Lollapalooza 2009 Guide

Hello All,

Here is this years guide. Reminder, the Beastie Boys are no longer playing. MCA of the group has be diagnosed with cancer and all of their shows have been cancelled. The Yeah Yeah Yeah’s are taking their place. They are a solid group with some solid sounds. If you have questions about them email me and I will fill you in.

As always I want to remind you the rules of the study guides:

• On the Guides. I only write about bands I know about… I don’t do much extra research so if I skip someone, please look into it or ask me and I will see what I can dig up after the fact.
• I don’t write about the big acts that everyone knows. I don’t have to write about them because you know! This year that group only includes Beastie Boys, Kings of Leon and the Killers (out of spite for this one). I will however include Depeche Mode, Tool and Jane’s Addiction. Again, if you have questions about bands not included ask and I can whip something up for you later.
• There will be conflicts on the study guides. Every year we run into times when there are two great bands going at the same time… that sucks, but I do include info on both. For example so far, White Lies are on at the same time as Amazing Baby.
• In the section with the downloads the * denotes that song is either their most popular, most recognizable or the best example of what this bands music sounds like.
• As always, if you don’t feel like printing these or opening them you can find them at http://rebelderadio.blogspot.com
• Of course, feel free to share these with whoever.

If you find typos, I don’t give a shit because these took me hours to do.

Looking forward to a great weekend!

DAY 1

Lupe Fiasco-esque Band
South 12:15- 1:00
HEY CHAMP
Chicago, IL
Electronic Indie band that with a good Chicago house flavor
Ok, so maybe its not totally sounding like Lupe Fiasco, but he likes them enough to throw them on his label 1st & 15th.
For fans of upbeat dance music.
Download:
Cold Dust Girl*
Face Control
In The White City

Welcome Back (They Played Last Year As Well)
Budweiser 12:15- 1:00
MANCHESTER ORCHESTRA
Atlanta, GA
Pop leaning indie, only have one record
For fans of Death Cab For Cutie, a little schizophrenic ranging from rockers to downtempo
Download:
I Can Barely Breath
Wolves At Night*
Now That You’re Home

Funkin Blues is Back
VitaminWater 1:00-2:00
BLACK JOE LEWIS & THE HONEYBEARS
Austin, TX
Funky blues band that at times has a Booker T & The MGs or Bar Kays sound.
This one could have a weird combination of indie fans and hippies at the same time.
For fans of funk, blues and jams or James Brown and Sharon Jones
Download:
Gunpowder*
I’m Broke
Sugarfoot
Big Booty Woman

Hip Yet UnHip Hop
Citi 1:00- 1:45
THE KNUX
New Orleans, LA/Hollywood, CA
Hip hop that has sounds like the “Catch a beat runnin like Randy Moss” part of Outkast’s Whole World. Not sure how this will translate live.
For fans of hip hop
Download:
Bang! Bang!*
Cappucino

New Wave Is Not Dead
Budweiser 2:00- 3:00
WHITE LIES
West London, England
Solid new wave piece from the UK. In my opinion a more accomplished version of the Killers.
For fans of the 80s.
Download:
Death
To Lose My Life
Farewell to The Fairground*

Holy Buzz Band
Citi 2:15-3:00
AMAZING BABY
Brooklyn, NY
Think a lighter more airy version of MGMT. This band is getting a lot of buzz within the New York scene.
For fans of upbeat pop indie stuff that can get a little out there and even occasionally have the similar sounds to 1970s Manchester (ie. Buzzcocks and Magazine).
Download:
Bayonets
Headdress*
Invisible Palace

Critically Acclaimed Record Of 2008
Playstation 3:00-4:00
BON IVER
Eau Claire, WI
This is a band but its really all about the front man, whose stage name is Bon Iver. Think quiet, very down tempo folk. Almost like slowded down Wilco tracks.
For fans of stripped down basic folk tracks.
Download:
Skinny Love*
The Wolves Act I and II
Blood Bank

Female Fronted Blues Garage Band
VitaminWater 3:00-4:00
HEARTLESS BASTARDS
Cincinnati, OH
Think Black Keys with a female singer.
Bluesy, garage band… with very unique deep female vocals. I wouldn’t be surprised if they are regulars on WXRT if not yet, soon enough. Occasionally the guitars sound Pixie or Sonic Youth-esque.
Download:
The Mountain*
Be So Happy
Out At Sea
New Resolution

