Day Three @ Lollapalooza,Chicago (09/08/09)

Wed 12th Aug, 2009 in Gig Reviews

On the hottest Sunday Chicago has seen this summer, the sweltering
temperatures made for a great atmosphere for the last day of
Lollapalooza – and the organisers give out bottled water for free!

The third day had the deepest lineup with Friendly Fires kicking off
proceedings and nothing beats grooving outside to funky indie beats on
a sunny day. An energetic stage show combined with infectious
danceable music made for one of the best live acts of the festival.

I headed over to check out Alaskan alternative rockers Portugal. The
Man, who had a solid set list but an overcrowded stage made for a
rather unappealing stage presence. More of convenience than any real
musical desire, I saw the Kaiser Chiefs whose material is average at
best, but their live show was phenomenal. Singer Ricky Wilson was
all over the place, jumping into the crowd and climbing stage
scaffolding at different points.

At the opposite end of the spectrum is Vampire Weekend, a band with
great material but a rather lacklustre stage presence. Much like TV
on the Radio on Day Two, the quartet from New York mostly just stood
on stage and played. However, their light, airy brand of indie pop was
catchy enough to distract.

Getting away from the crowded Vampire Weekend stage was an arduous
journey so I opted to dance travel, grooving along with Passion Pit
and the hordes as I made my way towards Lou Reed. I could not turn
down seeing a music legend. Lou began the set with Sweet Jane and
finished off with I’m Waiting For The Man and Walk On The Wild
Side. While the former Velvet Underground frontman did not do much
besides stand in one area and play, a music legend like Lou can pull
it off. The ageing rocker is certainly the only act in the festival
that can play feedback and random noises for five minutes and get
applause.

Hot off the heels of their latest release Day & Age, The Killers
capped off the night and the three day festival. As the headliner, the
Las Vegas four-piece had the perfect blend of catchy music and bold
stage presence, playing big hit singles with a spattering of other
songs. Should the songs have failed to grab the attention of the
crowd, then the palm trees and coordinated explosions more than made
up for it. At the very least, the two adolescent girls next to me
absolutely loved it and considering the massive crowds, upbeat songs
and overwhelming stage presence, The Killers provided a fitting climax
to the huge event that was Lollapalooza – œ09.