Chicago Innerview Magazine | Live Music | Festivals

LIVE REVIEW: INNERVIEW DOES LOLLAPALOOZA, DAY FOUR

To say that Chicago-based duo Louis The Child completely packed the Bud Light Stage on day four is clearly an understatement. The crowd spread as far as the eye could see with Robby Hauldren and Frederic Kennett utilizing dancers, fire, and even airplanes streaming their names in the sky. Deep house enthusiasts later sauntered over to catch Anjunadeep’s Daniel Goldstein, better known as Lane 8. It’s no secret that the DJ and producer does not allow filming at his live shows, so longtime fans took advantage of their moment to snap a pic for the ‘gram while they bobbed in unison. Southern sweetheart Kacey Musgraves took to the stage during the (literal) golden hour of the evening to perform hits from her Grammy Award-winning album of the same name. Amongst singing tunes like “Slow Burn” and “High Horse”, the Texas native also used her platform to address gun control in the wake of two mass shootings over the weekend. Rapper Meek Mill also took a moment during his set to pay tribute to fallen hip-hop artists we lost to violence like Nipsey Hussel and XXXTentacion. Flume’s latest mixtape Hi, This Is Flume secured the majority of his set, as he brought out collaborators Reo Cragun and Vera Blue for vocal support. The new interpretive storyline of the show was a bit underwhelming, as Flume is typically known for his high production level and energy. During a few moments of silence, one could still hear Ariana Grande’s vocal gymnastics as she slayed the T-Mobile Stage as the final act of the festival. Armed with her signature ‘do, boots, and attitude, the pop diva truly proved her resilience as a force to be reckoned with. Echoes of “Thank You, Next” boomed across the field as a fireworks spectacle closed out the encore. One final note? There wasn’t a single drop of rain at Lollapalooza 2019, as the curse has finally been broken. –TEXT: DANIELLA THOMPSON–PHOTO: CHARLES REAGAN HACKLEMAN/LOLLAPALOOZA 2019
Previous: Lollapalooza Day Three

LIVE REVIEW: INNERVIEW DOES LOLLAPALOOZA, DAY THREE

Rich The Kid’s rescheduled performance was the first big act of day three over at Perry’s, with a mass of fence-jumpers famously crashing the fest in advance of the set. In a viral twist, the Atlanta rapper actually ended up giving a festival pass to a gatecrasher who was initially halted by police. For those interested in a more subdued Saturday, another big Atlanta name was 6lack, who performed at the Bud Light Stage just across from the adjacent lot where Smino was getting loose. The songwriter crooned favorites like “Pretty Little Fears” (sans J. Cole) and others from his successful sophomore album, East Atlanta Love Letter. In (an unsurprising) turn of events, hip hop legend Lil Wayne easily took home the prize for largest turnout of the festival. Swarms of people bolted from Tenacious D at the festival’s northernmost end in order to catch a moment with Weezy. As far as the eye could see, the hills, stairs, and field were filled to capacity to hear the rapper shuffle through “Go DJ”, “Lollipop”, and even (another) remix of Lil Nas X’s “Old Town Road.” Glitchy EDM superstar Madeon ripped through an incredible brand new live set, but at a surprisingly smaller stage than fans anticipated. However, the darker location created a crystal clear visual experience with the French producer, who debuted tunes from upcoming record Good Faith. While headliners Twenty One Pilots garnered a massive crowd and encouraged sing-along moments, their crowd-diving and structure-climbing antics were no match for what was happening over at the Bud Light Stage. Colombian reggaeton artist J Balvin broke all barriers on Saturday with a comically colorful set as fans enjoyed dancing clouds, larger-than-life cartoon visuals and even a surprise from the iconic reggaeton duo Wisin Y Yandel. EDM admirers wrapped up their evening at Perry’s with trap producer RL Grime, who appropriately performed on a heighted platform for all to get a glimpse. –TEXT: DANIELLA THOMPSON–PHOTO: ROGER HO/LOLLAPALOOZA 2019
Previous: Lollapalooza Day Two—Next: Lollapalooza Day Four