Dance Music For Electronic Loving Hippies
South 4:00- 5:00
STS9 (SOUND TRIBE SECTOR 9)
Snellville, GA
Instrumental jam, electronic funk dance band. Think if Medeski, Martin and Wood were to combine with Zero 7. They are known for their live shows.
Download:
Aimlessly

Baroque Harmonic Pop Jams
Playstation 5:00-6:00
FLEET FOXES
Seattle, WA
For fans of Woodstock folk acts if they were to spend a couple nights at Medieval Times. I didn’t come up with that headline, the band actually said that about themselves.
For fans of really clean harmonies.
Download:
Mykonos*
White Winter Hymnal
English House

Beastie Boys Aren’t The Only White Boy Rappers
Citi 5:00-6:00
ASHER ROTH
Philadelphia, PA
White boy hip hop more in the old school Beastie Boys in that the songs are about drinking, partying and sex. The actual flow of the songs sounds more Eminem-ish though than it does old Beastie Boys. Not to mention as a man of 28, he makes me long for my college years.
For fans of college.
Download:
I Love College

Weird Dance Music That Sometimes Sounds Like Nintendo
VitaminWater 5:00-6:00
CRYSTAL CASTLES
Toronto, Canada
Very sample heavy, female fronted electronic duo that sounds like they should be from Tokyo not Toronto. Just as known for their remixes of other Canadian indie rock groups as they are making their own songs.
For fans of dancing and Pong.
Download:
Crimewave
Untrust Us*

They Use Every Instrument Under The Sun
Budweiser 6:00-7:00
THE DECEMBERISTS
Portland, OR
These guys use everything from the standard instruments to accordions. They have the ability to sound like almost everything from an upbeat pop band to theater production to an emotional religious service. The lead singer Colin Meloy has become somewhat of an indie icon. They can also fit into the baroque folk pop genre.
For fans of songwriting.
O Valencia*
16 Military Wives
The Perfect Crimw #2

Electronic Lounge Music Made Popular By The Garden State Soundtrack
South 6:00-7:00
THIEVERY CORPORATION
Washington, DC
If these guys were to be compared to a previous Lollapalooza attendee, it would be Brazilian Girls. These guys combine a Brazilian, Indian, Reggae, Jazz and French lounge sound.
For fans of dance music to sit to.
Download:
Lebanese Blonde

Go You Northwestern!
Playstation 7:15-8:00
ANDREW BIRD
Chicago, IL
This guys plays a ton of instruments… a ton. He spends most of his time behind a guitar since he is only one man, but his proficiency in many instruments has created some wonderfully thick yet simple songs. There is no telling how many people will be on stage with him. Will he have an orchestra? Will he be alone? Could go either way.
For fans of Sufjan Stevens.
Download:
Oh No
Imitosis*
Fiery Crash
Not A Robot But A Ghost

Indie Pop That Comes In Many Forms
VitaminWater 7:00-8:00
OF MONTREAL
Athens, GA
The name may sound like they are Canadian, but not only are the not, but they don’t really have that Canadian indie sound either. These guys are a pop indie act that go from having Redwalls (Beatles) style vocals, to Mika (Queen) style vocals and add an electronic flare while doing it.
For fans solid pop rock.
Download:
Non Paralel Of Favor
Id Engager
Suffer For Fashion
Heimdalsgate Like A Promethean Curse*

New Wave Goth Glory Comes To Grant Park
South 8:00-10:00
DEPECHE MODE
Basildon, England
These guys are legends in their own right. They helped create the new wave goth sound that bands like Joy Division brought to the forefront in the late 70s. Their success has been huge over the years (they have been around since 1977) and their influence is as big today as ever (White Lies, The Killers, Bravery, etc.). For those of you unfamiliar with this band you know more songs than you think.
For fans of ME! Haha For fans dance music and new wavey goth.
Download:
Personal Jesus
Policy of Truth
Enjoy The Silence*
Just Can’t Get Enough
People Are People

