Lollapalooza Roundup: Day One
What can you say about the aged and sometimes reinvigorated three day mosh posh of live music that is Lollapalooza? Cry what you will: retread, mainstream, avant-garde, capitalistic - it’s often times groundbreaking moments are what make the event such a trouble-free mark. Each year it defies the critics by coming off virtual life support and ages gracefully with its ability to get acts that are both radio and underground. This year’s incarnation will surely draw all of these contrasts and more.
But it’s the surreal moments for young acts yet to break that truly make the event such a marvel. From the love struck music story of Nashville based pop duo outfit Magic Wands to the cusp of breaking sounds of Atlanta’s Manchester Orchestra and their hard hitting indie rock that continues to impress us. Strong sets by The Parlor Mob, Louis XIV, Grizzly Bear, and The Cool Kids will surely be flashes in most musical deaf-ear pans. But for those who know, these were moments of bliss sadly overshadowed by bigger names like Radiohead and The Raconteurs (who for the record deserve their own praise this weekend).
Energy driven The Go! Team was perhaps the highlight of a sweltering day in Grant Park. Their emotional squadron sound of googaplex cheerleading monstrosity proportions was everything fans of could hope for. Even despite the blasting of their latest Donkey (we’ll admit - we were one of them), Brazilian based CSS continue to prove they are one hell of an amazing dance act that can even make the aforementioned efforts swell with new life.
The Enemy UK for all their hype was a bit disappointing as were The Black Keys when compared to last year’s dirty Southern show stopper set. Drum and keys Mates of State sounded off which is crazy considering their long rich history together as a couple. Trouble on the homefront or just audio complications? Stephen Malkmus shared similar issues but continued to hone in on his post Pavement manipulations with mixed results.
Lollapalooza has yet to have that electricity it did last year. Perhaps it’s the feeling of ‘been there-done that’ since many of the artists are simply reinventing the wheel with a second appearance in Chicago’s famed event (read: Gnarls Barkly, Kanye West, The Black Keys, et al). Or perhaps it’s the lack of hipster supported groups strangely omitted from the bill. Is Perry Farrell losing touch with today’s music scene? Doubtful. Call the awkward gangly Jane’s Addiction frontman what you will, but he knows music for better or worse. Maybe the audience is losing interest in today’s music. Too bad, because there’s oceans out there if they were willing to support them. Maybe next year Lollapalooza will carry the torch and do the same.
