Lollapalooza ’08 Tips

Perry Farrell’s brainchild Lollapalooza, Chicago’s infamous music festival, isn’t only good for seeing some of the biggest bands around (i.e. Radiohead, Kanye West, Rage Against The Machine, Wilco…), it’s swarming with young and fresh talent from all across the globe!

Bands that you shouldn’t be surprised to see headlining this festival in about, say, ten years from now! Between three days of bad tattoos, sun burns, and questionable hair-do’s Clash had the chance to compile some of this year’s most promising up and coming talent.

Manchester Orchestra

While blown away by so many international acts at Lolla (Foals, The Go! Team, and Broken Social Scene creating quite the buzz) one may have forgotten how much the U.S of A has to offer. Well Atlanta’s Manchester Orchestra easily reminded festival goers with their heavy but soft emotional rock. Their set was filled with post-rock soundscapes bouncing off the trees and spiralling into the sky. They took us on a melodic trip through our own fears and weaknesses, and after all was sung, made us feel alright and part of something so much bigger. Akin to Brand New and Sufjan Stevens, their music has the ability to emotionally change you. You might not be ready for them, but oh, they’re ready for you!

Margot & The Nuclear So and So’s

Within the first few seconds of hearing any Margot… song you’ll get that tingly feeling in your hands and feet. That feeling you get when you realize you have just come across your next favourite band. Their smooth and sweet acoustic and cello friendly folk pop is instantly lovable, even when they’re singing songs with morbid content about being lost and alone (on ‘Broadripple Is Burning’ lead man Richard Edwards sings, “I will haunt you like a ghost”). Bright Eyes fans especially will feel at home in their warm strums. Ripe and wide eyed, it’s just a matter of time before we’re all head over heels for their familiar fresh blends and delicate homemade anthems.

What Made Milwaukee Famous

Austin, Texas’ bright and beautiful What Made Milwaukee Famous, play loud rock pop sing-a-longs that stand alone. Although drawing influence from The Beatles, they take their catchy melodies, pair them with to-die-for harmonies and crank out tune after tune of great grungy guitar driven rock. Their songs sound classic as they sing them, able to stand the test of time that puts so many “indie” bands to sleep after they hit their height. Bi-polar anthem ‘Self Destruct’ flourishes from slow and sad acoustics to loud and boisterous rock and roll and although they touch on many different genres and styles in their songs, they consistently impress with catchy vocal melodies, making them one more unforgettable addition to the Barsuk catalogue.

Ha Ha Tonka

The Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, White Stripes, and Black Keys comparisons are inevitable when mentioning Springfield’s awkwardly named Ha Ha Tonka, but make no doubt –their bluesy grit garage rock is pretty original. Live they have the ability to bring it so hard you’ll forget who you are and where you are for the rest of the day. This four-piece is much more than the next best thing. They’re in it for the long haul, if not made apparent by their raging gospel folk rock album-of-last-year ‘Buckle In The Bible Belt’, definitely obvious by watching them sweat it out on stage in a mashed up display of thrashing guitars, stunning wailing, and well, just general chaos.

Wild Sweet Orange

Fresh off the heels of the release of debut ‘We Have Cause To Be Uneasy’, Alabama’s Wild Sweet Orange brought a set of romantic melodies to the stage after lucking out and landing a deal with up and coming indie Canvasback Music (Once Soundtrack, Manchester Orchestra). Their spaced out orchestral rock and adorable lyrics put them a step ahead their indie rock peers. It’s easy to see their stage ready tunes growing into arena sized anthems. With similarities to Coldplay and Broken Social Scene it’s no wonder indie kids have started blogging about these youngsters infectiously! When they play live their edgy emotions fall apart on stage and as the band messily puts them back together you get lost in the rough roots feel and wonder if maybe less production on their albums would do them more justice. Either way, you’ll have a few of their songs singing in your head for the next few weeks.

Office

Making a home of Chicago, Office churned out their delicious pop. While they write rather simple songs that harkens back to the Pixies and of course The Beatles, it was their subtle hooks that caught everyone off guard, making me wish I knew every word. On MySpace the band wrote they sound like “a pink ghost, dressed like a cheerleader, waving to an empty field” and, as odd as it is, I can’t really say it better myself. Their sound is hard to put into words because one minute they’ll be playing sugary pop hooks and the next they’ll be frantically hammering on guitars and keyboards that are battling for attention in the midst of messy sing-a-longs. Either way you cut it, the songs are good sturdy works of art and the band is welcomed addition to Chicago’s always stunning exports.

Eli “Paperboy” Reed and The True Loves

Eli “Paperboy” Reed And The True Loves took care of festival goers with their timeless energetic set of authentic soul cuts. Although Eli… has more in common with Otis Redding than any of this year’s headliners, critics were tripping over their lips at his undeniably talent-filled set. Like an old Al Green vinyl recording, Eli’s albums have the rough classic feel an artist can’t just “try” to achieve, they have to live and breathe R&B from head to toe. It’s clear Eli Reed and his band of musical magicians are stuck in a different era. Lucky for us, his songs take us there with him for one smooth soulful blend of horns and romance. So don’t be so afraid to loose yourself in the past, especially since it sounds so damned good.