Jubilation. Elation. Rapture. All these words could smoothly sum up my state of being last Wednesday at 1 a.m. when Perry Farrell released the official Lollapalooza lineup.
Ferrell's roll supports an abundance of noteworthy names and up-and-coming artists. Needless to say, I am thoroughly impressed from the very top headliners to the bottom feeders of the festival.
Starting from the tip-top, I am not too surprised by the headliners. Red Hot Chili Peppers, The Black Keys and Jack White aren't shocking. All have been mainstays in the wide world of rock for a while now.
However, the Chili Peppers will sport a different look and feel with Josh Klinghoffer, who replaced John Frusciante as lead guitarist and back-up vocalist. This may damper certain classics like "Snow" and "Scar Tissue" that Frusciante dominated, but will still set up for a memorable Grant Park sighting.
Jack White should be the most appreciated addition to the lineup. In total, it will basically be a four-band show. Being the headman of The White Stripes, The Raconteurs, Dead Weather and his own solo album due next week, he will provide a wide array of tunes.
Perry Ferrell has always been a sucker for reunited bands. Soundgarden in 2010 and Tool in 2009 both headlined after being on hiatus for multiple years. That is the case this year for Black Sabbath and At the Drive-In. These two acts I am not particularly excited about. Both have not typically floated my music boat in the past, nor have they performed together in years.
Black Sabbath is missing two key members over illness and dispute and has reduced their supposed mass reunion tour to a mere 15 dates. At the Drive-In is one of the most influential post-hardcore rock bands, but hasn't played as a whole since 2001. Band members were very hesitant to reunite, and have declared that this tour is only for nostalgic reasons. That can easily affect their stage presence and how they feed off of each other as their tour drags on.
Many fans are getting locked up in the mention of Avicii on the lineup. All in all, it is understandable. Avicii has mustered up some intriguing hits and has made his way to the main circuit with stride.
However, there are many other electronic acts that should be weighed heavily. Kaskade, Neon Indian and SBTRKT are two artists that are continually making their way into the hearts of numerous electronic enthusiasts. Washed Out is known for the theme song of the show "Portlandia" and offers a distinct sound of repetitive upbeat instrumentals throughout other tunes.
M83 is known for "Midnight City" and the widespread publicity it has received. However, the album that it is on is a true masterpiece. "Hurry Up, We're Dreaming" is a true album that feeds one song off of the other, taking each listener on a journey through multiple themes and facets. If one will take the time to go through it, a number of fantastic tunes will surface. Check out "Ok Pal," "Intro," and "Steve McQueen" for further enjoyment.
On the indie side, anyone would be sorely mistaken not to take the time to check out Of Monsters and Men. The pride of Iceland makes for a lyrically absorbing and instrumentally enticing sound that has been featured on many big city indie stations. They can be best summed up as if Arcade Fire and Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros had a baby. Bowerbirds have some strong songs such as "In Our Talons," but are in need of one acclaimed hit to rise to popularity. Even so, they have an array of respectable songs to keep them in good contention for a listen.
If you couldn't already tell, Lollapalooza's lineup is extremely diverse and eye opening. Such a simple list that enables the lineup to compete as possibly the best festival this year.
- Easterhouse is a freshman from Evergreen Park, Ill., majoring in communications. features@thedepauw.com