Lollapalooza's must-see bands: An hour-by-hour guide to 3 days of music
Lollapalooza: More than 130 bands and artists on eight stages play 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Friday-Sunday in Grant Park, $90 per day ($215 three-day pass); lollapalooza.com.
FRIDAY
11 a.m.Don’t miss
B.O.B. (11:30 a.m., Adidas Mega): Blink and you’ll miss it – North Carolina MC Bobby Ray Simmons is not only one of the few hip-hop acts on the bill, but also one of the few to score a No. 1 hit with “Nothin’ on You.”
Catch if you can
These United States (11:15 a.m., BMI): Roots-rockers from Kentucky imbue their retro twang and gospel leanings with psychedelic atmosphere.
Noon:
Don’t miss
Balkan Beat Box (12:15 p.m., Parkways): The Israeli group, a spinoff of Gogol Bordello, uses ethnic music from the Mediterranean and Balkans as fodder for hip-hop, dub reggae and punk.
Catch if you can
The Ettes (12:30 p.m., BMI): Co-ed Nashville quartet keeps it simple, elemental, jacking sounds from early punk, the rawer fringe of country and ‘60s rock.
1 p.m.
Don’t miss
Los Amigos Invisibles (1 p.m., Playstation): Dance party is guaranteed when this Venezuelan outfit breaks out its globe-spanning mix of club music.
Catch if you can
Jukebox the Ghost (1:45 p.m., BMI): Philadelphia trio can get precious, but delivers catchy, keyboard-driven melodies with clever vocals.
2 p.m.
Don’t miss
Mavis Staples (2 p.m., Budweiser): Martin Luther King’s favorite singer deserves her own festival; you will hear no more powerful or moving voice all weekend.
Catch if you can
Raphael Saadiq (2p.m., Parkways): Absurd of promoters to make soul-music fans have to choose between Staples and the suave ex-Tony! Toni! Tone! crooner.
3 p.m.
Don’t miss
Drive By Truckers (3 p.m., Playstation): It’ll seem weird to see these hard-rocking, hard-drinking night owls at midafternoon, but their gritty songs should still connect.
Catch if you can
The Big Pink (3 p.m., adidas MEGA): Brit electro-rock duo of Robbie Furze and Milo Cordell scored indie hit with “Dominoes.”
4 p.m.
Don’t miss
Devo (4 p.m., Parkways): In the legendary-godfathers-of-punk category (occupied at previous Lollapaloozas by Lou Reed and Iggy Pop), the kings of de-evolutionary new-wave will twitch away while wearing flower pots.
Catch if you can
New Pornographers (4 p.m., Budweiser): Bursting with spinoff projects, solo albums and five good to great band albums, the New Pornographers are the Wu Tang Clan of indie rock.
5 p.m.
Don’t miss
(Expletive) Buttons (5 p.m., Sony bloggie): British twosome Andrew Hung and Benjamin John mix the playful and the abrasive on an array of cheap keyboards.
Catch if you can
Matt & Kim (5 p.m., Adidas Mega): By this point in the day, you’ll need a shot of caffeinated exuberance. Matt Johnson (vocals/keyboards) and Kim Schifino (drums/vocals) should provide.
6 p.m.
Don’t miss
Jamie Lidell (6:30 p.m., Sony bloggie): The Brit singer’s sets go from one-man-band electro assaults to full-on soul-revival work-outs.
Catch if you can
The Black Keys (6 p.m., Budweiser): Dan Auerbach and Pat Kearney have added two musicians to their touring lineup, which should amp up their already formidable blues-rock stomp.
7 p.m.
Don’t miss
Jimmy Cliff (7:15 p.m., Playstation): Even before Bob Marley popularized reggae outside Jamaica, this plaintive singer was paving the way for the music in America with his extraordinary acting and singing in “The Harder They Come” movie and soundtrack.
Catch if you can
Chromeo (7 p.m., adidas Mega): Itching to hear a talk-box solo? Montreal electro-funk duo P-Thugg and Dave 1 is the act most likely to give you one.
8 p.m.
