Filed under: music
And so the third day arrived.
And after it has ended, God looked down on what had occurred and it was good.
Highlight of the Day: The Killers @ 8:30PM
Pitchfork’s Paul Thompson wants to believe The Killers are real, but apparently he can’t and he goes on to describe their self-mythologizing artifice that is too perfect to take seriously.
I don’t care whether or not The Killers are real and I think their artifice is the best part about them. It’s all a show and The Killers know how to entertain us. From their beyond catchy hooks and the singable melodies, I fell in love instantly.
And at the end of the day (or a 3 days), the fun power pop rock The Killers deliver is exactly how I wanted to end my Lollapalooza. I wanted to jump and dance and sing every word with Brandon Flowers, and that’s exactly what I got.
With every song topping the last and Flowers’ presence growing ever more powerful, the crowd responded with equal enthusiasm. From the weirdly philosophical (but mostly meaningless), “Human,” to the heartbreak power ballad and total crowd pleaser, “Mr. Brightside,” Flowers never let the energy die and neither did anyone else.
To top off the night, the sounds of people chanting “I’ve got soul, but I’m not a soldier” coursed through the air as the band rocked out to “All These Things That I Have Done,” which was then followed by a strong encore of “Jenny Was a Friend of Mine” and “When You Were Young.”
And so the hordes of sweaty, exhausted music lovers stormed through downtown Chicago, and we felt good!
Lowlight of the Day: Not being able to see everyone.
Biggest Surprise of the Day: Vampire Weekend @ 4:30PM
Who would’ve thought there would be intense moshing at Vampire Weekend?
If you did, congratulations, but I was pretty effing surprised when I was almost crushed during “A-Punk.” Not to say that said near suffocation distracted in anyway than the euphoria of watching Ezra Koenig charm the pants off of everyone in attendance, it was just a bit unexpected.
But I guess it’s a testament to how into it everyone really was. From the second Ezra stepped up to the mic with his wayfarers and plaid button down, we were all his.
“You look beautiful, Chicago,” he told us, and we were all flattered. “This is our Metallica song,” he said, and we all screamed along in unison: “Blake’s got a new face!”
He even dedicated ever lovable “Cape Cod Kwassa Kwassa” to John Hughes paying homage to the director and his beloved suburbs.
All in all in was an incredibly promising performance and definitely proves that Vampire Weekend has the talent, enthusiasm and stage presence to make it on to a stellar sophomore album. And as they I sang along to a song about getting out of Cape Cod, I knew there was something even better in the works.
The Rest:
Cold War Kids @ 5:30PM
Excellence all around. Even from the back, I could feel the passion and emotion in Nathan Willett’s voice. As he belted out the resonating lyrics of “Hang Me Out to Dry,” “We Used to Vacation,” “Dreams Old Men Dream,” and “Saint John,” we happily joined in and became part of the beautiful sounds that traveled through the airwaves… or maybe that was just me?
Silversun Pickups @ 7:30PM
Saw them from afar and it was really interesting to just watch the crowd enjoying themselves. They sounded great and although I couldn’t see very way, the crowd’s movement said it was a great time.
Snoop Dogg @ 6:30PM
Sounded like fun, but I was hungry and a turkey burger was calling my name.
The Airborne Toxic Event @ 2:30PM
Not as bad as Pitchfork claims. Actually, not bad at all. I love violins.
Filed under: music | Tags: Arctic Monkeys, Atmosphere, Lollapalooza, TV on the Radio, Yeah Yeah Yeahs
Day 2 was much better weather wise, but my black t-shirt was a very bad choice.
Highlight of the Day: TV on the Radio @ 6:30PM
While this concert started just as the effects of dehydration kicked in, I still managed to thoroughly enjoy it. (And that is saying a lot considering I almost blacked out.) A detailed recap is difficult under such circumstances, but I distinctly remember “Golden Age,” “Red Dress,” and especially “Wolf Like Me” wooing the crowd and making the most fatigued of spectators jump around and forget the heat and lack of H2O.
