I have a few bits and pieces left from the weekend. Enjoy...
The Killers Set:
At Lollapalooza four years ago, the band I most looked forward to was The Killers. About 10 months removed from the debut of Hot Fuss (which remains one of my favorite albums of the decade), Brandon Flowers took the stage in a flannel jacket and parked behind his rhinestone-covered synth for the entire hour of the show, playing through the first 6 songs of Hot Fuss and a few b-sides (“Glamorous Indie Rock n Roll” and “Under the Gun”). Between songs, Flowers would say a couple words to his band, and in his longest speech, pretty much apologized to the crowd for not having a “gift for the gab.” A lot has changed in the past five years. While they’ve always concerned themselves with style, the band that took the stage to close out Lollapalooza this year went from being concerned with style to being obsessed with it. While the music is still good, Flowers acted like he was allergic to his synth, only touching it on two or three songs and even exporting it to some asian guy in the corner of the stage on some songs. The lowlight came on some awkward-sounding piano version of “Smile Like You Mean It” a song that relied heavily on Flowers’s synths. Flowers’s stage presence has taken a turn for the worse as well. While he appeared uncomfortable in front of the Lolla crowd during the ’05 show, he seemed to embrace the spotlight this time around – albeit very awkwardly The show consisted of several “what the fuck” moments from Flowers, including some pointlessly long, meandering story about their flight to Chicago, and some weird interlude about love in the middle of the already unlikeable “Bling” . It’s apparent now that Brandon Flowers and the Killers (maybe an official name change is the next move for them) aim to please –everybody; and while the soccer moms and teenie boppers will continue to eat up the pyrotechnics and palm trees, they are trying way too hard to become U2, and I’m not buying it.
Regrets:
Not seeing Peter Bjorn and John:
I passed by their stage on the way to Of Montreal and heard an amazing song (which I later found out to be be “It don’t Move Me.” I turned to my brother and said “Fuck, I bet we missed a good show.” If I had it to do over again, I would have left the Decemberists earlier to see PB&J.
Not Going to Perry’s:
The stage looked sweet and there were a few acts that sounded good when I passed by. I feel guilty for not making that happen.
Top 5 performances:
5. Crystal Castles
Sounded good from start to finish and Alice Glass’s antics were fun to watch.
4. The Knux
The best of a small selection of hip hop.
3. Of Montreal
The most bizarre stage show to go along with some of the best music.
2. Passion Pit
Their bubbly dance/pop came at the perfect time of the weekend.
1. Yeah Yeah Yeahs
They pretty much needed to play an all-timer of a set and they did.
Top 6 Songs:
6. The Knux – Cappuccino
I was going to make this a top 5, but I couldn’t leave a song off the list that got the crowd chanting about coffee.
5. The Killers – Dustland Fairytale
The best song they play live now; their light show is perfect for this and Flowers’s overly-theatrical personality actually works with it.
4, Of Montreal – “Moonage Daydream”
I don’t know if there was a more fitting song for them to cover –played fantastically.
3. The Decemberists - “The Wanting Comes in Waves / Repaid”
Shara Warden’s ground shaking vocals killed during this song.
2. Miike Snow – “Silvia”
One of the rare slow songs that really worked this weekend. The highlight of a good set.
1. Yeah Yeah Yeahs - “Maps”
I decided that Karen O messing up the lyrics made this even better, and the acoustic version was incredible.
Trendspotting at Lollapalooza:
Cheap 80’s shades:
XRT was either giving them out or they were selling them for really cheap. I kind of like them, and I bet Chevy Chase is pleased with this latest pop culture development.
Umbrellas:
These things partially ruined the Ben Folds and Decemberists shows. Anybody who is too dainty to get wet at a fucking rock concert and opens up an umbrella is pretty much just sending a big “F you” to everybody behind them. I think it’s only fair to sentence anybody who does to 10 years in a North Korean labor camp.
Guys Drinking Bud Light Lime:
If you’re going to get drunk in public, please just drink regular beer. It’s embarrassing to see grown men drinking fruit flavored beer at an alternative music festival. That type of thing should be done in private.
“The Vault” videos:
Kudos to those who run Lolla for playing clips from old concerts during the wait between shows at the main stages. A little more variety would have been nice, but the clips they showed were cool and helped take my complete attention away from the sweaty mob I was stuck waiting in.
Top 10 Bands I’d Like to See Headline Next Year:
Apparently Perry Farrell hinted that Aerosmith might be a possible headliner next year. Yeah, about that... please god no. Anyway, if any 3 of these acts are booked next year, I’ll be a happy young man. I’m guessing an iconic 80’s act will make the bill as well as a huge alt rock band from the 90’s and a band that comes out with an album some time around the new year that builds a lot of buzz leading up to the headliner announcements. I’m also going to guess that two hip hop headliners will be on the bill next year. Here’s my wish list…
10. Soundgarden
The rumors have already started about them, and they would be a perfect fit for the fest
9. Wu-Tang Clan
This won’t happen, but Ghostface and Raekwon are both scheduled to release new albums and would be sweet if billed as a mid-tier act like they were at Pitchfork last year.
8. White Stripes
Again, probably won’t happen but might only be another year or two away,
7. Beastie Boys
If everything goes well with MCA and they go back on tour, I think they could easily end up at Lolla.
6. Franz Ferdinand
Probably too small to headline, but would awesome in the 6th headline spot or as a solid second-tier act.
5. Lil' Wayne
I don't know if he'd be the type of hip hop headliner Lollapalloza would look to, but I would most certainly be pleased and Jay-Z is a similar act and he headlined at All Points West this year.
4. Arcade Fire
Put on a classic show in 2005 and have a large enough fan base to generate headline-level crowds
3. Beck
I think he’s been rumored to play like every year Lolla has been in Chicago, and I don't think anybody would complain if it finally happened.
2. Outkast
Would be the perfect hip hop headliner. So perfect that it has to happen at some point.
1. The Strokes
a) Due to release an album next year b) have a big enough following to headline c) Allegedly a great band live… please let this happen, please let this happen, please let this happen…
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