Lollapalooza 2014: Must-see acts
Don’t miss:
Warpaint (Friday, 3:30 p.m., Lakeshore):
The Los Angeles quartet’s self-titled second album, produced by Flood, is one of the year’s best, soaked in atmosphere and a sneaky, snaky sense of groove.
- Greg Kot (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)
Chicago Tribune
Let Tribune music critic Greg Kot plan your Lollapalooza schedule.
Don’t miss:
Lorde (Friday, 6:45 p.m., Bud Light)
After demonstrating her poise and readiness for the big rooms in a sold-out theater tour a few months ago, New Zealand’s Ella Yelich-O’Connor just may be the biggest attraction at this year’s festival.
- Greg Kot (Rob Hart / Chicago Tribune)
Catch if you can:
Broken Bells (Friday, 6:30 p.m., Samsung Galaxy)
Add the Shins’ James Mercer to producer-deluxe Danger Mouse and you get this mix of quirky melody and shimmering atmosphere.
- Greg Kot (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times)
Don’t miss:
Lykke Li(Friday, 7:30 p.m., Lakeshore)
Swedish singer’s passion for vintage pop drama underlines heart-broken lyrics.
- Greg Kot (Chris Sweda / Chicago Tribune)
Don’t miss:
Arctic Monkeys (Friday, 8:30 p.m., Bud Light)
Dominant in the U.K. for nearly a decade, the quartet finally ascends to festival headliners in the U.S.
- Greg Kot (Mel Melcon / Los Angeles Times)
Don’t miss:
Benjamin Booker (Saturday, 12:45 p.m., Grove)
You can draw a straight line from this New Orleans singer-guitarist’s raw, rough, rocked up take on blues and boogie to Hound Dog Taylor.
- Greg Kot (Mark Makela/Reuters)
Catch if you can:
Ratking (Saturday, 1:50 p.m., Grove)
New York City punks with a subterranean hip-hop vibe.
- Greg Kot (Bethany Mollenkof / Los Angeles Times)
Don’t miss:
Kate Nash (Saturday, 2:45 p.m., Bud Light)
The London singer-songwriter’s last two albums explore neo-soul and garage rock.
- Greg Kot (Michael Buckner / Getty Images)
Don’t miss:
The Last Internationale (Saturday, 3:20 p.m., BMI)
Fans of politically conscious rock should check out this Tom Morello-endorsed co-ed band.
- Greg Kot (Manuel de Almeida/EPA)
Don’t miss:
Gramatik (Saturday, 4:30 p.m., Perry’s)
Yes, Slovenians like to dance too, as Denis Jasarevic proves with his rubbery electro, funk and hip-hop.
- Greg Kot (Courtesy the artist / HANDOUT)
Don’t miss:
Nas (Saturday, 5:45 p.m., Palladia)
The formidable MC has been celebrating the 20th anniversary of his classic 1994 debut, “Illmatic.”
- Greg Kot (Michael Loccisano / Getty Images)
Catch if you can:
Vic Mensa (6:50 p.m., BMI)
After departing Kids These Days last year, Mensa stepped up with an ambitious, wide-ranging mix tape, “Innanetape.”
- Greg Kot (Rachel Murray / Getty Images )
Don’t miss:
Jenny Lewis (Saturday, 7:45 p.m., Grove)
The Rilo Kiley singer has done her strongest work as a solo artist, and her latest album, the deceptively breezy “The Voyager,” is no exception.
- Greg Kot (Frazer Harrison / Getty Images)
Catch if you can:
Krewella (Saturday, 8:30 p.m., Perry’s)
The Chicago trio has ascended to top-tier status on the EDM live scene by tucking melodies inside the bombastic beats.
- Greg Kot (Christopher Polk / Getty Images)
Don’t miss:
Jhene Aiko (Sunday, 12:45 p.m., Samsung Galaxy)
With her gentle vocals and songwriting chops, Aiko is a rising R&B star whose debut studio album, “Souled Out,” is due in September.
- Greg Kot (Mario Anzuoni/Reuters)
Don’t miss:
Bomba Estereo (Sunday, 1 p.m., Bud Light)
Colombian quartet that slides rock dynamics atop electronic beats and loops.
- Greg Kot (Paul Natkin / WireImage)
Catch if you can:
Nonono (Sunday, 2:15 p.m., Grove)
Whistling alert. The addictive “Pumpin’ Blood” speaks to this Swedish trio’s knack for catchy melodies.
- Greg Kot (Chelsea Lauren / Getty Images)
Catch if you can:
London Grammar (Sunday, 3 p.m., Lake Shore)
Dusky vocals and textured beats from British co-ed trio.
- Greg Kot (Natalie Cass / Getty Images )
Catch if you can:
Glen Hansard (Sunday, 5 p.m., Lake Shore)
The Irish singer is a seasoned troubadour, well-versed in rock dynamics and folk populism.
- Greg Kot (Brigitte Engl / Getty Images)
Don’t miss:
Childish Gambino (Sunday, 6:45 p.m., Bud Light)
Donald Glover’s acting and comedy career take a back seat to his introspective brand of hip-hop, via 2013 release “Because the Internet.”
- Greg Kot (Rachel Murray / Getty Images )
Don’t miss:
Chance the Rapper (Saturday, 8:30 p.m., Perry’s)
Expect the Chicago MC (Chancelor Bennett) to bring a band in top form after a European tour for this homecoming showcase.
- Greg Kot (Chris Sweda / Chicago Tribune)
