2008 Woodie Awards
Lollapalooza headliners prove their worth
Radiohead steals the show, Kanye West shows up on time
Alex Butler, Collegian Staff
Issue date: 9/4/08 Section: Arts & Living
|
As some lunatic was ranting about Branson, Mo. and its heavy significance in global politics, I realized I was far from home. The crowd was immensely diverse. But people were, as Duffy said, "unifying around the music."
The mass was pouring into the south side of Grant Park. It was the end of the first day, and everyone was turning their attention to the main stage.
Radiohead brings a very bizarre reaction from most people. Despite its quiet introduction in 1993, when it was hard to even give away concert tickets, the band has risen to an unprecedented caliber. People flock from all over to hear what David Fricke of Rolling Stone magazine has deemed the "the best live band in rock."
As the music started, everyone seemed to drop what they were doing and listen as "National Anthem" pumped through the speakers. The Radiohead state of mind is practically a natural sedative. People become almost hypnotized amidst their music - it is astonishing. But once you have experienced it live, you know what it is all about.
Lead singer Thom Yorke keeps his voice and guitar perfectly in-synch with the rest of the band, so close you swear you are listening to the album.
The two-hour performance included a wide variety of the band's songs, set to an impressive light show with hundreds of steel pipes hanging over the band. When fireworks shot skyward during "Everything in its Right Place," the picture was virtually perfect. The first day of Lollapalooza was over.
MGMT, one of the most talked about bands of the year, had a high bar to reach. It was set to play in the middle of day two and despite its best efforts, their performance at the MySpace stage just did not live up to expectations.
The incredibly young band from Wesleyan University agreed to perform the festival with only one album under its belt. It was painfully obvious that the crowd was waiting for the three main singles: "Electric Feel," "Time to Pretend" and "Kids."
The nerve-wracked frontman, Andrew VanWyngarden, often closed his eyes and turned from the crowd during songs. The hour-long set seemed to drag on and on. The music was too slow, too quiet and too often drowned out by DJ group, Booka Shade, pumping bass on the very next stage.
You wanted MGMT to do well, mainly because they have unquestionable talent. But a festival is just not the right spot for some bands, especially early on in their careers.
Be the first to comment on this story