Lollapalooza weekend, one of my favorite added bonuses of living in Chicago is the cost effective opportunity to see a lot of the bands I enjoy hearing right in the comfort of my backyard. Unfortunately the cold hard truth of being 25 hit me like a ton of bricks this weekend as I walked through a crowd hating on every day glow teeshirt, american apparel flashy tub top, and frat dog teeshirts wanting to take each person out preferably with the ability to snap my fingers and make them disappear or at least mute. Knowing I didn't want to drink and be hungover and hot for three days also proved as Helen E. would say "we are too old for this shit" but also provided an opportunity for me to better study great new bands out there.
Don't get me wrong, I don't hate all hipsters and Kanye West lovers/ neon enthusiast, I just hate every trend done to an extreme. (Ehhmmm Girlicious Blayne from Project Runway anyone) I do hate annoying teens that mosh during Wilco or disregard basic festival etiquette. If you want to come hang with the big kids, do some research. Know the type of crowd that hits up certain shows, know that when you and your 5 best girlfriends plow through the crowd of people who have been waiting for hours to see a show (all the while screeching at the top of the lungs) know that I will want to trip you up for your complete lack of respect.
Now I am not some grinch who doesn't respect the fact that I was once an annoying teen out of my league. But I would have had to save for months to come to this sort of event (and still do). I also wouldn't waste the experience by getting so wasted in 90* heat that I have to be carried out of a crowd.
Ok stepping off the soap box to give you my highlights for the weekend:
* Gogol Bordello, Yeasayer, Jamie Lidell, Wilco and Radiohead had some of the top shows in my opinion.
* I saw a teeshirt that read "Too fat to be a hipster", I immediately wanted to barter for the shirt of the kids back.
* The porta-potties weren't unbearable and the lines weren't ridiculous.
* I was impressed with the recycling efforts and the fair priced food, drinks, and water.
*Fireworks during "Fake Plastic Trees" incredible.
* All the parents that brought their little ones, what an awesome experience and kuddos to putting up with kids in the heat to educate your children about great music.
* Rage Against the Machine's Zack de la Rocha telling people to chill the f' out because it was completely unnecessary to tear shit up, in fact its just meat-head of you to do.
* Bands thanking Radiohead for the big crowds, hilarious, slightly sarcastic and yet genuinely respectful.
*Bloc Party's lead singer wearing a Obama teeshirt.
* And finally Perry for putting this whole concept in motion and having it in Chicago, gives all us midwest folk a chance to hear some great music in a great venue.
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Yet another way to successfully avoid productivity!