Lowlight of the Day: Arctic Monkeys @ 4:30PM
I love the Arctic Monkeys. I have loved them since their first album came out in 2006. But I do not intend on seeing them live again. You’d think that they’d be really fun to watch, but really, our dear lead singer just plays and sings and doesn’t even look that into it. What the hell, Alex?? I guess I should be happy to have gotten something out of “I Bet That You’d Look Good on the Dance Floor,” “Brianstorm,” and “505.”
Biggest Surprise of the Day: Yeah Yeah Yeahs @ 8:30PM
When you somehow make it to the 2nd row (and by somehow I mean wait around during the previous 2 acts) most things are looking good.
This was a big night for the Yeah Yeah Yeahs and they had big shoes to fill. And while the nerves may have gotten to Karen O when she forgot the lyrics to “Maps,” the audience had her bad and gladly let her try again for a very satisfying second verse of their most well known song.
Karen’s stage presence and wardrobe changes contributed to the overall fun and carefree nature of the show and provided for very enjoyable and very lighthearted entertainment. And the most fun of them all? “Heads Will Roll” off their latest album, It’s Blitz; however it was nowhere near a standalone successs. There were plenty of show stoppers to go around. Thumbs up to the Yeah Yeah Yeahs!
The Rest: Atmosphere @ 2:30PM
All I remember is thinking he was really funny… and my lack of memory does not mean it was a forgettable performance… it’s just my bad… or good?
Filed under: music | Tags: Ben Folds, Bon Iver, Crystal Castles, KiD CuDi, Kings of Leon, Lollapalooza, Of Montreal
Well the rain made this day harder than it needed to be. My first day of Lolla was a weather disaster but luckily still managed to be a great time.
Highlight of the day: Of Montreal @ 7PM
The way Kevin Barnes carries himself alone is enough to entrance, but when you add the elaborate costume and what appeared to be some sort of symbolic play (at least that’s what I’ve decided to call it) the result is one of the most incredible live shows I’ve ever seen. (It was so good, my dears, that I forgot I was soaked from head to toe and FREEZING.)
As his alter ego, Georgie Fruit, Barnes prances around stage and even sat on the shoulders of henchmen, while effortlessly dominating the desires of his audience.
Some notable performances include the power opening of”Nonpareil of Favor” (although I can’t be completely sure that it was, in fact, the opener), “Id Engager” the song that makes everyone want to play and “Wraith Pinned to the Mist” when the crowd wholeheartedly agreed to pretend we’re in Antarctica.
With a set list full of psychedelic indie power pop, there really is no way to go wrong, but Of Montreal’s dedication to theatrics and outdoing every performance give them the edge that made them one of the BEST performances at Lolla ‘09.
Lowlight of the Day: Kings of Leon @8:15 PM
After Of Montreal, I ran across Grant Park to catch Kings and, to my dismay, I felt one thing.
That one thing was disappointment. It was empty. I enjoyed my favorites like “Four Kicks,” but Caleb just seemed like he was going through rehearsed toned down motions of what a Kings of Leon concert should be (and, I have been told once was). All in all, I’m glad I didn’t sacrifice any time to attempt a closer spot for this blase performance.
Biggest Surprise of the Day: Crystal Castles @ 5PM
Having never intentionally listened to Crystal Castles before, I went into this show not expecting much and was really pleased with the outcome. Not only are they baller but some dumb as prick got punched in the face… BY THE LEAD SINGER! When Alice Glass crowd surfed, some asshole grabbed her boob and she socked him.
“I’m sure he didn’t appreciate that,” the irate vocalist admitted. “But I didn’t appreciate him grabbing my boob.” Not a direct quote, but pretty damn close. BAMF!
The Rest:
Bon Iver @ 3PM
The one man band has some beautiful songs and is quite charming in person, but the bottom line is his material is not conducive to an outdoor music festival. Love him, but it was just not right for Lolla.
Ben Folds @ 4PM
I didn’t realize I actually like Ben Folds. I didn’t stay for much but I liked what I heard.
KiD CuDi @ 9:30PM
“Day and Night” was a weird remix and that’s the only song of his I know so it was… fine.
Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: Alison Mosshart, Jack White, music, song of the week, The Dead Weather, The Vic
So, I meant to post this last week after I saw this concert, but that is life.
