I am heading up north next weekend for Lollapalooza. I’ve got a few delimas on who to watch. Who better to ask than my loyal readers. Warning, I may have already made up mind, but I can be persuaded.
The Raconteurs or Bloc Party
Duffy (she’s the sober version of Amy Winehouse) or Louis XIV (I’ve got an album of their’s)
Rage Against the Machine or Wilco
John Butler Trio or Brazilian Girls
Nine Inch Nails or Kanye West?
The Raconteurs over Bloc Party, and you shouldn’t even have to ask, but Wilco over Rage. Between the two, I’d pick Trent over Kanye, but would probably try to find something on a smaller stage. I don’t know from Duffy or Louis XIV.
Have fun.
1) Raconteurs. Musically, I prefer Bloc Party, but I’ve read several places that they’re no good live. Plus, at least in the Raconteurs, Jack White’s banality is balanced out by Brendan Benson’s greatness. If you don’t have any of his solo stuff, raid me on Mojo.
2) Duffy. Something tells me Louis XIV isn’t so great live either, at least not in a massive setting such as Lollapalooza. Duffy’s got some pipes.
3) Rage Against the Machine. My inner high-school junior would have to disagree here with Dan. I love Wilco, but honestly, you could see them umpteen times a year if you wanted. That you’re even considering Rage tells me the rarity factor is weighing heavily upon your mind. Engage the Rage. (Or not. To paraphrase Zack de la Rocha: F*** you. I won’t do what you tell me.)
4) Neither. I’ve never heard the John Butler Trio, but I just can’t get into jam bands. And my friend Angie tells me the Brazilian Girls no es bueno. (She saw them open for Cake and hated them.) Instead, I can strongly recommend Tally Hall, playing at 1:45 to 2:30 at the BMI stage. They. Are. Fantastic.
5) Kanye, but only because it’s in Chicago and the guy might feel like he has a hell of a lot to prove after A) the Bonnaroo fiasco; and B) Lupe Fiasco stealing his Chi-Town thunder. Plus, if you see Kanye, that would still give you time to see the National and hightail it to ‘Ye in 15 minutes.
Other bands I’d recommend seeing if you haven’t already made other plans: Mates of State, De Novo Dahl, DeVotchKa, Office, the Weakerthans, What Made Milwaukee Famous (those last two playing during Tally Hall, though) and Love and Rockets (I’d love to be able to hear “No New Tale To Tell” live, although I’m sure it wouldn’t live up to my expectations).
Raconteurs
Rage
Louis XIV
John Butler Trio
Kanye West
Also make sure to see MGMT, Mason Jennings, and G love
UH- I gotta get Mojo up and running again. I suggest that you check out John Butler Trio. I wouldn’t really consider him a jam bander. Thanks for the heads up on the Brazilian Girls.
I’ve got the same feelings about Rage and Kanye. Rage, because my buddy John R made a good point last night over the phone, “How often are those guys together preforming?” And Kanye, because he’s ridiculous and his blog comments about the diggers.
http://www.kanyeuniversecity.com/blog/?em3106=196808_-1__0_~0_-1_6_2008_0_0&em3161=&em3281
Thanks for the heads up on the other bands.
On Rage, and in particular on Zach de la Rocha, I think Beck said it best:
“Oh, the tragedy and the anguish. You just gotta Rage Against the Appliance, man. The toast is burning and you just gotta rip it out and free it before it fills the house with smoke. Rage Against the Toaster.”
Spin magazine, July 1994
How is it even a thought to go see Kanye instead of NIN. Of course you have to see Rage. Wilco always tours. I think the rest of the bands I must be to old to know because I have never heard of them.
I’m voting NIN over Kanye…but I love love love Trent. But I have a feeling you and Ed will be viewing Kanye (one of those you’d already decided).
See Mates of State, for sure. And tell Berry I say hello. And don’t go to G-Love because then I’ll be left wondering why I didn’t go to Lolla with you.
Shoo: I trust your description of John Butler over that which I’d read online. I will give him a shot.
Dan: I’d never seen that quote from Beck, whom I’ve always admired since seeing him live in 1996 when he didn’t play “Loser” and pissed off pretty much everyone at Braden Auditorium. I didn’t care. The concert was great, and I got to hear “Debra” live, which was mind-blowing and way before it ended up on “Midnite Vultures.” That show also had the worst opening act I’ve ever seen: Atari Teenage Riot. May they burn in hell. Mind you, I’m not musically picking RATM over Wilco musically, just on a one-time live basis.
Jager: Maybe it’s because you actually could SEE Kanye. Every live shot I’ve seen of NIN has them shrouded in smoke. Seriously, I like NIN, and I’d musically pick them. But I like Kanye, too, and given that he’s got Bonnaroo baggage that could be cast off in his hometown, that show could be giddy.
“I’m not musically picking RATM over Wilco musically”
Sorry for mangling the English language and not re-reading before posting.
“Every live shot I’ve seen of NIN has them shrouded in smoke.”
Just to preempt: I know NIN is ostensibly just Trent in the studio setting.
I posted about my own Lolla dilemma a while back. I’m going with Rage and Kanye West. I’ve wanted to see Rage for a long time but I’m still pissed I have to skip Wilco.
I’m also looking forward to The Black Keys, Cat Power, and MGMT. I don’t know anything about Louis XIV or Duffy.
NIN and Rage. Please don’t make me kick you in the shins. Send Ed to see Kanye by himself.
I’m with Jessie!!
I should really check the blog more often…… Anyway, since I’m actually going with Shoo here are my choices:
1) Raconteurs, that’s an easy one for me, but probably plan on leaving early to get Shoo a better spot for Radiohead and catch a little bit of Cool Kids
2) Either one, haven’t checked either out
3) Would want to catch a little of both, Wilco first then RATM but definately more RATM
4) Brazillian Girls, saw them with Phil O last year, must hear “p*ssy” again
5) Heh, don’t care. With Kayne I really only like one song (Through the Wire), then eh, nothing too special besides singing gold digger with Reier. Really don’t care about NIN either. Although I would lean towards Kanye just in case Lupe, Common, and other Chicago hip hop acts show up with him.
The main conflicts I don’t know about are: Broken Social Scene vs. Lupe and Dierks Bently vs the Gutter Twins