Don’t miss
Lady Gaga (8 p.m., Parkways): By now it seems everyone’s got their mind made up about this pop provocateur, and the live spectacle is sure to polarize everyone even further.
Catch if you can:
Strokes (8:30 p.m., Budweiser): The quartet’s fourth studio album and first since 2006 is still a rumor, and this set will go a long way toward quelling – or fueling – doubts about the band’s future.
SATURDAY
11 a.m.
Don’t miss:
The Kissaway Trail (11:45 a.m., Playstation): Atmospheric guitar rock from Danish quintet.
Catch if you can:
My Name is John Michael (11:15 a.m., BMI) The bedroom solo project that turned into a band. John Michael Rouchell set out to write a song a week in 2007, and now finds himself in a six-piece orchestral-pop group.
Noon
Don’t miss:
The Morning Benders (Noon, Sony bloggie): California folk-rock with intriguing pedigree, including a deal with the revered Rough Trade label and production by Grizzly Bear’s Chris Taylor.
Catch if you can:
Only Children (Noon, Perry’s): Chicago DJ collective of Dino Balocchi, Chris Baronner, Jesse Hozeny and Mcrae Reed.
1 p.m.
Don’t miss
Harlem (1 p.m., Sony bloggie): Scrappy, sinewy, Southern-fried garage-rock from Austin, Texas.
Catch if you can
Wild Beasts (1:15 p.m., Playstation): Falsetto alert. Quartet is getting big U.K. buzz with wispy guitar-pop melodies.
2 p.m.
Don’t miss
Warpaint (2:15 p.m., Sony bloggie): Los Angeles quartet of Jenny Lee Lindberg (bass), Emily Kokal and Theresa Wayman (guitars), and Stella Mozgawa (drums) builds hypnotic atmosphere around emotive vocals.
Catch if you can
Against Me! (2:45 p.m., Adidas Mega): You want subtlety? You won’t find it here. The new single from this longtime Florida agit-punk band is “I Was a Teenage Anarchist.”
3 p.m.
Don’t miss
The xx (3:15 p.m., Playstation): The self-effacing Brit trio should be playing in a basement with all the lights turned low, where their sparse, intimate songs can send chills down your spine. But here they are on a big stage in the middle of the day – can they make it work?
Catch if you can
Gogol Bordello (3:45 p.m., Parkways): Multilingual, multicultural world-music flavors whipped together into a gypsy-punk celebration.
4 p.m.
Don’t miss
JP, Chrissie and the Fairground Boys (4:15 p.m., Kidzapalooza): Chrissie Hynde of the Pretenders unveils her new band with U.K. singer-songwriter J.P. Jones. Don’t know how these songs about unrequited love between an older woman and a younger man will go down with the kids, though.
Catch if you can
Royal Bangs (4:15 p.m., BMI): Catchy hooks lurk within the thick, tail-shaking bottom end thrown up by this Tennessee trio.
5 p.m.
Don’t miss
Metric (5:15 p.m., Playstation): Singer Emily Haines should have the crowd jumping with her band’s rousing guitar-rock spritzed with new-wave keyboards.
Catch if you can:
Deer Tick (5 p.m., Sony bloggie): John McCauley’s gravel-coated voice suits his band’s rough amalgamation of folk, blues and grunge.
6 p.m.
Don’t miss
Spoon (6:30 p.m., Budweiser): The esteemed quartet played a sonically bedeviled set at the Aragon a few months ago. Bet singer Britt Daniel hasn’t forgotten and will try to make up for it.
Catch if you can
Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeroes (6:30 p.m., Sony bloggie): Hippies on parade. If you’ve seen a certain car ad, you’ve probably already got the song “Janglin” from this shaggy folk-rock collective stuck in your head.
7 p.m.
Don’t miss
Cut Copy (7:30 p.m., Playstation): Australia’s Dan Whitford has turned his homemade electro-pop confections into a potent live act over the last decade; he’s at work on a third studio album, expected out in 2011, so some new tracks may surface in his trio’s set.
Catch if you can
Rusko (7:30 p.m., Perry’s): Christopher Mercer rules the dub-step scene in the U.K. clubs, and the success of “Cockney Thug” has prompted his first U.S. tour.
