Lollapalooza Lineup Announced At Midnight

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While most of us slept, Lollapalooza rolled out it's 20th anniversary lineup at midnight. Headliners include the leaked big names of Eminem, Foo Fighters and Muse along with surprise the addition of Coldplay. Alternate mainstream acts and bigger draws include My Morning Jacket, Deadmau5, A Perfect Circle, Cee Lo Green, Damian "Jr. Gong" Marley & Nas and The Cars. In addition, Perry's DJ stage will feature the talents of Girl Talk in a newly expanded and tented space.

Listed below are all of the other acts with asterisks next to the ones I think are worthy of a look. Note: No daily schedule has been released. Single day tickets go on sale June 7.

An Horse, Arctic Monkeys*, Atmosphere*, Beats Antique, Beirut, Best Coast*, Big Audio Dynamite*, Black Cards, Black Lips, Boy & Bear, Bright Eyes, Cage the Elephant, The Chain Gang of 1974, Chico Trujillo, Christina Perri, City and Colour*, Cold War Kids*, Crystal Castles*, Cults*

Dale Earnhardt Jr. Jr.*, The Drums, Death From Above 1979*, Deftones, Delta Spirit, Disappears*, DJ Mel, Dom, Electric Touch, Ellie Goulding, Explosions in the Sky, Fences, Fitz & the Tantrums, Flogging Molly*, Foster the People, Friendly Fires*, Gold Motel, Grace Potter & the Nocturnals

Grouplove, Imelda May, Iration, J. Roddy Walston and the Business, The Joy Formidable*, Julia Easterlin, Kerli, Kids These Days, The Kills*, The Kingston Springs, Lia Ices, Lissie, Local Natives*, Lord Huron, Los Bunkers, Lykke Li*, Manchester Orchestra, Maps & Atlases*

Mayer Hawthorne & the County, The Mountain Goats, The Naked and Famous, Noah & The Whale, OK Go*, The Pains of Being Pure at Heart*, Patrick Stump, Phantogram, Portugal the Man*, The Pretty Reckless, Ratatat*, Reptar, Rival Schools, Ruby Jane

Ryan Bingham & The Dead Horses, Ryan Leslie, Sam Adams, Skylar Grey, Sleigh Bells*, Smith Westerns, TAB the Band, Tennis, Tinie Tempah, Titus Andronicus*, Two Door Cinema Club, Typhoon, The Vaccines*, White Lies*, Ween*, Wye Oak*, Ximena Saritana, Young Man, Young the Giant

Perry's stage: Girl Talk*, Pretty Lights, Kid Cudi*, The Bloody Beetroots Death Crew*, Afrojack, Modeselektor*, Skrillex, PerryEtty vs Chris Cox, Chuckie, The Glitch Mob, Busy P, Joachim Garraud, Super Mash Bros., Jay Electronica, 12th Planet, Daedulus, Feed Me, Jackmaster, Collie Buddz, Savoy, Kyle Lucas & Captain Midnite, Ana Tijoux, Midnight Conspiracy*, L1ght, Lady D.

The Joy Formidable - Whirring (edit)


Sleigh Bells - Crown On The Ground


Deadmau5 - Cthulhu Sleeps


Big Audio Dynamite - Rush


Arctic Monkeys - Don't Sit Down 'Cause I've Moved Your Chair


Titus Andronicus - A More Perfect Union


Cee-Lo Green - Fuck You


Wye Oak - For Prayer


Friendly Fires - In The Hospital


Ween - Push the Little Daisies


Girl Talk - All Day (full album)

Lollapalooza Recap - Part Two

Since I did not arrive until later on Friday, the lion's share of music I witnessed was on the last two days. It was definitely for the better or I would have been crippled by the end of Sunday's offerings. Little did I know that the best was yet to come.

Saturday

Best Show Of The Day - Grizzly Bear
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.

Honorable Mention - The Morning Benders
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

Best Show Of The Day - The Arcade Fire
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.

Honorable Mention - Frightened Rabbit
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

