Adios, Illinoise
We’re still recovering from our sojourn to the self-described "musical center of the universe" this weekend, and a little worse for the wear. But the last days of Lolla gave us the festival's most unforgettable moments, amazing weather and serendipitous encounters. Best set of the weekend...
We're going with Broken Social Scene. We'll have more thoughts on that soon: first time we've ever seen them live with this stellar line-up (i.e. everyone). It was magical. If you were there, you know that's beyond debate - but let us know what you thought. (As if ya wouldn't.)
If you've been following our coverage (check the archives for day one pics and videos) you know this ain’t your grunge-era ‘palooza. But the new (and improved?) Lolla is a relatively well-run, music-first festival. And if there wasn't something for everyone (Bonnaroo was much more diverse), there was more than enough for Stereogum.
Another episode of Gnarls in charge, only this one was for an audience of an estimated 40,000, and had the smiling backing band bedecked in their Bjorn Borg best. We gave thought to skipping the Lips, 'cause we've seen the confetti carnival before. But even though we knew what we were getting with Coyne and Co., the opening minutes of "Race For The Prize" remain the most jubilant spectacle in live rock.
The New Pornographers turned up without Bejar (must be too busy with Swan Lake), but that didn't stop 'em from turning in a great, Twin Cinema-loaded set. Frank and I agree that it's their best album. We also love that she plays a YAAA keyboard. The Hold Steady kicked ass on the Q101 stage, working through new tunes "Massive Nights," "Stuck Between Stations," and "Chips Ahoy." Craig Finn was a live wire, rockin' his thick frames and slinging his sing-speak diatribes. We're dying for that new record! Craig told us he's hoping it'll stay off the P2Ps for a little while longer, and that "Chips Ahoy" will be a free MP3. Stay tuned.
We made it to the Kidzapalooza tent to see Perry Farrell and Peter DisStefano work through some Porno For Pyros, before Perry thanked the crowd for bringing their children to "Lullapalooooza." "Because we waaaant them," he said, creeping us the fuck out. "We want them for good things," he qualified. Sorry, Perry. No chance. But all was forgiven with an awesome, acoustic "Pets" (we still remember all the words!) and "Tahitian Moon," dedicating the latter to the iconic Patti Smith. With that, Patti came out and - after Perry adjusted her mic stand ("I have the coolest roadies in rock!") - she made a dedication of her own, to Love's Arthur Lee, claiming the band was "aptly named because there is much poetry, revolution and love in the group Love." The punk laureate also debuted a song about children in Lebanon. After forgetting some chords, she offered that "I'm living proof that any asshole can play guitar," also forgetting there were at least 100 kids in attendance.
And since we knew you were dying to hear about 'em, we stopped by to say hi to the MySpace crowd gathered for Jared Leto's 30 Seconds To Mars. (We saw Catalano arrive on site a day earlier; black attire, white limo. By the way, he loves being called Catalano.) Now, we didn't meet him personally, but everyone says he's a dick. Just sayin'. You can wear as much black nail polish, give out as many popsicles, climb as many 50 foot stages or call your audience a bunch of “fuck-urrs” as much as ya like, but as a lead singer, he makes a damn fine actor.
Below, our final foto round-up. Yes we know we're leaving some stuff out -- Wilco, Shins, Panic! At Th.... kidding -- but we've got a plane to catch (and I'm gearing up for my customary deep-cavity search) . As for last night's headliners the Chili Peppers? "John used to be my favorite guitar player," Anthony told the Park before a sweet "Scar Tissue." " Now he's my favorite guitar player times a thousand. Pretty exciting." Pretty exhausting too. We were fucking beat by the time the band wrapped things up. But we love Chicago at night and ended up staying on-site for another few hours.
So many thanks to CS&E for putting together a great weekend, Project DU & AT&T for helping us bloggers with net access. To the new and old friends we chilled w/ this weekend -- My Old Kentucky Blog, Chromewaves, Scenestars, Immediate Media, Muzzle of Bees, Chicagoist, Spin.com, Pop Candy, Rollingstone.com, and the people we're forgetting -- see ya at ACL.
GNARLS BARKLEY
FLAMING LIPS
THE NEW PORNOGRAPHERS
KANYE WEST
WHAT MADE MILWAUKEE FAMOUS
PERRY FARRELL AND PATTI SMITH
THE HOLD STEADY
HOT CHIP
BEN KWELLER
COLD WAR KIDS
OH NO! OH MY!
JIM JAMES
30 SECONDS TO MARS
QUEENS OF THE STONE AGE
BROKEN SOCIAL SCENE
Posted at 4:32 PM in Concert, Video
Tags: Broken Social Scene | Cold War Kids | Death Cab For Cutie | Gnarls Barkley | Hot Chip | My Morning Jacket | Red Hot Chili Peppers | Ryan Adams | The Flaming Lips | The Hold Steady
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The picture at the top led me to believe that the highlight was Perry Farrell...
i'm just glad you didn't say 30 Seconds to Mars. Dunno about that Jordan Catalano guy.
