by Parker Langvardt, photos by James Richards IV

I walked onto the south field of Grant Park on Saturday just in time to catch the last couple Doomtree songs. Within that time, all four emcees (Cecil Otter, Dessa, Mike Mictlan, P.O.S.) had a chance to display their lyrical prowess over the innovative beats produced by Paper Tiger and Lazerbeak, who did some live production.

Shortly after at the neighboring stage, Bear in Heaven's frosty synth tones helped combat the heat. I was disappointed to see Jon Philpot was triggering most, if not all, of the more complex synth parts, but it did allow him to focus on his vocals, which sounded strong and clear. He also played bass for a bit while Adam Wills played soft guitar parts.

Aloe Blacc made up for the dose of soul that I didn't have a chance to get from the grittier JC Brooks & the Uptown Sound earlier in the day. Blacc was backed by a six-piece band that provided smooth funk for his powerful vocals.

Neon Indian

Neon Indian had an array of keyboards on stage for their busy synth pop. The clouds rolled in, and shortly after singer Alan Palomo said their set was cut short due to approaching thunderstorms. He made the following public service announcement, "If this happens to be your first time on psychedelics, drink plenty of water and everything is going to be okay."

As soon as Neon Indian ended, Lollapalooza was evacuated in a lengthy process, putting many thousands of attendees out on the streets of downtown Chicago. After a downpour with lightning and high winds, the park was re-opened with a reworked schedule. A handful of performances were cancelled, including Alabama Shakes, B.O.B., Chairlift, and the Temper Trap (no refunds are being given).

Tune-yards were fortunately rescheduled for 6:30, and Merrill Garbus opened the show solo with the vocal-loop heavy "Party Can". Bassist Nate Brenner and saxophonists Matt Nelson and Noah Bernstein joined her toward the end of the song, following with the jazzy "You Yes You". The refreshed audience sang along to the siren-like vocals in the intro of the wonky hit "Gangsta". After the distorted ukulele jam "Powa", they rocked through the African pop inspired "Bizness".

Bloc Party

I arrived at the north end of the park just in time for Franz Ferdinand's "Take Me Out," admittedly their only song I'm familiar with. Despite my low expectations, they sounded extremely tight on that and the following song. Bloc Party felt a bit lacking in intimacy though. It wasn't really possibly to get close enough to hear the lower frequencies or what Kele Okereke was saying.

Red Hot Chili Peppers opened with "Monarchy of Roses" from their new 2011 album I'm With You, with Anthony Kiedis using a strange tremolo effect on his voice. The massive crowd cheered as the song ended and Flea launched into a messy distorted jazz solo to lead into the opening bass line of "Around the World" off Californication. Flea and Chad Smith comfortably improvised throughout the part of the set I watched, and Josh Klinghoffer joined in on many of their between song jams. Klinghoffer's tone is much more ambient and noisy than former RHCP guitarist John Frusicante's, making for indistinct but still powerful solos. He skillfully handled the busy clean guitar of "Snow", which Flea prefaced with the statement, "Be kind, be gentle, be nice. Fuck shit up." After another song from I'm With You, they played "Throw Away Your Television", in a rare moment of Kiedis' lyrics making much sense at all.

Flea

Frank Ocean captivated his smaller but substantial crowd with his impressive vocal range; he hit the high falsetto parts with as much power as his lower notes. Backed by a band, his set was a mix of channel ORANGE and Nostalgia, Ultra.

That was it for me for Saturday, but read about Friday if you haven't yet. Sunday review on the way.

More pictures from Saturday HERE. Pictures from Friday HERE.

Lollapalooza 2012 has revealed the full schedule for their 3-day festival, set to take place from August 3-5 in Grant Park. Check it out HERE.

A bunch of official aftershows have also been announced, happening from August 1-5. Here's a number of them (more TBA, including unofficial shows):

August 1
Alabama Shakes, First Aid Kit, Dry The River, Filligar @ Metro
Delta Spirit, FIDLAR @ Lincoln Hall

August 2
Passion Pit, GIVERS, Kishi Bashi @ House of Blues
Kids These Days, Overdoz @ Schubas
Dr. Dog, Kevin Devine, The Dunwells @ Lincoln Hall
Zedd, Gus K, DJ Gordo, DJ Torio @ The Mid

August 3
Bear in Heaven, YAWN @ the Empty Bottle
NERO (DJ Set), Die Antwoord, Anamanaguchi @ Congress Theater
Frank Ocean @ Metro
tUnE-yArDs, Washed Out @ House of Blues
The Black Angels, Night Beats @ Double Door
The War on Drugs, Milo Greene @ Schubas
Blind Pilot, Kopecky Family Band @ Lincoln Hall
Porter Robinson, Madeon @ The Mid
The Growlers, JEFF the Brotherhood @ Subterranean
Paper Diamond, Minnesota @ Bottom Lounge

August 4
White Rabbits, Dum Dum Girls, Oberhofer @ Cubby Bear
Doomtree, Naledge of Kidz In The Hall @ the Empty Bottle
Zeds Dead, Big Gigantic, Midnight Conspiracy, Big Chocolate @ Congress Theater
The Afghan Whigs @ Metro
Of Monsters & Men, Yellow Ostrich @ House of Blues
Trampled By Turtles, The Devil Makes Three @ Double Door
Childish Gambino @ the Vic
The Temper Trap, Poliça @ Park West
Gary Clark Jr., LP @ Schubas
Twin Shadow @ Lincoln Hall
Calvin Harris, Nathan Scott @ The Mid
The Big Pink @ Subterranean
Bombay Bicycle Club, Hey Rosetta! @ Bottom Lounge

August 5
Chairlift w/ Alt-J @ the Empty Bottle
The Walkmen @ Lincoln Hall

As seen on BrooklynVegan, this year's Lolla lineup includes everthing hinted on the #LOLLA ads, and much more....

