Watch CBS News

Best Of The Fest: Get To Know These 10 Bands Before They Play Lollapalooza

It's no secret; Lollapalooza's lineup never fails to overwhelm attendees — whether it be by offering conflicting set times, planning a path to get to the other side of the park, or just in terms of sheer volume. And while some attendees mosey into Grant Park towards the later half of the afternoon, there are dozens of acts worth catching earlier in the day. Here are 10 sets you should know about before they take the stage.

BØRNS

Better known as Garrett Borns, the singer-songwriter released his debut single in 2014. Since then, he has garnered attention for his follow-up Candy – EP. Originally from Michigan, he relocated to California where he crafted his fusion of electro indie-rock — which, according to his bio, "sounds like it comes straight from the cosmos." BØRNS will also play an XRT/Bud Light Live at Lolla performance on Saturday at XRT's Blue Cross Blue Shield stage.

Stage: BMI

Day: Friday

Time: 5:40 – 6:20 p.m.

BØRNS | "Electric Love" | Live From YouTube Space LA by Interscope Records on YouTube

Bully

These rising rockers, fronted by Alicia Bognanno, hail from Nashville and are fairly new to the festival rotation. Bognanno primarily engineered the band's debut album Feels Like on her own, having been trained at Steve Albini's Electrical Audio in Chicago. With just one album to showcase — Feels Like was only released a month ago — the band has already performed at Pitchfork this summer and is now ready to tackle Lollapalooza.

Day: Sunday

Time: 5:40 – 6:20 p.m.

Stage: BMI

Bully - Trying (Video) by BullyVEVO on YouTube

Catfish and the Bottleman

This Welsh quartet formed in 2010 and released its debut album, The Balcony, four years later. The album, which blends garage grit with indie-rock, debuted at Number 10 on the U.K. charts. Eventually, the group gained attention for holding D.I.Y shows, often in parking lots prior to shows (occasionally not even their own), before signing to a label in 2013.

Day: Saturday

Time: 12:45 – 1:30 p.m.

Stage: Samsung Galaxy

Catfish and the Bottlemen - Homesick by TheBottlemenVEVO on YouTube

Django Django

This London synth-rock quartet is fresh off the release of its sophomore album, this year's Born Under Saturn. Best known for its most popular hit "Default" off its 2012 self-titled debut album, the group has toured and put time and effort into avoiding a sophomore slump — a feat it pulled off. Django Django will also play an XRT/Bud Light Live at Lolla performance on Friday at XRT's Blue Cross Blue Shield stage.

Day: Saturday
Time: 2:15 – 3:00 p.m.
Stage: Samsung Galaxy

Django Django - Default (Official Video) by Django Django on YouTube

George Ezra

George Ezra rose to quick acclaim via his hit single "Budapest" off his debut album Wanted on Voyage. The album debuted on U.K. charts at Number Three and quickly rose to the top spot, edging out Sam Smith (who Ezra opened for on tour) and Taylor Swift for a short while. Additionally, his breakout record earned him four Brit Award nominations.

Day: Sunday

Time: 2:30 – 3:30 p.m.

Stage: Samsung Galaxy

James Bay

As described in his bio, James Bay is "an old head on young shoulders." He's played guitar since the age of 11 and was discovered when an A&R executive found a video on YouTube of Bay performing live. His first EP The Dark of the Morning was released in 2013 and his debut full-length album Chaos and the Calm, which includes his hit "Hold Back the River," was released in March of this year.

Day: Friday
Time: 1:30 – 2:30 p.m.
Stage: Palladia

Moon Taxi

This progressive indie-rock band formed in Nashville nearly a decade ago. Its third, and most recent, album Mountains Beaches Cities was released back in 2013. And though there's no new album to promote, the group has recently released two singles: "Make Your Mind Up" and "All Day All Night."

Day: Sunday

Time: 2:45 – 3:45 p.m.

Stage: Bud Light

Moon Taxi - "Mercury" - Jam in the Van: Bonnaroo 2012 | Bonnaroo365 by Bonnaroo on YouTube

Shakey Graves

Alejandro Rose-Garcia, an Austin native, performs under the moniker of Shakey Graves. His music features a fusion of blues, folk and just a twang of country and he has established himself as a one-man band. Aside from music, he has appeared in several movies and even had a recurring role on the television series Friday Night Lights. His sophomore album And the War Came was released in 2014.

Day: Sunday

Time: 1:45 – 2:45 p.m.
Stage: Palladia

Shakey Graves "Dearly Departed" - Live from the Pandora House at SXSW by Pandora on YouTube

St. Paul & The Broken Bones

This soulful sextet, fronted by Paul Janeway (St. Paul), hails from Alabama. This location allowed the group to conveniently record its 2014 debut album Half the City at the highly acclaimed Muscle Shoals. "Grit, elemental rhythm, tight-as-a-drumhead playing, and a profound depth of feeling," are all promises that a great soul band should deliver, and according to the group's bio, it doesn't fall short on any.

Day: Friday
Time: 2:30 – 3:30 p.m.
Stage: Bud Light

Shakey Graves - Roll the Bones - Audiotree Live by Audiotree on YouTube

Twin Peaks

Local rock outfit Twin Peaks is comprised of five (a recent change from four) "dudes" who all were born and raised right here in Chicago. The band's bio reads, "We like to rock and most certainly love to roll," and on stage the group loves to have fun. Since its inception in 2009, the band has released two studio albums, the most recent being the 2014 release, Wild Onions.

Day: Sunday

Time: 1:30 – 2:30 p.m.
Stage: Sprint

Twin Peaks - "Making Breakfast" [Official Video] by Twin Peaks Dudes on YouTube


Connect With XRT On Facebook & Twitter

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.