Ten must-see Lollapalooza sets
It’s too big, very expensive and full of douchebags. But this year’s sold-out Lollapalooza also includes a great mix of shows over three days. Here’s the ATYP guide to recommended sets.
Girl Talk, Friday. This will be a big party thrown by the mashup master. The throngs will be either at one of the big stages to see Coldplay or Muse. But this show will be more fun.
Death from Above 1979, Saturday. This late afternoon show features the reunited duo. Expect a loud, hyperkinetic set.
The Cars, Sunday. The Cars married new wave with classic ’70s rock. The first two albums made in the late ’70s were far better than the band’s ’80s hits. Hopefully, the band has some gas left in the tank (rimshot).
Foo Fighters, Sunday. For all the lameness in recent years, Dave Grohl still puts on a good show. Two hours, though?
Arctic Monkeys, Sunday. Still a very good, exciting band.
Big Audio Dynamite, Saturday. Between the Cars and Big Audio Dynamite, let’s hope for something as entertaining as the Devo reunion last year. Ex-Clash guitarist Mick Jones fronts BAD. So that alone should make it worth seeing.
Titus Andronicus, Sunday. It’s way early in the day (12:45 p.m.) but, hey, these guys give it their all no matter what time they play.
Black Lips, Saturday. Great garage rock band.
Cults, Friday. Here’s a chance to see a catchy, fun, energetic buzz band. (Cults play Empty Bottle tonight.)
The Joy Formidable, Sunday. The set overlaps a little with Titus Andronicus. Big, epic songs. Sounds like ’90s alternative bands like the Breeders.
Lollapalooza schedule announced
Lollapalooza rolled out its schedule today. We already knew who was playing. Now we know when they’re playing.
For 90 bucks a day, I’d like to see a robust lineup that I can get excited about from noon till close. Personally, I only see one day that lives up to my expectations for a full-day, engaging lineup: Friday.
As for the top-billing acts, Coldplay, Muse and Girl Talk all headline Friday night. Saturday night’s headliners: Eminem, My Morning Jacket and Beirut (on the small Grove stage). Sunday features a two-hour set by Foo Fighters.
As usual, a number of good indie groups and some intriguing revival shows are spread across the three days. I don’t see a perfect schedule but I’ll take what I can get.
Last year, I saw Devo and that was really cool. I wouldn’t mind seeing these old-timers (who play Sunday):
I also would love to see the return (on Saturday) of Death from Above 1979:
Go to the jump to see my picks for the Friday lineup.
Can Girl Talk save Lollapalooza?
I have to admit that I’m not jazzed by Lollapalooza’s headliners, Eminem, Foo Fighters, Coldplay and Muse.
As usual, there are bright spots but it’s hard to plan your Lolla outing until the schedules are up. I think mashup king Girl Talk is a fun edition this year.
Among the other ATYP-approved bands playing this year’s big tilt: Titus Andronicus, Death from Above, the Pains of Being Pure at Heart, the Joy Formidable, Wye Oak, Smith Westerns, Delta Spirit, the Kills, Portugal. The Man, Local Natives, Tennis, Best Coast, Disappears, the Mountain Goats, the Drums and I’m probably overlooking one or two more.
See? I can actually say something positive about Lollapalooza.
Gregg Gillis, aka Girl Talk, played Lolla in 2008.
New band: Junk Culture opens for Girl Talk
Deepak Mantena, from Oxford, Mississippi, aka Junk Culture, makes trippy music. His latest release, last month’s Summer Friends, sounds a little bit like Animal Collective, nods to the Beach Boys and has a whole lot of other influences snaking through electronic beats.
Junk Culture opens for Girl Talk this weekend for a sold-out, two-night stand at the Congress. Download the title track from his latest release below.
UPDATE: Junk Culture also plays a free show at Beauty Bar Sunday night.
Here’s a Junk Culture video from the 2009 EP West Coast:
Atlas Sound releases free albums
Two free albums released in two days? Maybe Bradford Cox feels others are trying to one up him for giving away music and he’s striking back? Cox is offering two Atlas Sound releases, Bedroom Databank Vols. 1 and 2 here. He’s given away Atlas Sound and Deerhunter songs in the past. But no-cost, full-album releases are less common. Lately, there seems to be more full-length freebies offered by both new and established artists.
Gregg Gillis just offered his latest Girl Talk album for free. Kanye West released early versions of songs off the just-released My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy. New Zealand buzz band Secret Knives is offering its album for free.
UPDATE: Bradford Cox is unstoppable! On Wednesday, he released Volume 3 of Bedroom Databank. That’s 14 more songs — 41 total. Once again, go here to download.
Here’s the Atlas Sound song Shelia off of last year’s excellent Logos album (you have to pay for it):
Girl Talk gives away new album, ‘All Day’
In case you missed it, mashup king Girl Talk, aka Gregg Gillis, just released a new album, All Day. You can download it for free by going here.
Gillis lets you download the album as one seamless file (clocking in at 1 hour and 11 minutes) or separated as individual tracks. Either way, I recommend it.
And, here are some previous offerings by Mr. Gillis …
