Lollapalooza Tue Aug 03 2010

Lollapalooza Stage Clash 2010 - Round 2

We continue our Lollapalooza set battles with the most hard-to-decide sets of Friday night and first thing Saturday afternoon. From Reggae to Ga Ga to Dubstep, it's quite the smorgasbord of musical delights.

FRIDAY, AUGUST 6th - NIGHT

5-6:30pm Fuck Buttons vs. Caspa
There is a new saying going around his Myspace page that states, "If you don't know Caspa, you don't know Dubstep". If you have found yourself in the situation of possessing ignorance to this style of electronic music, make haste to the Caspa stage as promptly as possible to get your needed fill of remix action. This English master of beats is said to bring it like no one. Fuck Buttons however, will have you in a daze. Their now classic 2008 release Street Horrsing put them on the map as masters of the drone/post-rock movement. With the ability to still capture their epic sound in a festival setting, the duo is amazing no matter where they play and experiencing them is something that one should do at least once to see why the band has a cult following. You will most likely join.
- Aharona Ament

5-6pm Dirty Projectors vs. Matt & Kim
The Dirty Projectors made a splash last year with their Pitchfork-approved LP Bitte Orca and the single "Stillness is the Move." Their experimental psychedelic brand of rock is great for laying in the grass and gazing up at the sky, but if a late afternoon dance party is what you're looking for, head to the Adidas stage for Matt & Kim. The Brooklyn duo is always a hit at festivals, known for their carefree, energetic performances, and their music is equally fun. Their song "Daylight" can be heard everywhere, from commercials, to TV shows, to your little brother's video games. Plus, you'll be in prime position to dance into the night with Hot Chip, Chromeo and Lady Gaga rounding out the lineup on the south end of the park.
- Michelle Meywes

6-7:15pm Black Keys vs. Hot Chip
Merging blues with a heavier-than-usual guitar assault, The Black Keys would have to wear some pretty ridiculous outfits (think feather boas and Hammer pants and maybe some clown shoes) to completely dilute the cool of their sound. The Ohio-based duo recently released their sixth album, Brothers, in March of this year, and they've been featured in pretty much everything (from American Express commercials to previews for Black Snake Moan to the theme song for HBO's Hung) since riding their lo-fi licks to fame in 2001. So if you're looking for music that's only a few more songs away from completely pervading the public consciousness, then make your way to the Budweiser stage around 6pm on Friday.

At the opposite end of Grant Park, you'll find a more computer-generated rock. As willing to use auto-tune effects and synthesized beats as anyone in the club scene, Hot Chip is likely to lend a dance-floor atmosphere to its outdoor concert. The band released its most recent album in February of this year, and you've probably seen the video for the single, "I Feel Better," making the rounds on YouTube and Facebook wall posts. With boy band/alien/Jesus imagery, there's no way of telling where the group got its inspiration for such a video, but it offers every indication that the members will have a sense of humor when they take the Parkway stage at 6pm on Friday.
- Geoff George

7-8:30pm Jimmy Cliff vs. Chromeo
Chromeo is a little hard to to turn down, with their synth-heavy funky sound that can tear up a dance floor, and at times has been compared to Hall & Oates (they've even worked with Hall himself!), but I'm going to have to go with legendary Jamaican musician Jimmy Cliff for this time slot. Younger audiences probably know him for the song "I Can See Clearly Now" which he covered for the Cool Runnings soundtrack, but Cliff is best known for his contribution to the 1972 film The Harder They Come which introduced much of the world to reggae for the first time. He wrote four original songs for the soundtrack and starred in the film. Cliff is still busy today, writing screenplays and just recently released a new album, Existence. There's not a much better time of day to see him perform: as the sun sets/ begins to set on a bright, sunshiny day.
- Michelle Meywes

8-10pm Gaga vs. The Strokes vs. 2 many djs
If you aren't a fan of pop spectacle or groundbreaking mashable electronic music, then head to The Strokes. I like The Strokes, but they seem like such a safe bet when going up against the reigning queen of pop and one of the best DJ outfits around. I implore everyone to check out either the start or finale of Lady Gaga's set, because I believe that's when she'll dish out the biggest reasons of why she is such a dedicated performer. But I also would suggest making sure you see 2 many djs, the Belgium Dewaele brothers who also are behind the massively successful electronic act Soulwax. As 2 many djs the two cleared the rights for to 114 recordings to create the 45 track As Heard on Radio Soulwax Pt. 2, a mashup and remix opus that came out long before the rise in popularity of the mashup style of DJ-ing. It's sleek and layered perfectly, and it would be a shame to miss 2 many djs live. Check out Gaga, then head over to the massive 2 many djs dance party that will surely ensue, work up a sweat, then catch the tail end of Gaga. The best of both worlds.
- Lisa White

