Lollapalooza Thu Aug 05 2010

Lollapalooza Stage Clash 2010 - Round 4

We're entering the final stretch in our Lollapalooza preview. Sunday, the third day, the day you're struggling to pry your sunburned body up out of bed (or off the floor) and get outside again. But never fear! There are plenty of reasons to shower and get your butt down to Grant Park for your last chance to dance in the dusty softball fields for another year.

SUNDAY, AUGUST 8TH: EARLY AFTERNOON

1-2pm Company of Thieves vs. The Dodos
While locals Company of Thieves have been a longtime favorite of mine, The Dodos supply a more complex and eclectic sound and would be a shoe-in for any music fan with experimental tastes. However, CoT singer Genevieve Schatz has one of the most charismatic stage presences of any band coming out of our city. Besides, it seems like The Dodos would be much more enjoyable if you are already familiar with their work, while I can't think of a single reason anyone would not completely fall in love with Company of Thieves upon first listen. This one's a toss-up. It's a total win-win.
- Stephanie Griffin

2-3pm Blitzen Trapper vs. Ike Reilly Assassination
If you're into keeping it mellow this afternoon, then Americana, bluesy music from the Sony bloggie stage from Ike Reilly Assassination is your bag. Plop on down on an old thrift-store sheet and beat your own tambourine to these fellas from Chicago. Even when they sing about terrorism, it makes you flash a peace sign and think about that Woodstock movie with Demitri Martin you watched once. If, on the other hand, you want a little music infused into your music festival, try out Blitzen Trapper, from Portland, Oregon, out on the big ole Budweiser stage. These boys have a way with dreamy lyrics with a poetic storyline — kind of like if a folk festival was invaded by a Renaissance Faire. They'll be amplified but not screaming at you across the dusty ground. Instead, they'll bring a large-stage mellow to the crowd, hopefully getting you past the mid-afternoon sugar crash, or, if you're just arriving, providing a lovely start to your final day at Lolla. Ribbon twirling encouraged. Watch out for the hula hoopers.
- Anne Holub

3-4pm Mumford and Sons vs. Freelance Whales
Though it may sound like it, Mumford and Sons isn't a family-run trucking business. Instead, it's a group of four young London lads with a lot of energy and even more melancholy packed into their four piece folk band. They've sprung from the sweaty, London underground folk scene to Lollapalooza this year. Expect warm stories and darkly reflective ballads that make you feel like you're in a song circle with misty-eyed men. While Freelance Whales' rhythmic and peculiarly arranged pop songs are certainly a good time, Mumford and Sons' trumps the poppy twenty-something. Catch Mumford and Sons at 3pm Sunday on the Playstation stage.
- Dee Fabbricatore

4-5:30pm Yeasayer vs. Mexican Insitiute of Sound
Yeasayer is the band that made experimental music fun! Before them it was all 45 minute long tracks of the same note with some screams thrown in. But seriously, the trio makes some groove-licious music that skims borders of along the lines of psych-pop, afrobeat and indie. If you missed them at the Metro a few months ago, you have been given another chance. The band released their second effort Odd Blood last February keeping their position as one of the few remaining musical pioneers. Another musical oddity that makes genre blending the hot new sport is Mexican Institute Of Sound and something you might not have another opportunity to see again for awhile. A one man project by the head of EMI Mexico who is also a DJ and producer Camilo Lara's is MIS and he notably amuses himself with the grandiose name. Blending classical Mexican music with an electronic edge, he makes some of the most unusual, quirk-filled dance meets culture sound. His second album Soy Sauce was released in May and the name just represents the creative multi-cultural inspiration that is MIS. If you ever wanted to hear a cover of The Verve's Bittersweet Symphony in Spanish backed by a mariachi sound, your chance is now.
- Aharona Ament