Lollapalooza 2009

While the early bird may get the worm, concertgoers at Chicago's 18th Lollapalooza were rewarded for showing up later on in the festivals 3 day lineup. Friday's lineup, though filled with great names like Bon Iver, Ben Folds, STS9, The Decemberists, Of Montreal, and Kings Of Leon, to name a few, was subject to a disappointingly somber set by headliners Depeche Mode, perhaps brought on by the rain that pounded Grant Park for most of the day.

By Saturday, however, the weather was looking up...way up. Temperatures rose to the high 80s, and correspondingly the sets were higher in energy, including a stereotypically laid-back yet angry set by Atmosphere. Arctic Monkeys and Santigold were Saturdays surprise successes, though perhaps not their devoted fan base, who packed in both concerts and helped those unfamiliar with their lyrics by singing, or shouting, along. A slightly disappointing set was Animal Collective, who was highly anticipated but, perhaps attempting to promote their other less well-received work, or perhaps just bored with their traditional set, neglected to play many of the favorites from their newer and more accessible album, Merriweather Post Pavilion. The Yeah Yeah Yeahs pulled off their surprise headlining show, sitting in last minute for the Beastie Boys, who unfortunately had to pull out due to the medical condition of MC Adam "MCA" Yauch, but Tool was the show to see that night, giving a predictably energetic and muscially tight performance, with a stage and lighting show that matched and perhaps even exceeded the music.

But it was Sunday that Lollapalooza outdid itself once again, packing in so many big names that the only complaint that could be had was having to trek from North Lolla to South to catch the headliners at the larger stages placed at opposite ends of the park. But there were so many smaller bands at the side stages that generally the walk would be pleasantly interrupted to catch a few songs coming from the lesser known, but still formidable names. The shaded breaks in the side stage were welcome, especially as temperatures rose to over 90º and higher in the sun-baked pits around the Budweiser and Chicago 2016 stages. There were a variety of plans one could follow and still see a full day of great bands, but one of the best routes we found in the late afternoon heat, starting at 2:30, began at the Kaiser Chiefs, who played an lively set on the North side, led by frontman Ricky Wilson, who somehow found the energy to jump around and even climb the stage rigging during . Next were The Ravonettes, right next door on the Playstation stage, who despite a slow, strum-heavy set, were able to keep a large audience intrigued with thier high harmonies and stripped down sound, accented by a simple floor tom and snare drum set. Then it was back to the Budweiser stage for Neko Case of New Pornographers fame, who did her solo career justice with a great set of originals backed by a great band featuring her pedal steel guitarist (name?). After we made the long but necessary hike to the South stages to catch The Cold War kids, who delivered a fantastic show complete with crowd surfing and their standby yellow maraca, used on "We Used to Vacation" to smash a cymbal set on top of a concrete block and on "St. John" to beat Nathan Willett's probably very expensive Fender Starcaster in the cacophonous finale. We stuck around for some of Snoop Dog, but the heat and crown drove us back to the North Side, but not before stopping to see a few songs by the frighteningly thin Bradford Cox of Deerhunter. ( I recently found out that this is due to a condition called Marfan Syndrome.)

Back on the North side, we were treated to one last song by Lou Reed...and then another...and then another. His lingering feedback and of-key solos eventually bled into 20 minutes of the Band of Horses concert that was supposed to have started on the next stage over, and while respect must be given to this pioneer of indie rock...come'on, Lou. Finally Band of Horses was able to go on, and played the set of their lives to a very appreciative crowd, who were rewarded for their patience when lead singer Ben Bridwell shouted "We're gonna have to blast this shit out!" when Jane's Addiction started on the other stage 45 minutes into thier set, and continued to valiantly battle the larger stages sound with 4 or five more favorites. For the final show, it was a toss up between Jane's Addiction and The Killers, so we caught both, appreciating the return of the festivals original 1991 headliner and then the Killers hits as the night finally cooled the park to a comfortable 75º as we danced farewell to Lollapalooza 2009.