2012 Chicago's Lollapalooza Preview
By Natalie Kuchik
Lollapalooza
Grant Park
Jackson Blvd. & Columbus Drive
Chicago, IL 60604
www.lollapalooza.com
Dates: August 3, 4, and 5, 2012
Once again, Lollapalooza, one of the biggest North American annual music festivals, will take place at Grant Park during the first weekend of August. The lineup is a melting pot of music genres, which helps ensure there is something for everyone. With more than 100 bands set to play across multiple stages, you may find it difficult to pick and choose which artists to watch, but here are some acts you will not want to miss at the 2012 Lollapalooza music festival.
Passion Pit
Date: Aug. 3, 2012
If you like to dance and lose yourself during a concert, then Passion Pit is the band you must watch at the 2012 Lollapalooza music festival. No strangers to the Chicago music festival circuit, Passion Pit previously performed at the 2009 Lollapalooza, and at the 2010 Taste of Chicago. They know how to showcase wildly entertaining concerts both indoors and outdoors. Passion Pit's second studio album, Gossamer, was just released, so expect to hear a healthy mixture of tracks from that album, and their debut album, Manners.
M83
Date: Aug. 3, 2012
In 2011, the French musical act M83 broke into mainstream America with their hit single, "Midnight City." The song is from their sixth studio album, Hurry Up, We're Dreaming, which is the band's first double album. The 2012 festival will mark M83's second time performing at Lollapalooza, with their first being in 2005. In May of 2012 they were set to perform in Chicago at The Vic but due to high ticket demand M83's concert got moved to The Riviera, which can hold over a thousand more people. If the Anthony Gonzalez fronted act M83 can turn their high-energy indoor concerts into an equally exciting festival performance, it will be one of the most memorable sets at Lollapalooza.
Franz Ferdinand
Date: Aug. 4, 2012
The Scottish band Franz Ferdinand has not released a studio album since 2009's Tonight: Franz Ferdinand, but they are still one of highest billed Saturday acts at the 2012 Lollapalooza music festival. They first came to popularity in 2004 with their song "Take Me Out," which is the lead single from their debut 2004 self-titled album. That album went on to become certified Platinum in the US and was soon followed up with their sophomore studio album, You Could Have It So Much Better. Franz Ferdinand's first and thus far only scheduled North American concert in 2012 will be at Lollapalooza, ensuring it will be one of the must-see performances at the Chicago music festival.
Jack White
Date: Aug. 5, 2012
The man behind The White Stripes, The Raconteurs, and The Dead Weather will be headlining a solo show on the last day of the 2012 Lollapalooza music festival. Jack White released his first solo album, Blunderbuss, in 2012 and is already booked to headline some of the biggest music festivals in North America, including Lollapalooza. Expect to hear this gifted guitarist not only play songs from his debut solo studio album, but also some tracks from The White Stripes discography. White's headlining Lolla performance marks his first solo concert in Chicago, and it is not one to miss.
Florence + The Machine
Date: Aug. 5, 2012
Florence and the Machine may have shocked some people by being named one of the headlining acts for Lollapalooza, but with their second studio album, Ceremonials, selling over 2 million copies in under six months, no one should be surprised. Fans can expect to hear them perform songs from that album which includes the singles, "Shake It Out," "Never Let Me Go" and "What the Water Gave Me." You can also expect to watch the band perform their biggest song to date, "Dog Days Are Over," which was the second single from their debut album, Lungs. Florence and the Machine is the only female fronted act headlining at the 2012 Lollapalooza music festival, and lead vocalist Florence Welch is set to put on a stunning, and memorizing performance.
