I took in the Lolla festival for Friday and Saturday. I caught about 20 some acts. Here are my 3 surprises:
1. Cat Power - I have always been a casual fan of Ms. Marshall but after this set, I am jacking up my interest. I only knew a couple of her tunes but the set was top-notch. She looked great and sounded better.
2. Broken Social Scene - I have always brushed them off but after hearing about their ‘06 set at Lolla, I figured I would see what all the fuss was about. They put forth a quality hour long set that made me think I’ve been missing out. Can any BSS fan recommend an album to start with?
3. Yeasayer - I had an hour to kill and took in their set. I still don’t know if I am sold on them but I like their stuff much better live. They were damn entertaining.
Here are 10 other things I learned:
1. Wilco - The boys got themselves a new tailor and were looking snazzy. Killer set including some new stuff. Oh yeah, and that Nels Cline guy. He’s real good.
2. Sharon Jones kicks ass. Her album is great but her live performance is a must see. The Dap-Kings might be the best backing band out there today. They must get down on their knees and thank the lord above that they are backing true quality instead of some narcisistic nutcase. Everyone was boogeying down and Sharon Jones was a true showwoman. Absolute class!
3. If you like Fate by Dr. Dog, go see them live. I really dig the album but they are way better live. I think they made a bunch of new fans at their Saturday set.
4. Drummers. If their is a better drummer out there than Patrick Carney, than I have yet to see him or her. Friday was a banner day for drummers and I got to see three of my favorites - the aforementioned Carney, Janet Weiss and Phil Selway.
5. More people talk at Lolla than at Pitchfork and it drives me fucking nuts. I had to move during Radiohead and Okkervil River because I was in danger of making a scene.
6. The best way to see Radiohead is under the stars. It just fits their music perfectly. Oh, and other bands should just stop trying to emulate them. They’re so good at what they do that anyone trying to copy fails miserably.
7. Explosions In The Sky - Very interesting set but I think you need to be a well versed in music theory to really appreciate them. This was evident when I talked to Shirk and he raved about them. I just nodded at him and said, “Yeah it was pretty cool.”
8. I like the Raconteurs better than The White Stripes. Maybe I was just trying to stay loyal to Meg or maybe I like the red and white outfits, but I finally admitted to my friend Rhonda during “The Switch and The Spur” that I like Jack White’s night job better. Phew I feel better that its off my chest.
9. Malkmus got screwed. Why was one of indie rock’s most influential icons chosen to shave 15 minutes off his set is beyond me. That being said, he was awesome. All new tunes except “Pencil Rot” and “Baby C’mon” which kicked ass.
10. Okkervil River - They are my favorite band at the moment. We caught the Lolla set, which was the highlight for me, and were lucky enough to catch the late night set at Schuba’s as well. I was five feet from Will Sheff and in absolute heaven as they tore through a two hour set. My man crush has now moved on to obsession and there is a good chance that I will be stalking him soon enough.
{ 7 comments… read them below or add one }
Cool review. I love Okkervil River… I actually waited in the autograph line to meet them.
I’m not a die-hard BSS fan, but their latest, self-titled album is pretty solid, as is “You Forgot It In People”. But you should also check out Kevin Drew’s (Broken Social Scene presents Kevin Drew), titled “Spirit If”, in case you haven’t already heard it. Really good stuff. “Lucky Ones and TBTF” are great songs.
If I may chime in….here are a couple add-ons, Woody. Hope I’m not stepping on toes.
Explosions In The Sky - I don’t think you need to understand music theory to appreciate the Explosions in the Sky. You just need patience. It’s actually pretty simple music I think. They really understand space and melody…. beautiful melody. I first learned of their music from the sound track to a brilliant film called The Diving Bell and the Butterfly. Great movie…it’s in French so get ready for subtitles. It’s the lack of vocals in their music that might keep some away. But I kind of found that refreshing during my weekend at Lolla.
MGMT - My favorite set by far! I’ve been hearing about these guys for awhile and just never got the bug to really dig into them. This show made me a fan. Great energy! Full band for 90% of the set and then just a backing track with live vocals as well as lead guitar and keyboard improv for the last two songs. It rocked. Midway through the set, the Ice Bag delivery golf carts decided to drive right through the middle of the crowd…and when I say through the middle, I mean across the crowd from left to right between the soundboard and the stage. It was a little strange but funny all at the same time. It was like a wagon train trailblazing across the plains. The ice spillage was a welcome treat in the blazing summer sun. Awesome hour of music!
Rage Against The Machine - Sadly, I don’t own a single record of theirs. However, I’ve been listening to their music through friends for years. This show was BANANAS. We were about 50 yds from the stage and it was packed…like sardine can packed. I’m sure you’ve heard all the press about how they had to stop the show for 10 mins. due to a crowd surge toward the front…people getting crushed, dehydrated. etc. That stuff happened…and it sucks. The 18 yr old male contingent was just a little too amped up. I’ve never seen so many young women running the opposite direction from the stage panicking and screaming. It was a little frightening. On a musical note, what I will remember the most about this set was the way Rage’s music affects people. It is absolutely infectious. The way those rhythms and vocals evoke people to move is something truly unique in my experience…it was great to be a part of that. Tom Morello is an incredibly inventive guitar player and Zach De La Rocha (we all know about his evocative lyrics) is an amazing front man. I applaud his sense of responsibility in cooling the set down for a few minutes to get some crowd control back. This was a knockout performance.
Sam is absolutely correct w/ his recommendations for BSS. “You Forgot…” is the superior of the two, but both kick ass. Their “”Beehives” EP really is a bunch of unrelated songs and not necessarily worth the effort unless you’re a die-hard. “You Forgot” easily is one of the best CDs of this decade.
Rage just killed it. Totally killed it. Amazing. Explosions in the Sky was my second favorite set of the weekend, and yes, Okkervil River was sweet. In my top seven for sure. I also loved Yeasayer, too. So in general, I’m saying I agree.
My full Friday and Saturday reviews for those who are curious:
http://fightingtheyouth.blogspot.com/2008/08/lollapalooza-friday.html
http://fightingtheyouth.blogspot.com/2008/08/lollapalooza-saturday.html
Sunday will be up… shit, I don’t know when. Someday.
do you know the name of the okkervil river song where they say HOO! HOO! a whole bunch at the end? i REALLY want to know. could you email me if you know?
Sounds like you’re looking for ” Our Live is Not a Movie or Maybe”
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