DAY 2

What Happens When You Combine Soul, Rock And Christianity
Budweiser 12:30-1:30
DELTA SPIRIT
San Diego, CA
I have only seen these guys once. It was a couple years ago opening for Cold War Kids. They have an interesting sound that incorporates soul and rock in more of a Cold War Kids way than a Black Crowes way. They use a ton of instruments and non instruments (in a trash lid or glass bottle sort of way). This is for fans of Cold War Kids, Clap Your Hands A Say Yeah and Dr. Dog.
Download:
Children*
Parade

70s Inspired Indie Rock
Chicago 2016 12:45-1:30
LIVING THINGS
St. Louis, MO
This was a band that I was unfamiliar with until Lollapalooza 2006. My brother wanted to see them and frankly I was pleasantly surprised. They are a good combination of indie and classic rock. Their shows are good and energetic but occasionally turn into Democratic Conventions/anti war rallies and it get in the way of the music occasionally.
Download:
Bom Bom Bom*
Let It Rain

Tweepoppunk
Budweiser 2:30-3:30
LOS CAMPESINOS!
Cardiff, Wales
This maybe the happiest and most upbeat act at Lollapalooza this year. The songs are all fun. They don’t take themselves overly serious, its all fun. Think, if Sufjan Stevens and the people from the old “I’d Like To Buy The World A Coke” commercials decided to make a dance punk group.
Download:
You! Me! Dancing!*
The International Tweexcore Undergournd
Death to Los Campesinos!
We Throw Parties, You Throw Knives
My Year In Lists

iPod Nano Commercial
Citi 3:30-4:30
CHAIRLIFT
Brooklyn, NY
I don’t know much about this band other than they had one of the catchier iPod commercials maybe like a year or so ago… for the longest time I thought it was Regina Spektor but I later found out it was this Williamsburg group. I think when you hear this song you will remember it.
Download:
Bruises*

Minimalist Pop Folk
BMI 4:15-5:00
BLIND PILOT
Portland, OR
I was introduced to these guys by one of my Seattle based street teamers. Ok, so maybe they aren’t as minimalist as some of the Monterey Pop era folk musicians were musically, but these guys did played the greenest and cheapest tour I have ever heard of. The two lead guys hoped on their bicycles that were attached to trailers and they biked around the northwest to do their first tour. Times have changed and I am sure they have a more expensive less eco friendly ride now.
Download:
Go On Say It*
Story I Heard
One Red Thread
3 Rounds of Sound

MIA Part Two
Playstation 5:30-6:30
SANTIGOLD
Philadelphia, PA
Let me start by saying here real name is Santi White, and that’s how I usually know her. This woman is a jack of all trades. The first time I heard her name I was a freshman in college reading the booklet that came with the CD Beneath The Surface by GZA (Wu Tang). She cowrote the title track (I remember that because it was my favorite song on the album). I heard her name again in 2005 when I got into Philly post punk band Supergrub featuring Ben Kenney (bassist for Incubus) on vocals and guitar. She did songs with them too. I then found out that she was an A&R rep at Epic Records, see told you. Her music sounds like a MIA, part dance, part new wave, part island flavors. L.E.S. Artistes is one of my favorite songs of last year, but it was Lights Out that you may remember from a commercial but I don’t remember what it was for.
Download:
L.E.S. Artistes*
Lights Out
Creator

The Repioneers of English Teen Post Punk Revival
Budweiser 4:30-5:30
ARCTIC MONKEYS
Sheffield, England
These guys at time sound like the greats of the 70s Manchester punk scene, who the most noticeable is Buzzcocks. Their songs are very fun and the subject mater is exactly what you expect from a group of guys writing as teens/early twenties. The songs tend to be high energy and about girls and drinking. Their debut record was the highest selling debut album in the history of the UK and it still is nine years later.
Download:
I Bet You Look Good On the Dancefloor
When The Sun Goes Down
Fluorescent Adolescent

I Feel Like They Play The Same Stage, At The Same Time Every Year
Budweiser 6:30-7:30
TV ON THE RADIO
Brooklyn, NY
They had the best song in 2006. Its funny, I am not totally familiar with all of their music, but I have seen them a few times and their live show is great. Its hard to put a genre on these guys since they use rock instruments but don’t create the melodies you hear in a normal rock song. Its rock, dance music and maybe a little hip hop all in one. This band is strongly recommended even just for a couple songs to see. They are also known for doing really cool covers in their sets.
Download:
Wolf Like Me*
Dancing Choose
Crying

