Friday, 2:15-5:15
Metric, The Afghan Whigs, Dr. Dog, Tame Impala, Sharon Van Etten, Blind Pilot, Dry the River, and Zedd will be performing at Lollapalooza 2012 between 2:15 and 5:15 p.m. on Friday, August 3.
METRIC
The sound of Canadian indie rock vets Metric is an energetic mix of indie, new wave, electronica, and sounds that might even make you think of Sonic Youth. Synthetica, the band’s latest studio album, dropped in June of this year with vocalist/keyboardist Emily Haines stating that the new record is “about being able to identify the original in a long line of reproductions.” Undoubtedly, Metric is a gem in a sea of conformity. (Friday, 4-5, Bud Light Stage) –text: Anne Debreczenyi–photo: Norman Wong
THE AFGHAN WHIGS
As one of the most overlooked bands of the ‘90s, The Afghan Whigs are returning for some well-deserved recognition. While they haven’t collected quite as much dust as past legacy acts such as Devo and Big Audio Dynamite, their eerie yet soulful take on ‘90s alternative is a welcome addition to any Lolla lineup. Making Interpol-style dour indie rock before there was an Interpol, one listen to their 1993 classic Gentleman will leave you wondering what took them so long. (Friday, 4:15-5:15, Red Bull Soundstage) –text: Ryan Bray
DR. DOG
The loose and languid indie popsters of Dr. Dog have come a long way in the past 10 years. Their early records sound like they were crafted on a steady diet of bong hits and Pop-Tarts, but the Philadelphia band’s latest offering Be The Void reigns in some of the raggedness without compromising the band’s carefree, collaborative energy. The 6-piece’s sunbaked ‘60s and ‘70s indie pop sounds are a blissful fit for a lazy Friday afternoon. (Friday, 2:15-3:15, Red Bull Soundstage) –text: Ryan Bray
TAME IMPALA
Australian-born Tame Impala quickly reached acclaim with their first LP, InnerSpeaker, in 2010. The 3-piece melds heavy drum and bass lines, lo-fi guitar riffs and washed out vocals to create a hazy psychedelic rock sound. Tame Impala’s sound hearkens back to the golden era of ‘60s psychedelic rock, with all of the improvisational live jams to go with it. Their performance of “Lucidity” should encapsulate this experience well, especially when taken with a hit of acid. (Friday, 3:15-4:15, Sony Stage) –text: Kara Henderson
SHARON VAN ETTEN
Perched on the tailgate of her car, her voice hardly a whisper above the rush of traffic overhead, the video for “Save Yourself” is the perfect introduction to Sharon Van Etten’s soulful indie folk tunes chronicling an unstable period of her life on newest release Tramp. While the bright lights of Lollapalooza seem a little overzealous for such a laid-back performer, this soft-spoken girl and her guitar are capable of plenty of noise. (Friday, 3-4, PlayStation Stage) –text: Jyn Radakovits
BLIND PILOT
The name may sound treacherous, but Blind Pilot has found more tranquil ways to get its musical message out. The band hit the road in 2008, literally, by biking through an entire West Coast tour and traveling 1,300 miles hauling trailers packed with gear, upright bass included. The Portland sextet started in 2006 as a duo, with frontman Israel Nebeker and drummer Ryan Dobrowski making glorious, soaring indie folk-pop incorporating harmonium, vibraphone and trumpet all topped with a lush lyrical complexity. (Friday 3:30-4:15, Google Play Stage) –text: Beth Malloy
DRY THE RIVER
Made of musicians and life explorers, London’s Dry the River bring a unique punk perspective to folk. Their lyrics are smart in the vein of political messages, but this mobile band is also comfortable channeling more personal, emotional charges. LP Shallow Bed (2012) shows its gentle spots through introspection and airy vocals. Meanwhile, hot-blooded drums, dystopian imagination, smoky effects and poignant violin add undertones of volatility to a genre more often tip-toed through than rocked. (Friday, 3:20-4:00, BMI Stage) –text: Jessica Millman
ZEDD
Zedd possesses a mixing precision that begs your attention. In 2009, after winning accolades for his remixes and mash-ups, he established himself as a household name in the realms of electronic house. Large crowds began to congregate to his shows, where he proved that his swift rise behind the decks is no mistake. His tracks are incomparably composed and immediately grab the mind, making him an intimately memorable artist who refuses to go unnoticed. (Friday, 3:15-4:15, Perry’s) –text: Angie Martin
