Rogue Wave, The Go! Team, The Kills, Gogol Bordello, Bloc Party, and Radiohead. August 1st, 2008 at Lollapalooza in Chicago, IL.
And so, another Lollapalooza comes to an end. This year's fest was particularly excellent (see the Kills, pictured above), although not without its fair share of problems. But when all was said and done, it was a great weekend, and I'm sure that most of the thousands of attendees would agree with me.
ROGUE WAVE
My weekend began with a band that I've seen twice before (not to mention interviewed), so I knew just what to expect. Rogue Wave are fairly energetic, and when they get rolling they're simply unstoppable. As far as this performance went though, it seemed to me they didn't quite ever hit their peak. Perhaps it was the intense heat beating down on them (which would indeed get to the Kills' Alison Mosshart, but more on that later), or perhaps it was the fact that the band had performed "Chicago X 12" early that morning for a television show (I think?), but they were never as exciting as they've been in the past. Most of the band was into it, but frontman Zach Rogue didn't seam to be at his most energetic. At one point Rogue commented that "if they seemed tired", it was because they all had to get up super early, for said "Chicago X 12" performance. But that seems like a silly excuse to me. Now, had I been seeing Rogue Wave for the first time, I would have been thrilled with the show. They still sounded and looked great -- I just know they could've kicked it up a notch.
Rogue Wave - Lullaby (from Asleep At Heaven's Gate)
THE GO! TEAM
I scampered away to the other side of the park to catch a little of the Go! Team. As it turned out, a little was really all I needed. The Go! Team's live performance is just like their albums -- not too intensely musical, but a whole lot of fun and energy. Unfortunately (or fortunately, depending on your perspective), I bear the curse of being a musician, which means I always take musicality over "fun". So I had a good time watching them, but there were too many cringe-worthy moments where things just didn't sound that great. For instance, during the singing moments -- yikes, those were rough. As high energy and entertaining as it was, I wasn't roped in. I left early to ensure a good spot for my next stop.
The Go! Team - The Wrath Of Marcie (from Proof Of Youth)
THE KILLS
Leaving early was the right decision, because the Kills were absolutely stellar. Their no-frills, stripped-down garage rock was one of the most captivating performances of the entire festival, due to the duo's awesome stage presence. They are so into the music, and they sway and spaz in complete confidence, like any good rock star. Their performance was slightly hindered, however, by the heat that practically knocked singer and guitarist Alison Mosshart out. Fairly early into the set she began showing signs of feeling ill, and it only got worse as the show went on. She would pace to the back of the stage and drop to the floor as the medic talked to her and gave her a cold towel -- there were a few moments were I really thought she was going to pass out. Due to this, they cut their set short, but they still managed to impress me. I can only imagine how much more outstanding they would be at full capacity.
The Kills - Hitched (from Keep On Your Mean Side)
GOGOL BORDELLO
From here, it was time to stand at Radiohead's stage for the rest of the day. I decided that I wanted to be as close as possible for their performance, which meant missing the Raconteurs and Grizzly Bear, but choices had to be made. Anyway, Gogol Bordello were the first I saw on the main stage. I saw them a few years ago, so I anticipated the madness that would ensue. It's a crazy circus at their live shows, with boundless energy and enthusiasm. Not to mention the go-go dancers. They never let down until the performance is over, and always provide a good time for their fans.
Gogol Bordello - Start Wearing Purple (from Gypsy Punks Underdog World Strike)
BLOC PARTY
Although I had hoped the Raconteurs would be the "opening act" for Radiohead, I was still excited to see Bloc Party. Their performance, however, did not live up to my hopes. They didn't act too excited to be there, and you couldn't tell if they were having any fun. A friend of mine went to see their after-party show on Saturday night at the House of Blues, and he said frontman Kele Okereke commented on this weak display. He said something along the lines of, "Yeah, we didn't really bring our a-game last night, sorry. We just didn't like playing for Radiohead fans." Well, there were Bloc Party fans there, too. And perhaps they should've played to them a bit more.
Bloc Party - Like Eating Glass (from Silent Alarm)
RADIOHEAD
And finally, the capstone of the festival, Radiohead. I don't have much to say about their live show that hasn't already been said. It was a majestic, epic show that never let down. Although next time I see them, I'd like to not be packt like sardines in a crushd tin box, which is what the crowd was like. That made it a little harder to enjoy the show, as the masses were shoved in a bit too tight. Not to mention the "fans" that show up at musical festivals who're just there to hang out and get trashed and talk during songs and be obnoxious. But so it goes. That couldn't stop Radiohead from playing their hearts out for two hours and running through innumerable crowd-favorites. (But no "Karma Police"...) It was a solid end to the first day of Lolla.
