Lollapalooza 2010

Wed 11th Aug, 2010 in Gig Reviews

DAY 1:

Last year’s Lollapalooza was my first big festival, and I have since learned that if you really want to see an act, you better show up early and wait. So that’s what I did on day 1. There was a particular headliner my friend and I wanted to see, so we rolled in at 11:30am and staked out our spot. Staking out a position has its pluses and minuses, but more on that later.

First things first, the music. Unless you count hearing B.o.B. blaring from a nearby soundstage, the first act of Lollapalooza 2010 for me was Balkan Beat Box. An entertaining way to start a day, Balkan Beat Box combine Western music sensibilities with upbeat funky Eastern European and Middle Eastern beats. I’m a sucker for any good horns section, and their saxophone players were some of the best of the festival. A lively and entertaining set certainly, but nothing too spectacular or otherworldly. It’s really too bad that the crowd never responded to Balkan Beat Box’s spastic, bouncy stage presence, but I blame the crowd for being weak and lazy. More on Friday’s crowd later.

After a lively set by Balkan Beat Box, the next set by soul crooner Raphael Saadiq was a major let-down. Think of him as a bad rip-off of Marvin Gaye or Barry White, but with a horns section. Considering the talents of his voice and of all the backup musicians he had, this set had the potential to be a surprise hit. The problem was that the music was not nearly upbeat enough to be remotely interesting for a festival, and after about five minutes I grew tired of standing in a field listening to him slowly seduce the ladies. Let’s keep moving.

Now things are getting interesting, as Devo was next to hit the stage. Hopefully I don’t need to describe their music to you. These industry vets may be showing their age, but they sure as hell don’t let it slow them down on stage. Complete with crazy silver masks, hazmat-inspired costumes, videos about their place in the universe and of course those trademark hats, they really know how to stretch an hour-long set. The music sounded as crisp and lively as ever, and their quirky stage theatrics only helped keep things going. And yes, they did play Whip It.

The great music just wouldn’t stop as Hot Chip next took the stage. If there is one type of music that I especially relish at a music festival, it’s danceable electronic music. In that category, Hot Chip does not disappoint at all. Their stage presence leaves much to be desired though, as their singer looks painfully uncomfortable just being in front of a large crowd, let alone belting it out. Luckily their music is so catchy and infectious that it’s hard not to enjoy a Hot Chip show. Again, it was just too bad the crowd couldn’t appreciate their talents.

And now who was in this crowd? Who were they and why were they so dedicated to one musician but so lackadaisical for everyone else? Well first, just know that the headliner my friend and I were staking out was the one and only fame monster, Lady Gaga. Yes, I know everyone will either squeal with delight or groan with disgust knowing I spent almost nine hours waiting for Lady Gaga. But at least I did see two great sets and one above average one. But I discovered that obsessive Lady Gaga fans, at least many of those in attendance, have little appreciation for music that is not modern pop. Honestly, I felt bad for the other bands, who played great sets, only to have their music be completely unappreciated by glitter-clad Gaga fans. I mean, I saw one attendant who sat and read a book during the Balkan Beat Box set. Oh well, I guess some people are just a lost cause.

The night’s main attraction – Lady Gaga. Sure, of course I wanted to see the night’s other headliner, The Strokes, but I couldn’t resist the spectacle. And what a spectacle it was. The whole two-hour set was a mini play, complete with multiple scene changes, large moving monsters and some of the craziest costumes of Lollapalooza. Her set itself was some sort of surreal, sexy dystopian 80’s landscape. The entire show was unnecessarily bombastic and over-the-top, full of self-worship and not-so-subtle homoerotic overtones. Frankly, I wouldn’t want it any other way. She went way overboard with her stage theatrics, but what else would I want, or expect, from the world’s current biggest pop star? She played all her big hits, and the show was just so goddamn entertaining that I basically forgot how obscenely crowded and sweaty it was in the audience.

DAY 2:

Based on name alone we went to see Warpaint. I would describe their sound as solid stoner college rock. This all-female band makes some decent ambient music in which to chill out in a field. The music was tight with plenty of fuzz, but I think the folks with the joints probably enjoyed the set much more than I did. Still, a relaxing way to start day two. As a side note, they unfortunately don’t wear any actual war paint on stage.

We then livened up our music viewing with some Gogol Bordello. Their swirling, manic brand of gypsy punk was certainly a sight to hear and behold. A tight, fun set, you can clearly tell that they’ve been doing this live thing for a while now, as their craft is honed to perfection.