Chicago HXC
Chicago 2016 6:30-7:30
RISE AGAINST
Chicago, IL
These guys aren’t your normal hardcore punk band. For one they use a ton of melody. The singer is somewhat of intellectual. So take those two things and add it to the fact that one of their first big songs was a slow acoustic song about love. Most of their songs are on the harder side and most of their songs have to do with fighting oppression and violence.
Download:
Swing Life Away*
Re-Education (Through Labor)
The Good Left Undone
State Of The Union
Paper Wings
Give It All
Rumors Of My Demise Have Been Greatly Exaggerated

This Is Out There, Maybe A Little Too Out There
Vitaminwater 7:30-8:30
ANIMAL COLLECTIVE
Baltimore, MD/New York City
These guys have been called everything from noise pop, freak folk or just plain indie rock. I have actually never seen these guys live, but their music has been super popular on the indie rock stations online and on the satellites. Think of electronic music made more for the chillout tent than for the rave warehouse. I am not quite sure how this is going to translate in such and open field. I also don’t understand how this is going to translate to the people waiting for Tool to go on.
Download:
Peacebone
My Girl*
Fireworks
Summertime Clothes

DAY 3

I Was So Close To Signing These Guys… Damn
Playstation 11:45-12:30
SAM ROBERTS BAND
Montreal, QC
This is one of the best live bands playing at this festival. I know a few of you saw them with me last year. It sounds like it would be singer songwriter, but these guys are a straight forward rock band… and they can play.
For fans of classic rock.
Download:
Brother Down*
Mind Flood
Bridge To Nowhere
Mystified, Heavy
An American Draft Dodger In Thunder Bay
Dertroit ’67

Dreamy Pop Rock
South 12:30-1:30
RA RA RIOT
Syracuse, NY aka THE CENTER OF THE FUCKING UNIVERSE
This is an indie pop band. The thing that gives them the dreamy sound is you take his semi Stingesque vocals and add them to a girl who sings background vocals and plays a cello and a girl on a violin. This was one of the talks of the business in 2007 when I went to South By Southwest. I was among the last labels they were in talk with until the founding drummer tragically drowned.
Download:
Ghost Under Rocks*
Can You Tell
Dying Is Fine
Each Year
St. Peter’s Day Festival

From Here But Bigger In Britain
Citi 2:15-3:00
CAGE THE ELEPHANT
Bowling Green, KY
I have been waiting for this band to catch on since I went to SXSW in 2007. They were another band that I learned about that March in Austin. Since then, they have been touring England, Scotland and Wales with The Wombats. Even without a record for a lot of that time. They are a bluesy Stooges-esque garage band. If you don’t think they are like the Stooges when you listen to them wait until you see them live. For fans of garage rock or punk.
Download:
In One Ear
Ain’t No Rest For The Wicked*
Free Love

Solid UK Band Has Lost A Little Steam In Past 5 Years
Budweiser 2:30-3:30
KAISER CHEIFS
Leeds, England
Don’t let the headline in this band confuse you. They are a solid band that unfortunately for them may have peaked with their first record. This is a like a more serious version of Louis XIV. This is a band for fans of the Clash or Buzzcocks. They are obviously very influenced by the English punk bands of the 70s. I have never seen them live but have heard some pretty great things about their live show.
Download:
I Predict A Riot*
Everyday I Love You Less And Less
Ruby

Buzz Band That I Don’t Understand
Vitaminwater 3:30-4:30
DAN DEACON
Baltimore, MD/ West Babylon, NY
This guy is weird. Really weird. His music often sounds like something like clown noises or dance music and he sings into a microphone that changes the pitch of his voice to a very shirt sound. I have never seen him live and frankly don’t know a single song buy him but I saw the YouTube video of him on some early morning tv show and it was just weird. All this said, the Brooklyn hipsters and Pitchfork can’t get enough.