8 p.m.
Don’t miss
Phoenix (8:30 p.m., Budweiser): The French popsters have been making strong albums for a decade and have figured out how to make their pop tunes work in arenas. Their set should be well-timed to hear “Love Like a Sunset” as dusk settles over the Chicago skyline.
Catch if you can
Green Day (7:45 p.m., Parkways): The once bratty little pop-punk trio is all grown up, with a Broadway hit to its credit. It’s a long way from the Gilman Street clubs.
SUNDAY
11 a.m.
Don’t miss:
Health (11:30 a.m., Adidas Mega): The Los Angeles quartet can bring the noise with the best of them, but their electro-skronk is tempered by cool textures and sneaky strong melodies.
Catch if you can
Dani Deahl (11:15 a.m., Perry’s): Chicago DJ runs the mix-tape blog D Squared.
Noon
Don’t miss
Nneka (12:15 p.m., Parkways): Nigerian-German artist with fiery, politically charged lyrics delivered with a hip-hop cadence over rolling reggae grooves.
Catch if you can:
The Antlers (12:15 p.m., Budweiser): Peter Silberman has the kind of high, lonesome voice that could translate beautifully in the great outdoors.
1 p.m.
Don’t miss:
The Dodos (1 p.m., Playstation): Evading snoozy, folk-rock stereotypes, this trio weaves enchanting, vibraphone-enhanced rhythms through its songs.
Catch if you can:
Didi Gutman (1:30 p.m., Perry’s): Given the frisky eclecticism of his band, Brazilian Girls, Gutman is sure to bring some world-music flair to his DJ set.
2 p.m.
Don’t miss:
Blitzen Trapper (2 p.m., Budweiser): The Portland indie rockers update Old West narrative, hippie idealism and the folk storytelling tradition.
Catch if you can:
The Ike Reilly Assassination (2:15 p.m., Sony Bloggie): Hard-strumming folk songs played with punk-rock force and the verbal agility of a hip-hop MC.
3 p.m.
Don’t miss
Minus the Bear (3 p.m., Adidas Mega): There’s not much for progressive-rock fans at this year’s Lolla, but the intricately constructed songs of this Seattle combo might qualify.
Catch if you can:
Thenewno2 (3:30 p.m., Kidzapalooza): The band led by Dhani Harrison (yes, George’s son) played a fine set at last year’s festival. What’ll they cook up for the kids?
4 p.m.
Don’t miss
Yeasayer (4 p.m., Budweiser): The stadium-worthy choruses on the trio’s latest album, “Odd Blood,” should click on the big stage.
Catch if you can
X Japan (4 p.m., Parkways): With its penchant for florid metal, power ballads and outrageous visuals, this Japanese quartet has sold over 20 million albums since 1982. They’re appearing in the U.S. for the first time.
5 p.m.
Don’t miss
Erykah Badu (5 p.m., Adidas Mega): The singer bridged the gap between hip-hop and soul in the late ‘90s, and since has worked through a darker, spookier, more adventurous series of albums with even more entrancing results.
Catch if you can:
Frightened Rabbit (5 p.m., Sony Bloggie): Need to mainline some musical passion? This Scottish trio will shout cathartic lyrics until their voices break and scrub their guitars until they crack.
6 p.m.
Don’t miss:
MGMT (6 p.m., Budweiser): I’m in the minority, but I actually prefer the synth-rock duo’s darker, more complex second album, “Congratulations,” to its 2007 debut, “Oracular Spectacular.” In any case, we’re sure to hear “Kids” and 70,000 voices singing along.
Catch if you can:
Flosstradamus (6:30 p.m., Perry’s): Chicago DJs J2K (Josh Young) and Autobot (Curt Cameruci) should have no trouble whipping up a dance frenzy. Will Young’s sister, Kid Sister, make a cameo appearance?
7 p.m.
Don’t miss
The National (7:15 p.m., Playstation): If you’re in the middle of a relationship that is falling apart, the wrenching songs of singer Matt Berninger will make your angst feel like child’s play.