Continue reading "Lollapalooza 2012 lineup announced (Black Sabbath, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Shins, Passion Pit, JC Brooks, much more)"

photos by Zach Pollack

Doomtree @ the Bottom Lounge on 2/23/2012

On Thursday night (February 23), Minneapolis hip hop collective Doomtree and tour mate Toki Wright arrived in Chicago to play the Bottom Lounge. A full set of pictures from the show are in this post.

With a little help from Chicago's The Hood Internet, the group also played a Wugazi late show at the venue. Sticking around through the weekend, Doomtree spoke on their career at the Apple Store in Lincoln Park and band member Dessa stopped by Sound Opinions for a session.

More pictures from their Bottom Lounge show and in-studio videos of Dessa, below..

Continue reading "Doomtree & Toki Wright played the Bottom Lounge (pics)"

The Promise Ring

today in Chicago
* Emilie Autumn @ House of Blues
* Peter Frampton @ Chicago Theatre
* Doomtree (discussion) @ Apple Store
* The Del Fuegos, Hollow @ Lincoln Hall
* The Promise Ring, Joan of Arc @ Metro
* Crocodiles, Bleeding Rainbow @ Schubas
* Thomas Ankersmit @ Graham Foundation
* Matthew Good, Emily Greene @ Double Door
* Predators, Horse King, JC Autobody @ Township
* Arriver, Anatomy of Habit, The Swan King @ Hideout
* Football, Rodeo, Blasted Diplomats @ The Burlington
* The Queers, The Ataris, Far From Finished @ Reggie's
* Young Jesus, District Somnium, The Blisters @ Subterranean
* SS Web, The Blind Staggers, Blizzard Babies @ Ultra Lounge
* Goldhouse, Stamps, Farraday, Famous Like You @ Beat Kitchen
* Pretty Good Dance Moves, Rambos, Pictures of Then @ Empty Bottle
* J2K of Flosstradamus, ShowYouSuck, The-Drum (DJs) @ Vita Hill Social Club (Free Show)

Doomtree speak on their career at the Apple Store today.

The Promise Ring and Joan of Arc play Metro tonight. Were you able to grab a ticket?

George Harrison would have turned 69 today. RIP, George.

Come join us at the Vita Hill Social Club tonight! We've just added The-Drum (DJs) to the lineup. Free drinks, snacks, and live music.

Terry Malts has a new video for "I Do." Check it out below. He plays the bottle for FREE on April 24.

What else?

Continue reading "What's going on Saturday?"

As mentioned, hip hop collective Doomtree will hit Chicago next week (on February 23rd) to play the Bottom Lounge. Frontman Cecil Otter and collaborator Swiss Andy will also be performing a Wugazi-late show at the venue, featuring Chicago's The Hood Internet. Tickets are still available for both shows and we've also got a pair to give away for the early Doomtree portion! Contest details can be found below.

The group will also be visiting the Apple Store (on N. Michigan Ave.) at 2PM on Saturday, February 25th, for a moderated discussion on their recently released LP No Kings.

All 2012 tour dates, contest details, and some videos, below..

Continue reading "Doomtree to speak @ Apple Store; win tix to Bottom Lounge"

Cecil Otter @ Fun Fun Fun Fest 2011 (more by BBG)

As mentioned, Minneapolis hip hop collective Doomtree will reach Chicago's Bottom Lounge on February 23rd, on tour in support of their recently released LP No Kings. Tickets are still available.

Band member Cecil Otter and fellow minneapolitan Swiss Andy, the masterminds behind Wugazi, recently tacked on a late show (10PM doors) of the material. Tickets for the Wugazi set are on sale now. Unfortunately if you are underage, the late show is not an option.

In related news, Sage Francis, whose Strange Famous Records re-released Cecil Otter's debut solo LP Rebel Yellow and will also put out his sophomore effort Porcelain Revolver, is playing the Bottom Lounge on February 18th. Tickets are still available.

All 2012 Doomtree tour dates and some videos, below..

Continue reading "Doomtree add Wugazi show @ Bottom Lounge"

Doomtree are playing the Bottom Lounge on February 23rd.
Tickets are on sale now.

Bombay Bicycle Club are playing Subterranean on February 27th.
Tickets go on sale this Saturday (12/10), at 10AM CST.

Gomez are playing the Vic on March 9th.
Tickets go on sale this Saturday, at 10AM CST.

Childish Gambino (aka Donald Glover) and Danny Brown are playing the Riv on March 30th. Tickets go on sale this Saturday, at 10AM CST.

As mentioned, Andrew Bird and Mucca Pazza are playing the Auditorium Theatre on May 12th. Tickets go on sale to the general public this Saturday, at 10AM CST. Presale tickets will be available from 10AM to 10PM CST. Password: break