by Jason Lipshutz |
August 04, 2010 8:32 EDT
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Lady Gaga
The Strokes and Lady Gaga are both great choices, but Gaga is sure to put on the don't miss set.
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Artists in this Article
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It's what they call a good problem: too much at one festival going on at the same time. Some tough choices are in order. So if you're headed to the not-so-wilds of downtown Chicago's Grant Park for Lollapalooza 2010, we've got some advice on which path to take when presented with two great bands to see playing simultaneously.
Drive-By Truckers v. The Big Pink
| Drive-By Truckers always put on a reliable show, but gear up for an epic weekend by catching The Big Pink on the Adidas MEGA stage at 3:00 PM on Friday instead. A set full of the electro rock of 2009 debut album "A Brief History of Love" might make these Brits a breakout hit at the festival. |
Devo v. New Pornographers
| The New Pornographers are sure to deliver an hour full of catchy pop-rock hooks during their 4:00 PM set of Friday, but kick it old-school by catching Devo on the Parkway stage at the same time. Even if you enjoy the New Pornos' new album "Together" more than Devo's just-released "Something For Everybody," the veteran new wave band is always worth catching, if only for their plastic Energy Dome hats. |
The Strokes v. Lady Gaga
| Instead of catching the Strokes' triumphant return to the U.S. festival circuit, find a good spot for Lady Gaga's headlining spectacle on Friday night. While the raw garage-rock power of Julian Casablancas and co. will make for a memorable evening, Lady Gaga's set -- which will reportedly cost $150,000, according to Lolla founder Perry Farrell -- might be one for the ages.. |
Stars v. Warpaint
| Canadian indie rockers Stars are sure to play highlights from new album "The Five Ghosts" at their 2:15 set on Saturday, but check out California group Warpaint on the Sony Bloggie stage instead. The all-female four-piece make psychedelic pop that should captivate a solid crowd at Grant Park. |
Cut Copy v. Rusko
| Cut Copy will showcase an hour's worth of stylish electronica Saturday night on the PlayStation stage, but go for the down-and-dirty beats Rusko at 7:30 that night. The dubstep DJ and M.I.A. collaborator is sure to tear the roof off of Perry's dance stage. |
Phoenix v. Green Day
| Phoenix's 2009 disc "Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix" established the group as legitimate alt-rock hitmakers, but Green Day reached that level a decade ago. Catch the Bay Area's two-hour-plus headlining set on Saturday night, and catch the Frenchmen at a later date. |
Minus The Bear v. Mumford & Sons
| Minus the Bear's math-rock has been winning fans for years, but Mumford & Sons are heading into Lollapalooza riding a wave of well-deserved hype. Catch the English band's Sunday set at 3:00 PM and experience the emotional folk-rock of their Mercury Prize-nominated debut, "Sigh No More". |
Frightened Rabbit v. Erykah Badu
| Frightened Rabbit's wistful indie rock reached a new level on 2010 album "The Winter of Mixed Drinks," but their Sunday set is regrettably pitted against R&B legend Erykah Badu. Head over to the Adidas MEGA stage at 6:00 on Sunday and rock out to the singer's soul jams as the sun starts to dip over Grant Park. |
MGMT v. Wolfmother
| Sure, MGMT's sophomore album "Congratulations" didn't include the huge hooks of hit debut "Oracular Spectacular," but the psych-pop band is still worth seeing over regrouped rockers Wolfmother. Skip the Aussie's Sunday set and expand your mind with MGMT's 6;00 PM set on the Budweiser stage. |
Soundgarden v. Arcade Fire
| The Soundgarden reunion may be too enticing for rock fans to pass up on Sunday night, but Chris Cornell's faithful will miss a triumphant set by modern-day rock heroes Arcade Fire. Instead of just head-banging to the old classics, check out the gorgeous melodies of the Canadian collective's just-released third album, "The Suburbs," before making the long sprint across the park to catch the second half of the Soundgarden set. |
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