Catch if you can
Felix da Housecat (7:30 p.m., Perry’s): Veteran house beat-maker and electro-clash star Felix Stallings returns to the city where it all began.
8 p.m.
Don’t miss:
Arcade Fire (8:30 p.m., Budweiser): The Montreal art-rock septet were killer at the inaugural Grant Park Lollapalooza in 2005. Expect to hear many of the songs from their latest album, “The Suburbs,” upon their return.
Catch if you can:
Soundgarden (8 p.m., Parkways): Reunion alert. One of the forerunners of the Seattle scene that birthed grunge, this quartet redefined heavy metal for the Lollapalooza era ushered in by Perry Farrell in 1991.
-- Greg Kot
greg@gregkot.com
Greg, I usually love your stuff, but how can you advocate that Lolla attendees skip Soundgarden for Arcade Fire? The last several festivals have been successful because of the old-school rock acts: think Pearl Jam, Red Hot Chilli Peppers, and Rage Against the Machine. Let's leave melodic, indie acts be for the moment and enjoy the first show in over a decade by a venerable act.
Posted by: Richard C. Sachs | August 03, 2010 at 09:50 AM
All things being equal, Arcade Fire is a better band. I loved Soundgarden back in the day and they were initially the band I was most excited to see this year; however, after much deliberation, I will be at Arcade Fire. BTW, I find it funny what you consider to be "old-school rock." How old are you?! LOL
Posted by: Mark | August 03, 2010 at 12:08 PM
Richard, I suggest you take that copy of "Superunknown" out of your tape deck and give The Arcade Fire another listen. If you want to talk venerable, Rolling Stone magazine put their previous 2 albums on their list of top 25 of the decade. Why don't you leave music critiquing to people who don't reference the Red Hot Chili Peppers as one of their greatest Lolla experiences.
Posted by: Adam Lee | August 03, 2010 at 01:22 PM
Adam, you may be correct that RS received AF's albums well, but that does not translate to success in the festival environment. If the average rock fan is paying $90+ to be out in the brutal Chicago heat, who would they rather see? A well-respected band that has not played a public show in 12 years, or an indie act that is popular, but will most certainly return to Chicago in the near future? There is a clear reason that Soundgarden is at the top of the bill.
Posted by: Richard C. Sachs | August 05, 2010 at 09:32 AM
Some people like Arcade Fire, some like Soundgarden. Some like both. Who cares what Greg Kot thinks. Go see who you want. Be happy that all the hipster folks are watching Arcade Fire, allowing you to possibly get that much closer to Soundgarden.
Again- who cares? Let Greg Kot suggest who he wants. Folks will see who they want to see.
I, frankly, think Arcade Fire are over-rated and awful. But then again I think the Stones were way better than the Beatles, so who am I.
Posted by: tony | August 05, 2010 at 09:43 AM
A Friday (1pm) band that isn't too well known, but should leave a good impression for fans is Constellations. I saw them at Bonnaroo this year, and they put on a great show--great energy, fun songs and a fun atmosphere.
I'm really not all that excited about most of the main stage acts, save for maybe Soundgarden, but the daytime shows and side-stages are excellent.
I also find it strange that Greg would tell people to see Yeasayer, Metric and MGMT (who have NEVER impressed me live, and I've seen them a few times - hearing the audience sing "Kids" is a preferential alternative to hearing the band sing it...trust me) but not mention The Temper Trap. To be honest, I wasn't too impressed with The Temper Trap when I first heard them, but I heard a few live cuts, bought "Conditions" and I've grown to really dig these guys. Having said that though, it's going to be a tough choices to be made late Sunday, as I would like to see some MGMT (if only to see if they've improved), Wolfmother, Temper Trap and The National, who are all playing at least some portion overlapping one another.
Posted by: Jim | August 05, 2010 at 03:42 PM
X Japan is okay, but it should have been SEIKIMA-II !!!!!
Well, maybe next year ...
Posted by: Hmm | August 07, 2010 at 03:47 PM
Arcade Fire is THE band to see today—who gives a cr*p about Soundgarden? Blah...
Posted by: RBS | August 08, 2010 at 12:01 PM