Lollapalooza Recap - Part One

Let it be known that my perspective on music attempts to work from a historical slant. And yes, I am pretty old. My musical pursuits span over 25 years and my tastes and knowledge goes somewhat beyond. Part of taking that position is to not only put this constant stream of new music and the ever evolving era of the present in its properly authenticated vessel, but to understand that the past it best left an unsullied fond memory. When I first think of Lollapalooza, the three day well organized and corporate stamped steamroller that trundles through Chicago each summer is not my first thought. I remember the first four festivals I attended when in one day all different genres of music were presented on one huge stage and everyone was exposed to something they did not quite expect. That big tent of inclusiveness is what made those first years so eminent, an unparalleled station on the time line of music that will never be seen again. The new millennium Lolla is twenty years and billions of miles away from that instance; these contemporary performances were all about personalized exclusivity. The booking is still surely varied, although big name hip hop and rap artists were oddly omitted. The top headliners were there to draw the mainstream ticket buyer while their opposing big name talent kept the hardcore fans who arrived at noon happily on the grounds. There were the small label breakthroughs pitted next to the major label pet projects. There was your obligatory head nodding hard rock, your neo-hippie safety nets, your fist pumping club DJs and a small handful of bulls-eye accurate niche acts to rope any sub-genre that may have $100 begging to be spent. Lollapalooza is now a slowly chugging journey of specifically planned and targeted moments tailored for today's NOW generation. Instead of a grand symphony of we-are-all-in-this-together fellowship, it is snack-size samplings of arias and hosannas placed on idiosyncratic playlists to make everyone feel like this weekend was planned just for them. The old Lollapalooza could never happen these days and I refuse to be the furrowed contrarian who wants it like it was back in his better years. Not unlike today's hand held devices, The Lollapalooza Experience is now a wonder of technical consideration, beautiful packaging and sly corporate cajoling that is now a irrefutable necessity in need of yearly updating wrapped with a horribly expensive price tag.

Friday

Best Show Of The Day - Devo
Since I was on the south end to see The Big Pink, I figured I would give Devo a chance before scooting off for my New Pornographers set. I never left the area as the sixty-somethings reminded the crowd that they were more than a one-hit wonder in funny tiered hats. Of course "Whip It" was offered with relish, but they also made contact with "Uncontrollable Urge", "Mongoloid" and "Jocko Homo" in a back-to-back-to-back reminder of their innovation and their indelible signpost in music. Their stage presence didn't lack as well with costumes changes, assuring banter and the enthusiasm of a thirty year career being celebrated.

Honorable Mention - The Strokes
I was happy that I opted to miss the more popular option (read below) as The Strokes ripped through their set covering their three albums like it was an overtly excited album launching tour. Without scraping off one the new album whose release date was pushed to next year, they roared like 2001 by opening with b-side New York City Cops as a quick reminder that they are a raging force with a cheeky blend of cynicism. Next came the stomper "The Modern Age" and shuffle of "Hard To Explain" as testaments to their instant classic LP Is This It. In fact nine of their songs (including said b-side) were from the first album, while the others were a cherry picking of crowd pleasers from the later efforts. Their second half kept me rooted with a pre-encore flailing of "I Can't Win", "Reptilia" and "Last Nite" while coming back with hits "Juicebox", "Heart In A Cage" and final stamp "Take It Or Leave It". With this enthusiastic set, The Strokes have placed the bar back up at a lofty height that the new album can wishfully clear.

Standouts included the slick synth-pop stylings of The Big Pink and Hot Chip. While the catchy throb of Big Pink tracks such as "Dominoes" shows promise, they could do for more seasoning and material like grizzled veterans Hot Chip. Their confident bounce and crowd wielding could act as a traveled road for younger acts to follow.

My initial consideration of catching the Gaga spectacle was quickly dashed aside by witnessing the early crowd swell. Reports were that I did not miss much. My favorite comment was that she should change her name to Lady Blah Blah as she as much choreographed scripting as her stilted singing and dancing. She is the physical artist representation of the Lollapalooza festival, a never-ending message of corporate planned sloganeering about today's need for conventional individuality by way of pure spectacle that comfortably speaks to the first generation of Americans who have marketed to since birth.

See you soon for Lollapalooza update Part Two!

Devo - Mongoloid


The Strokes - New York City Cops


Hot Chip - I Feel Better

Lollapalooza Plan Of Attack - Sunday

With a festival as sprawling and diverse as Lollapalooza, one can easily feel conflicted about where to spend your precious time. Should you plot an early spot waiting for the popular band or roll up fashionably late splitting time with lesser known acts? Would you be better served seeing an artist you know little about or go for the group you just satisfyingly caught in a much more intimate setting? Fret not, noble 'Palozzian, your choices are not so weighty. With Sunday being the most diverse lineup, let's see if we can make it through without too many regrets.

HEALTH/The Antlers/The Dodos: 11:30-2pm
If your energy reserves have not yet been depleted, roll in early Sunday for the up-in-your-grill noise of HEALTH. Next, traverse quickly across Grant Park to catch The Antlers. Their 2009 emotionally swollen ode to dying Hospice is a heartbreaking listen. Finally, the stripped down, primitive approach of The Dodos will remind you that often times less is actually much more. However, for the more is best crowd, head over to the DJ stage for the electro-tweaks of Felix Cartal or the bursting African soul of Nneka.

