Posts Tagged → lolla
Lollapalooza 2012 Lineup Announced!
On Wednesday, Chicago’s own Lollapalooza announced the lineup for this year’s music fest that’s chock full of rock, EDM, hip-hop, and indie favorites. It’s sure to be a hit with any music fan trekking to the festival this summer.
Headlining this year are Red Hot Chili Peppers, The Black Keys, a reunited (and much anticipated show by) Black Sabbath, and Jack White.
Red Hot Chili Peppers
For the first time in festival history, electronic music has become an important player of Lolla with main stage headliners AVICII, Justice, Bassnectar, and Kaskade.
AVICII
Florence + the Machine, The Shins, a reunited At the Drive-In, Passion Pit, The Weekend, and Sigur Ros are also featured headlining acts.
Florence + the Machine
A couple of other highlights from the lineup that I am pretty stoked about are:
Get your Lolla passes here and check out the Lollapalooza website for the entire list of artists and to create and share your own custom lineup!
Erin L., Marketing Intern
Lollapalooza Day 3: Mumford and Sons
Mumford and Sons played an exceptional closing day set that once again packed out the Playstation stage to the gills. The band, which has been gaining significant traction in the US after the release of their terrific album Sigh No More, serenaded the crowd with their beautifully harmonizing vocals and hand clapping, foot stomping folk ballads. Their unique sound lent itself quite well to the festival setting and they seemed right at home in front of the sea of people who came to see them.
Mumford and Sons are embarking on a fall tour that will see them travel through Europe, the UK, then back to the US for a run of dates that will see stops in many of the cities that the band played on their previous tour. After catching them at Lollapalooza, I would highly recommend catching them if you get the chance. Dates for the tour are listed below, including a show at Stubb’s!
Lollapalooza Day 2: Empire of the Sun!!
This was a set that I definitely did not want to miss this weekend, and as I made it down into the tiny photo pit, I began to realize that I was not the only one who felt this way. A DJ was keeping the crowd warm (well steaming really) and dancing frantically before Empire even took the stage, and it was clear that this was going to be something a little different from the other Lolla sets that day. If you have walked into Perry’s at any time you know what I mean, and this was Perry’s at its peak. Security personnel did their best to keep the sweat drenched crowd hydrated, constantly going back for more and more waters that they reached over the rail and poured into the mouths of grateful audience members. The crowd was ready for something special, and when Empire took the stage, they got it.
The live version of Empire made its first appearance ever in the states when it stopped in Chicago this weekend for its Lolla set, so no one knew what to expect from the crew. The full band, complete with dancers, costumes and a fittingly extravagant stage setup delivered an energetic set that left everyone in the crowd wanting more.
Lollapalooza Day 2: Cut Copy!
Cut Copy got down to business at Lollapalooza for their set on the PlayStation stage (literally, look at those outfits – straight from the office). Their set consisted of cuts from both of the band’s studio releases as well as a couple of unreleased tracks that should appear on their forthcoming LP. Highlights included “Time Stands Still,” “Hearts on Fire,” and “Lights and Music” which the band used to open the set for the energetic afternoon crowd.
Lollapalooza Day 2: Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros
The Edward Sharpe set at Lolla this year was either really, really well planned or a happy benefactor of coincidence. The stage that the band played was tucked back in the trees, creating a sort of ‘off the beaten path’ feel to their show – like you were somewhere else entirely. Fortunately, this matches up exactly with how the band themselves and the music they create make you feel as well. Their sound, and in concert their appearance, have the ability to transport you to a different place and time and at Lollapalooza we all traveled there together.
The band took they stage to deafening cheers from the packed crowd who came out to see them. Edward Sharpe wasted no time making friends as he immediately stepped up and into the crowd before the band even played a note. The entire set had a homey feel to it that put a smile on the face of most everyone that I saw. The highlights of the set in my opinion were “Home” and “40 Day Dream,” but every song the band played was executed extremely well and with a sincerity that is sometimes difficult to find these days.
Lollapalooza Day 2! Metric
I might be biased. Ok, I definitely am, but day two at Lollapalooza may have been the high point of the festival for me musically. Several bands that I had been anticipating greatly played that day, and all of them delivered the goods. The first act I caught was Metric who put on a show stopping performance to an absolutely packed out PlayStation stage.
The band tore through material spanning their career, leaning heavily on their spectacular most recent album, Fantasies, with highlights including “Help I’m Alive,” “Sick Muse,” and “Combat Baby.” The band also played a cover of Neil Young’s “Hey Hey, My My” during the set. Full set can be found below.
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- Black Sheep
- Satellite Mind
- Help I’m Alive
- Empty/Fight For Your Right To Party
- Gold Guns Girls
- Hey Hey, My My (Neil Young cover)
- Gimme Sympathy
- Sick Muse
- Dead Disco
- Stadium Love
- Combat Baby (acoustic)
Live From Lollapalooza #2! Hot Chip and Lady Gaga
I headed back to the grounds to catch a personal favorite act in the likes of UK dance rockers Hot Chip. I have seen them live before, and they do not disappoint to say the least. The heavy Lady Gaga crowd received the melodic beats of the Englishmen well to say the least and they kept the energy building to a fever pitch with songs such as “Over and Over” and “Ready for the Floor” which the band dedicated to Lady Gaga who would take the stage later.
Fans were eager to say the least for Gaga to get her show going, and immediately after Hot Chip wrapped up I wandered into the crowd to find a spot for the spectacle that was about to occur. A giant curtain was draped around most of the stage (see photos) up until a countdown on the screens wound down and a sheer screen replaced the velvet black and the show began. The first song was performed behind the sheer screen before it was lifted to unveil an elaborate set. Gaga’s wardrobe changed every few songs as did the wardrobe of her dancers and the entire show surrounded a journey to the “Monster Ball” that we were all a part of. Lady Gaga’s singing talent alone was enough to impress me. The choreography and her candid nature on stage only increased the sentiments. I have to admit that there was the expected weirdness at times that left me scratching my head, but overall it was an excellent performance by a very talented artist. Gaga referred to her last Lolla appearance three years ago multiple times throughout the set, and seemed to use this performance to rid herself and everyone in attendance of any ill memories from that experience and to celebrate where she is today.
Live from Lollapalooza #1!!! Devo and The Big Pink
So Lollapalooza is underway! The weather is great here in Chicago and the crowd is huge! I arrived this afternoon and after a meeting headed over to catch the Big Pink on the adidas MEGA stage. The band drew a great crowd for a mid day set and threw out all the hits for their debut album, closing out with their hit “Dominos.” The crowd, including myself, ate the set up. The band even took a few minutes to talk to fans and pose for some photos after the set.
I then made my way over to Devo on one of the fest’s main stages. In case you were unaware of this, Grant Park is huge! Huge, but beautiful. I made my way to Devo and was treated to an excellent set by the electro pioneers. The song ”Whip It” sent the crowd into a frenzy for the band, and “Are we not men?!” was met with “We are Devo!!!!!” The group was even kind enough to throw a few of its signature hats/helmets that have famously become part of their wardrobe! Check back often for more updates and follow us on twitter for live updates from Lollapalooza!
