Saturday
I have always found Grizzly Bear as a solid band, but that I may have too quickly written off because their more subtle cerebral nature and the drooling smooch fest they always receive from certain indie websites. However, I am now a fully converted fan finding that power and emotion that may get buried by a band possessing such a assured foundation of technical acumen. Although frontmen and guitarists often get the most obvious attention and instant adoration, the percussion of Christopher Bear was beyond the driving force, but the ardent inspiration for a surprisingly intense live band. The crowd gushed for the newest songs "Southern Point", "Two Weeks" and "While You Wait For Others" where the latter extended the CSNY-inspired harmony and made it the swollen crowd collectively unhinge their jaws. The delicate beauty consistently found in Grizzly Bear's tracks was there as well. An example was "Knife", aching with all of the reverberation from the studio recording. Their dynamics were on full display as "On A Neck, On A Spit" distracted you with homespun simplicity, then ran through the unsuspecting audience like a freight train with no warning. It was the show of the weekend, saying more in one hour and a dozen songs than fireworks and fancy stage sets ever could.
Again, there is a lot of hype surrounding The Morning Benders and their first LP Big Echo. I am happy that I got down to Grant Park early for the half hour set. Touching on all of the tracks that made this album one of this year's best such as "Promises", "Pleasure Sighs" and "Stitches", The Morning Benders had the perfect blend of sunny melodies and Brit-influenced ethereal dream-pop. Closing with "Excuses" allowed the young men to charm the crowd with an accapella hum-a-long. Consider me one of the converted.
In other news, co-headliners Phoenix had the opportunity to steal the day with energy and undeniable indie pop nuggets. They stretched their finale "1901" out to well over 10 minutes including multiple false endings. With all of that effort, they still fell 15 minutes short of their set time. Could they possibly take a signal from their French-born benefits that allow for only a 35 hour week? Wild Beasts were what I thought; a eerie blend of inviting, melodic soundscapes woven with a buoyant, attention-stealing falsetto. The xx were unsurprisingly introverted in volume and on a huge stage. They would have been much better served on one of Lolla's smaller stage or even performing cross-legged in your basement rec room. To counter was the high energy of Emily Haines and the cast of Metric who never lacked in joy or power chords. Between her and Stars' Amy Millan, I am surprised starry-eyed indie rock boys don't begin a mass exodus to Canada. Over at Perry's DJ stage was another exercise in obvious paint-by-numbers progressive techno and flagrant marijuana use by entitled teens. Joachim Garraud, Kaskade and even Perry Farrell as accompanied by Chris Cox never needed to challenge this oblivious crowd, making this the easiest money these disc jockeys ever made. Never mind as the much more interesting purveyors of dance beats were on their way tomorrow.
Sunday
Since this was my first Arcade Fire show, my perception was based on the countless documentation speaking to the band's tireless work ethic. This is now a witnessed fact as the members spent the songs dancing, singing, posing and screaming along to each song, sharing their passion for their art the only way they know how. Even between songs, the members and roadies criss-crossed the stage to prepare, if only to squeeze a couple of extra moments communicating with the audience. This was also the most connected crowd I had witnessed all weekend, dedicated to celebrating the on-stage efforts, urging the band on through their well chosen set list. What was most noticeable was slightly more reserved nature of the band when performing the newer, less familiar tracks. Still, I found the moving "We Used To Wait" one of the set's highest points. Comparatively, the unbridled kinetics that were on display for tracks such as "Neighborhood #2 (Laika)", "Neighborhood #1 (Tunnels)" and Rebellion (Lies) were born from a well worn familiarity that translated from each performer's deep connection to these songs. It is this kind of undying showmanship that make The Arcade Fire beyond the pretentious label given by their dissenters. They are a proud collective of musicians dedicated to the explosive expression only live music can deliver.
Another fine example of the power of the live performance and the importance of being earnest. Scotland's Frightened Rabbit could easily play a main stage based on their fiery presence when bringing their anthemic odes to all kinds of heartache. A stroke of good fortune places them on a small stage where the immediacy is tangible as each furious guitar strum can be witnessed close up. Highlights include their newer tracks "The Loneliness And The Scream" and "Living In Colour" and unforgettable numbers "Modern Leper" and "Good Arms vs. Bad Arms". Hopefully they will get even more deserved adulation from this mid-day scheduling.
The National were decidedly broader in scope today, incorporating horns and a member of the Arcade Fire for their set. Despite drawing from a more subdued catalog, they brought a charged dissonance while the singer strode around the stage like a grinning father full of pride in his familial accomplishments. The Antlers' stark sound suited the early rainclouds well, commenting that the weather was appropriate since they were not a "surf pop band". Wolfmother was, with no surprise, channeling the early 70's metal in a double time formation. Surprisingly, the crowd was not shit house insane and the volume was not deafening. The DJ stage finally rolled out some quality music early on in the day. Homegrown talents Dani Deahl and Team Bayside High along with Felix Cartal and Didi Gutman had electro-disco beats rolling in the early hours. However, by the time Chiddy Bang bought their mashed hip-hop to the stage, the crowd was bursting on all sides highlighting a glaring empty space in the Lollapalooza main stage lineup. I am aware that rap artists turned pothead punchlines Cypress Hill were performing that day as well, but I think my comment speaks for itself.
Things to improve
Kidapalooza: Now I am all for people facepainting and punk rocking their toddlers while they catch a few shows and enjoy the sunshine. Plus, my personal friend at Chicago's own Character Skateboards is in his second year of doing demos and teaching kids how to ride properly and safely. However, the choice in bands for the stage was pathetic. The music was barely worthy of a low brow street festival (although Chrissie Hynde of Pretenders fame was there). Additionally, omnipresent Perry Ferrell was on stage reportedly dropping f-bombs to the only crowd that would not appreciate it. As a stated in Part One of my synopsis, sometimes the past should just stay there.
Water areas: The prevalent and free aspect of the water stations is a brilliant and an indispensable necessity for Lollapalooza. The filtering is also a wonderful bonus. However, the incredibly slow drizzle of the water coming from the spigots caused 30 minutes or longer queues. I think everyone would agree at that stronger water pressure would take precedent over filtering at that particular time.
Better public transportation: Obviously this is not Lolla's fault, but the missteps of a supposed "green city" that turned it's back on the greater good because of horrendous fiscal management. I am not sure why there could not be better coordination between the CTA and the concert promoters, but the massive crowds ended up being a safety issue on train platforms.
More variety in small businesses: Although independent sellers of clothes, food and music paraphernalia and are represented here, the variety was lacking. I think that we can all agree that the "hippie" aesthetic only appeals to a small section of the Lollapalooza public. There should be more offered here than hemp wear.
Overall, an achingly great weekend. Back to the record reviews. Thanks for reading and we will see you next year.
Grizzly Bear - On A Neck, On A Spit
The Morning Benders - Stitches
Arcade Fire - The Suburbs
Frightened Rabbit - The Loneliness And The Scream
No comments:
Post a Comment