OT: Lollapalooza lineup announced

Submitted by Z on
The lineup for Lollapalooza was announced today, and my initial reaction is that it is more "meh" than past years. Some of the best headliners I saw the past couple years were RHCP, Rage Against the Machine, and Muse. This year's headliners (Soundgarden, Greenday, and Lady Gaga) don't get me that excited. The only band I'm actually very pumped to see is Wolfmother, and if MGMT is playing the same day I'll check them out again. The nice thing about Lollapalooza, though, is that there are a ton of bands I've never heard of and are pleasantly surprised when I enjoy their show (actually, Wolfmother is one of those bands which was part of the 2006 lineup; they've since broken up and gotten back together). Are there any other bands in the lineup that any of you think are a "can't miss" show? See the link below. http://2010.lollapalooza.com/?utm_campaign=2010_lineup&utm_content=2010…

TTUwolverine

April 6th, 2010 at 12:01 PM ^

What the fuck? I can't say I've ever payed too much attention to it, but isn't Lollapalooza supposed to be a punk thing? Lady Gaga does not seem to fit in very well.

Hoken's Heroes

April 6th, 2010 at 2:19 PM ^

It hasn't been punk at all. What is has been is corporate rock bands that use the facade of punk to sell albums. Nothing wrong with that but Lala-apukeza has never showcased true punk bands. Besides, a true punk band would never play a sponsored festival like this one. Like em or hate em, a true punk band is and was FUGAZI. Saw them plat at The Union a looooong time ago. What a great live band.

notetoself

April 6th, 2010 at 12:03 PM ^

arcade fire, frightened rabbit, and phoenix, i'm sure all put on a good live show. i really like grizzly bear, but i feel like it's very possible they could suck live. minus the bear is a band that should be seen live. it's all live guitar looping stuff that doesn't translate to records. i haven't given lollapalooza a thought in years, and looking at this lineup makes me want to go... soundgarden was my band in high school, man.

Magnus

April 6th, 2010 at 12:55 PM ^

...but I like you. I really, really like you. Between your Sufjan Stevens avatar and your interest in Grizzly Bear, Minus the Bear, and Frightened Rabbit, I think we should be friends. I know that might sound creepy, but I'm completely heterosexual. I swear.

mgofuj

April 7th, 2010 at 12:47 AM ^

Really impressed by the taste in music in this thread. I've been off on internships for the last two summers but was lucky to catch Lolla the prior two years in Chicago. It's a GREAT time. My most anticipated for this year if I'm able to go: Arcade Fire (obviously) MGMT Phoenix The Strokes Grizzly Bear Minus the Bear Lady Gaga (sideshow-type appeal) Hot Chip ...I would pay to see any of these individually. (Others in my iTunes: Wolfmother, Dirty Projectors, the Temper Trap, Cut Copy, Frightened Rabbit, The Black Keys, HEALTH, Rogue Wave, Empire of the Sun, Stars, prly a half dozen others)

notetoself

April 6th, 2010 at 1:25 PM ^

it's okay. i'm down for a good old fashioned bromance every once in a while... also, it's good to know people who you can trust to tip you off to good new music. recent additions to the arsenal: broken bells (self-titled) gaslight anthem (59 sound) cold war kids (behave yourself EP)

notetoself

April 6th, 2010 at 4:26 PM ^

gaslight anthem is a little more americana than i normally do, but one of my sources is really high on them. i'm liking the cold war kids ep enough to consider investing more in them. there are a few bands like that that i'm late to the game on, but i'm okay with that. vampire weekend, for example, although i'm trying to figure out how they're not just a slightly rastafarian grizzly bear. motley crue: starting a guitar solo by saying "guitar". brilliant.

cltjr

April 6th, 2010 at 6:48 PM ^

was arcade fire at lollapalooza 2005. so much energy and stage presence, not to mention great music. and just to give you an idea of where they stand, they outrank the following live performances i've seen: - Michael Jackson, Silverdome, 1984 - Pink Floyd, Silverdome, 1994 - Page & Plant, Palace, 1994 - Grateful Dead, Palace, August 1, 1994

kurpit

April 6th, 2010 at 12:08 PM ^

definitely not into the top three headliners but there is some good stuff after that. only festival with arcade fire this year, i think. that's pretty awesome. i might make the trip out just for whatever day they play.

03 Blue 07

April 6th, 2010 at 2:55 PM ^

I am definitely excited for the lineup. The headliners are usually kinda "meh" to me, and when I do like one, I walk away from the experience kinda bummed because it's so hard to get close to the stage without risking your life. That's why, in my opinion, the best shows at Lolla in Chicago are always the non-headliners. I saw The Arcade Fire at Lollapalooza in 2005 and it was fucking awesome. I am stoked about them coming back. If I recall, around Christmas of '05, Rolling Stone had a list of top live shows of the past 25 years or something, and that Arcade Fire show at Lolla was in the top 10. I can't wait to see them follow it up this year.

Tater

April 6th, 2010 at 12:15 PM ^

I see the Drive By Truckers have been invited. DBT is a great band to see. They are southern, and they rock, but they avoid the Southern Rock label like poison. Their frontman, Patterson Hood, is the son of legendary studio bass player David Hood, one of the "swampers" (yes, THOSE swampers) from Muscle Shoals Studios. They blend alt country, rock, punk, and even a little bit of metal and it all comes out as gloriously "in your face" while retaining a melodic feel. I became a fan when I saw them at Bonnaroo in 2003; it's great to see a band you don't know and have them surprise you. Caveat emptor: if you stereotype southern accents as "ignorant," you will not enjoy this band. If you like everything except the accents, just pretend Patterson Hood is RR with a lot more hair.