HEALTH - Die Slow


The Antlers - Two


The Dodos - Fables


Felix Cartal - Montreal Dreams


The Cribs/Chiddy Bang/Yeasayer: 2-5pm
For this conflict-ridden block of time, I am opting for the good times to keep me pushing through. With The Cribs being the festival's most raucous option for British born rock, they will remind you what country puts the "P" in power-pop. My next stop will definitely be at the DJ stage for the party put on by Philly's Chiddy Bang. (Lots of P's there too!) If you can make it, run over and catch the last bit of Yeasayer's music that draws influence from all over the world. There are so many options here, you can make your own choices based on your listening palate. Try Chicago's favorite bar band The Ike Reilly Assassination, the intense British folk of Mumford and Sons or the infinitely interesting blend of Latin and hip-hop from Mexican Institute of Sound.

The Cribs - Mirror Kissers


Chiddy Bang - Kids


Yeasayer - Ambling Alp


Mumford and Sons - The Cave


Mexican Institute Of Sound - Cha Cha Cha


Frightened Rabbit/MGMT: 5-7:15pm
This slot might contain the toughest call of the night. Although I enjoy Erkyah Badu's incredible voice, Scotland's Frightened Rabbit is an all-time favorite of mine. Their 2008 effort Midnight Organ Fight is a never-ending cycle of acoustic strength and lyrical might. After that, MGMT's synth-dance set will be a bouncing, flashing disco mess. However, my inner crowd surfer may be swayed to check the 60's stoner rock of Wolfmother. Might have to catch one of those golf cart shuttles for this one.

Frightened Rabbit - Nothing Like You


MGMT - Electric Feel


Wolfmother - Dimension


The National/The Arcade Fire: 7:15-10pm
Although Cypress Hill might be fun, I am just not that into weed. No worries, because The National are the very definition of an American success story. Touring and recording for many years until their 2005 breakthrough album Alligator, the New York based band has been riding the well deserved waves of critical adulation for their distinct yet familiar brand of heart strung indie. With their brand new release The Suburbs less than one week old, The Arcade Fire will definitely close the show with one of their trademark emotional live performance. However, a special shoutout to Soundgarden for going viral and running around Chicago and giving away free tickets to their indoor show at The Vic. That will be a great venue for their career-spanning retrospective.

The National - Bloodbuzz, Ohio


The Arcade Fire - Ready To Start


Soundgarden - Pretty Noose


Again, stay cool and look for my post-concert analysis next week. Do it to it.

Lollapalooza Plan Of Attack - Saturday Edition

With a festival as sprawling and diverse as Lollapalooza, one can easily feel conflicted about where to spend your precious time. Should you plot an early spot waiting for the popular band or roll up fashionably late splitting time with lesser known acts? Would you be better served seeing an artist you know little about or go for the group you just satisfyingly caught in a much more intimate setting? Fret not, noble 'Palozzian, your choices are not so weighty. The edition for Saturday's lineup will try to lean toward the lesser known acts and perhaps completely avoid the Parkways stage. Seriously Perry, Blues Traveler?

Mimicking Birds/The Morning Benders/Harlem/Wild Beasts: 11:30-2:15pm
For those early risers who can't get enough sweaty summer festival fun, Saturday has a great starter lineup. Begin the day with the delicate beauty of Mimicking Birds. After that, don't be tardy for the highlights of The Morning Benders. The lush production and laid back instrumentation on their debut LP Big Echo turned a lot of heads this year. Catch some quick lunch, then head back for the fun-loving garage rock of Harlem. Finally, the beguiling vocals of Hayden Thorpe in Wild Beasts is worth the attention and wonder. Conveniently playing nearby as suitable replacements at 1pm is The Soft Pack's set of straight forward rock and roll. Also a solid possibility but a further hike are sensitive indie rockers Rogue Wave.

Mimicking Birds - Burning Stars


The Morning Benders - Promises


Harlem - Friendly Ghost


The Soft Pack - C'mon


Wild Beasts - All The Kings Men


Stars/The xx/Grizzly Bear: 2:15-5:15
For the stalwart indie follower, this triple bill would make the surliest of hipsters to crack a giddy smirk. Stars' brand of 80's influenced, boy/girl fronted synth-pop will surely bring the joy. The xx is as quietly understated as their band name, but no less intense. Grizzly Bear's chamber pop sums up the equation of indie rock: accessible yet dissonant, emotional yet over-considered, big and brash with measured amounts of buried subtlety. As a lesser-known, yet worthy alternative to the main stage, I offer the haunting melodies from the all-girl quartet of Warpaint. Of course, there are those who want a little more punch, both in your music and from your fellow concert-goer. The no nonsense punk of Against Me! and the gypsy-thrash-as-fronted-by-Borat Gogol Bordello should be just the sock in the jaw you were expecting.

