Lollapalooza: Friday

After several years of throwing around the idea, I finally found some takers and decided to attend my first ever Lollapalooza. As we set out Thursday evening, the weekend seemed to be lining up perfectly. It may be hot, but only 80's hot and forecast for clear skies almost all weekend. Also we found a great Lolla app to easily navigate our days.

After a little delay caused by even greater than normal amounts of traffic on I-94 and a long line to go through security and in the gates, we made it inside the grounds at Grant Park at around 2p.m causing us to miss TAB the Band an up and coming, but retro sounding band formed by two sons of famed Aerosmith guitarist Joe Perry.

We walked to the Bud Light stage and caught the last 5 or so songs by Young the Giant. The lead singer seemed to have good energy and a few of their songs were catchy. They finished out their set with "My Body" an incredibly catchy pop-rock piece that I hope is receiving sufficient airplay around the country. I really dig that song and it's the only one of theirs I knew prior to the show.

Of course the reason we were at that stage was to move up after they departed to get premium standing space for the next act at that stage, Grace Potter & the Nocturnals. I saw them in Indy a few months ago after discovering them earlier this year and if you've never been to a show it's simply a must. They are one of the best current bands around. Led by the sexy Grace Potter a sort of Tina Turner meets Janis Joplin presence, the band is very tight and talented putting on one hell of a live show.

I really don't know how this band hasn't hit mainstream yet although I have heard Paris (Oh La La) played on some trailers and teasers so maybe it's coming. On their three albums they've had it all so far: Flat out rockers: check Bluesy jams: check Softer ballads in the vein of a Sara Barellies: check. As good as their albums are all the songs are amped up even further during a live performance resulting in the closer "Medicine" where the entire band ends up beating on the drum set simultaneously while Grace Potter has a near wardrobe malfunction from all ends. As always they slay the crowd, leaving everyone wanting more. One hour is just not enough Grace for my life.

A mid-afternoon lull and severe dehydration lead us to seek out some food and air conditioning before coming back to the park in the early evening. My friend wanted to see A Perfect Circle so we headed to the Music Unlimited Stage. My view on this band has always been that they are very mediocre. None of the couple songs I heard live did anything to dispell this notion.

After a few songs, we went to stake out some good seats for OK Go playing at the tiny Google+ tent. The band came out dressed in mono-chromatic Google colored suits and delivered a great pop rock show. I like this band, but really can only say I knew a handful of their songs. They brought at the handbells at one point showing some amazing unique skills. All in all they put on a very entertaining crowd pleasing show ramping up toward the end with their better songs resulting in a show closing crowd sing along version of "This Too Shall Pass" which is personally my favorite song of theirs.

Afterwards we hurried back to the Music Unlimited stage where Muse had already started their show. As we were walking we heard the steady drone of "Uprising" already playing. Apparently Muse isn't into saving their best for last following that up quickly with "Supermissive Black Hole". Also after every song they seemed to do a little outro guitar lick from a classic song such as Back in Black along with a lot of great fireworks and other special effects. I've heard Muse put on a great show and so far not disappointed. We wanted to catch Coldplay as well and I remarked that since they had already played two great ones, if they played my favorite "Hysteria" now it'd be perfect and we could catch both. Sure enough the next song the droning guitar and steady drum kicks in and I'm in heaven. The drumming on this song is just amazing.

All the way back across the park we go to catch Coldplay which has a lot more sizable audience than Muse. As we are walking up we hear them start "The Scientist" which is by far my favorite Coldplay song. Everything is coming up Milhouse tonight. We stake a claim along the very west side of the field as barely any room was available. After a few lackluster songs, we admit we are all beat and don't feel like sticking around another hour to hear "Viva La Vida" the only other Coldplay song I really care for so we call it a night and hoof back to the apartment. We learned a lesson about pacing ourselves and setting up our schedule in order to get decent spots for our most highly sought after bands. Next up: Day Two.