Lollapalooza Recap: Day 2

Although much of Lollapalooza‘s three-day, 130-band festival was as forgettable as Crystal Pepsi, Day 2 brought perks in the form of Muse (guitarist Matthew Bellamy shown left), Patti Smith, Roky Erickson and The Explosives, and Yeah Yeah Yeahs.

The Lollapalooza of the ’90s made headlines by showcasing some of the most innovative artists of the time and introducing many Americans to “alternative culture,” but the modern-day incarnation is closer to a trip to Disneyland. What happened to the Jim Rose Circus? Why can’t we check out a cool new band and see a guy hang a keg of beer off his genitals?

On Saturday, early highlights included Montreal’s Juno Award-winning Sam Roberts Band playing their classic guitar rock with a psychedelic tinge and Stephen Marley playing a lively set to a crowd of shoeless would-be flower children. “Emancipate yourself from mental slavery,” Marley cried out from his stage, and though the sentiment was agreeable, it seemed a little ironic given the circumstances.

That afternoon, Roky Erickson and The Explosives took to the Playstation Stage, one of more than half a dozen performance areas handed a corporate designation. Many have credited the Austin songwriter (shown left), one of the few legends at the festival, for penning some of the first psychedelic music with the 13th Floor Elevators in the 1960s.

The band’s crowd mostly consisted of an older set, media geeks, and other performers paying their respects and singing along with tunes like “It’s a Cold Night for Alligator” and “Starry Eyes.” Forty years after the fact, Erickson’s voice is still strong, and The Explosives’ lead guitarist was livelier than most guys half his age. Ending their set with famous tune “You’re Gonna Miss Me,” the band was brought back on stage for an encore.

Lollapalooza organizer and rock frontman Perry Farrell then appeared on the AT&T Stage to introduce Yeah Yeah Yeahs, whom he called “one of my favorites.” Lead singer Karen O (shown above) arrived in full regalia, including a black-and-white robe and a silver mask, and the fans ate up the dramatic performance.

When punk hero Patti Smith and her band, including original guitarist and Nuggets creator Lenny Kaye and his son Jackson, later took their stage, it began to heavily rain.

Few acts in the world are worth watching for an hour in a downpour, but Smith (shown left) is high on that list. At age 60, she is magnetic and electrifying, and belted out classics like “Gloria,” and “Free Money” with conviction. Despite uncomfortable covers of Jimi Hendrix’s “Are You Experienced?” and Nirvana’s “Smells like Teen Spirit,” Smith turned in the day’s most riveting performance.

Radio darlings Interpol and Muse finished up the night’s festivities on opposing sides of Chicago’s Grant Park. Interpol began in sedate fashion, but Muse had none of it. Breaking out of a more melodic interlude, the latter act launched into an over-the-top, arena-style rock show complete with a grand piano and backed by a light and video show of epic proportions.

Sounding like Queen might if they had asked Radiohead‘s Thom Yorke to sing lead, Muse’s high-energy show was the perfect end to the long, rainy night.

– Jamie Ludwig

Photo credits: Tanya van Kampen