Lollapalooza day 2 reviewed

Wow what a day. I'm completely exhausted but I have to write this up while it's still fresh in my mind. Here's who I saw:

The Morning Benders - Great. They're so adorable! I got up actually in the morning just to come see them cause there was nobody else I really wanted to hear for hours after them and although they played a short set, it was totally worth it. I then stood in line and got an autographed CD and totally dorky photo op.

The Soft Pack - Pretty good. I heard them while waiting for signatures from The Morning Benders. Sounded decent. The girl I was next to said they sounded like the White Stripes a little. I'm not sure if I agree but I guess I'll YouTube them and form an opinion from that.

Blues Traveler - Good. Not my usual scene but they were catchy and upbeat. I just stretched out and enjoyed the sun during the show but I could see people dancing and having fun.

Gogol Bordello - Pretty good. I spent most of this show at the way back looking for my friends so to be fair, I don't think I got the full effect but yeah they seemed fun and had some cool outfits.

Grizzly Bear - Pretty good. They sounded different than I expected live and we missed "Two Weeks" (maybe they opened with it?) so it was a bit of a disappointment. But yeah, it was pretty good. Perhaps it would've been better closer to the stage?

Metric - Very good. They're as good live as on their albums, if not better. Very talented and everyone in the crowd was enthusiastic. (Side note: totally saw a girl pass out twice in a row from the heat at this show. Everyone be careful and stay hydrated!)

Edward Sharpe & the Magnetic Zeroes - Great. I heard them for the first time at Bonnaroo and since then have become a fan. They sound great live. Wish I could've gotten a ticket to see them in NYC... next time I guess...

Kaskade - Good. I only caught a couple of minutes but it was solid. Would've been better late at night but yeah.

Cut Copy - Best of the day. I looooooove them! I super groupied out and bought a t-shirt and pushed to a good spot in the crowd (which was pretty crazy) and recorded as much as my little cell phone could handle. I danced and I sang along and the lights were changing colors and it was serendipitous. They played a couple of new tracks which were, of course, awesome. Can't wait to get the new album when it finally comes out.

Empire of the Sun - Great. This show was packed with people cheering "fuck Green Day". There were costumed dancers and smoke and lights and sexy tunes and visuals and it was such a beautiful overload seriously. Unfortunately I got stuck to the right of the stage after barely surviving the crush zone with the help of some Canadians. I can't even make this stuff up. So I had to watch from the side and couldn't get the full effect but I can tell you that Luke Steele was wearing his signature head piece (cool!). Check this youtube video for a better idea of what I'm sure the show was like from the crush zone. It was also crucial that I go to this because I had to give up my Empire of the Sun ticket for Monday to be here but it'll all be worth it.

Phew after all that I was exhausted and ready to go to bed but then finally, at around 1:30 a.m., I convinced myself to meet my friend at the afterparty with JFK from MSTRKRFT and Midnight Conspiracy, after all, I planned my afterparties around Midnight Conspiracy but didn't make it out last night. Well, when I got there I realized my friend's phone had died and I was alone but I decided to have fun anyway. It was really sick this venue, Vision, is like 6 stories I think. I thought I was going some back way and found myself in a whole second dj area. Eventually, I spotted Louis Kha from Midnight Conspiracy on stage and let some random drunk local sneak with me onto the back of the stage so I could say hi. He's totally chill. He said they aren't playing anything Monday or Tuesday, my last two days here, so I know I can't miss the afterparty with Digitalism even for an hour tomorrow if I want to see them live, which I do. Definitely should have gone out earlier tonight and not vegged out with microwave pizza for so long =/

I'll add photos at a later date.

Lollapalooza day 1 reviewed

I got a late start but here was my day:

The New Pornographers - Very good. Only caught a few minutes but they sounded good and the crowd was enthused.

Matt & Kim - Great. I saw them before in nyc opening for cut copy and they were awesome then too. Kim has longer hair now but they have that same great energy and antics. Matt even climbed 100 feet up the side of the stage. I want to hang out with those kids more than anything!

The Black Keys - Great. I just saw them so I wasn't paying attention that much but they're awesome.

Erol Alkan - Very good. A random new friend took me to this and I skipped Hot Chip I mean I just saw them and I was down to try something new. Erol Alkan was a good scene there was room to dance so everyone was just letting go and having fun. It had more of a Bonnaroo vibe than any other show today.

Chromeo - Best of the day. I've been dying to see these guys live and they were awesome. I think this was the best show of the day. They were energetic and upbeat and good to dance to. I'd looooove to see them again.

Lady Gaga - Good. I chose Lady Gaga over The Strokes because although I listen to The Strokes more, Lady Gaga is truly an icon of our time and a performer. I felt like I was at the theater with all her costume changes, props, dancers, and monologue interludes. There were several slow songs in the middle where I got bored but it was a solid show overall and very entertaining.

I missed Devo, Dirty Projectors, Tiga, and The Strokes. It breaks my heart but I simply cannot be in two places at once. I think the one I regret the most is Tiga because I never hear about him doing shows in nyc. Aaaaaand now I'm late to go see Midnight Conspiracy...

fin d'été concerts

well, the summer's wrapping up. here's what my schedule looks like:
August 3 at 10:00 pm Hot chip dj set at the soho grand open bar 10-11
August 4 at 5:30 pm Hot Chip/Hercules and Love Affair/Holy Ghost! at Central Park summerstage
August 5 at an ungodly hour I'm flying to Chicago for Lolla
August 6-9 Lolla and lolla parties as described in an earlier post
August 11 fly home
August 14 at 6pm FREE NEON INDIAN CONCERT at governor's island
August 17 MGMT at radio city music hall
August 21 Crystal Castles at terminal 5
i also have a ticket to empire of the sun on the 9th that i'm going to have to sell and tickets for ratatat in october get em while you still can

the best lolla afterparties

So my favorite guys from Chicago, Midnight Conspiracy, are going to be at THREE lollapalooza afterparties with three awesome artists headlining: Chromeo, MSTRKRFT, and Digitalism.

(Check out my earlier post about Midnight Conspiracy here)

So here's where I'm gonna be:
August 6 (click here to buy)



August 7
I couldn't find a flier for this event but here's info from Midnight Conspiracy's myspace:
Lollapalooza Afterparty w/ MSTRKRFT + Wolfgang Gartner @ Vision
632 North Dearborn Street
Chicago IL 60654
9:00 PM - 5:00 AM

August 8 (click here to buy)



Get your tickets now and see you there!