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.
