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Lollapalooza at Night

Written by Jeff Hatline

Thursday, 23 August 2007

One of the coolest features about a weekend long festival in the heart of a big city is the myriad of after-parties, secret shows, lounges and special engagements that were sure to pop up to complement the atmosphere surrounding the event. Most of these extras featured either bands that played earlier in the day playing intimate shows at small clubs in town and/or members of bigger bands and other celebrities presenting DJ sets at local clubs. Lots of other local venues too advertised Lollapalooza after-parties that were really not much more than another show by another up and coming band that hopes to play Lollapalooza one day. Whatever your interest in music was though, the weekend was sure to deliver something that kept you partying for the entire three days.

With so much to do and so many places to do it, I of course took the easy route and went with what ever was closest to the show. Even though I was supposed to get into town with plenty of time to see Daft Punk and possibly even LCD Soundsystem, Northwest Airlines had other plans for me that night. Instead I arrived downtown too late to see anything at Lollapalooza, but just in time to hook-up with the rest of the MCB staff and hop in line at the Hard Rock Hotel for the BLENDER Session show, without really knowing what to expect. Turns out, the easiest route was probably best route.

The show follows a simple but effective formula of celebrity DJ spins until about midnight then band takes stage for set. Concurrently, guests mingle with whatever other music industry types that might be roaming around and drink free beer. I really couldn't think of a better way to spend a Friday night. After DJ momjeans (a.k.a Danny Masterson) finishes his set and I lose track of the number of Red Bull and vodkas that I drank (I'd plug the brand of vodka right here but I never caught the name, hmmm), the band hits the stage. Tonight's special guest is none other than The Polyphonic Spree. All 25+ of them. Actually, I'm not sure how many people are in that band, but there was not a lot of room on that stage. Also, the Spree can produce a lot of sound, which sounded really cool in the small venue.

After completely missing out on Friday, my Saturday was spent trying to catch as many bands as possible at Lollapalooza. Once again, on Saturday night, I found myself at the Hard Rock Hotel. Who am I to turn down a free show and free drinks? Following the same format as the night before, Marky Ramone DJed a less than inspiring set while everyone waited for the band to take the stage. It was plainly obvious to anyone in attendance that this night's act was going to be Motion City Soundtrack. The name on the drum kit kind of gave that one away. I have to say that it was a lot more exciting the night before when we didn't know who was playing until it happened. (Although I did catch Tim DeLaughter in the hallway heading backstage a few minutes before they went on.) Either way, I was excited to see MCS since I had missed them earlier in the day and I was a big fan of the new Broken Heart single. They played a very good, tight set of about 6 or 7 songs and looked like they had a lot of fun doing it. I can't really comment on what went down on Sunday, because I skipped it. But word was that Pete Wentz and Ashlee Simpson were there and Plain White T's played.

My only regret is waiting until Sunday to hit the daytime festivities at the Hard Rock. The CK IN2U Music Lounge scored a pretty big coup by setting up camp at one of the closest venues to Grant Park, where the 3-day event was taking place. During the day, the Music Lounge was a spot for artists, media and some of the other talent to kick back and relax in an air-conditioning, drink a few beers, play a little Guitar Hero and most importantly, collect swag. In addition to, naturally, showcasing the CK IN2U fragrance, the BMF Media Group lined up a whole host of other sponsors including PF Flyers shoes, Skullcandy headphones, catered food by China Grill and beer from Chicago's own Goose Island Brewery. Attendees could even get a haircut or a free tattoo. Also in the lounge was a media outpost that featured Sirius Satellite Radio and IMF (International Music Feed), and included Internet access and a spot to conduct live interviews with artists that stopped by. And, over the course of the three days, quite a few of the artists did. At any point over the three days of the lounge, you might have run into ?estlove from The Roots playing Guitar Hero, guys from Silversun Pickups trying on shoes or Lupe Fiasco just hanging out.

Overall, the CK IN2U Music Lounge and the nighttime BLENDER Session were extremely well run events that seem to be gaining in popularity and panache every year. With Lollapalooza signed to stay in Chicago through 2011, let's hope this sticks around just as long.

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