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Local observations from a movie, music buff

The perfect Lollapalooza schedule

Walking you through the three-day event, who to see and when

By Dan Ochwat

With nearly 150 acts spread out over three days in the first week of August, Lollapalooza breeds tough choices of who to see and when during this multifarious music fest. It’s the third year the event will be planted solely in Grant Park, and though the lineup may not be quite as notable as last year’s, it’s still loaded.

So break out the purple/green schedule. I’m going to walk you through day by day, hour by hour, on how to plan your fest.

Day 1, Friday, Aug. 3
11:15 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. — To kick off this festival, Lollapalooza leads with the winner of its Last Band Standing competition, and a Brit band named The Switches, who don’t seem too exciting. Eh, I’d work a half-day and show up at noon.

11:45 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. — Two good choices here: Elvis Perkins in Dearland (son of “Psycho” Anthony Perkins) has an excellent folk album that’s a bit up-tempo, and also playing are folk rockers Illinois. I really dig Perkins’ debut album “Ash Wednesday.” This will be a soulful way to start the festival.

12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. — No standouts here, which means it’s time to grab lunch. Perfect time to get anything but a Pars Cove lamb shank. Then waddle your way over to the AT&T tent to get a good spot for Ted Leo, who promptly plays new war jams at 1:30 p.m. Cross your fingers for “Bomb. Repeat. Bomb.”

2:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. — The sprawling Polyphonic Spree expect to max out the stage and surely do something joyous. They just released a nice new album. If you’re looking for something lower key, Viva Voce plays at 2:15 p.m. as a crisp husband/wife team.

3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. — No-brainer here, as Sparklehorse is as solid as they come. The band’s album “It’s a Wonderful Life” will forever be in heavy rotation with me. Just a gorgeous album.

4:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. — Now, are you ready to dance? At 4:30 p.m., you can run over to see M.I.A. and her bass-blasting, reggae-inspired dance, or grab dinner and head over to the PlayStation stage at 5 p.m. for The Rapture, whose electro rock music will officially begin club-music Friday at Lollapalooza. (You can also see rockers Silversun Pickups and The Black Keys, but they’re bland.) Then, at 6 p.m., after The Rapture, check out the Matt Roan DJ set, which will prime you for the show of the day — LCD Soundsystem. James Murphy is becoming a star and hear why.

8:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. — Continue the rave, as Rapture, Matt Roan, LCD set the table for a Daft Punk glow-stick finale. Let me know where the after party is, unless it’s R. Kelly’s hotel room.

Day 2, Saturday, Aug. 4
11:45 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. — There are earlier acts, but wait for a Swedish wake-up call from I’m From Barcelona — light, warm-hearted pop music that will have robins and blue jays swirling around the stage.

12:45 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. — Underage Canadian rock band Tokyo Police Club is a must-see performance at the AT&T stage. Their album rifles though short, tight, energetic songs that will prep you for the day.

1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. — Similar energy and a bit more complex pop music, Tapes ‘n Tapes graduate from last year’s Pitchfork Festival with this showing. They never disappoint.

2:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. — Lunch! Um, Silverchair? I don’t think so. Hit the Connie’s line and then bring your pizza over to the Citi Bank stage to catch the end of the fun but corny Aqueduct; however, as soon as he ends, move up close to the stage because Cold War Kids are up next. Last year, this band was a breakout at Lollapalooza, making my top 10 best summer performances list from all the festivals. They’ll bring the pain.

4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. — Tough choice with The Roots and Clap Your Hands Say Yeah going toe to toe. You can’t lose.

5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. — Tough choice with Regina Spektor and The Hold Steady going toe to toe. Not! Zach Braff can marry Regina Spektor — she’s alright, but nowhere near the Springsteen-esque, story-filled stylings of Craig Finn and The Hold Steady. Bring beer.

6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. — Spektor fans can follow Zach Braff over to the Snow Patrol concert. Others can follow me for Karen O’s smoky vocals and the rock band Yeah Yeah Yeahs.

7:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. — The indie rocker wet dream finishes off with Spoon playing at 7:30 p.m., and their new album “Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga” is phenomenal. It’s the Spoon you love with horns! New York’s ultra-cool Interpol closes out the night.

Day 3, Sunday, Aug. 5
12 p.m. to 12:30 p.m. — If you’re a star gazer, actress Juliette Lewis and her band kick off the final day, but they suck, so hold out for the noon show from the melancholy-sounding The Postmarks, or see Chicago’s own psychedelic retro pop band the 1900s. Unknown, but very good choices.

1:15 p.m. to 2:15 p.m. — More than an excellent band name, the Heartless Bastards are playing their soulful rock music. Sometimes they sound like Cat Power backed by a ’70s rock band.

2:15 p.m. to 3:15 p.m. — I’m strongly suggesting to keep with the under-the-radar route (it will pay off) and visit Los Campesinos! (see the next page for a full interview with the band and why I think they’re my most-anticipated show). Here’s the catch, they’re pitted up against Chicago’s fabulous Lupe Fiasco and new MTV starlet Amy Winehouse. I understand the pressure to see those acts — they’re good — but if you’re looking for something to surprise you, go Campesinos!

3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. — Two more solid indie bands may not be household names, but they are my recommendations for this late-afternoon slot: Apostle of Hustle, who just finished a month-long session at Schubas, and mood rockers Annuals.

5 p.m. to 6 p.m. — Sunday is definitely set up to be a low-key day and a nice way to ease off Friday’s rave and Saturday’s electric guitar blowout. In this hour, you’re faced with two more understated but wonderful acts with Peter Bjorn and John (you’ll know the whistling song when you hear it) and legendary Yo La Tengo. I’d lean toward PBJ.

6:15 p.m. to 7:15 p.m. — Your first taste of some dirty guitars and rauco:us crowds come now with Modest Mouse (or you can continue to relax with My Morning Jacket).

7:15 p.m. to the end — With the success TV on the Radio had last year, and deservedly so, the Brooklyn jazzy rock band could have very well headlined Lollapalooza, but instead, they’re setting the table for Pearl Jam’s billed-to-be historic closeout. Honestly though, think of this set as the future of music leading you into what’s dead and gone. Don’t get me wrong, Pearl Jam’s first couple albums I will always love, but to get excited about the show would be pretense. We’ll go because we’re supposed to, but I’m guessing halfway through, buried in that hot crowd, we’re going to wish we made an early run for the El tracks.

 

Not Going to Palooza? For a mere $5 a day, Wicker Park Summerfest is playing a crapload of bands on 7/28 and 7/29 anchored by Sub Pop’s freaking awesome, three-piece The Thermals, who are also playing Subterranean on 7/27.

Other Wicker Park notables: Prefuse 73, Man Man, Centro-Matic, Maritime, Catfish Haven, Skybox, Pit Er Pat, Sybris and The Race. And there’s more where that came from.

Other great shows sneaking into town around festival time include Nick Cave-led Grinderman (I just love this album) on 7/25 at Metro. Also that day, Ben Kweller plays a sold-out intimate show at Schubas. An early album favorite of mine comes from the catchy and schizophrenic band Blitzen Trapper, playing 7/28 at Empty Bottle.

If you miss them at Lollapalooza, catch Sparklehorse at Empty Bottle on 8/2. Twin ladies Tegan & Sara spark the Lakeshore Theater on 8/7, while crooning birds Au Revoir Simone play 8/17 with Oh No! Oh My! at Abbey Pub.

Keep sending me your music or anything else on your mind at danochwat@hotmail.com. I’ve also joined the MySpace army, so give The Real Chicago some love at http://www.myspace.com/danochwat

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