For me, the night’s real headliner was Cut Copy. Up until day three, that set was one of the most entertaining shows I had been to, due in large part to just how ecstatic the crowd was for the hour. Their stage presence was a bit stiff, but hey, they gave a hell of an effort. It certainly doesn’t hurt that their music is so upbeat, catchy and danceable. They don’t have the name recognition that the festival’s headliners do in the States, but don’t tell that to their fans. It was one of the most raucous crowds I have ever been involved with, as they ate up everything the band dished out. I have never seen that much crowd surfing ever. Cut Copy’s set was the first show of the festival that I actively wanted to keep going. After an hour of constant bumping music, I was drenched in sweat and thoroughly satisfied.

I finished the night with a surreal electronic set by Empire of the Sun. Sure, I would have loved to have seen Phoenix, but I knew I’d be too far away from the stage to fully appreciate the show, and since I am no longer nine years old, I decided to pass on Green Day. Choosing to see Empire of the Sun was a bit of a gamble, but I was feeling a wee bit frisky after the Cut Copy experience. Empire of the Sun does know how to put on an entertaining live electronic show, as they have some of the weirdest costumes and stage theatrics this side of Of Montreal. I just wish I had a better line of sight to soak it all in. I love that heavy bass in your chest feeling, and their music had plenty of it. Lots of intensity from the music and crowd made it a thoroughly enjoyable show. I guess Phoenix will have to wait for another day.

DAY 3:

At least I woke up on time to catch the early sets on the last day. We didn’t let Sunday’s drizzle and cloud cover deter us from one last day of music. First up was folk-punk rocker Frank Turner. He was hyped to me hard core by a 40-year-old ex-Air Force man I met waiting for Lady Gaga on Friday. He assured me that Frank Turner would rock my world, so to speak. Sure enough, I saw him waiting diligently beforehand on day 3. The only problem was, I left Frank Turner’s set under whelmed. He plays solid, straightforward punk-influenced folk rock, but I failed to see what was so inspiring. The lyrics were unnecessarily simplistic and the music sounded generic to me. Frankly, I heard better folk-punk in dingy Boston basements during my college years. Hell, I played three gigs on washboard with a folk-punk band, and I think we were better than Frank Turner. That’s the last time I trust the opinion of a random 40-year-old Lady Gaga fan.

Next up, The Dodos. I don’t normally like to check out folksy acts at big festivals, preferring louder acts, but The Dodos were surprisingly adept for the circumstance. The drums were plenty loud, and they had some of the most inspiring and delicate guitar playing at Lolla. They made a good choice in emphasizing their more upbeat and catchy songs, but next time I see them it will be at a more intimate setting if possible.

We then headed over to catch Minus The Bear, who, for me, were this year’s Kaiser Chiefs – solid, enjoyable, relatively straight-forward rock. Certainly nothing wrong with that, but far from the most unique or energetic set of Lollapalooza this year. I didn’t find their sound live to be too distinct, but they had enough driving rhythm to be enjoyable, if nothing else.

After Minus The Bear, we stumbled across of the biggest surprise sets of the day in X Japan. I’m not a metalhead by a long shot, but damn does X Japan know how to put on a raucous show. They definitely know how to rock out a massive crowd, even if their command of the local language is suspect. It may not be the most technically proficient metal I’ve ever heard, but it was loud, fast and fun. Not sure what else I’d want from a metal show anyways. I only was able to catch 30 minutes of their set, but was still floored by their speed and proficiency. Too bad they waited this long to play in the States.

And now on to the biggest disappointment of the festival in Erykah Badu. She came on 15 minutes late. Her music was slow and indistinct. I suppose she has a nice voice, but she clearly doesn’t know how to fill an hour-long festival set. I almost fell asleep. I don’t want to think about this set anymore.

Remember how I said that Cut Copy was one of the most entertaining sets of this year? Well, they were quickly trumped on day 3 by rap legends Cypress Hill. I have been in my fair share of out-of-control, high energy shows, but I have a hard time thinking of a show that was more fun and energy-filled than Cypress Hill’s set. The bass was bumping, the rhymes were spot-on and the crowd ate up everything. Their song choice was impeccable, as I found myself easily grooving to every song played. The mosh pits were unbelievably intense, and I still feel a little bad for the raw brutishness in which the crowd-surfers were tossed about. By the end of their set, the entire crowd turned into one massive push pit. Of course, busting out a bong the size of a child during your set doesn’t hurt things either. Unbelievable crowd energy, spot-on hip hop and plumes of secondhand weed smoke. Yeah, it was a damn good show indeed.

My friend and I finished the night by dragging our exhausted selves to a grassy hill to hear the tail end of Soundgarden. They actually managed to keep me from collapsing into a ragged heap of sweat and dirt. I know I was not in the proper mental condition to appreciate their music, from what I heard I was dutifully impressed. Ah, nothing like discovering a band 15 or so years after they were first popular.