Sunday, 7-8:30

Explosions In the Sky, Modeselektor, Manchester Orchestra, and DJ Mel will be performing at Lollapalooza 2011 between the hours of 7:00 and 8:30 p.m. on Sunday, August 7.

EXPLOSIONS IN THE SKY
Austin-based 4-piece Explosions In the Sky make their second visit to Lollapalooza following the release of their sixth studio album, April’s Take Care, Take Care, Take Care. On it, the instrumental act introduces a small amount of vocals to the mix using the “ohs” and “ahs” of voice as another instrument in their textured sound on tracks like “Trembling Hands”, one of the shorter tracks from a powerfully epic act know for 10-minute plus songs. The band has deservedly found critical acclaim throughout their career, most notably in crafting the soundtrack for the 2004 film Friday Night Lights, as well as being featured regularly throughout the television show of the same name’s 5-season run. EITS’ driving percussion and, ahem, explosive guitars create the perfect blend for a Sunday evening set in the park. Of all the bands you’ll see at Lollapalooza this year, this will be the one you’ll remember. (Sunday, 7-8, Sony Stage) –text: Amanda Shivley

MODESELEKTOR
Credited for ushering in an era of “grime-techno-dubstep-acid-hip-hop-electro-IDM,” it’s safe to say that Modeselektor’s music defies boundaries. The electronic duo of Berlin-based DJs Gernot Bronsert and Sebastian Szary teamed up in 1992, shortly after the fall of the Berlin wall. They made a name for themselves in illegal, underground circles, becoming key players in Berlin’s artistic rebirth. In response to the events in Germany, every song on each of the group’s two full-length albums draws from a different genre in the cannon of world music including hip-hop, reggae, and country. The product is a richly textured sound that has redefined electronic music. The innovative style of their first album Hello Mom! attracted admirers like Thom Yorke and Ellen Allien, both of whom have collaborated with the group. As a result, Modeselektor’s intentionally label-less sound makes it one of the most exciting live performances in any genre. (Sunday, 7:15-8:30, Perry’s) –text: Alexa Brown

MANCHESTER ORCHESTRA
After years of quietly accumulating back porch hype, it seems Manchester Orchestra have finally kicked in the front door. Formed six years ago in Atlanta, Manchester systematically blends the uncomfortable softness of Neutral Milk Hotel with early ‘90s dirty guitar grunge. The band’s debut album I’m Like A Virgin Losing A Child earned Manchester a devoted underground following, along with some major label attention. Their much-hyped 2011 release Simple Math marks a shift of musical direction for the band, receiving overwhelmingly positive responses from fans and critics. Manchester Orchestra’s Lollapalooza slot marks yet another high for the increasingly popular rock outfit, who will cap off the year by touring alongside Blink 182 and My Chemical Romance. It seems that the general public are finally figuring our what die-hard Manchester fans have known for years: when these guys rock, they’re dead serious about it. (Sunday, 7-8, Google+ Stage) –text: Ben McFarland

DJ MEL
Austin’s snappiest turntablist has created somewhat of a residency for himself at Lollapalooza, and apparently for good reason. Now returning for this third year at the festival, the Southwest’s go-to DJ is an expert at executing the mashup with an ulterior motive: showing the masses just how much our musical preferences have in common. When he’s not educating about loving your brother’s playlist, he schools the crowd on early ‘80s jams and old school hip hop, brought straight from the wildly popular weekly dance parties he has hosted in his hometown for nearly two decades. Ever the consummate mix artist, DJ Mel has won awards for his “why-didn’t-I-think-of-that?” remixes. Don’t be surprised to see the sometimes photographer hauling cartons of vinyl around Grant Park; that’s how this traditionalist rolls. (Sunday, 7:30-8:30, PlayStation Stage) –text: Selena Fragassi–photo: Clayton Hauck / everyoneisfamous.com

Brand New, DJ Bald Eagle, Explosions in the Sky, Jamie Lidell, Okkervil River, Spank Rock

BRAND NEW
Even high school kids need somewhere to go during the summer, right? Not all of them work seasonal jobs, saving up for much-needed future keg money. A good chunk of them sit alone in their basements scrawling love poems into notebooks and shouting (or maybe crying) in the shower every night. But every now and then, this lot pools their collecting loathing — and often it’s to the tune of screaming pop songs a la Brand New. (Saturday, 4:30-5:30, AT&T Stage) –text: Derek Wright–photo: Josh Rothstein

DJ BALD EAGLE
As a staple of the Life During Wartime scene since co-launching the regular Chicago dance party in January 2003, DJ Bald Eagle (a.k.a. Metro talent buyer Chris Barroner) has transformed himself into one of the city’s — if not the country’s — biggest draws on the decks. More than just some old records and a few dusty slogans, the fun-loving pop-appreciator’s beats consistently lay the groundwork for a perfect summer party. (Saturday, 5:15-6:00, BMI Stage) –text: Derek Wright

EXPLOSIONS IN THE SKY
You’ve probably heard the music of Austin’s Explosions in the Sky even if you don’t realize it. The band’s haunting compositions have served as the backdrop for so many commercials, films and television shows it would be hard to have missed them. While some will cry foul along predictable “sellout” lines, in this case the commercial platform served as a perfect gateway drug for people that might ordinarily be turned off by the idea of a band that consists of three guitars and a drummer and traffics in songs that consistently clock in at over seven minutes. Guitarists Manaf Rayani, Mark Smith, and Michael James construct their epic instrumentals over Chris Hrasky’s heavy hitting drums, creating a tension between delicacy and muscle that serves the band elegantly. The sweeping, cathartic melodies that result should provide a festival highlight. (Saturday, 4:30-5:30, Bud Light Stage) –text: Don Bartlett–photo: Dianne Jones

