Feature Thu Aug 06 2009

Lollapalooza 2009: Band vs Band, Round 4

By Anne Holub

Our fourth round of coverage gets you through the all-important early hours on the last day of this weekend's entertainment. It's a true test of the passionate festival-goer, who by that point is soggy, tired, and maybe not-just-a-little-bit sunburned. You'll need to muster all their strength to get up out of bed before noon and head down to Grant Park, but if you do, you'll be kindly rewarded. Read on for more.

Sunday afternoon, August 9th

Friendly Fires vs Esser vs Ra Ra Riot: Sunday, 12:30-1:30pm

For those few festival goers that forgo nursing the remains of Saturday night for showing up to the festival on time, you've got a choice to make: To indie-rock, or not to indie-rock, that is the question. While the chances are you've heard of the indie acts Friendly Fires and Ra Ra Riot (both good bands but nothing too impressive,) I'm willing to bet that most of our readers haven't heard of the London-based pop prince, Esser, who could very well be the next Vanilla Ice, hair and all. He puts a new twist on traditional pop and he does it with a certain style and grace. If you're in the park early enough to choose between these three, way to go. If you want to get extra style points, check out Esser on the BMI stage.

Friendly Fires play on the Budweiser Stage from12:30-1:30pm, Esser performs on the BMI Stage from 12:30-1:15pm and Ra Ra Riot play on the Chicago 2016 Stage from12:30-1:30pm on Sunday.

-Andy Keil

Portugal. The Man vs Bat for Lashes: Sunday, 1:30-2:30pm

I must admit I have a weakness for quirky female singers. Natasha Khan, otherwise known as Bat for Lashes, fits the bill — she draws her musical inspiration from Bjork and Siouxsie and the Banshees, designs her own eccentric sets and costumes, and has an alter-ego named Pearl. Enough said. Portugal. The Man bring some quirk to the table as well (just take a look at their name). I'd describe them as blues-inspired indie rock, but they tend to experiment with different genres in their music. While I will give props to Portugal. The Man for having a song named after our fair city, this one's still a no-brainer. You'll catch me over at the vitaminwater stage, becoming entranced by Ms. Khan's beautiful, powerful vocals.

Portugal. The Man play on the PlayStation Stage and Bat for Lashes perform on the vitaminwater Stage on Sunday from 1:30-2:30pm.

-Stephanie Griffin

Lunch Money vs Cage the Elephant vs The Airborne Toxic Event: Sunday, 2:15-3:30pm

When I first heard Lunch Money I was impressed. Kids music has come a long way since Raffi and so much of it has the wit and perspective of the gifted whippersnappers we once were that it makes you long to connect with that inner child...who wants to rock out! But it is understandable that some of us want to leave the past in the past for now and embrace our more grown-up tastes. If this sounds like you The Airborne Toxic Event (named for a section of a Don DeLillo novel. How grown up is that?) is straight up indie rock. They have played all the late night shows and have been on a festival binge this year. I'm always wary of bands that have long tour schedules because I fear that they will lose momentum and play a sucky show, but really one never knows how to gamble with that. A nice medium between the two might be Cage The Elephant. Much more rock than TATE and they have played crazy high energy shows for those who need their rock without worrying about crashing the kiddie mosh pit.

Lunch Money perform from 2:30-3pm on the Kidzapalooza Stage, Cage the Elephant play on the Citi Stage from 2:15-3pm and The Airborne Toxic Event perform on the Chicago 2016 Stage from 2:30-3:30pm on Sunday

-Aharona Ament

The Raveonettes vs The Hood Internet vs Dan Deacon: Sunday, 3:30-4:30pm

It's been a long weekend, and depending on how much overpriced beer and after parties you've indulged in will help decide your schedule on Sunday. Still feeling fresh as a daisy? Then I'd hit up either Dan Deacon or Hood Internet. I personally like Deacon in an indoor setting (he's playing Logan Square Auditorium Sunday night if you can find a ticket), but then again you can usually see The Hood Internet around town almost every weekend. I'd hit up Deacon, who comes to town less often with his traveling dance party. If you're feeling pretty tired, I'd relax and enjoy the fuzzed out garage rock sounds of the retro The Raveonettes, who will provide a perfect soundtrack while relaxing in the shade.

The Raveonettes perform on the PlayStation Stage, The Hood Internet spin on Perry's Stage and Dan Deacon performs on the vitaminwater Stage from 3:30-4:30pm Sunday

-Lisa White

[If you're looking for our full coverage of Lollapalooza stage clashes, check out Round 1, Round 2 or Round 3 of our previews, and keep tuned for tomorrow's finale.]