Anyways, Jack White’s newest creative endeavour is everything we could hope for and more. The dynamic quartet lit up the stage in shades of black and blue. Composed of Jack Lawrence of The Ranconteurs, Dean Fertita, the power guitarist for Queens of the Stone Age, Alison Mosshart, the killer front woman of The Kills and, of course, Jack White, himself.
Throughout the show, Alison commanded the stage with her scary sex appeal, while White rocked the drums until his mind blowing guitar solo. And while each member of the group has their own greatness, the way they move and play together is what really give The Dead Weather the edge we’ve been looking for.
And once the much anticipated encore arrived, “Treat Me Like You Mother” blasted through the speakers and quite literally shook everyone to pieces.
I’m not very coherent right now am I? It’s only 11PM and I’m really tired so I’ll just let this one go and leave you with the video and pictures.
Fin.
Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: internet, interweb, schmuck, things i hate, Twilight, world wide web, You suck at photoshop, YouTube
While doing research for my prof, I stumbled upon this shmuck:
This video makes me cringe. Why would you publish something that makes you look like a total moron. It makes me cringe. And want to throw up.
That’s the worst thing about this whole media revolution. YouTube gives any moron with a computer the opportunity to pollute the world with their obnoxious and unnecessary “advice,” “tutorials,” and musical montages.
Dear avid YouTube users, my heart bleeds for you and your lack of a life, but stop saturating the interwebs.
Note: I am in no way referring to people to people who are actually funny like this guy.
Quote:
“Just as America’s young men are being given deeply erroneous ideas about sex by what they watch on the Web, so, too, are America’s young women receiving troubling misinformation about the male of the species from Twilight. These women are going to be shocked when the sensitive, emotionally available, poetry-writing boys of their dreams expect a bit more from a sleepover than dew-eyed gazes and chaste hugs. The young man, having been schooled in love online, will be expecting extreme bondage and a lesbian three-way.”
I think the obvious cure to this dilemma is vampire role playing where bondage is incorporated. Then, everyone gets what they what. But, seriously, girls and boys have always had differing ideas on what the opposite sex wants/is willing to do. We all eventually grow up and find a happy medium. The kids are alright… until our naive little tweens get their blood sucked by a real vampire.
Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: Ludacris, music, sleep, sugar, Talking Heads, Trick Daddy
So you know that Trick Daddy and Ludacris song “Sugar on my Tongue”?
Well while listening to a Genius playlist on iTunes (inspired by “I Want Some More” by Dan Auerbach) I discovered this is, in fact, a remake of “Sugar on my Tongue” by Talking Heads!
(I couldn’t find just the song so here it is with some dancing lady.)
So that was quite exciting… Goodnight!
Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: music, Cold War Kids, the national, m. ward, Battles, heckler, The Flaming Lips, Pitchfork, Pitchfork Music Festival, Grizzley Bear, The Walkmen, Yeasayer, awesome, screen prints, Blitzen Trapper, Dr. Strangelove, Bristol Palin
How could I have forgotten to post this? This dude was ridiculous!
During The Flaming Lips’ set at Pitchfork Music Festival last Sunday, some d-bag help his middle fingers in the air and kept yelling about how shitty The Flaming Lips are.
After some intense FL love from the croud, and almost fist fight and a lingering cheeriness from the sound and sight of a great set, Shmucky McGee left… dignity not quite intact.
The back right of the crowd rejoiced as we were freed from the tyranny of the party pooper and resumed our festivities with a “Yoshimi” sing-a-long, lots of talking by messianic front man Wayne Coyne, and a well recieved finale of “Do You Realize?”
We were far since Grizzly Bear’s set was right before on another stage but it was still hella fun and, accoding to Kliph, the band had fun, too.
So, back to the beginning.
