Speculation has been rampant for several weeks now about who the headliners might be for Lollapalooza 2009, coming to Grant Park for the fifth time Aug. 7-9.
Chicagoist started the ball rolling a few weeks ago by taking some well-educated guesses based on the obvious holes in the big summer concert tours around Lolla weekend. Greg Kot at the Chicago Tribune gives it a little more spin today, citing "multiple sources inside the industry." The promoters, per usual, are declining to comment until their official press release, whenever that might be.
As news goes, the three names so far are hardly stop-the-presses in terms of excitement. They are the cash-in nostalgia act Jane's Addiction (this would be the third reunion go-round by my count, none as satisfying as the first time; don't forget the dreadful 2003 comeback album "Strays"); '80s synth-pop/mope-rock heroes Depeche Mode (gearing up for the release of a new album called "Sounds of the Universe") and the Beastie Boys (who are celebrating the 20th anniversary reissue of the classic "Paul's Boutique," but don't bet on them playing that album at Lolla; they have a new disc called "Tadlock's Glasses" that they'll be promoting).
Come on now, Chicago: Are you ready to rock it again like we did in the Reagan era? Whoo-hoo!
UPDATE: Billboard is reporting a fourth headliner on the Lolla bill: country-rockers the Kings of Leon. And so the time warp continues!
Don't mess with the Depeche!
You guys should review that new album, I'd like to hear your thoughts on it.
I'm a bit excited about this lineup so far.
What a let down after last year's superb lineup. Perry Ferrell plays Lollapalooza every year---so who cares about a reunited Jane's Addiction? And Depeche Mode? Zzzzzzzz. The Beastie Boys are still great live, but where are the current bands?
"Strays" by Jane's Addiction was dreadful? Wasn't it one of your top albums of 2003?
Wouldn't it be smarter to ask Anders Smith Lindall what he thinks of the Lolla line-up ??
I realize the Kings of Leon have somewhat of a classic sound, but how is having a band that just recently stepped up to arena touring and sold out Madison Square Garden a "time warp"?
Once again, Chicago scores the worst festival lineup in the nation. This is a poor man's Wakarusa and I couldn't think of a worse putdown.
Why couldn't they have Franz Ferdinand there? Even their music sounds more current by comparison!
DeRogatis didn't have the "dreadful" Strays in his top 10... but it was in his "Best of the rest" for 2003. Here's the proof:
http://www.jimdero.com/News2003/Dec28BestAlbums.htm
POSER!!!!
"Strays" has aged poorly indeed; do YOU ever listen to it?
I was wrong in 2003 -- or maybe just overly optimistic that Perry would not turn in to the sub-Spinal Tap caricature that he has become.
To Ben and Trooth:
We're almost six years removed from 2003. Are you telling me that you still like everything you liked in '03? I mean, I thought the Dandy Warhols record that came out that year was really, really good, enough to tell my friends to go out and get it; but aside from the song from Veronica Mars, I now listen to it and hear a big, stinking turd.
To Jim:
What does it matter if Perry has turned into a "sub-Spinal Tap caricature?" If the music is good, isn't it good in spite of what the goofy lead singer might be, say, or do? Case in point: Bono, I think we agree, is a goofball; but that doesn't stop Achtung Baby or Zooropa from being flat-out awesome records. What I mean is, it's fine to judge the music harshly, and it's fine to call Perry a caricature, but are you sure you mean to conflate the two?
Bedwetters, the lineup isn't even out yet. There will likely be plenty of new cutting edge acts (who would barely be able to fill the Metro on their own). Instead of carping on the headliners, suggest some ... ones that would actually bring people in and fill Grant Park while also parlaying into an audience for the baby-bands. I think Green Day, Eminem, Coldplay (mmmaybe) could do the trick if added to these headliners. They have marquee, names, and fans that would aslo give some of the newby bands a shot.
I would go with Jim's suggestion in the past to reduce the park capacity this year. There's no WAY they are going to come close to the massive attendance last year (which can feel a bit overcrowded) w/ the economy in the way. They might as well shrink this year. And yes, Jim got massively schooled by The Trooth.