Lollapalooza 2012

Over the past several years I pondered the thought of going to Lollapalooza.  I've attended my share of concerts of all shapes and sizes, but never a multi-day festival.  I've been to Lollapalooza a few times in the past when it was a one day traveling event.  I had heard the stories about the legendary experience of the now 3-day Grant Park festival.  So, I finally bought a 3-day pass, and booked a hotel (the only way to attend), and off I went.

The weather stole the show at times.  Friday was hot, sticky, and sun filled!  Staying hydrated was a must, and word must have got out.  Water refill station lines were longer than the beer lines until after 7pm.  Satuday history was made when they evacuated the park prior to what was a pretty significant storm (good call Lolla team, safety first!).  Sunday's weather was PERFECT!  A beer drinking day if there every was one!

I would say that proper planning insures that you get to see everybody you want to.  However, there were some scheduling conflicts Friday but I went with the legendary Black Sabbath.  The big stages are at both ends of the park in largest fields, and another stage is 45 degress around the field, and music alternates.  So as you're waiting for somebody you really want to see you can still see bands.  On the north end the alternate stage is the only stage on blacktop, so that got pretty damn hot if you're watching a band there.  The set-up is great, but it's about a 10-20 walk  (depending on route and crowds) from one major stage to the other.  The other 4 stages are tucked in other side areas of the park, and there is some sound bleed, but nothing too bad.  The schedule and times are posted way weeks ahead of time so you can plan your experience.  You also want to have time for discovery of new bands.  You can also catch 15 minutes here and there before traveling to the next stage.  This was my first time here, I pretty much flew solo all weekend.  I met some friends by the fountain so we can check out some bands together, then I was off again.  I think this strategy works in this enviornment so you can see who you want, when you want, beers and bathroom breaks aren't an issue, and go at your own pace.

I thought I would go in on the upper end of the age demographic.  However I was wrong.  Lollapalooza is really for EVERYBODY.  Kids, parents, grandparents...  etc.  The Kidzapalooza area of the fest went until 5pm, featured some really cool family oriented music, and kids were free to attend the festival.  Sure there were a number of shirtless douch-bags, there were also the frat boys, goth kids, metal dads, hipsters, and hot chicks.  With 100,000 people a day, everybody got along.  I didn't see any fights, arguments, or injuries.  I think the most of the trouble came Saturday with the evacation and closure of the festival for a few hours.  Other than that seemed pretty peaceful.

I saw 22 bands in the 3 days.  I didn't come back Saturday after it reopened.  I walked back to hotel before the storm it, and nursed a toe injury so I can be ready Sunday.  Sunday was the best day in my book...  weather was perfect, most of the bands I wanted to see played that day, and Jack White sent us home for 2012:

Friday:
Animal Kingdom, O'Rappa, Michael Kiwanuka, Dr. Dog, Tame Impala, Metric, Die Antwoord, Passion Pit, and Black FUCKING Sabbath!

Saturday:
Kopecky Family Band, Los Jaivas, JEFF the Brotherhood, and Quinn Sullivan (very tale end)
Saturday's storm knocked about 4 hours off the schedule.  So when it got going again it mostly just the headliners.

Sunday:
Verve Pipe on Kidzapalooza Stage, Quinn Sullivan, The Devil Makes Three, White Rabbits, Gary Clark Jr., Gaslight Anthem, Florence and The Machine, Miike Snow, and Jack White.

Sabbath was highlight.  I know there was no Bill Ward, but his replacement hit the skins so hard he made the band sound better.  Ozzy was well Ozzy.  Tony and Geezer were flawless!

Quinn Sullivan is a 13 year old blues player.  He was fantastic.  Good kid, bought his CD and he signed it for me.  Hope he's around for a while.  Buddy Guy mentors him from time to time.

Florence held the crowd in her hands.  I haven't felt that kind of energy since Stevie Nicks in her prime.  Too bad it was still daylight. 

I'm already gearing up for next year.  Do you hear me QOTSA, Willie Nelson, and Alice in Chains?

-MD

ALBUM REVIEW - Silversun Pickups - Neck Of The Woods

In gymnastics, it's not enough to attempt the most difficult routine on the uneven bars, Your execution must be impeccable, or the effort and risk is all for nothing.  With NECK OF THE WOODS, Silversun Pickups dazzle the listener with sonic flips and twists, and display large scale sweeps of power and grace.  They wobble a bit on the landing, but strut off the mat with two middle fingers thrust firmly in the air.

     This is the SP's 3rd full length album, and each album  gets progressively bigger in scale and scope as the band gets more comfortable with who they are and what the strive to be.  In interviews, frontman Brian Aubert says this album was inspired by horror movies.  The influence is palpable; it isn't hard to imagine each song pulsing in the background of your favorite slasher flicks.  However, this album is not a list of filler music. The tracks are character-driven, exhibiting a deeper range and depth of emotions than most 90 minute screenplays. I have much appreciation for NECK, as the SP's seem intent on focusing attention to the artistry and totality pf each song.  The shortest song, THE PIT, clocks in at 4:39; these are no radio friendly unit shifters.  Despite the extended song lengths, only one song drags to the finish line; the 5:37 GUN SHY SUNSHINE, which aappears to be the Pickups' attempt to incorporate a little electronica into their sound via the sticcato synth strikes of a lurking killer.

     The rest of the album's songs are full bodied. These songs are long because they have to be. Each is the full expression of thought and emotion through musical execution. Nothing is truncated. This just might be a challenge to the value meal pop-rock that seems to populate the airwaves today.

     *Sidenote: I know, the SP's sound very similar to another SP band, the Smashing Pumpkins.  Most people that have heard both groups undoubtedly will make the comparison, despite Aubert's assertion that their major sonic influence is My Bloody Valentine. Their body of work is similar to the Pumpkins through 3 albums as well, the difference being Billy Corgan's ambition, ego, and arrogance with MELLON COLLIE AND THE INFINITE SADNESS.  I enjoy the Pickups because of this difference, and inspite of this difference.

Silversun Pickups
Neck Of The Woods
8 May, 2012
Rock/Alt Rock

1. Skin Graph (89)
2. Make Believe (86)
3. Bloody Mary (97)
4. Busy Bees (81)
5. Here We Are (88)
6. Mean Spirits (95)
7. Simmer (94)
8. The Pit (92)
9. Dots And Dashes (90)
10. Gun Shy Sunshine (78)
11. Out Of Breath (94)

     NECK OF THE WOODS CAS =  89.45