Saturday, 2:15-5:15

Neon Indian, Paper Diamond, Chairlift, Delta Spirit, The Temper Trap, Alabama Shakes, JJ Grey & Mofro, and Empires will be performing at Lollapalooza 2012 between 2:15 and 5:15 p.m. on Saturday, August 4.

‏NEON INDIAN
‏Powered by tunes like “Deadbeat Summer” and “Terminally Chill,” Neon Indian’s Psychic Chasms shot Denton, Texas, native Alan Palomo to the forefront of the chillwave movement. Second album Era Extraña was recorded in Helsinki, Finland, with Flaming Lips’ producer Dave Fridmann. As a result Palomo was able to focus his vision, morphing the drugged-out, psychedelic electronics of his debut into a much more refined, lush and singable synth-pop opus worthy of your undivided attention. (Saturday, 3-4, Sony Stage) –text: Mike Scales

‏PAPER DIAMOND
‏Though Colorado-based Alex B. might be a trusted producer, he is testing uncharted musical waters in a new project that finds him creating music under the name Paper Diamond. With a high-energy sound, Paper Diamond is recognizable for driving beats and bass that can’t be ignored amidst a backdrop of spacey synthesizers, sweet melodies and catchy vocals. Paper Diamond’s EP Levitate is available for free download from Pretty Lights Music. (Saturday, 3:15-4:15, Perry’s) –text: Annalisa Rodriguez

‏CHAIRLIFT
‏Formed at the University of Colorado in 2005 with the intention of creating background music for haunted houses, the electronic synth-pop duo Chairlift — with cheery lyrics of unrequited love and danceable bass-synth melodies — are anything but spooky. Fronted by the ever-alluring Caroline Polachek and the production talents of Patrick Wimberly (producer of Das Racist’s debut album), Chairlift brings Something (their 2012 follow-up to 2008’s Does You Inspire You) to day two of the Lolla action. (Saturday, 3:30-4:15, Google Play Stage) –text: Jason Oliva

‏DELTA SPIRIT
‏Can you name any bands who have played back-to-back Lollapaloozas? We can only think of one: San Diego’s Delta Spirit. Their newest self-titled release departs from its folk/Americana aesthetic towards a more electronic rock sound, which should make for a more high-intensity show than their Lollapalooza debut in 2011. Though their sound has changed, loyal Delta Spirit fans should not be completely disparaged: the unmistakably raw vocals and lyricism of Matthew Vasquez remains intact. (Saturday, 2:15-3:15, Bud Light Stage) –text: Kara Henderson

‏THE TEMPER TRAP
‏You’ve probably heard The Temper Trap’s breakout single “Sweet Disposition” since it was inescapable in movies and TV a few years back. But the Melbourne, Australia group is much more than one catchy song. Relentless touring behind 2009’s Conditions has built their brand of anthemic indie rock a sizeable following, and their even better self-titled follow-up released this May leaves them poised to pick up more. (Saturday, 4-5, Red Bull Soundstage) –text: Griffin Waterman

‏ALABAMA SHAKES
‏There’s an undeniable rough-honey sweetness in 23-year-old Brittany Howard’s voice when it comes peeling out of Alabama Shakes debut Boys & Girls. Birthed from a high school psychology class in Athens, Georgia and having cut their teeth in the sports bar/country dive circuit, the Alabama Shakes cull together interests in James Carr, early Conway Twitty, AC/DC and Bowie and meld them into simple, rootsy noise with timeless Southern soul and a bright warm glow. (Saturday, 4:15-5:15, Bud Light Stage) –text: Molly Hess

‏JJ GREY & MOFRO
‏Apparently you’re required to say the word “gumbo” when describing this band’s slow-cooked blend of styles, and who are we to argue with journalistic convention? Take a healthy base of Allman Brothers, add some Otis Redding and pepper it with more Southern food name-drops than a Cracker Barrel in Alabama, and you get JJ Grey & Mofro. The recipe reads like warmed-up leftovers, but it’s served hot and spicy to hungry audiences. (Saturday, 3:15-4:15, PlayStation Stage) –text: Jerry Brennan

‏EMPIRES
‏When it comes to up-and-coming musicians with real work ethic, no band in town quite measures up to Empires, Chicago’s own unsigned trio of rockers with serious arena potential. Each of their hard-hitting rock tunes is self-written, recorded and produced, from their 2008 debut album Howl to this year’s Garage Hymns. If the catchy hooks don’t get you stomping along at their set, the energy and wailing vocals of frontman Tom Conrad surely will. (Saturday, 3:20-4:00, BMI Stage) –text: Valerie Wojs