Lollapalooza 2008

August 5, 2008

Every year when the Van’s Warped tour makes its way through Chicago, I do everything in my power to make sure that I not only attend, but also get the opportunity to photograph the show, the bands, and the fans. This 10 year long summer tradition was broken last weekend when the Van’s Warped Tour made it to Chicago on day 2 of my new summer tradition – Lollapalooza.

The 21st Century version of Lollapalooza takes place in Chicago at Grant Park during the first weekend of August. The festival spans 3 days with over 120 bands performing on 8 Stages. This is its 4th year in Chicago and my 3rd year attending. Lollapalooza has become my new summer tradition. Not only are there plenty of bands that I always already know and love, but I also make it a point to try and discover something new that may challenge me. Perry Ferrel and Co. really stepped it up this year selling out all 3 days with an incredible line up featuring: Radiohead, Rage Against the Machine, Nine Inch Nails, and many…many more.

I decided that I needed to satisfy the 16 year old in me and get as close as I could for Rage and NIN, both of which were absolutely chaotic. Nine Inch Nails absolutely blew me away. I have always been a casual Nine Inch Nails fan but I really never put effort into seeing them live. My respect and admiration for Trent Reznor has grown to a new level. The use of the video screens, lighting and stage were spectacular. That added with the intensity and passion put fourth by Trent Reznor made this one of the best live shows of my entire life. At one point, a cage came down and surrounded the sage. The front of the cage had a sensory controlled monitor that was controlled by something that Reznor was holding. The entire screen was covered in static but was clear wherever Reznor was standing. The visuals were stunning. Reznor didn’t address the crown much due to an illness that made him cancel his performance the night before but when he did finally speak, he spoke of how he was asked by Perry to play the first Lollapalooza in 1991 when they were an unknown band in Cleveland and how wonderful it was that 17 years later, he was still alive and playing the same festival in front of such a massive crowd. He then mentioned that he was about to play a song that he wrote for himself during his “dark days,” a song that was never meant to be recorded, but was recorded anyway to give to a friend. They then went into “Hurt” and it was absolutely breathtaking. I had chills.

Rage Against the machine was exactly what everyone expected and it was fantastic. It was a packed crowd and an additional 2,000 people broke through the gates down and rushed the field. The band had to stop the show every 2 or 3 songs due to injuries in the crowd but thankfully, nothing to serious.

I was lucky enough to photograph one of my new favoriate bands Okkervil River for the Magazine ‘Under the Radar’ before their performance on Saturday. They were a great bunch of guys (and a gal). I was happy to see that the field was PACKED for their performance and the response was incredible. I highly recommend this band. They were kind enough to invite me to their after party which I attended later Saturday night after Rage.

Two other notable performances were at the Kids Stage. On Friday Jeff Tweedy played a short set of Wilco songs that were requested by the children in the audience. The cute part was where kids would request songs that had references to drugs or had foul language and he refused to play them. And in an EXTREME contrast to Jeff Tweedy’s set, we had Slash and Perry Ferrel playing the kids stage on Sunday. Slash played with his trademark cigarette in his mouth and a trucker hat that said “FUCK” across it. They played ‘Superstition’ by Stevie Wonder, “Knocking On Heaven’s Door,” (the GnR version of course) and then “Mountain song” and “Jane Says” by Jane’s Addiction. Watching Perry explain the songs to kids was not only hilarious, but really creepy. It was definitely a very unique and memorable moment.

Other notable acts:

Radiohead kicked off their american tour on Friday night, 7 years to the day of when they last played Grant Park and it was great (other than their lack of early material). They performed under an incredible light show and in front of a VERY enthusiastic crowd.

Butch Walker was as funny as charming and energetic as ever.

Brand New was intense and fantastic.

The National played a great mix of Boxer and Alligator; in my opinion 2 of the best albums in the last decade.

Bloc Party, Gogol Bordello, and Flogging Molly brought their crazy European influenced music and tore it up.

Below are images of the above mentioned scenarios and other random incidences: