by Marisa Ruiz (@MarisaVictoria)
2013 marks the first headlining tour for The Vaccines in the U.S., the wildly talented UK rockers who have brought us two consecutive rock-solid albums, neither of which were stuffed with any filler material. The quartet took part in Lollapalooza in 2011 and will return to Grant Park to showcase all their infectious tracks with admirable commitment and raw energy. Frontman Justin Young can flip a switch and capture the mischievous spirit of punk rock so well, Joey Ramone would applaud from the grave. The band’s return visit will surely include standout tracks from sophomore release Come of Age such as “Teenage Icon” and “No Hope“. I’d bet my knickers they’ll also put out some “Post Break-up Sex” off of debut album What Did You Expect From The Vaccines?
Heads up to fellow Chicagoans: Take note that Young is representing our city with his knit hat in the video for “I Always Knew“. I bet “DA BEARS” would sound pretty amusing with a British accent.
The Vaccines play Lollapalooza on Sunday, August 4th at 5:30 on the Petrillo Stage.
Add The Vaccines to your custom Lollapalooza schedule.
Cheers,
-MV
by Marisa Ruiz (@MarisaVictoria)
The ninth studio album, Sun, from Chan Marshal A/K/A Cat Power boasts a bold progression from the more slow and oft melancholy hits from previous records. Opening track “Cherokee” jumps right in to the unexpected with electronic instrumentation that you’d much more anticipate from a new indie-electronic act than the artist behind the heart-melting 2006 fan-favorite “The Greatest“. Eleven-minute track “Nothin’ But Time” stands out as much as an emboldened statement as it does a musical monologue. The lyrics equate to a poetic simplicity that hearkens the observational craft of Bob Dylan: “They wanna live/ they wanna be somebody/ they wanna give and be wanted/ they want to forgive and not be forgotten/ they wanna reach the end/ they wanna live their way of livin… You ain’t got nothin’ but time and it ain’t got nothing on you.” The unexpected choices on Sun are done in such perfect balance with Marshal’s breathy vocals that it doesn’t feel like she’s trying to be something she’s not. On the contrary, it comes across as the evolution of an artist who perhaps knows who she is now more than ever.
Cat Power plays Lollapalooza on Sunday, August 4th at 8:45 on the Grove Stage.
Add Cat Power to your custom Lollapalooza schedule.
Cheers,
-MV
by Marisa Ruiz (@MarisaVictoria)
The Haim sisters are essentially the Charlie’s Angels of modern pop-rock music; a sexy trio that is kicking ass one bewitching song at a time. The band is the three sisters from Cali (Alana, Danielle, Este) – backed by a mister on the drums (Dash Hutton) – and they’ve got it all; stage presence, effortless style, skills with multiple instruments, and the luminous glimmer of star-power hatching right before our very YouTube-addicted eyes.
Their seductive pop sensibility with occasional punches of rock (cue the guitar solo at 2:18 in to “Falling”) has hooked everyone from big-name music press to accomplished music supervisors and tastemakers all over the country. Their catchy tracks are very radio-friendly, but their ability to grandstand jam sessions has garnered them the kind of (6th) street cred not often associated with a rising pop-rock act. See for yourself in this kick-ass video when they recently paid homage to 70’s soft rock legends Fleetwood Mac down in Austin. The don’t-care long hair; some serious bass-face; and enough guitar shredding to make you think the Haim sisters spent their childhood years listening to Zeppelin instead of watching Elmo.
Haim plays Lollapalooza on Saturday, August 3rd at 3:30 on the Grove stage.
Add Haim to your custom Lollapalooza line-up.
Cheers,
-MV
by Marisa Ruiz (@MarisaVictoria)
The striking baritone of Matt Berninger’s voice can be so haunting that even Game of Thrones wanted to tap its dramatic flair. Enchanting timbre aside, Berninger’s lyrics too, so often carry a dark and poetic eloquence that has become a signature quirk of this act of five out of Cincinnati. Together since 1999, the band just released Trouble Will Find Me – the title of which comes from a lyric in the compilation’s “Sea of Love” (“If I stay here, trouble will find me”.) This much anticipated follow-up to the widely acclaimed 2010 release, High Violet, is already generating buzz and admiration from fans of The National across the globe. At the time of this post, the official video for the record’s first single, “Demons“, has already amassed more than a million views.
It shouldn’t be missed that among the talk of darkness, “Demons” and Game of Thrones, there’s more depth and range in subject matter than may first meet the ear. While the word “somber” is used to describe this band’s music as often as “trashy” is used to describe Ke$ha’s image, a closer listen reveals stark romantic confessions and moments of hopeful clarity. Granted, some of the passionate declarations may be dipped in mud a little bit – “Your love is such a swamp. You’re the only thing I want” – but what’s real love if not a little messy, right? Track “Don’t Swallow the Cap” offers existential commentary and a genius subtle nod to The Beatles and Nirvana in the lyrics.
No doubt, a large part of the intrigue surrounding this band is the contrast between Berninger’s oft restrained demeanor and the apparent bottomless well of gentle fire burning within his core as he casually commands the stage. Fascination with the frontman aside, strip away his vocals and you would still have remarkable examples of instrumental mastery. Both the Dessner and Devendorf brothers artfully craft songs that can capture anything from mourning to magnificence – and perhaps the hook is that despite how far those two sentiments seem to be from each other; you may not be sure which one you’re feeling. You just know that their music can somehow leave you with the sense that you’ve had a meaningful conversation without needing to speak a word.
The National plays Lollapalooza on Saturday, August 3rd at 6:00 on the Red Bull Sound Select Stage.
Add The National to your custom Lollapalooza schedule.
Cheers,
-MV
by Marisa Ruiz (@MarisaVictoria)
Ah yes, St. Lucia sounds like a lovely place to go, doesn’t it? Who doesn’t like the image of a gorgeous and breezy Caribbean island that just beckons you closer? Maybe that’s exactly how the one-man-band behind St. Lucia, Jean-Philip Grobler, wanted people to feel when they heard the name of his rising synth-pop act. It’s easy to say yes to a tropical getaway and it’s just as effortless to welcome the catchy and energizing soundscapes from this well-traveled South African gent. Having already opened up for starry-eyed dance music superstar Ellie Goulding and indie-pop darlings Two Door Cinema Club, he’s an act well on the way to great exposure.
With it’s airy groove, breakout single “All Eyes on You” is as addictive as ice cream in the summer; and the track “September” is a great example of St. Lucia’s forward-thinking dance pop. With a full-length debut album in the works with Columbia Records, fest goers will have the chance to enjoy this act’s refreshing vibe when Grobler showcases his dance-worthy setlist in Grant Park. Bring one of those little fans that sprinkles mist on your face, close your eyes and let St. Lucia’s atmospheric sound transport you to an island of dreamy and sparkly synth.
St. Lucia plays Lollapalooza on Saturday, August 3rd at 2:15 on the Grove Stage.
Add St. Lucia to your custom Lollapalooza line-up.
Cheers,
-MV
