Lollapalooza Roundup: Day Two
It wouldn’t be a summer festival without controversy, blood, and anarchy. As the second day of Lollapalooza came to a close, there couldn’t have been a more stark contrast between the two main stages opposite field in Grant Park. On one end, hometown heroes Wilco played an ala nude suit wearing set that included ‘It’s Just That Simple’ and a dripping ‘Impossible Germany’ only matched by the closing frenzy of ‘Outtasite (Outta Mind)’. All was right in the world. On the converse, Zack de la Rocha with Tom Morello and their reunited Rage Against the Machine had to deal with shoddy security and a crowd taking advantage of such. When a C3 staffer decided to offset the proficiency of their hired security guards for the event, the crowd was able to rush to the stage. Depending on who you talk to, you get a slew of erroneous reenactments. The crowd, contrary to many reports, did not break down the barricades. The security did nothing to enrage an already raucous crowd only fueled by the anger of de la Rocha’s lyrical growls. It was simply a compound of events unfortunately. The band urged the fans to calm down or they would have to stop the set short.
But earlier performances that day lived up to their billed hype. Explosions in the Sky was an experience in the warm sun as the band seemingly reached for such with their crashing builds and careening guitar wails. Okkervil River led by Will Sheff had one of the strongest sing-a-longs we’ve ever witnessed by a fanbase making us fuzzy and affectionate all over. House beat underdogs Booka Shade made the overcrowded MGMT stage look like sheep as they strode through some of the most danceable hooks and beats blared.
Lupe Fiasco was tighter this year than in both his previous showings at Grant Park. With a fuller sound that included a rich drum line, the Chicago native and once Kanye West protégé opened with ‘Kick, Push’ and never looked back. Sporting a three-piece white suit, the boy looked like a man on stage backed by an impressive gospel choir.
Despite the inevitable controversy that will emerge from the nights closing moments, day two of the weekend event trumped much of the soggy heat of the first in both music and comfort. Twice as crowded but equally inspiring with its matched lineup, this was what fans of the storied event were waiting for.