Radiohead - Last Flowers (from In Rainbows)
And so, another Lollapalooza comes to an end. This year's fest was particularly excellent (see the Kills, pictured above), although not without its fair share of problems. But when all was said and done, it was a great weekend, and I'm sure that most of the thousands of attendees would agree with me.ROGUE WAVE
My weekend began with a band that I've seen twice before (not to mention interviewed), so I knew just what to expect. Rogue Wave are fairly energetic, and when they get rolling they're simply unstoppable. As far as this performance went though, it seemed to me they didn't quite ever hit their peak. Perhaps it was the intense heat beating down on them (which would indeed get to the Kills' Alison Mosshart, but more on that later), or perhaps it was the fact that the band had performed "Chicago X 12" early that morning for a television show (I think?), but they were never as exciting as they've been in the past. Most of the band was into it, but frontman Zach Rogue didn't seam to be at his most energetic. At one point Rogue commented that "if they seemed tired", it was because they all had to get up super early, for said "Chicago X 12" performance. But that seems like a silly excuse to me. Now, had I been seeing Rogue Wave for the first time, I would have been thrilled with the show. They still sounded and looked great -- I just know they could've kicked it up a notch.
Rogue Wave - Lullaby (from Asleep At Heaven's Gate)
THE GO! TEAMI scampered away to the other side of the park to catch a little of the Go! Team. As it turned out, a little was really all I needed. The Go! Team's live performance is just like their albums -- not too intensely musical, but a whole lot of fun and energy. Unfortunately (or fortunately, depending on your perspective), I bear the curse of being a musician, which means I always take musicality over "fun". So I had a good time watching them, but there were too many cringe-worthy moments where things just didn't sound that great. For instance, during the singing moments -- yikes, those were rough. As high energy and entertaining as it was, I wasn't roped in. I left early to ensure a good spot for my next stop.
The Go! Team - The Wrath Of Marcie (from Proof Of Youth)
THE KILLSLeaving early was the right decision, because the Kills were absolutely stellar. Their no-frills, stripped-down garage rock was one of the most captivating performances of the entire festival, due to the duo's awesome stage presence. They are so into the music, and they sway and spaz in complete confidence, like any good rock star. Their performance was slightly hindered, however, by the heat that practically knocked singer and guitarist Alison Mosshart out. Fairly early into the set she began showing signs of feeling ill, and it only got worse as the show went on. She would pace to the back of the stage and drop to the floor as the medic talked to her and gave her a cold towel -- there were a few moments were I really thought she was going to pass out. Due to this, they cut their set short, but they still managed to impress me. I can only imagine how much more outstanding they would be at full capacity.
The Kills - Hitched (from Keep On Your Mean Side)
GOGOL BORDELLOFrom here, it was time to stand at Radiohead's stage for the rest of the day. I decided that I wanted to be as close as possible for their performance, which meant missing the Raconteurs and Grizzly Bear, but choices had to be made. Anyway, Gogol Bordello were the first I saw on the main stage. I saw them a few years ago, so I anticipated the madness that would ensue. It's a crazy circus at their live shows, with boundless energy and enthusiasm. Not to mention the go-go dancers. They never let down until the performance is over, and always provide a good time for their fans.
Gogol Bordello - Start Wearing Purple (from Gypsy Punks Underdog World Strike)
BLOC PARTYAlthough I had hoped the Raconteurs would be the "opening act" for Radiohead, I was still excited to see Bloc Party. Their performance, however, did not live up to my hopes. They didn't act too excited to be there, and you couldn't tell if they were having any fun. A friend of mine went to see their after-party show on Saturday night at the House of Blues, and he said frontman Kele Okereke commented on this weak display. He said something along the lines of, "Yeah, we didn't really bring our a-game last night, sorry. We just didn't like playing for Radiohead fans." Well, there were Bloc Party fans there, too. And perhaps they should've played to them a bit more.
Bloc Party - Like Eating Glass (from Silent Alarm)
RADIOHEADAnd finally, the capstone of the festival, Radiohead. I don't have much to say about their live show that hasn't already been said. It was a majestic, epic show that never let down. Although next time I see them, I'd like to not be packt like sardines in a crushd tin box, which is what the crowd was like. That made it a little harder to enjoy the show, as the masses were shoved in a bit too tight. Not to mention the "fans" that show up at musical festivals who're just there to hang out and get trashed and talk during songs and be obnoxious. But so it goes. That couldn't stop Radiohead from playing their hearts out for two hours and running through innumerable crowd-favorites. (But no "Karma Police"...) It was a solid end to the first day of Lolla.
Radiohead - Last Flowers (from In Rainbows)
Labels: Show Reviews
Yay, Radiohead! I gotta admit, Keith, I've never listened to Radiohead until I heard them play that night and they were phenomenal even for a newbie such as me. Heck, I'm sure they were great for everyone!
But yeah, you're right about people just getting wasted there. The guy next to me kept tapping me on the shoulder to let me know there was a helicopter flying around. I mean, seriously...