Lollapalooza 2009 preview!

Kings Of Leon

Without a list, Lollapalooza can be like going to a record store: You know there was something you wanted to see, but you end up going home with a Killers album. Here at IE, we want not only to help you choose what to see and avoid, but how to shape your whole experience. You want the IE experience (it’s a little like Hendrix’s, without the jingoistic anthem). Some of what we have sounds like the catty jeering of an editor stuck at home for the weekend. Some of it’s genuine. We’ll be brief.

FRIDAY

Quiet time – Sssshhhh. What might be a better idea for Sunday mornin’ comin’ down, Andrew Bird, Fleet Foxes, and Bon Iver dominate the Playstation stage. Competitors Of Montreal, Crystal Castles, and Heartless Bastards are much more ideal leading up to Kings Of Leon or Depeche Mode.

Avoid: The empty hype behind White Lies, Asher Roth, La Roux, and The Virgins.

Surprise: Zap Mama and Thievery Corporation might seem like unexciting vets, but beats, beers, and summer were made for one another. TC were an ’06 Palooza revelation.

SATURDAY

Robert Earl Keen: His recent signing to Lost Highway notwithstanding, what the hell? The lone true-country artist to play Lollapalooza ever – talkin’ Guy Clark, not Kenny Chesney – has a fair chance against Chairlift and Gomez, if people don’t choose this slot to pack the lunch lines.

Set your alarm clock: Early sets by Atmosphere, Ida Maria, Constantines, and especially The Low Anthem should convince you to maximize your ticket money.

Fool me twice: Santigold underwhelmed opening for Coldplay last fall; maybe a vowel change will resurrect her stage presence.

Deja Vu: Animal Collective and No Age played on the same day at Pitchfork last summer, too.

SUNDAY

Arguably the best day – and, given the headliners, you can be on the road by 7:30 (8:30 if you like Band Of Horses). Pitting Snoop Dogg against Lou Reed is cruel, as is starting the underrated Ra Ra Riot at 12:30.

What about us? Deerhunter, who probably would have played Pitchfork if they didn’t like money so much, might as well just catch Reed or Snoop.

Blogger overload: Dan Deacon, Vampire Weekend, Passion Pit, and Cold War Kids are compressed tighter than the MP3s that made them popular. And wouldn’t the fanboy ogler in you rather pick a spot in the shade and watch Neko Case?

Is it too late for a refund?: Exactly what is Jane’s Addiction going to play for 90 minutes? Good thing Perry’s a talker. Oh shit, no. Oh, come on!

Category: Stage Buzz, Weekly