JAMIE LIDELL
Soul never goes out of style. Souls, on the other hand, are so last century. And while spiritualism might be as passé as heroin, it’s never uncool to belt out smooth R&B over groovy rhythms. Enter Jamie Lidell, a funky 35-year-old Englishman with a healthy appreciation for Stevie Wonder and cabaret-style getups. Supporting this year’s underappreciated Jim, Lidell’s fluid chops will take a bit of the sting out of the oppressive summer heat. (Saturday, 5:30-6:30, MySpace Stage) –text: Derek Wright–photo: Nicole Nodland

OKKERVIL RIVER
What kind of band releases a covers album for free without alerting the media? Okkervil River, for one, because they “wanted to do a release fast and for fun and give it to you guys for free.” Not only is this act of charity (a.k.a. Golden Opportunities) notable for its appreciation of fandom, it’s also a good angle into the style of this Austin indie rock band. They’re just as loose and conversational in their musical approach, rendering a sound akin to that of a basement hangout. One could easily picture a Big Pink atmosphere of friends, lovers, fans and enemies intertwining within the rock and roll of Okkervil River. This rollicking touch was most recently employed on their breakthrough album, The Stage Names, which functions as a soundtrack for both the heartbreak and the rebound. Loneliness and community never sounded so alike. (Saturday, 5:30-6:30, PlayStation Stage) –text: Tim Slowikowski

SPANK ROCK
Since their debut 12-inch Put That Pussy On Me, Spank Rock have been riding high on a hot mix of 2 Live Crew-inspired booty rhymes and the Baltimore/Philly club-rap sound of producer Armani XXXChange, Benny Blanco and DJs Chris Rockswell and Ronnie Darko. Now in the wake of their successful debut full-length Yoyoyoyoyo and the X-rated Bangers & Cash EP, they’ve truly earned the self-proclaimed title of “International Party Starters.” Take a look at the stage and see for yourself. (Saturday, 5:00-6:00, Citi Stage) –text: Mike Scales–photo: Mike W. / visualdiction.com

Battles, The Black Lips, Neko Case, Explosions in the Sky

BATTLES
Battles is an experimental progressive/math-rock band from New York City featuring a lineup of ex-members of bands like Helmet, Tomahawk, Don Caballero, Lynx and Storm and Stress. They are improvisational and, as of the time of writing, purely instrumental. While the band releases music sporadically — we’re still waiting for a full-length, supposedly due in May — recorded material clearly takes a backseat to playing live and touring. The “songs” on Battles’ EPs offer up cryptic titles that seem like they exist only to reinforce the idea that everything must have a “label” to be “classified” so “journalists” can “write” about them. Not the first outfit to deconstruct traditional songcraft, Battles does something different without trying to explain to its audience (or perhaps even knowing themselves) what that “something” is. While their handful of EPs showcase very precise musicianship and pedigree, Battles really shines with that “something” during their explosive live shows. (Appearing at Empty Bottle on March 30) –text: Brendan Dabkowski

THE BLACK LIPS
Hearing about a band that formed at age 15, toured the world and was signed by Vice Records at age 22 makes me wonder why things like high school, college and careers seemed so essential to me and most of the lame people I now associate with. When I hear about bands that are already being dubbed “underground veterans” at a year past drinking age, I feel like a boring old man that gets his kicks from cable news and unusual “on sale” items at the local grocery store deli. Such is the case for The Black Lips, the kickass “flower punk” band who’s sole purpose is to play great rock and roll (think The Seeds and The 13th Floor Elevators) while simultaneously separating the squares from the cool kids. But how would I know or even understand? Maybe I’ll attend the show “undercover” so I can learn what it’s like to actually live the dream instead of just watching it on TV. (Appearing with The Ponys and Mannequin Men at Logan Square Auditorium on March 31) –text: Billy Kenefick

NEKO CASE
Echoes of love won and lost. Life at its peak and at its pit. And questions still yearning, sometimes cursing, for answers: All of it exists within the voice of Neko Case. At times, it has been a bleak portrait that Case painted for us, but underneath it all, you could sometimes catch a glimmer of light with a smirking Case saying, “Got ya!” It’s that sort of irreverent attitude that has kept Case on a path of her own design and choosing. Since debuting as Neko Case & Her Boyfriends on 1997’s The Virginian, Case has gone on to collaborate with groups like The Sadies and The New Pornographers, which have served as terrific artistic opportunities for her to stretch her feet. Last year’s solo effort, Fox Confessor Brings The Flood, was Case’s strongest album yet, proving her voice and lyrics continue to know no bounds. (Appearing at the Park West on March 28, 29 and 30) –text: Chris Castaneda–photo: Dennis Kleiman

EXPLOSIONS IN THE SKY
While their sweeping, effects pedals-drenched instrumental compositions have found a cinematic home in Friday Night Lights, Explosions In The Sky’s philosophically weighty music evokes all kinds of moods. The tight-knit Texas rock band employs a traditional setup with guitars, bass and drums, but somehow manages to create soundscapes that evoke a distant quality which lends itself to time-lapse photography…or to say being trapped in a submarine at the bottom of the ocean. Together since 1999, all band members — Munaf Rayani, Mark Smith, Michael James and Chris Hrasky — have the same tattoo of one of the Angels of Mons, which as legend goes, was an angelic apparition that halted the advance of German soldiers on a British battlefield during WWI. Far-fetched? Maybe. But the tattoo is a testament to the power of myth and epitomizes the band’s ghostly, but sincere, feel. (Appearing with The Paper Chase and Eluvium at Metro on March 28) –text: Brendan Dabkowski