So Just Who Should You See At Lollapalooza?

By Tankboy in Arts & Entertainment on Aug 4, 2010 5:40PM

We’re not going to waste your time with a post about which band to pick over another in a schedule face-off, or even which bands we think you should see.

If you’re bought tickets to Lollapalooza you already know whether you’re seeing Lady GaGa or The Strokes or whichever other band is facing off with whichever other band. In fact, if you downloaded the excellent Lollapalooza iPhone or Android apps (or visited the site) you have already had the chance to hear every band playing this year and map out a personalized schedule. So then, we don’t really feel a preview is as valuable as a couple words of seasoned advice from someone who has been attending Lollapalooza since it’s inaugural year back in 1991.

When faced with the sheer volume of bands - and this is even more true now that the destination fest host 130+ groups - there is something to be said about allowing a bit of serendipity into the mix. I know there are probably plenty of bands this weekend you just HAVE to see, and that is totally cool, and you should indulge yourself every single one of them and make sure you get your money’s worth. But also allow yourself to wander. Stop by stages with acts you’ve never encountered. Hang out at Perry’s in the afternoon and check out DJs trying to get kids to display their night moves in broad daylight. Allow yourself to be surprised by an unexpected treasure. Keep your ears open and just walk around for a while whenever you have a hole in your schedule.

You never know when that teensy act on a side stage or rookie band dwarfed by the empty expanse of light crowd might become a new favorite of yours. Heck, they may even end up headlining Lollapalooza just a few years later, right?