Much warmer temperatures and clearer skies awaited the hundred plus thousand people that attended day three of Lollapalooza. Day One was filled with pouring rain and a thunderstorm that cut the day short and Day Two had a little rain but cold temperatures and almost no sun. So Day Three was just what the crowd needed and with warmer weather brought much energy and even more fun. Chance the Rapper, the xx, Mac DeMarco and Kaskade were the four headliners, which is a remarkable fact when you realise that each of the headliners were relative unknowns less than 10 years ago. It’s a pretty strong testament to this generation of musicians.
CHANCE THE RAPPER
All day, people were speculating who Chance would bring out for his hometown show. Names like Kanye West, Twista, Vince Staples and even Foo Fighters were mentioned. But to perhaps some people’s disappointment, Chance was only joined on stage by Vic Mensa and Francis and the Lights. This was Chance’s night and he didn’t really need to share it with anyone. The greatest parts of the set were when Chance would point out where he went to school and mention that he would do open mics at a bar just a few blocks away. The joy and energy Chance possessed brought his already electric live show to a different level. The past year Chance has elevated to the peak of hip hop status and become a premiere headliner. Saturday night felt like his homecoming celebration. And every one there felt privileged to be invited to the party.
GLASS ANIMALS
These guys stole my heart and the show Saturday. Their latest album, How to Be a Human Being, really catapulted them from a chill band to one of the most exciting, unique bands today. Lead singer Dave Bayley is a ball of energy and pure bliss on stage. He brings every single song to a different level with how he moves on stage and how much of his body he puts into singing. This band has developed one of the most loyal and creative fan bases with several props, inside jokes and moments they share with every show. Bayley brought the show to them several times and created one of the best sets of the entire festival.
ALT-J
Alt-J exploded on to the US festival scene when An Awesome Wave first released several years ago, but this was the very first Lollapalooza Alt-j had played. Maybe that was the reason, but it felt like Alt-J was rediscovering that energy and rawness they first brought with them when they were emerging. The end of their set was a crash course in their earliest and best cuts, as “Fitzpleasure” transitioned to “Intro” to “Left Hand Free” and “Breezeblocks.” They stuck with what made them reach the level they are at today and gave the crowd every thing they could want.
BANKS
Banks is one forceful, intimidating presence on stage. In probably the most choreographed show of the festival, Banks incorporated her own dance moves with her background dancers that brought even more life into her haunting, bass filled anthems. Bank’s voice might be better in person and the confidence and power in her voice and stage presence makes her feel like a mega star.
ROYAL BLOOD
Not much more to say than this band rocks so hard! The two piece band from England continues to put on one of the best rocks shows of today, and they electrified everyone in attendance.
Sunday wraps up Lollapalooza with Arcade Fire, Big Sean, The Shins and more.
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