!!!, Bound Stems, Modest Mouse, My Morning Jacket, Yo La Tengo

!!!
Move over Lovefoxxx and Karen O; Nic Offer is arguably the best frontman of any indie-dance-funk-rock band out there — and that’s saying a lot. What little he loses in silly lyrics, he more than makes up for in dance moves. If you aren’t grooving at a !!! concert, everyone else around you probably is — and is also probably pissed at your bad vibes. Warning: not for the faint of heart or stamina. (Sunday, 5:15-6:15, MySpace Stage) –text: Justine Reisinger

BOUND STEMS
If you have a lot of patience or (somewhat ironically) a severe case of ADD, then you will undoubtedly enjoy Chicago’s Bound Stems. The band, which last year released their first full-length LP Appreciation Night, play fractured indie-pop with strong math-rock influences while nursing a healthy appetite for genre-hopping. Get your thinking caps on, hipsters, because if you aren’t paying attention, Bound Stems will just breeze on by. (Sunday, 5:30-6:15, BMI Stage) –text: Jon Graef–photo: Chris Strong

MODEST MOUSE
In this indie-turned-mainstream universe of The Shins, Arcade Fire and the like, only Modest Mouse spent a decade plus in the proverbial trenches, trucking around to the country’s dankest clubs in a beat-up van. And this trial-by-fire period is exactly why frontman Isaac Brock is a genre elder statesman — not to mention its face and voice — despite being the same age as members of bands that are just a few albums in. Those early years also are responsible for his band’s status as one of the country’s most sought-after acts. By the time Modest Mouse inked a deal with Epic Records, whose billion-dollar marketing push plastered his tunes on every frequency, Brock’s challenging-for-the-sake-of-challenging days were long gone. Yet his always genius lyrics and quirkily defined pop has been at its best during this current 3-record major label streak, including this year’s We Were Dead Before This Ship Even Sank. (Sunday, 6:15-7:15, Bud Light Stage) –text: Derek Wright–photo: Autumn de Wilde

MY MORNING JACKET
In the spirit of many a soul-searching musical mystic, Kentucky’s My Morning Jacket decided to leave familiar surroundings in order to fully immerse themselves in the recording of Z, their newest batch of ethereal, reverb-laden rock. Nestled in a cabin studio deep in the Catskill Mountains, the band was inspired to write and record some of their best and most pop-oriented material. Throughout their already rich history, MMJ have had the pleasure of playing with many legendary acts from Elvis Perkins to Pearl Jam to Guided By Voices. Not to be outdone, Chicago Youth Symphony Orchestras — one of the premier youth orchestras in the country — will be joining My Morning Jacket on stage for their set at this year’s Lolla, adding a cool new element to the band’s uniquely soulful sound. (Sunday, 6:15-7:15, AT&T Stage) –text: Mike Scales–photo: Danny Clinch

YO LA TENGO
For over two decades, Yo La Tengo has been the best band that most people outside of rock critic circles have never heard of. (I Am Not Afraid Of You And I Will Beat Your Ass was the critics’ thirteenth-best rated album of 2006, with an average score of 85 out of 100, according to Metacritic.com.) From tight, sparkling pop to expansive, wandering noise rock, the New Jersey trio of Ira Kaplan, Georgia Hubley and James McNew has covered every inch of indie rock over their expansive career, simultaneously perfecting old trends and creating new ones. Their music fits in all seasons, applying itself to life in ways that no artist can plan, and few can accomplish. The band suffered from poor sound system quality and side-stage noise pollution at the Pitchfork Music Festival in 2006, but at this year’s Lollapalooza they’ll be on a much bigger stage with presumably better sound — ready to show attendees what they’ve been missing. (Sunday, 5:15-6:15, Adidas Stage) –text: Nick Meador–photo: Michael Lavine