Summer is not summer without a few key ingredients, like a long road trip, swimming in open-ended water, and a music festival. For years now I've wished to be there for Loollapalooza and other things always got in the way. This year I could theoretically make it, except that there is nothing that I find exciting enough in the lineup to make the effort.
Empires was "the band I came to see". They played on the Edge Stage in the middle of a very hot afternoon and they looked like they were suffering from it. Still, they braved it and delivered a good set with the usual energy. The crowd was bigger than for any of the bands that played on that stage the next day; they were all enthusiastic fans who knew all the lyrics and were singing, dancing, cheering. It was endearing to hear Sean tell people that those who had the album Bang had to burn it for the others. It reminded me of Trent Reznor giving bittorrent tips to the audience during his China tour. The concert ended with the fairly new bassist Connor crashing over the drums pushed by an overenthusiastic Sean, in the tradition of their so called "Destruction Tour". They seemed to be best friends at the next concert; such things are almost normal casualties of the job.
She & Him - the second group I saw. I did not know them but several people had told me they were good, including Sean Van Vleet form Empires. They had a large enthusiastic crowd cheering for many of their songs. As for myself, they are definitely softer than what I usually go for. Overall pleasant, enjoyable music.
3 Days Grace - one of those bands that I haven't been purposely listening to, but certainly heard of. I stayed to see them at the end of the first night and was quite pleased to discover that I knew at least three quarters of their songs without even knowing that I knew them. They played a long and spectacular set; they literally had the stage on fire at some point. I like men in hats, especially fedoras. A very nice surprise close to end for a child of the 80s like me: a cover of Phil Collins' In The Air Tonight. Too bad there is no studio version.
Locksley started the next morning for me. I didn't know them and I only caught the second half of their set. Good energy, dynamic sound, very cute front man with a super smile. I decided to impulsively buy one of their albums.
Manchester Orchestra - surprisingly less attended than Locksley. A flawless rendition of their songs. They are not the flashy kind of musicians and didn't quite put up a show as much much as simply played the music honestly. There was a funny moment when they interrupted a song in the middle because they flubbed either the lyrics or the key. They tried to tell us a joke about Germany, claiming that they are musicians but also wanted to be funny. Nobody quite got it and they said that they got the same reaction in Germany - as in, none. I'm not sure why the audience was so static as this is the kind of music to dance to or at least nod your head or something. Maybe it was too early in the day.
Violetness - I caught them on a break from the main stage. As a first impression, I didn't quite like the girl's voice, otherwise the arrangement was fine. The song I happened to catch was about killing your ex lover in your mind and that was a big No Thanks for me. I certainly don't wish any of my exes any harm. They instantly lost me with that.
AFI - I defied the steady rain that had started in the middle of the afternoon to catch their set, almost the last of the day. It was pretty much apocalyptic. This kind of heavy music, the powerful stage presence that they have, all under rain and cold, the sight of the spotlights revealing the heavy drops falling over us, unforgettable. At least you knew that you were surrounded by real fans, as nothing but pure enthusiasm for the band could have kept us there.
Overall this was a great first experience for this festival. I really wish they'd given bracelets that allowed exit and re-entry. A full day in close quarters and no way to retrieve warmer clothes or an umbrella from the car was kind of long and taxing. Otherwise, well done.
Dana - Greater Chicago Area
No comments:
Post a Comment