A-Trak, Peter Bjorn & John, The Decemberists, Thievery Corporation

A-TRAK
Like the Michael Phelps of scratching, it feels more appropriate to talk about DJ A-Trak as an athlete rather than a musician. After winning his first world championship at the age of 15, Canadian Alain Macklovitch was recruited to join the Invisibl Skratch Piklz, a popular DJ crew based out of the San Francisco Bay Area. From there, he went on to win a number of additional championships and the ultimate prize: an ongoing gig as Kanye West’s touring DJ. As one of the most respected indie hip-hop DJs of our time, A-Trak is recently behind Kid CuDi’s breakout hit “Day N’ Nite” and the CuDi/Kanye/Common collaboration “I Poke Her Face”. A-Trak has also saved many beats for his own album, Infinity +1, an electroacoustic mix that reveals his multifaceted inspiration. A-Trak makes dance music that flows smoothly despite its fragmented origins — and that’s how you know he’s a champ. (Friday, 5:45-7, Perry’s) –text: Diana Novak–photo: Matt Barnes / thatsthespot.com

PETER BJORN & JOHN
Made famous (first in Europe, and then in the States) by their ubiquitous feel-good whistle of 2006, those magnificent Swedes who sang of young folks and hiding out known as Peter Bjorn and John are still strumming their little hjartas out. Comprised of Peter Moren, John Eriksson, and Bjorn Yttling, this once obscure trio from across the pond have made incredible strides since first collaborating in Stockholm way back in 1999. Moren and Yttling first delved into their musical world back in their pimple-popping days during the ridiculous world that is high school and after they met the final name in their trio, their delectable indie pop sandwich was finally made complete. Then after a few years where the fellows were “just trying to make good music for their own amusement”, things exploded for the baroque rockers — and, as a result, you can still hear their breezy whistle just about everywhere you go. (Friday, 6:30-7:30, Citi Stage) –text: Benjamin Smithson–photo: Johan Bergmark

THE DECEMBERISTS
In what was not exactly a ringing endorsement for the way that fantasy rock operas usually translate on stage during a typical mid-August outdoor festival, Jethro Tull declined to play the inaugural Woodstock Festival in 1969. Then again, Led Zeppelin and The Doors also turned down the chance to perform at the historic “three days of peace and music” — yet hard rock is still well represented at today’s summer festivals which follow in Woodstock’s footsteps 40 years later. So perhaps Colin Meloy and his band of merry folklorists can find their niche at Lollapalooza after all. On the heels of their brilliant The Hazards of Love, a 17-song fable of epic proportions, the Portland-based chamber-pop ensemble finds itself expertly toeing the line between tongue-in-cheek antics and a full-on belief in their hyper-literate tales. It’s an awesome hybrid of silly storytelling and serious rock ‘n’ roll that even Mr. Tull in his heyday could never quite reach. (Friday, 6-7, Budweiser Stage) –text: Derek Wright

THIEVERY CORPORATION
The socially and globally-conscious production/DJ duo known as Thievery Corporation began in 1995 in Washington D.C., when Rob Garza and Eric Hilton met through their mutual love of club life. Their sound, dubbed “outernational”, offers a global scope with influences reaching from Jamaica, Latin America, Africa, Asia, and the Middle East. They are often joined by vocalists Sleepy Wonder, Lou Lou, Notch, Zee, and Verny Varela — who sing their socio-political-themed songs in many different languages including English, Spanish, Portuguese, French, Hindi, and Farsi. Their latest and fifth full-length, Radio Retaliation, which comments on the gradual loss of musical and informational freedom in the U.S., includes internationally renowned guest artists Femi Kuti, Seu Jorge, Anushka Shankar, Jana Andevska, and Chuck Brown. With the addition of supporting musicians and vocalists, the 15-piece live band provides a fun, energetic atmosphere for their otherwise serious music. (Friday, 6-7, Chicago 2016 Stage) –text: Ariel Sundel–photo: Andrzej Liguz / moreimages.net