And They Had The Name Before Twilight And True Blood
Chicago 2016 4:30-5:30
VAMPIRE WEEKEND
New York, NY
It was impossible for a stretch in 2008 to go anywhere without hearing these guys. They had their first hit single and they became instant indie darlings. This band is for you if you are into post punk style indie and pop indie such as the Shins.
Download:
A-Punk*
Mansard Roof
Oxford Comma
Cape Cod Kwassa Kwassa

The Indie Darlings Of The First Half Of 2009
Citi 5:00-6:00
PASSION PIT
Cambridge, MA
This band isn’t even two years old yet. They play a good combination of indie style rock and electropop dance music. If you listen to internet radio or satellite radio you have probably heard their hit single. The critics have been loving this record. Its fun its really fun, if you are fan of upbeat songs and dancing a little this is for you. One of my favorite things about this band is that the fans have almost their own type of backlash. They are indie kids that actually move at shows!
Download:
Moth’s Wings
The Reeling

Lollapalooza Vets Are Back Again… A Still Damn Good After All These Years
Vitaminwater 5:30-6:30
COLD WAR KIDS
Orange County, CA
Well they are back for more Lollapalooza fun. It also looks like they are finally on a big stage so it won’t be so crowded and terrible like it was the first couple times around. These guys do their own take of indie rock that has seen a couple copycats of late but at they aren’t following the popular electronic style. This is one of the highly recommended of the weekend.
Download:
Mexican Dogs
Something Is Not Right With Me
Hang Me Up Dry*
Hospital Beds
We Used To Vacation
Red Wine, Success
Saint John
Against Privacy
Welcome To The Occupation

Rock Legend Comes To Lollapalooza
Budweiser 6:30-7:30
LOU REED
New York, NY
If you know me, you know that I am a huge fan. From his beginnings in Velvet Underground until now there have been few songs I haven’t been into. He is one of the most influential musicians of the past 50 years. The first Velvet Underground record only sold a couple thousand copies, but it resulted in the formation of several thousand bands. His brand of glam rock resulted in what is now considered punk music. His music ranges to being songs of love lost, to drugs, murder and sex in Alphabet City. Not to mention you will be hearing one of the songs listed below at my wedding.
Download:
Vicious
Perfect Day
Walk on the Wild Side*
Satellite of Love
Goodnight Ladies
Crazy Feeling
She’s My Best Friend
Nobody’ Business
Caroline Says I
Sad Song
Dirty Blvd
Rock Minuet
Velvet Underground- Sweet Jane
VU- Heroin
VU- Rock & Roll
VU- Waiting For the Man
VU- Femme Fatale
VU- The Black Angel’s Death Song
VU- All Tomorrow’s Parties
VU- Femme Fatale

The Kings Of Dance Remixes
Perry’s 7:00-8:30
MSTRKRFT
Toronto, ON
This electronic duo (similar to Justice) is part DJ part live electronic music. They have made two records. The Looks from 2006 was great, Fist of God from this year is very mediocre. The big song on it being “Bounce” with N.O.R.E. It sounds more like a bad radio hip hop song than it does a dance song. They are more known for the remixes of for indie, pop and electronic groups such as Death From Above 1979 (one of the members of DFA 79 is now in MSTRKRFT) Metric, Wolfmother, Juliette and the Licks (Juliette Lewis’s band), Bloc pary, Brazilian Girls, Justice, The Kills John Legend and Yeah Yeah Yeahs. Their shows are fun and very high energy.
Download:
Easy Love*
The Looks
Work On You
Death From Above 1979- Sexy Results (MSTRKRFT Edition)
Metric- Monster Hospital (MSTRKRFT Edition)

One Of The Best Albums Of The Year So Far
Vitamin 7:30-8:30
SILVERSUN PICKUPS
Silver Lake, CA
Their first full length record Carnavas was one of my favorite records of 2006. Swoon is on of my favorite records of 2009. Think Gish era Smashing Pumpkins. A lot of distortion, keyboards and sound manipulation on the guitars with semi feminine ethereal type lyrics. There is no doubting that they listed to Smashing Pumpkins and My Bloody Valentine. If you like early 90s college style rock (like Hum) this may be a band for you.
Download:
Well Thought Out Twinkles
Checkered Floor
Future Foe Scenarios
Lazy Eye*
The Royal We
Growing Old Is Getting old
Panic Switch
Surrounded (or Spiraling)