Friday, 12-1:45
The White Panda, The Growlers, Ambassadors, Wax, Animal Kingdom, First Aid Kit, O Rappa, and Lolla Remix Winner will be performing at Lollapalooza 2012 between 12:00 and 1:45 p.m. on Friday, August 3.
THE WHITE PANDA
What do you do when Girl Talk’s mashups become way too cluttered and local mashers The Hood Internet turn into old news? It’s time to discover White Panda. Procrast (Tom Evans) and DJ Griffi (Dan Griffith) provide tracks fit for any club or music festival. Get at them quick and, in a few years, you’ll be able to brag to your friends about how you totally listened to them before they went mainstream. (Friday, 1:00-1:45, Perry’s) –text: Lisa Mrock
THE GROWLERS
If you’ve ever wondered what it would sound like if The Doors and The Beach Boys somehow produced drug-induced musical offspring, wonder no more. Southern California 5-piece The Growers are a self-described “beach Goth” group known for their mastery of dark storytelling, freestyle psychedelic jams, and never taking themselves too seriously. With frontman Brooks Nielsen’s reputation for using wigs and obscene props on stage, this performance will not be one to miss. (Friday, 12:45-1:30, Red Bull Soundstage) –text: Valerie Wojs
AMBASSADORS
The sound of Brooklyn 4-piece Ambassadors is a melding of modern alternative rock that stems from Cold War Kids, sprinkled with indie influences from all across the board. You’ll even hear a bit of Fleet Foxes in songs like “Bodybag.” However, more often than not, Ambassadors fill their songs with a chaotic energy and extremely groovy bass/rhythm section all their own — as displayed in the unstoppable beat-slayer “Unconsolable.” (Friday, 12:00-12:40, BMI Stage) –text: Ian Jones
WAX
Maryland hip-hop artist Wax moved to California to make his music dreams come true, but ran into hardships that caused him to drop the pen and microphone in an alcohol-induced stupor. Through a series of transient jobs from mortgage sales to pizza delivery, Wax used music to validate his existence while posting the results on YouTube. As he began to score gigs, crowds noticed the raw hip-hop artist’s serious talent and here he is playing Lollapalooza. (Friday, 12:00-12:45, Sony Stage) –text: Angie Martin
ANIMAL KINGDOM
If NME is to be believed, Animal Kingdom’s 2009 debut album Signs and Wonders is “achingly beautiful celestial indie” music. Despite the magazine’s propensity for hyperbole, these young Brits must be doing something right with songs being featured in films and TV shows like HBO’s “Big Love.” Three years later, Animal Kingdom released its second album The Looking Away, recorded in an old church in London — and the animals are out to take over the American kingdom. (Friday, 12:00-12:30, Google Play Stage) –text: Annalisa Rodriguez
FIRST AID KIT
First Aid Kit just might be the most adorable talent discovery…ever. This Swedish sister duo consists of Johanna (21) and Klara (19) Söderberg, who began composing music together in 2007. Their reverb-drenched vocals incorporate rich harmonies with simple elegant timbre in songs that are beautiful, folksy tales reminiscent of Fleet Foxes and Joanna Newsom. Even Jack White has gotten on board, asking them to record a single for Third Man Records. (Friday, 12:00-12:45, PlayStation Stage) –text: Anne Debreczenyi
O RAPPA
Rio de Janeiro’s O Rappa has been funking up reggae rock since 1994 with an ear for politics, an eye towards social responsibility, and a host of Latin Grammy nominations racked up along the way. The 4-man crew works around bumping Latin beats while shouting rap and sing-along choruses that make for a spirited live set that should get this year’s Lollapalooza off to a manic, sweaty start. (Friday, 12:45-1:30, Bud Light Stage) –text: Beth Malloy
LOLLA REMIX WINNER
This slot will be awarded to the winner of this year’s Last DJ Standing/Lolla Remix contest, in which hundreds of DJs submitted mixes of The Delta Spirit’s “California” online. As of press time, the four finalists chosen by judges and popular vote were Buckingham (Chicago), Youngblood (Germany), HLM (California) and Soifer (Wilmette). The winner will be chosen by an industry panel following a live DJ battle at Evil Olive on July 28. (Friday, 12:00-12:45, Perry’s) –text: Jay Gentile
