Like the beginning of a frigid boulder run, 2014 is off to a rapid start. As most may know, though, there are incessant stretches along the way, and the academic calendar is no different. As students tread through the looming limbo before spring break, they are awarded with free samples of the upcoming summer. For music enthusiasts, this comes from the reveal of festival lineups.
From Electric Forest to Pitchfork and Wakarusa to Governors Ball, fans have patiently waited through the winter lockjaw to see who will highlight such extravaganzas.
Chicago's Lollapalooza is one of them. The lakeside takeover has become increasingly popular since its inception in 1991. Since it permanently plopped on Grant Park in 2005, it has evolved into one of the country's most commercial fests. With over 160,000 collective fans to please, creator Perry Farrell and co. are expected to assemble an all-encompassing pack of bands.
The most obvious way a festival does such is by accounting for headliners. These widely known acts cap off each of the festival's three days. Lollapalooza, though, has the luxury of waiting until after other premiere competitors (Bonnaroo, Coachella) release their respected tickers. With 'Roo nabbing the likes of Elton John, Kanye West and Jack White, and Coachella grabbing Arcade Fire, Muse and Outkast, what does Lolla have planned?
Attempting to be unique while not missing out on acclaimed acts, Lollapalooza will likely gather a bit of a mix of its competition. That being said, it's expected that Outkast will headline one night. Perry Farrell has always oozed for reunions. Lolla, however, opts against including artists already performing at nearby fests. Outkast will perform at Milwaukee's Summerfest in June. This 'rule' has been waived before, though, and quite possibly can be for Outkast, who is already slated for 40 fests. If not, could Kanye?
Speaking of homegrown heroes, Pearl Jam is expected to lead this year's lineup. The Evanston, Ill. born Eddie Vedder and his band released "Lightning Bolt" last year, but still have not stopped by Chicago.
Another American rock band, Tool, is set to release their first album since 2006 and last headlined Lolla in 2009. It's possible they could accompany Pearl Jam and Kings of Leon as rock headliners, or at least as a sub-headliner.
It's rumored that Arctic Monkeys are a possibility to headline after their stellar AM release last year. Foster the People is expected to be included as well. The L.A. trio will release their sophomore record, "Supermodel," on March 18. It's believable that both will be there, but it's not certain who would headline. If not, both are plausible sub-headliners, as Florence + The Machine was in 2012.
Although EDM has skyrocketed in America over the past few years, it has not been widely represented on many lineups set for this summer. Skrillex is back in the festival flux and is an identifiable addition. Pretty Lights shined at Lolla in 2011 and would be warmly accepted back, but they have a string of major fests set for this summer.
Now that Swedish House Mafia is no-longer, it's rumored that Axwell may be included this year, just as Steve Angello was last year.
Modern day Renaissance man Justin Timberlake is still on his 20/20 Experience tour and has yet to stop by Chicago. Could it be? He could rack in the pop-fans that flocked to Lolla for Lady Gaga in '09. It makes more sense than some may imagine.
The same goes for the Avett Brothers who, even after two recent lackluster albums, are still as popular as they ever have been. They're set to play in nearby Ohio on the Saturday of Lollapalooza weekend.
Although all of these acts are often regarded as all-stars, the lineup's leftover 90% is what truly makes it memorable. Acts such as Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds, CHVRCHES, Sky Ferreira, Little Dragon, Bombay Bicycle Club, Cut Copy, Broken Bells, Fitz & The Tantrums, Zedd and Adventure Club seem logical.
Four Tet, Thao & The Get Down Stay Down, Jon Hopkins, Warpaint, Krewella, Angel Olsen, Above & Beyond, Jagwar Ma, Danny Brown and Empire of the Sun would also work wonders.