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i didnt know that rocky dennis was alive and well...and in oh no! oh my!
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Broken Social Scene. Without a doubt.
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can't we just leave rocky dennis alone. enough already.
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I'll second that Broken Social Scene vote. Also, that second picture of the Flaming Lips you've got here is mighty nice.
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aww ben kweller.
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we demand more QOTSA.
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Can't we get some love for the sign interpreter in the Patti Smith photo?
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What was it, something like 130 bands this year and 100+ last year. Who is going to be around to play next year that hasn't already, high school bands? Who's going to want to go see the same bands evryyear? I think it's the beginning of the end for Lollapalooza. Better festivals like Intonation and Pitchfork aren't far behind. Just can't keep up the quality. Speed kills.
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What was it, something like 130 bands this year and 100+ last year. Who is going to be around to play next year that hasn't already, high school bands? Who's going to want to go see the same bands every year? I think it's the beginning of the end for Lollapalooza. Better festivals like Intonation and Pitchfork aren't far behind. Just can't keep up the quality. Speed kills.
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Best ACL sets I saw were My Morning Jacket on Friday, Flaming Lips on Saturday (same setlist, sure, but the energy of that crowd was unbeatable), and The Frames on Sunday. Least favorite? The Shins, by far. Love their records, never really cared for them live. Especially in such a huge venue with mix problems.
Missed Broken Social Scene and New Pornographers since there was no way I was getting across the park in time (from Wilco and Flaming Lips, respectively). D'oh.
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I wish Broken Social Scene had been able to play another song. :( Stupid Chili Peppers with their 8:15 start time.
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I'm gonna be a geek and share that Ben Kweller was on my flight back today. I'm 99.9% sure he was wearing the same outfit as he was yesterday. Still adorable! As for the shows, My Morning Jacket was definitely my highlight and I agree with Steve that The Shins were a snoozer live.
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hey amrit,
i think you should consider a career in photography as well, nice pics ;)
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30 Seconds to AFI looks reverse gothwesome! and climbing onto scaffolding? vedder would be so impressed.
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Whoever gave BSS the 45 minute slot before the final act of the weekend should lose their job. They absolutely owned that crowd. My Morning Jacket also blew the roof off. Definitely worth suffering through that Ryan Adams set to get a good spot.
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Yeah, another Broken Social Scene song would've been nice. According to the setlist, they were going to play KC Accidental. But it was nice that Brendan Canning, Kevin Drew, and Leslie Fest all came out and talked to the fans, unwilling to go watch the Chili Peppers set.
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Yeah, another Broken Social Scene song would've been nice. According to the setlist, they were going to play KC Accidental. But it was nice that Brendan Canning, Kevin Drew, and Leslie Fest all came out and talked to the fans, unwilling to go watch the Chili Peppers set.
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I saw Broken Social Scene open for Bloc Party just a few days ago. It was awesome, but I wished they were headlining, so the crowd would be more into it and they could play more songs.
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did anyone see mutemath? that had to be one of the best for sure. ohmegga watts and the dj's were phenomenal too
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did anyone catch the rocky dennis band earlier in the day?? they were awesome.
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Thank God it was just three days. I'm dead. I wish I had made it to BSS after Wilco.
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i totally agree with broken social scene being best. i nearly cried when i found out ALL OF THEM were there. amazing set..but so short.
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for my money, next to the lips, of montreal put on the best show of the weekend. they came out in day-glo dresses waving banners and played the tightest set i've seen from them, including several new songs i hadn't yet heard!
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http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y280/lamgray/bss2.jpg
All I have to say is "Fuck Yeah" to BSS.
Photo by Laura Gray
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Oh brother, Pitchforks review of Lollapalooza is up today. Makes no mention of BSS or New Pornographers (two of their favorite bands) and criticizes Raconteurs, Gnarls, and the Flaming Lips. What is the deal? Can't they just lighten up for just a few days? I regret missing the Flaming Lips the most, and Eels. Why no love for Eels?
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I missed the Eels. I heard it wasn't good, but then again ... I wasn't there. I love E. He was wearing some crazy flight goggles all day.
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No love for Editors? I thought they had the most underrate performance of the weekend. That Tom guy can sing!!!
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No love for Editors? I thought they played one of the best sets of the entire show! Very pleasantly surprised. That Tom guy can really belt it out!
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No love for Editors? I thought they played one of the best sets of the entire show! Very pleasantly surprised. That Tom guy can really belt it out!
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I missed BSS. Certainly my biggest regret of the festival. Sleater-Kinney, Andrew Bird, and Wolfmother were quite amazing among the acts you already mentioned.
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I did catch MuteMath, their set totally kicked ass, played for a middle of the day crowd of around 3 to 4k, and were one of the only bands where I heard the crowd call for an encore.
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I did catch MuteMath, their set totally kicked ass, played for a middle of the day crowd of around 3 to 4k, and were one of the only bands where I heard the crowd call for an encore.
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