I’m supposed to complain about how corporate-driven Lollapalooza is. I’m supposed to hate it and love Riot Fest. I shouldn’t have as much fun as I do every year, but whatever, I do have fun and honestly that’s all that really matters at Lollapalooza. Seriously, that’s it. So here’s the schedule that I think would yield the highest fun return.
Friday
12:45pm IO Echo Bud Light I caught this band at SXSW, but only a song. I think they deserve my attention for a full set this time around.
1:45pm Icona Pop Lake Shore Don’t you want to see everybody go crazy for “I Love It”? I sure do.
3:15pm Jessie Ware Petrillo If anything will class up this fest, it’s Jessie Ware.
4:30pm Pacific Air BMI This is my buzz band of the fest. They seem to have the pop sensibility of Coldplay without sounding like a rip-off. Throw in some whistling and synth swells, it’s some of the catchier stuff at the fest all weekend.
6:15pm New Order Red Bull Sound Select Does this count as a nostalgia trip? Whatever, I’ll dance around to “Bizarre Love Triangle,” I don’t care.
7:25pm Hot Chip Lake Shore Just coming from New Order, the dancing shoes will be worn in and this should be the indie dance party of the weekend.
8:15pm Nine Inch Nails Bud Light I’m secretly hoping for a live play-through of “The Social Network” soundtrack.
Saturday
1pm Pujol The Grove My rule: always start the day with something electronic.
2:45pm Charles Bradley Bud Light There are only a couple chances to get my funk on at Lolla this year, so Charles Bradley is can’t-miss.
3:30pm Haim The Grove These girls toured with Vampire Weekend already, and hit the road with Phoenix next. I’m eager to see what all the hype is about.
4:45pm Ellie Goulding Bud Light One of the few pop stars at Lolla I feel comfortable showing my face at, because “Anything Could Happen.”
6pm The National Red Bull Sound Select I know exactly what I’m going to get at a National show, so I’ll go get it.
7:45pm Supreme Cuts Petrillo Chicago’s very own producers of gloomy hip-hop beats, Supreme Cuts could catch fire at any second. After “Yeezus,” ears are ready for this darkly arresting music for occult meetings. It’s not witchy, it’s ominous. Postal Service will sound like Matt & Kim after Supreme Cuts’ set.
8:30pm The Postal Service Bud Light A nostalgia trip is inevitable at Lollapalooza, might as well take this one, right?
Sunday
12:15pm Yawn Petrillo Our own local Animal Collective.
1pm The Orwells The Grove One of the many young rock bands in Chicago who love distorted guitars. They’ll have fun.
1:30pm Wild Belle Lake Shore The jazzy sax of NOMO, a sultry female vocalist and reggae. Yeah, man.
2:15pm Wild Nothing Red Bull Sound Select One of my favorite singles of 2013 is “A Dancing Shell,” which gives me reason enough to check out Wild Nothing’s set.
3:30pm MS MR The Grove A band I’m skeptical of, but will form my final opinion on after I see them live.
4pm Tegan and Sara Red Bull Sound Select Mostly because I’ve never seen Tegan and Sara, I want to see if they’re still playing “Walking With A Ghost.”
6pm DIIV The Grove DIIV played my favorite show at SXSW, but have since been acting curmudgeonly. I’ll be at this one just to see if there’s an on-stage meltdown.
7:15pm Major Lazer Perry’s Because “Bubble Butt.” Duh.
8:30pm Phoenix Bud Light Easily my most anticipated show of the fest. I’m giddy like a kid on Christmas Eve just thinking about bringing a sweaty, disgusting, dirty Lollapalooza weekend to a climax with a nighttime set outside in Chicago with one of the best bands in the world. They can play anything they want, new songs or old, and I’ll be singing along to every one of them. But I sure hope they end with “Long Distance Call.”