LIVE REVIEW: INNERVIEW DOES LOLLAPALOOZA, DAY TWO

Starting off Lolla day two nestled within the coveted shady parts of the American Eagle Stage, hip hop darling Tyla Yaweh maintained a rowdy and rambunctious gathering and even jumped off stage for a crowd-surfing moment to finish off the set. 21 Savage returned to Lollapalooza this year, met again with a sizeable turnout of diehard fans who were lucky enough to catch the rapper perform “Monster” with Sunday’s headliner Childish Gambino. Later, Janelle Monae was ravishing in red with multiple dancers and costume changes featured within her hour-long slot at the T-Mobile Stage. Fans old and young shimmied and shook to the Prince-inspired “Make Me Feel” and the upbeat “Tightrope” paired with Monae’s megawatt smile. Chicago’s own Chevelle brought back the alt-rock memories, asking attendees in the crowd if they wanted to hear their older tunes (to which the response was of course). Nostalgia was the theme of the hour, as just 180 degrees away Death Cab For Cutie took the stage. Sounding nearly identical to their studio albums, the band cruised down memory lane as anticipated. Yet that didn’t stop them from bringing hometown hero Chance the Rapper out during “Do You Remember” before closing out with fan fave “Soul Meets Body.” The battle royale of the night consisted of headliners Tame Impala vs. Childish Gambino, distanced about a mile apart at opposite ends of the fest. A shirtless and theatrical Donald Glover glided and danced about the T-Mobile Stage, singing songs like “Atavista” and “Feels Like Summer” (which it did). Meanwhile Kevin Parker and the Tame Impala crew showcased an opulent new stage setup featuring a ridiculous amount of lasers, fog, and a floating disc above the stage which emitted lights throughout their performance. Tame Impala fans enjoyed “Borderline”, “Elephant”, an A$AP Rocky dedication, and more during the set…to which the band thanked the crowd for missing out on Childish Gambino to be there instead. –TEXT: DANIELLA THOMPSON–PHOTO: GRANT HODGEON/LOLLAPALOOZA 2019
Previous: Lollapalooza Day One—Next: Lollapalooza Day Three

LIVE REVIEW: INNERVIEW DOES LOLLAPALOOZA, DAY ONE

The scene was set, the weekend forecast was clear, and just like that Lollapalooza 2019 was underway. One question before we begin: Do you like noise metal, distortion, and even The Crow? Then Florida’s Ghostemane would have blown you away with his early Thursday rap-rock set, complete with live tattooing on stage. R&B singer H.E.R. covered all her “basses” and casually moved from guitar to vocals to piano during her soulful afternoon set, even covering Lauryn Hill’s “Ex-Factor” to help the entire audience get in their feels. Queer pop icon Hayley Kiyoko dominated her first Lolla gig and turned up the choreography for an energetic set featuring crowd favorites like “Palm Dreams” and “Curious.” Meanwhile, Australia’s Rufus Du Sol was getting set up across the park with Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot introducing the band onto the stage. The notion was met with audibly mixed reviews and a touch of confusion, yet the show went off seamlessly with the sunlit skyline beautifully framing the performance. Over at the T-Mobile Stage, Hozier turned the adjoining field into a sing-along, filling the air with shouts of “amen!” during his breakout hit “Take Me To Church.” Sandwiched between two of the largest headliners of the weekend, Atlanta’s Lil Baby held it down at the American Eagle Stage before a mass of eager listeners. The Strokes were easily the most anticipated and nostalgic act of the night, with longtime listeners hoping to finally get a glimpse of the legendary band IRL. Julian Casablancas and the gang did not disappoint, keeping the crowd engaged by smashing through their endless catalog of melodic masterpieces including “Last Night” and “Heart In A Cage.” Scheduled simultaneously just through the trees, The Chainsmokers closed out Perry’s with surprise guests like Daya, Isaac Slade of The Fray, and even singer Bebe Rexha, who joined the duo to perform “Call You Mine.” –TEXT: DANIELLA THOMPSON–PHOTO: GREG NOIRE/LOLLAPALOOZA 2019
Next: Lollapalooza Day Two

LIVE REVIEW: INNERVIEW DOES LOLLAPALOOZA, DAY FOUR

LIVE REVIEW: INNERVIEW DOES LOLLAPALOOZA, DAY THREE

LIVE REVIEW: INNERVIEW DOES LOLLAPALOOZA, DAY TWO

LIVE REVIEW: INNERVIEW DOES LOLLAPALOOZA, DAY ONE

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