Big Brown Jug

April 6th, 2010 at 12:20 PM ^

They were my favorite band as a teenager, but had broken up by the time I was really into them. I'm curious if Chris Cornell can still hit the high notes from Superunknown, its been pretty much absent from his Audioslave and solo efforts.

Steve in PA

April 6th, 2010 at 12:45 PM ^

That was my favorite band at the time they broke up and still rank easily in the top 5. The last Lollapalooza I went to was the one with Soundgarden, Pearl Jam, and Ministry. Still the best show I've ever seen. When I heard they were getting back together I told my son that it would probably be his first concert (he's 12).

BillyShears

April 6th, 2010 at 12:25 PM ^

Spoon, The Black Keys, The National, The New Pornographers, Gogol Bordello, Matt & Kim, Drive-by Truckers, Blitzen Trapper, Frightened Rabbit are all there? Should be pretty good.

white_pony_rocks

April 6th, 2010 at 12:25 PM ^

Actually, Lolla has 6 headliners, the 3 mentioned plus Arcade Fire, The Strokes, and Phoenix. It is a really weak headlining group this year, Phoenix has one hit song so i'm not sure why they are headlining, greenday seems like the types of douches to only play their new stuff (which sucks), and arcade fire had fleeting stardom 3 years ago or so. Soundgarden could either still have it or not, it would be sweet to see them reunited, Gaga is just plain huge right now so that make financial sense even though I don't care, and the Strokes are pretty good and pretty big. It just seems like Coachella and Bonnaroo did a better job with booking this year. I would go if Lolla had vampire weekend to go along with MGMT. Oh well, maybe next year

white_pony_rocks

April 6th, 2010 at 12:42 PM ^

a hit song is not the same as hearing it on the radio once in a while, 1901 is the only true hit they have and it peaked at #1 on the billboard hot alternative chart, not the hot 100 or top 200. bands with hit songs, billboard top 10-20 or hot 10-20 songs, like Greenday or Lady Gaga bring in more fans and more money than bands like Phoenix. I'm not saying I don't like them cuz I do, but they aren't headliner material.

white_pony_rocks

April 6th, 2010 at 1:39 PM ^

no they aren't, doesn't anybody understand the meaning of a headlining band? just because they have good music, they are too obscure to be a headliner, headliners are the bands that have huge mega-hits that everybody wants to see. if you play 1901 to people most of them will go "oh, thats that song on that commercial". walk down the street and ask people who lady gaga or greenday is and then ask them who Phoenix is. you can't compare phoenix to headliners for other years like RATM, Radiohead, kanye, pearl jam, the killers, kings of leon, i could keep going on.

MGoAndy

April 6th, 2010 at 1:59 PM ^

Soundgarden, Green Day, and Lady Gage are your mega-hitters. The Strokes, Arcade Fire, and Phoenix are 3 of the biggest "indie" bands in the world, and Lolla is capitalizing off of the success of Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix in tapping Phoenix. I guarantee you you'll have thousands of brahs and whatnot for Phoenix. You're seriously underestimating how popular they are.

Beavis

April 6th, 2010 at 2:31 PM ^

Phoenix can sell out a venue in minutes - so you're totally correct. I think the three main headliners this year are a little weak - Green Day is alright, Lady Gaga will probably put on a good show, and who knows how good Soundgarden will be (first show back). That said, the other three are great - and when you have bands like MGMT, Wolfmother, etc. that aren't even in the top six - well you've got a pretty amazing card.

03 Blue 07

April 6th, 2010 at 3:00 PM ^

Agreed. I won't be seeing any of the "headliners," (Gaga, SG, GD) but I will be going to each of these shows- Fri, Sat, Sun. And I wouldn't be shocked at all if about 40% of the crowd goes to see one of the "secondary" headliners if they're playing at the same time as the "main" headliner, depending on the combination. I've gone every year it's been in Chicago, and usually they try to pair the "headliners" so people who, say, aren't that into Lady Gaga (like me) have a good alternate option, such as The Strokes.

mKzoo

April 6th, 2010 at 12:26 PM ^

Grizzly Bear is good, the Soft Pack, Frightened Rabbit, Matt and Kim, Edward Sharpe, Spoon and Black Keys will all be good to see. I think its a great lineup except for GaGa and fucking green day.

Beavis

April 6th, 2010 at 12:35 PM ^

Last year was my first year at Lolla - I will be coming back this year. Such an epic time... EDIT - Does anyone know when they typically have the schedule done? I won't be able to make it to all three days this year (probably just one) so.. I suck.

patato

April 6th, 2010 at 12:45 PM ^

Awesome that they made the bill, most (if not all) of them are recent UM alumni. Really fun sound (they call it dancethink), plus they'll probably play "The Victors".

ChitownWolverine82

April 6th, 2010 at 12:48 PM ^

Soundgarden is awesome, definitely want to see that show (maybe I'm a bit older?). Wolfmother was a great show. I've seen them at some small venues in Chicago as well as Lolla in 06. Arcade Fire and Strokes are great live as well. Much better lineup then last year.

1329 S. University

April 6th, 2010 at 1:18 PM ^

Arcade Fire, The National, New Pornographers, Grizzly Bear, Wolfmother, Yeasayer, Mutemath, Dirty Projectors, AFI, Stars, Minus the Bear, Switchfoot, The Walkmen, Rogue Wave, Cymbals Eat Guitars, The Antlers, Wavves, all good to see. Lineup isn't as strong as in years past with big names, but Soundgarden hasn't performed live in forever, only festival for Arcade Fire, Lady Gaga is pretty huge right now, etc etc. Not a bad lineup really.