ISSUE #70 / August 1, 2019
preview: Lollapalooza
photo credit: Pitchfork Music Festival
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4-day: starting at $340
1 day: starting at $130
Lollapalooza is a doozy. Four days, seven stages, and over 140 acts, all packed into a mile-long park with picturesque views of the Chicago skyline. Over the years, the largest and most popular music fest in the city has been shaped by the trends in popular music. The electronic stage, Perry’s, has grown from a small tent to the largest stage with plenty of flame jets, steam cannons, and enough lights to be seen from space. The 28-year-old festival’s rock leanings have reflected the genre’s general death in popular music. This year’s Lolla is full of synth pop, R&B, EDM, hip-hop, and bubblegum radio tunes that show the shifting tastes of the young. With so many musicians coming to Grant Park this weekend, it can be tough to wade through the generic to find something truly special. In order to prepare you for the best Lolla possible, we’re highlighting some under-the-radar (and not-so-under-the-radar) acts to check out while basking in the sun with the lake wind at your back.
-KPL
GATES OPEN AT 11:00 AM
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thursDAY
We've got no reason to leave the grove of trees at the American Eagle Stage for most of the day, as four of our featured artists are gracing one of the few stages with plenty of available shade. Hey- it’s Day One. Time to take it easy and rest up for the long haul.
Beach Bunny
American Eagle Stage
12:50
Lili Trifilio's star has been on the rise in the local scene for a couple years now, and her self-deprecating, yet empowering tunes have captured the imagination of a generation of Chicago teens. The only reason to skip out on work and arrive early on Day One is for what is sure to be a killer set from Beach Bunny.
shallou
American Eagle Stage
1:50
One of the only electro-pop artists who consistently brings the goods is shallou (aka Joe Boston). With smooth grooves based on EDM tropes and a knack for landing just the right guest vocalists, it'll be a chance to get some early afternoon swaying in as shallou soothes the soul.
dress in layers
Saba
American Eagle Stage
6:30
Riding the golden wave that is the excellent Care For Me, local rapper and Pivot Gang member returns home for an evening set after selling out shows all over the world.
FORECAST
78° HIGH / 66° LOW
SUNNY and 10% CHANCE OF RAIN
DRINK plenty of WATER
Cautious Clay
American Eagle Stage
5:15
With last year's Blood Type and this spring's Table of Context, Catious Clay has established himself as a force in alt-R&B. With velvet vibes and sexy flows, the Brooklyn-based multi-instrumentalist/producer/singer is bound to bring the heat to a new level.
King Princess
Lakeshore Stage
7:45
Without a full album to her credit, King Princess scored a prime slot with her reputation for a compelling stage presence and heavy dance pop grooves.
Get Some Sleep!
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FRIDAY
With a jam-packed afternoon, Friday will set up the dual opposite Tame Impala / Childish Gambino headliners in style.
FORECAST
79° HIGH / 63° LOW
SUNNY and 10% CHANCE OF RAIN
boy pablo
Tito’s Stage
1:45
With bubblegum pop-style, this Norwegian teen has captured the hearts of millions of listeners with his earnest tunes and rowdy stage presence. This is the early set not to miss on Day Two.
Eat somethin’ green!
The New Respects
BMI Stage
1:00
This Nashville family band made up of three siblings and their cousin will bring the early afternoon heat to the tiny, shaded BMI stage. Their potent mix of funk, soul, and rock will be just what you deserve to get Day Two rolling.
Idles
T-Mobile Stage
3:00
One of the few punk bands at this year’s fest, these Englishmen are sure to draw a big crowd for a set full of tunes off last year’s insanely excellent Joy as an Act of Resistance.
Japanese Breakfast
Tito’s Stage
3:45
If you’ve never seen Michelle Zauner do her thing, now is the perfect time to scoot over to her afternoon set. This Philly-based indie rocker is one-of-a-kind.
Japanese Breakfast on Spotify
Japanese Breakfast on Soundcloud
Tierra Whack
American Eagle Stage
4:00
Last year’s internet sensation hits the Lolla stage with her collection of short tunes off the phenomenal Whack World and a few recently-dropped singles that show the rapper headed in a more serious direction.
Don’t Overdo it on Day Two!
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SATURDAY
Hump day has arrived. If you can make it through Saturday, you’re in the home stretch. Stay hydrated and for god’s sake, eat something green! (And no, we’re not referring to edibles.)
Liily
BMI Stage
1:00
These Cali cats can rock it out, and their impressive debut EP I Can Fool Anybody in This Town is sure to appeal to the young rocker in all of us.
BLOCK OUT THE SUN
HAT, SCARF, SUNBLOCK, PANTS...GET CREATIVE!
Fantastic Negrito
Tito’s Stage
2:00
From Xavier Dphrepaulezz comes intense blues rock that is groundbreakingly creative. With plenty to jam on from last year’s great Please Don’t Be Dead, this is our pick for “set of the day!”
FORECAST
82° HIGH / 68° LOW
SUNNY and 10% CHANCE OF RAIN
Men I Trust
Lake Shore Stage
1:45
This dream pop trio from North of the border will surely capture your daydreams and transform them into lovely, glitter-soaked clouds.
Jade Bird
American Eagle Stage
2:50
After dropping her debut record last Spring, this English folker has been turning heads all summer with her passionate tunes.
Smino
Tito’s Stage
4:00
Smooth, sleak, and impactful, NOIR was one of the best hip-hop records of last year, and this Chicago-by- way-of St. Louis emcee will get the early evening crowd going as he rolls through Grant Park.
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SUNDAY
Get your groove on all day long and make the most of Day Four!
FORECAST
81° HIGH / 69° LOW
PARTLY CLOUDY and 20% CHANCE OF RAIN
(Sandy) Alex G
Lake Shore Stage
1:30
With a new album on the way, Alex G is sure to share a few tunes you’ve never heard of. The Philly-based indie outfit is set to release House of Sugar in September.
Rosalía
Tito’s Stage
6:00
This Catalon beauty combines her native Spanish influences with modern pop making for a potent combination. No one will be able to avoid swinging their hips.
give yourself a big hug
Bayonne
American Eagle Stage
12:50
Back in February, this Austin product dropped Drastic Measures and we still can’t get over its electro flow and beautiful reflections. This is sure to be a “lay down under a tree, and let Roger Sellers transport you” kind of set.
Sharon Van Etten
Lake Shore Stage
5:30
Our pick for “set of the day on Sunday.” This badass singer/songwriter put out the awe-inspiring Remind Me Tomorrow way back in January, and it’s still in our regular rotation.
Mitski
American Eagle Stage
7:45
With Be The Cowboy, Mitski Miyawaki took a detour from her typically guitar-driven sound and returned to the keys for what turned out to be her best record yet. This evening set is sure to be jam-packed with fans hoping to hear “Nobody.”