Stars - Fixed


The xx- Islands


Grizzly Bear - Two Weeks


Warpaint - Elephants


Metric/Spoon: 5:15-7:30pm
For live music, there is not much of a decision here. Metric's key and guitar intensity and frontwoman Emily Haines' sexy vocals are perfect to pick you up as your energy wears down in the summer heat. Spoon are as dependable as your favorite pair of blue jeans. Every couple of years they put out another album that simply reasserts their consistency for catchy indie rock. If you need to get your club music tasting, this may be the best time to do so. French disco DJ/visual innovator Joachim Gerraud and Chicago house torch carrier Kaskade will keep Perry's stage thumping.

Metric - Help, I'm Alive


Spoon - Written In Reverse


Kaskade - Sorry


Check out Joachim Gerraud here.

Cut Copy/Phoenix 7:30-10pm
It is hard to think of Green Day as the elder statesmen remembering their small label snot nose Buzzcocks rehash. The hard truth is that their output while sliding to the mainstream and picking up more listeners and Grammy wins has become a shadow of their humble, fun-loving beginnings. For the music of right now, check out Cut Copy where disco beats and shimmering pop fall in love and make little dancing glow stick babies. Phoenix can also be light as a souffle, but their indelible hooks have been winning over fans since their 2009 breakthrough release Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix. Don't forget to hydrate and see you Sunday.

Cut Copy - Where I'm Going


Phoenix - 1901

Lollapalooza Plan Of Attack - Friday Edition

With a festival as sprawling and diverse as Lollapalooza, one can easily feel conflicted about where to spend your precious time. Should you plot an early spot waiting for the popular band or roll up fashionably late splitting time with lesser known acts? Would you be better served seeing an artist you know little about or go for the group you just satisfyingly caught in a much more intimate setting? Fret not, noble 'Palozzian, your choices are not so weighty. Try the Friday recommendations and thank me later.

Javelin/Wavves: 11:30-1pm.
Opting for the decidedly indie beginning to the day as opposed to the noveau hip-hop stylings of B.o.B and Balkan Beat Box was a bit of a no-brainer for me. Javelin quirky beats will blow over you like a breeze and then Wavves fuzzbox Beach Boy punk will carry you out to sea. If you caught Javelin in Millennium park for free earlier this month, B.o.B is definitely a solid fill-in.

Javelin - C Town


Wavves - King Of The Beach


The Walkmen/Ana Sia/The Big Pink: 1-4pm
Grab a sammich and head to The Walkmen for today's dose of drama-laden rock. Without a big standout in the 2pm slot, opt to expand your mind at the DJ stage on Ana Sia's self-described "grimy glitch". The pulsing throb of The Big Pink makes them a can't miss show as they are still touring in support of their excellent 2009 debut A Brief History Of Love. An able-bodied alternate in this slot is the the Chicago's own grande dame of R & B and gospel, Mavis Staples. Her voice always gives me chills.

The Walkmen - Stranded


The Big Pink - Dominoes


Mavis Staples - You Are Not Alone


Check out Ana Sia's music on Soundcloud.

The New Pornographers/Dirty Projectors/BlackKeys: 4-7pm
This block is rife with conflicts. Devo vs. The New Pornographers? Rather than opting for the superior artist in terms of history, I personally tend to avoid live music by senior citizens. The New Pornographers are only junior by comparison as their five albums ranging from good to excellent contain some of the best indie pop of the past ten years. Your 5pm dinner music depends on your personal taste. Rather than opting for the industrial squelch of Fuck Buttons or the sunny sing-a-longs of Matt & Kim, I will give the mixed bag of Dirty Projectors a listen, if only to watch a well-oiled collective at work. Yet again, we have another conflict with the down and dirty blues of The Black Keys or the smooth keyboard sheen of Hot Chip. Honestly, this choice could be based on personal taste or a coin flip: you won't go wrong either way. Reminder: if you are truly conflicted, try to catch the aftershows that most of these bands are playing at various venues around Chicago.

The New Pornographers - Moves


Dirty Projectors - Stillness Is The Move


Hot Chip - I Feel Better


Black Keys -Everlasting Light


Chromeo/Lady Gaga: 7-10pm
I am infinitely more interested in the second and third-billed acts than in the headliners this year. Since The Strokes pushed back the release date of their new album and I could not care less about reggae music, the only alternative is the better alternative. The silly synth-funk of Chromeo is an appropriate opener for Lady Gaga. It's fun, frivolous and danceable plus it might expand the listening palates of the ticket buyers who just came for the headliner. I have never been to a live performance of mainstream pop on this scale, so I am choosing this purely for anthropological reasons. Although seeing the live versions from The Strokes Is This It? might be worth a peek.

Chromeo - Night By Night


Lady Gaga/Holy Ghost - Alejandro Will Come Back


The Strokes - Last Nite