Saturday was sick. First, we checked out the posters and screen prints which were amazing. B.Mac met his inspiration, Jason Munn of The Small Stakes and got a great Battles poster, while I made away with a Dr. Strangelove inspired Cold War Kids poster by _____. Then, we checked out a great set by Yeasayer that started out with a hysterical sound check (Bristol Palin, check), continued with a light shower that really riled up the crowd (including one dude who beckoned God to bring back the rain) and ended with my favorite tune, “Sunrise” during which the friggin’ sun came out! It was magic.The day ended with a high energy set by The National where violinist Padma Newsome ripped up his solos and front man Matt Berninger belted out his lyrics with such intensity, his fell down (on purpose?) towards the end of the set. With crowd pleasing renditions of “Mistaken for Strangers,” “Squalor Victoria,” “All the Wine,” and “Fake Empire,” the concluded the show with an epic “Mr. November” where Matt ran of stage and stood on a trash can, later explaining to the crowd that it didn’t turn out as cool as he thought it would. What a charmer.
On Sunday, Blitzen Trapper played a good set, after which there was some more poster shopping (I got a beautiful M.Ward print and B.Mac got the official Pitchfork Grizzly Bear poster). Then, a great set by The Walkmen which was higly complimented by @Edward Droste, after which he and the rest of Grizzly Bear took the stage. The most anticipated set of the weekend, they did not disappoint and delivered a crazy awesome performance! Opening with “Southern Point,” they kept the momentum and navigated their way through a perfect set list including every one of my favorite songs. Regardless of a few technical difficulties (“This is the part where the stage hums and we all meditate”), they played stellar renditions of “Two Weeks,” “The Knife,” “On a Neck, On a Spit,” “Cheerleader,” and the always incredible “Ready, Able.” Plus, Droste is great with audience interaction; he’s a performance gem!
Overall, a great weekend. Can’t wait to immerse myself in hipster land again next year!
Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: Abraham, Buddha, fascists, gay rights, Jesus, Martin Luther, Mohammed, psychopaths, religion, Save Bryce
A 23 year old medical student named Bryce Faulkner is currently a prisoner of an ‘ex-gay’ reform clinic run by some psychotic fascist “Christians.”
His boyfriend, Travis Swanson, and close friends have established a campaign to spread the word and help save Bryce and people like him who are forced by intolerance to denounce who they are and succumb to the backwards treatment of close-minded religious fanatics.
I know that being intolerant of intolerance is kind of hypocritical, but I really don’t care. How can his parents live with themselves? To send your 23 year old son to be transformed and tortured is probably one of the worst things you could ever do to your own child, besides killing or beating them.
How can these kinds of facilities exist? With all the progress we’ve made with gay rights in the past couple of months, something like this proves we still have a long, long, long way to go.
Which brings me to the intense failings of religion everywhere. This just goes to show how human beings tend to fuck everything up. Beautiful and kind ideologies that are meant to enrich and improve people’s lives were taking from their pure and well intentioned beginnings and turned into a systematic hateful machine. I really don’t think the all loving, all mighty and all forgiving God would really want his gay children to be “rehabilitated.” ACCORDING TO YOU CRAZIES HE MADE THEM SO LEAVE THEM THE WAY THEY ARE!!!!
I’m not trying to totally bash all religious people, just the ones who refuse to adapt to the times and continue acting like assholes. Jesus, Mohammed, Buddha, Abraham, hell, even Martin Luther all have one thing in common. They wanted people to stop being oppressed. They wanted peace and love and for everyone to be happy and help each other and get along.
So to all you psychopaths trying to change people and “spread Jesus’ word,” you would probably make Jesus cry if he were here today. That’s right. You are breaking Jesus’ heart.
And to all the sane people of the world, Save Bryce and everyone else like him who needs some saving.
Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: CNN, exclamation points!, Geekologie, Twitter
CNN cited Geekologie as a legitimate source with regards to the dumbass who fell in a manhole while texting yesterday.
http://www.geekologie.com/2009/07/geekologie_legit_news_source_c.php
And while I applaud my beloved Geek, I have to ask: Is CNN a legitimate news source?
They cite Twitter for Thor’s sake!
I could just imagine what it must be like to intern there: “Hey Alessandra, no one really has anything today can you just look through your Facebook news feed and Twitter updates to see if we can find something?”
Seriously?
If Geekologie gets news before CNN does then I don’t think it should need CNN’s recognition, it’s already ballin’ on its own!
Today’s post has been brought to you by exclamation points!!!!!!!!!
