendary, so this could be a life-changer.

Saturday

Saturday, rife with set-time conflicts, doesn’t reach a must-see show until 3:30pm, when, on the PlayStation stage, Chicago’s Rhymefest gives his love to the blue-collar crowd. Unfortunately, The Roots (Bud Light stage) and Clap Your Hands Say Yeah (AT&T stage) go head-to-head at 4:30pm, so you have to choose one of these great live acts. Roky Erikson & The Explosives eat into that time as well over at the PlayStation stage, as the gifted, iconic songwriter shouldn’t be missed either. But, also at 5:30pm, at the MySpace stage, is the Brooklyn-based rock ‘n’ roll creation The Hold Steady, whose live show is impressive beyond reason (if you don’t have it, 2006’s "Boys and Girls in America" should be apprehended, now). The Yeah Yeah Yeahs fuzz and grind their way through indie-rock gems at 6:30pm at the AT&T stage, followed, at 6:30pm, by the opposing punk goddess Patti Smith and Austin’s indie-rock darlings Spoon, at the adidas stage and the MySpace stage, respectively. The evening caps off at the Bud Light stage at 8:30pm with New York’s post-punk devils Interpol, whose recent "Our Love to Admire," striking and assured, ranks well with the band’s already convincing catalogue.

Sunday

The best day for my money, Sunday’s fun kicks off with the rock of Juliette & The Licks at 11:30am at the adidas stage. The graceful chamber pop of The Postmarks (noon, PlayStation stage) and local cats The 1900s (noon, Citi stage) combat each other, followed a bit later by the smart, effective indie-pop sister duo Smoosh, at 1:45pm at the BMI stage. Chicago’s ambassador of food and liquor Lupe Fiasco battles the catchy Amy Winehouse at 2:15pm, at the AT&T stage and Bud Light stage, respectively, and Iggy and the Stooges control the late-afternoon at 4:15pm at the AT&T stage (prepare to dance). Then comes the landslide: Yo La Tengo (5:15pm, adidas stage), !!! (5:15pm, MySpace stage), Peter Bjorn and John (5pm, Citi stage), local indie-pop wonder Bound Stems (5:30pm, BMI stage), local DJ duo phenom Flosstradamus (6pm, MOTO Mindfield stage) and Modest Mouse (6:15pm, Bud Light stage) all play within the same time vicinity of each other, so choose carefully (I’m guessing the busiest pit will be for Peter Bjorn and John, but the best live band here is hands down Yo La Tengo). The eclectic tools of TV on the Radio come out to play at 7:15pm on the MySpace stage, and, of course, at 8pm on the AT&T stage, the festival’s closing pitcher, Seattle’s grunge gods Pearl Jam, finish off the long, hard, hopefully not-too-hot weekend.

Lollapalooza happens in Grant Park’s Hutchinson Field, and its surrounding areas, August 3-5. For tickets, visit www.lollapalooza.com.

(2007-07-31)

Also by Tom Lynch

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When the idea arose that I scavenge the city to find adventurous beer concoctions, I cringed. I don’t do new things very well. I’m a member of that crowd who will try anything, just as long as we’ve tried it before and liked it. But, I thought, what the hell—I’ll just make someone come with me, so I won’t puke alone
(2007-07-24)

Bright Lights, Big City
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Tip of the Week
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Tip of the Week
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Tip of the Week
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