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August 06, 2007
Lollapalooza recap
As I said before, I spent all weekend stomping around Grant Park, absorbing sun, beer and music at Lollapalooza.
It wasn't quite as debauched as I thought it would be, nor as invidiously corporate. Music festivals and outdoor amphitheaters are infamous for charging absurd prices for everything, but I didn't feel gouged at all. A bottle of water was $2 - and they let you bring your own - food was usually around $5, and beer was $5 or $7. Now, some might say $2 is a lot for a bottle of water, but it is nowhere near as bad as many other venues I can recall. Security was tight, ready to boot anyone who misbehaved. Nevertheless, marijuana smoke wafted through the air, a few people puked on the lawn, and one ferociously stoned man gave away bumper stickers that said "Thank you for pot smoking."
My favorite show was probably put on by The Roots, who made a glorious racket - including, interestingly enough, a sousaphone. I also enjoyed Snow Patrol, who apparently deserve some respect even though their song wound up on the Grey's Anatomy soundtrack. (Overheard: "I'm calling you 'cause Snow Patrol is playing Chasing Cars, remember when Meredith...") Interpol alternatively moped and rocked; they somehow headlined on Saturday, and I was impressed that they could handle such a large crowd. We tried to catch the Cold War Kids, but everyone else in the place at the same idea, and there was no room at all in the area where they played. I also enjoyed performances by The Hold Steady and Regina Spektor. The former was gloriously goofy and energetic.
On Sunday, I started off with Amy Winehouse, who surprised everyone by showing up. Eddie Vedder joined Kings of Leon for a song. I've seen The Kings three times now, and they seem to be becoming better performers every time. An interesting act was !!! (it's pronounced chick-chick-chick, apparently), whose singer has a penchant for thrusting his hips and banging on a cowbell during extended drum solos.
The evening was capped off with Modest Mouse, and then the big cheese: Pearl Jam. A couple of shirtless lads tried to start a mosh pit where we were standing, which was fine until he crashed into a girl and was promptly dispatched by the girl's date. Security escorted the mosher out, only for him to return and start it all over again. He was again asked to leave. After we moved back towards the outskirts of the crowd, another shirtless guy was running into circles, bumping people. He bumped me a couple of times, until I gave him a hearty shove. He went off to find other targets, or to get his ass kicked. I wasn't sure which was which.
We ducked out of Pearl Jam early, and why not? I'm not the biggest Pearl Jam fan, and it made a taxi about a hundred times easier to find. All in all, it was a grand time and I heartily enjoyed it. I do believe I will be back next year, if I can get me some tickets again.
entry no. 929
Posted by oz115 at August 6, 2007 02:47 PM