It's a pretty inarguable fact that the best thing to happen in Chicago every year, music-wise, is Lollapalooza and this year isn't any different. In fact, 2009's Lollapalooza might have the best lineup a festival's ever seen. Of course, the popular misconception is that the event starts when Manchester Orchestra hits the stage at 12:15. However, I'm inclined to think differently because to me, the real start is going to be at Metro Thursday night when The Decemberists play their official Lollapalooza kick off gig.
Kick off gigs and after parties are always one of my favorite things about Lollapalooza. The highlight of last year's festivities for me was Okkervil River's post-show gig at Schuba's and this year, Fleet Foxes, the Arctic Monkeys, Delta Spirit and Blind Pilot will all be playing various after parties at venues around Chicago. The Decemberists gig to me, though, is the most interesting as they're doing the popular show trend of late of letting fans pick the set list (you can cast a vote for your favorite songs here). Personally, I've put the first Decemberists song I ever fell in love with, "Red Right Ankle," on my ballot.
As for Lollapalooza itself, I've been quite happy about the increasing amount of indie acts they've been putting on their lineup, what with the aforementioned Okkervil River, Iron & Wine and The National amongst others playing last year's festival. This year, if I could only catch five acts (excluding Kevin Devine as it's already been noted that I'm quite excited for his Lolla set), it would be...
5) Blind Pilot. I quite like Blind Pilot and their brand of easy to listen to, optimistic music. The first time I heard them was via their album and the first track, Oviedo, reminded me of Jeff Mangum by way of Bon Iver in the best way possible and my audible relationship with Blind Pilot has been uphill from there.
4) Bon Iver. It's tragic that luck isn't with me when it comes to Justin Vernon and friends. This is going to be the third time I will have missed Bon Iver due to other bands conflicting with them. This year, Kevin Devine and Bon Iver just so happen to play at the same time. What's a girl to do? Well, if you're this girl, you miss Bon Iver yet again but that doesn't change the fact that they'll be playing and if it's anything like last year's Pitchfork set, it's sure to be fantastic.
3) Yeah Yeah Yeahs. I saw the Yeah Yeah Yeahs for the first time when they were touring in support of their very first ep. I was 18 at the time and remember watching wide eyed as Karen O. screeched like a demented grandma and poured beer on herself. It wasn't like anything I'd ever seen and while I'm now used to Karen's shenanigans, I can't say the ever dissapoint. The only thing to make the fact that the Beastie Boys had to drop out of the festival slightly less upsetting is the fact that the Yeah Yeah Yeahs are there to pick up the pieces and help us all move on with our lives - With catchy, dancey songs!
Yeah Yeah Yeahs - Heads Will Roll
2) Langhorne Slim. I know shockingly little Langhorne Slim. I'm working on changing this because goodness knows I have enough friends telling me how much I'd love Langhorne Slim and the handful of songs that I've begun to assimilate into in my life, I've found myself crazy about. While I am a bit apprehensive to be introduced to an artist in depth via a live venue such as Lollapalooza, I'm quite excited because I've heard wonderful things about what Langhorne, or as his friends call him "Sean", does live.
1) The Decemberists. To me, Colin Meloy and company are very, very interesting. Does everyone else remember when they first heard of The Decemberists years back upon the release of Picaresque? It took a while for me to take a liking to the Decemberists because, well, they're strange fellows and Colin's voice takes a bit of adjusting to. But if I got used to Neutral Milk Hotel at 13, I could certainly adapt to Colin Meloy and sure enough, I did. It wasn't long before I considered myself a Decemberists fan and the bigger the band gets, the better showmen they become. With the recent release of the conceptual Hazards of Love, their Lollapalooza gig is sure to be one of day 1's most interesting.
Kid Cudi will be cool too!
Posted by: Sewer Cleaning | 08/05/2009 at 04:50 PM
Can't wait for Lolla! Dan Auerbach is who I'm looking to see!
Posted by: Sewer Repair | 08/05/2009 at 04:47 PM