SATURDAY, AUGUST 7: EARLY AFTERNOON

12noon -12:45pm Morning Benders vs. Only Children
While Chicago DJ collective Only Children are bound to provide some smooth beats to start your long Saturday, the biggest downside to catching their set at Lollapalooza is the fact that they are locals, and we have ample opportunity to see them DJ around the city. On the other hand, The Morning Benders come around town way less often, not to mention that their aftershow at Metro with The Black Keys has been sold out for ages. Seeing as though their dreamy new album Big Echo hasn't left my stereo in ages, I'm more than a little biased on this one. However, take one listen to their Everly Brothers-inspired track "Excuses" and I'm positive you'll be convinced to head over to Grant Park as early as possible on Saturday afternoon to plop yourself down over at the Sony Stage. It's that good.
- Stephanie Griffin

12:30-1:15pm The Soft Pack vs. Skybox
Rising west coast band versus up-and-coming local band. Garage surf rock against quirk pop rock. It's a battle for the ages...okay maybe not, but it's a choice you're going to have to make when you get to Grant Park early Saturday afternoon. The Soft Pack comes our way from San Diego bringing fuzzy guitars and throwback rock that's been compared to The Kinks. Chicago group Skybox has influences of David Bowie and of Montreal going on, with genre-jumping pop songs that can only be described as fun. Both bands have catchy choruses and danceable rhythms in their favor, so if straightforward rock is more your style, give The Soft Pack a listen, but if you're more like me and you like surprises, make your way to the BMI stage for Skybox. Their latest album Morning After Cuts was just released this year, and single "In A Dream" is the perfect way to shake off a groggy morning (check out the video here). (Skybox is also playing a free aftershow with the Spinto Band and Jukebox the Ghost at Bottom Lounge the same day. RSVP here.)
- Michelle Meywes

1-2:30pm: Wild Beasts vs. Harlem vs. Rogue Wave
Don't get me wrong here; Rogue Wave have some phenomenal songs, but more days than not they're an underwhelming live act. If you love them, you have to see them. However, if you're on the fence, both Harlem and Wild Beasts are worth looking into. Harlem's lo-fi garage rock is raw and played ferociously. They'll bowl over an audience with their reckless abandon. On the other hand, Wild Beasts play a refined dream pop like a way more upbeat Antony & the Johnsons. Both can be mesmerizing, though clearly for entirely different reasons.
- James Ziegenfus

2:15-3:15pm Stars vs. Verve Pipe
If you think that "The Freshmen" is the only four and a half minutes you'd want to spend with one-hit wonders Verve Pipe, well, you're not the only one. The band put out a few albums after their big hit, but nothing quite measured up commercially and the band took an eight-year hiatus. In 2009, the band took an unexpected turn and released a children's album. Tracks like "Cereal" and "Go To Sleep Now" aren't exactly aimed at your age demographic, but the kiddos might like it, and maybe they'll sneak in a familiar sounding new song like "After we washed our hands/we were only Fresh Then." If you're not holding out hope for that and don't have wee ones to or the morbid curiosity to enjoy the saccharine new tunes, we might suggest the accomplished Canadian stylings of Stars, a part of the ever-popular Broken Social Scene and a fine band in their own pretty pop way.
- Dan Morgridge

3-4:15pm The xx vs. Dan Black
I adore the self-titled debut album from The xx, its soft and intimate nature makes me feel like I'm part of some secret when I'm listening to it. But even in an indoor setting the annoying person yapping can put a damper on things, so I'm going to bet a large festival crowd would bum me out even more. I saw Dan Black live a few months ago, and although a bit rough and not over the top impressive, I want to give him another chance. I really enjoy his polished dance pop tracks (not including that "Symphonies" single that I loathe), and I think he'd be a refreshing afternoon set. Check out Black in a festival setting where if you aren't impressed it's not a big deal, and spend a little extra to see The xx indoors.
- Lisa White

3:45-5:15pm Gogol Bordello vs. Grizzly Bear
This show presents an interesting contrast: a wild, gypsy, circus-punk show (Gogol Bordello) against a so-indie-it-hurts, orchestrated acoustic and experimental group (Grizzly Bear). Basically, it comes down to what sort of person you are. Do you like your front man to be sweaty and mustachioed or sporting a side-swoop haircut and earnestly crooning? Do you prefer an accordion-addled ruckus or freewheeling, feel-good rhythms? Perhaps it's time to take a good look in the mirror, friend.
- Kara Luger