Blue October, The Bon Mots, Deadboy & the Elephantmen, Ghostland Observatory, Last Band Standing Runner-Up, Midlake, Sound Team, The Subways

BLUE OCTOBER
There’s something dark about this Dallas-based quintet. They’re not your father’s Gothic-alternative-Southern rock band. Singer/guitarist Justin Furstenfield has a scratchy voice that recalls the guy from Lucero and somehow complements the music’s very clean production in an inexplicable, but decidedly Southern, way. Their songs smack of heartbreak, with lyrics such as: “I have to block out thoughts of you/ so I don’t lose my head. They crawl in like a cockroach/ leaving babies in my bed.” (Friday, 12:30-1:30, Bud Light Stage) –text: Brendan Dabkowski–photo: Jeremy Cowart

THE BON MOTS
With vocals that sound like a mix between Clinic and The Decemberists combined with spacey keyboard interludes and a hint of subtle Wilco-esque twang, The Bon Mots play guitar pop — much like a hundred other indistinguishable bands. But what makes them different is the stunning maturity and cohesiveness of their sound. They don’t write complicated lyrics that etch themselves into your soul, but you won’t care. Their voluptuous, melt-in-your-mouth style speaks for itself. (Friday, 11:15-12:00, BMI Stage) –text: Sarah Dahnke

DEADBOY AND THE ELEPHANTMEN
If there’s one thing the soulful Louisiana rock duo Deadboy and the Elephantmen has going for it, it’s passion. On the underdog band’s debut, We Are Night Sky, Dax Riggs’ rather dull two-chord guitar riffs and drummer Tessie Brunet’s predictable caveman thumps are thankfully buoyed by Riggs’ ubiquitous yet inventive images of blood and death along with his hard-edged crooning — reminiscent of such famed grunge pipes as Soundgarden’s Chris Cornell or Alice In Chains’ late frontman Lane Staley. (Friday, 11:45-12:30, Adidas-Champs Stage) –text: Jake Malooley

GHOSTLAND OBSERVATORY
When Austin duo Ghostland Observatory describes its sound as “a robot making love to a tree”, it’s actually not that far from the truth. Its combination of raw rock ’n’ roll and mechanical dance beats are simultaneously organic and synthetic, tender yet rigid. The grittiness of Aaron Behren’s vocals layers a punk esthetic over Thomas Turner’s ethereal keys and raucous rhythms. And whether GO’s robot is just out for cheap kicks or really cares about the conifer, it sure sounds like it’s having fun. (Friday, 12:00-12:30, AMD Stage) –text: Derek Wright–photo: Daniel Perlaky

LAST BAND STANDING RUNNER-UP
This slot will be awarded to the runner-up in Lollapalooza’s “Last Band Standing” battle of the bands competition, which began May 26 with a slate of the top 100 vote-getting acts who submitted music online. As of press time, the 4 finalists were: L.A. pop rockers Everybody Else, Virginia singer/songwriter Kate Starr, Kansas indie rockers The Appleseed Cast and NYC’s old school hip-hopper Tonedeff. The four will compete at Double Door Aug. 2, at which time the winner and runner-up will be announced. (Friday, 11:15-11:45, AMD Stage) –text: Jay Gentile–photo: Soren McCarty

MIDLAKE
The University of North Texas lies in Denton, a quaint college town that has produced local heroes such as the Baptist Generals and Fishboy. Among the same class is Midlake, a quintet of music students that formed a rock band in 2000. Highly influenced by Radiohead, Midlake conveys itself over lush harmonies and lo-fi guitars. Their debut album, 2004’s Bamnan and Silvercork, sold quite a bit in their hometown — now they are aiming for national attention. (Friday, 12:00-12:30, PlayStation Stage) –text: Gina Pantone

SOUND TEAM
Even if Sound Team sucked, I likely wouldn’t have the heart to tell you. This is because they threw the best afterparty at SXSW this year, filling their Austin recording studio compound with top notch bands and free liquor. Additionally, when Pitchfork ripped their record, the band responded with a hilarious video on YouTube detailing their thoughts on the matter. Blissfully, Sound Team doesn’t suck, so I’ll escape yet again with a shred of ethical credibility. (Friday, 11:45-12:30, Q101 Stage) –text: Don Bartlett

THE SUBWAYS
The Subways have lived with their debut, Young for Eternity, for probably what seems like an eternity to them — which makes their unstoppable live show even more refreshing. The group’s love of Oasis and Nirvana peppers the album, but what sets it apart is their delight for what they’re doing. There’s nothing recalcitrant about guitarist/vocalist Billy Lunn, bassist Charlotte Cooper or drummer Josh Morgan. They are ready to rock, and they’re having a blast doing it. (Friday, 12:30-1:30, AT&T Stage) –text: Sara Farr–photo: Tony Mot