Duffy, Electric Touch, The Kills, Black Joe Lewis & The Honeybears, Louis XIV

DUFFY
For those who’ve been alienated by Amy Winehouse’s recent direction into crack hobodom, the more wholesome likes of Welsh singer/songwriter Duffy may help soothe any symptoms of neo-soul withdrawal. While some have accused Duffy — a 24-year-old who got her start singing in the jazz clubs near the University of Chester in England — of sounding like Winehouse as part of a business plan, others have praised her sophisticated blend of country and soul (though Dusty Springfield, who Duffy vaguely resembles, unquestionably got there first). In listening to songs from her debut, Rockferry, one can’t help but think that there’s a little from column A and a little from column B. The supposed next Bond songstress certainly can sing — songs like “Mercy” and “Warwick Avenue” confirm that. But there’s also a strong sense of deja vu here. Either way, if Duffy has the same performing chops as Wino, expect lots of joyous dancing in Grant Park. (Friday, 3:15-4:15, PlayStation Stage) –text: Jon Graef–photo: Max Dodson

ELECTRIC TOUCH
Combine English pop with Texas indie and you’re left with something close to Electric Touch. The hook-heavy, guitar-driven and dance-friendly music from members of the former English band IV Thieves and Houston-based Bojones should at least pair better than a T-bone steak and English breakfast tea. Yes, the Brits and Texans are finally making beautiful music together…as long as the topic of “football” doesn’t come up. (Friday, 2:45-3:30, BMI Stage) –text: Billy Kenefick–photo: Bryan Davis

THE KILLS
It’s no easy task lumping a band like The Kills in with standard garage rock, male/female duos, or any short-cut description. Whereas comparable bands cause a brief, angst-fueled spectacle, Kills albums pump like a slow-rolling train. The music is catchy without really trying to be, poking deeper into your consciousness than standard pop or blues-rock songs. Rather than a fancy guitar lick or wrought melody, their songs rely heavily on a gut feeling that can’t necessarily be pinned down. VV (born Alison Mosshart in the U.S.) usually takes on vocals with a sassy swagger while Hotel (born Jamie Hince in the U.K.) humbly provides a near-spoken backline. This is the stuff that breeds a die-hard, brass-knuckled fan base — a rare thing in a decade of fleeting hype and unfulfilled promises. For The Kills, it seems that music is life: a life of irreverence, art and brash cool. (Friday, 3:15-4:15, MySpace Stage) –text: Nick Meador

BLACK JOE LEWIS & THE HONEYBEARS
In Black Joe Lewis and the Honeybears’ song, “Bitch, I Love You”, Joe (sounding much older than his 26 years) shouts and curses about loving a woman, not knowing why, and wanting to kill her. If that ain’t blues, then blues don’t exist. This onetime oyster-shucker from Austin, sick of “eating shit every night”, threw a blues band together — a volatile blend of the old and new. (Friday, 4:00-4:45, BMI Stage) –text: Benjamin Smithson

LOUIS XIV
Parents, don’t let your baby girls grow up to be Louis XIV fans. Actually, by the time they mature into adult womenhood, the glam-rock California foursome probably won’t be interested anymore. Nope, these guys like easy women, partying, and partying with easy women. In case it’s still not clear: Louis XIV likes to fuck. A lot. So much so that they have filled a couple albums with such lyrical gems as: “Wind you up and make you crawl to me / Tie you up and make me call to me” or “Ah bang a gong or get it on / We don’t need to take off our clothes to get it on / Pull your skirt up a little bit / Pull down your top and show me a little tit.” Classy stuff. Since Lollapalooza is a festival with as many auxiliary tents as bands, perhaps one is giving away free herpes shots after their set. (Friday, 3:15-4:00, Citi Stage) –text: Derek Wright