Ah, Lollapalooza – the festival that’s so close to my home
in the Chicago
‘burbs, but so far away. This was the year I was supposed to go. Alas,
unemployment has put a hiccup in those plans. But if the magical ticket fairy
were to suddenly show up at my door with a three-day pass, here are three acts
I wouldn’t miss.
The Black Keys
Friday, 6 to 7:15 p.m.
I didn’t get into The Black Keys until their sixth album, Brothers, came out earlier this year and
I’m kicking myself for not listening sooner. The duo’s mind-blowing blues rock
is enough to stop you dead in your tracks and knock you over. I seriously can’t
skip through a single song of theirs, they’re just that good.
Despite their two-man setup, their sound is so big it’s easy
to forget that the only instruments they use are drums and guitar. Lately
they’ve been touring with a few backup musicians, but Dan Auerbach and Patrick
Carney haven’t changed the way they play. This show is definitely a must-see.
How do I sum up how much I love Gogol Bordello? From their
infectious Eastern Europe-inspired tunes to the dynamic onstage antics of
mustachioed frontman, Eugene Hütz, I can’t think of another band out there that
is so darn fun.
Though Hütz’s Ukrainian and gypsy ancestry is the main focus
of his songwriting for the band, the overall group is truly international, with
members from three continents. The self-described “gypsy punks” won’t
disappoint as they bring their high-energy show to Grant Park. I dare you to
try not to be sucked in. It’s impossible.
British quartet Mumford & Sons have had a big following
across the pond for a while despite their debut album, Sigh No More, just being released last fall. The band formed in
2007 and was selling out shows in London
within a few months, drawing crowds with their powerful and genuine music. The
band pairs heartfelt, and often heartbreaking, lyrics with foot-stomping folk
instrumentation. If this is the first you’ve heard of Mumford & Sons, it
won’t be the last. These guys are going places fast, so go see them before they’re
selling out on this side of the Atlantic too.
RFC Lollapalooza Madness: Kaitie’s picks
Ah, Lollapalooza – the festival that’s so close to my home in theChicago
The Black Keys
Friday, 6 to 7:15 p.m.
I didn’t get into The Black Keys until their sixth album, Brothers, came out earlier this year and I’m kicking myself for not listening sooner. The duo’s mind-blowing blues rock is enough to stop you dead in your tracks and knock you over. I seriously can’t skip through a single song of theirs, they’re just that good.
Despite their two-man setup, their sound is so big it’s easy to forget that the only instruments they use are drums and guitar. Lately they’ve been touring with a few backup musicians, but Dan Auerbach and Patrick Carney haven’t changed the way they play. This show is definitely a must-see.
The Black Keys - Tighten Up
Gogol Bordello
How do I sum up how much I love Gogol Bordello? From their infectious Eastern Europe-inspired tunes to the dynamic onstage antics of mustachioed frontman, Eugene Hütz, I can’t think of another band out there that is so darn fun.
Though Hütz’s Ukrainian and gypsy ancestry is the main focus of his songwriting for the band, the overall group is truly international, with members from three continents. The self-described “gypsy punks” won’t disappoint as they bring their high-energy show to Grant Park. I dare you to try not to be sucked in. It’s impossible.
Gogol Bordello - Pala Tute
Mumford & Sons
British quartet Mumford & Sons have had a big following across the pond for a while despite their debut album, Sigh No More, just being released last fall. The band formed in 2007 and was selling out shows inLondon Atlantic too.
Mumford and Sons - Little Lion Man
Aug 3, 2010 6:47:00 PM | Commentary, Downloads
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