Lollapalooza Day 1: Time at fest 12:30pm-10pm

See Above for grading meanings. See below for the review.

12:45pm - Already very sweaty. Festival is already very crowded. Already drinking beer. Lollapalooza 08 is a go!

1:15pm – Rogue Wave: A

One of my favorite bands so I am a little biased. These guys sounded great and did a really good set. They started a bit slow but closed it out perfectly with a Lake Michigan – Harmonium one two punch.

Sound isn’t as good on these videos as it was live.

Lake Michigan


Harmonium


They had a weird time slot considering they are popular. Going theory is festival organizers knew they would get people out but weren’t big enough to be insulted by this time slot.

Rogue Wave sez: “Thanks! We redheads need to stick together. Even though we only have one redheaded band member. And one with a cool beardstache.”

2:15pm - The Go! Team: B+

See these guys do a live show. They bounce around like maniacs and demand the audience do the same. Poppy type of music. Even though it was 300 degrees the audience was totally into it.

This is from Glastonbury, but has better sound than any Lolla videos


After this set some older guy (prob 45) who was 5’4”, overweight, balding, and probably a little drunk was talking to anyone around him about The Go! Team and how great they are. He also suggested everyone see CSS. Sorry, buddy, last time I went where a drunk middle aged dude suggested… well, let’s just say the free candy was the only good part.

The Go! Team sez: “That dude weirds us out too.”

3:15pm – Duffy: F-

Sounded awful. Was boring between songs. Really nothing redeeming about her set. I am consciously not linking to anything on her because I don’t want to ruin your day.

Dufffy sez: “Ouch!”

4:15pm - Gogol Bordello: A-

For me they are A- just because I am lazy about going to see shows. For you they should be an A++++ and immediately on your list of bands to see perform live. They play gypsy punk, which is becoming surprisingly popular. Fine by me. I like gypsy punk.

They were energetic, eclectic, and made you feel ok about going absolutely bananas in public. Basically, exactly what a festival band should be.



Gogol Bordello sez: “Rishtag Weeehawg!” or some other indiscernible thing really loudly.

5:45pm – Grizzly Bear: B+

For you I would say B-. I know, what’s the point of this system if I have to keep translating. Here’s the thing: they sound great, they are just more mellow. Not so much so that it sucked, but they are a smaller venue band. So the grade varies based on venue. They can play live. Don’t doubt that. Just know you are getting what their album sounds like. Which is mellow. My first very disjointed paragraph. Yay!

Sorry, couldn’t find any other good live performances


Grizzly Bear sez: “Come on, man. We gave you ‘Horn of Plenty’, which is one of your favorite albums ever. You couldn’t at least give us an A-?”

John sez: “Sorry, Grizzly Bear. I have to be ethical about this. I still love you.”

6:15pm – The Raconteurs: Whoops

I am not sure quite how this happened, but I basically missed their set. Probably because I had to walk across the fest after being guaranteed to miss the first 15 minutes. Then I needed a rib sandwich. Then I sat off to the side behind the stage to take a little break. Then next thing I knew, I had only listened to a couple songs. I will say this based on seeing them before. They are awesome live. Go see them.

Hate to link to such a mainstream song, but best I could find.


The Raconteurs sez: “We don’t care that you missed our set because we hate you as a person.”

8pm – Radiohead: A+

Soooooo, you could argue that OK Computer or The Bends was one of the best albums of the last 20 years and they were both made by one band. Also note their other albums include Kid A, Pablo Honey, and Hail to the Thief amongst others.

That is maniacal.

Some people complained that it was just them standing and playing. I disagree, they had laser lights and other things to entertain your eyes. The other thing is, the music does the work for a band like this. Their songs are so intense that it is hard not to get swept up in their show. See them sooner rather than later. They are an incredible band and sounded awesome live.

A little outdated, but you get the idea of how awesome they are


Also worth noting; there was a guy in the beer line who had a Pablo Honey tour shirt on. He was probably early 40’s. Graying a bit. I have never been so jealous of someone. Can you imagine loving Radiohead that much when that came out then they follow it up consistently with dynamite albums? Not only loving them that much, but being aged enough to truly understand the band and not just have a teenage crush on them.

Bonus video for the Pablo Honey T-shirt guy even though this isn't from the album Pablo Honey but it is one of their best songs and they played it at Lolla.

Radiohead Sez: “Thanks for the nice words. We couldn’t quite hear you because we were under a huge pile of money and women and talent. But we’re sure they were very nice.”

Pablo Honey Tour Shirt Guy Sez: “Some weird dude just cornered me and kept talking about The Go! Team. It was awkward. Oh, and scroll down for the Day 2 recap.”

Better do what he says. He knows how to pick 'em.