Judging between two headliners at a big music festival such as Lollapalooza is tough. One thing is tougher however: figuring out what act you'll see to begin the day. Rarely have even the most stellar of music fans of all the acts kicking off the day and it's tough to research all of them and come up with a solid answer. However we're strongly against the idea of skipping the "opening acts" at any concert, especially festivals (shame on you Wendy's). First of all, you're wasting your money. Get the most out of that weekend pass! More importantly, openers offer you the chance to be the first of your friends to know what's next.
Music Times was going to listen to every act, but then we got lazy and reached out to all 15 groups leading the first performances of their respective days, asking them to tell us and you why they deserve our attention. Six bands took us up on the offer (and may have won some brownie points from us in the process)...check 'em out below and plan your schedule accordingly.
FRIDAY
Highly Suspect (12:00 @ BMI Stage)
"The one reason why you should check out Highly Suspect at 12pm Friday August first on the BMI stage is because if you don't, you'll read about it later and wish you had." - Johnny Stevens, bass and vocals
Roadkill Ghost Choir (12:00 @ The Grove)
"Attendees should see us because it's a music festival and we play music. There will be little to no pyrotechnics and absolutely no back up dancers (dancers refuse to work with us after the last incident) but we'll jump around and make loud noises for the kids and security staff." - Andrew Shepard, guitar and vocals
Wrestlers (12:00 @ Perry's Tent)
"People should see us because the first thing we want to do when we get to a music festival is dance and vibe out to start the day off right, which is exactly what our music aims to do."
OTHER ACTS PLAYING: San Fermin (12:15 @ Palladia) and The So So Glos (12:00 @ Lakeshore Stage)
SATURDAY
The Districts (12:00 @ Lakeshore Stage)
"Robby's awesome calves and we'll be serving grilled prawn with a zesty lemon tartar sauce. Parsley will NOT be accenting ANYTHING!! Big-ass fruit flies will hopefully bring the heat, but don't COUNT on it! Second dinner will be served intravenously to all viewers. Remember, we HATE LEMONS! Clergymen of Satan will be recovering from various forms of meningitis and shall read all emails of the damned and smelly!!"
Rocky Business (12:00 @ BMI Stage)
"Because we're probably something you've never heard (you would have to hear to know what I mean), You probably haven't SEEN anything like us.
We're the Dynamic-Duo of Indie-Rock & Hip Hop Blending Mashing Mixing and Fixing the two styles together in a way not yet achieved. Singer/Guitarist Jonny on the Rocks & Rapper/Percussionist Kevin Hussein bring together the best of both their worlds. The infusion of Dance and World rhythms takes their sound to another level which translates live into a force that will get people up and active, dancing or crowd surfing .
Another great reason to see us this weekend is that we have never played Chicago. The city is calling for our performance. The gift of New Music and Energy that everybody attending Lollapalooza craves and we will deliver. We're on tour now so spread the word, Rocky Business is on our way!"
OTHER ACTS PLAYING: PAPA (12:15 @ Palladia), Jon Batiste and Stay Human (12:00 @ The Grove) and Anna Lunoe (12:00 @ Perry's Tent).
SUNDAY
Oyinda (12:00 @ Lakeshore Stage)
"My music is all about telling a story or taking listeners somewhere deep in a moment -whether it's through the lyrical content or instrumentals alone. What's so powerful about music in general is that no matter where you're from the emotions emanating from a song are universal. So wherever my music takes you, you can feel that energy. It's vibrant. And my live performance is all about embodying that.
I think it's always exciting to watch the newer/less known artists do their first show. They have something to prove, stakes are high, and you can tell how much they want it. That's where I'm at when it comes to Lollapalooza. It's even greater because I get to play new music from my unreleased record, and even newer songs that I wrote for the show. It's going to be one giant SURPRISE party."
OTHER ACTS PLAYING: Kongos (12:15 @ Palladia), Shy Girls (12:00 @ The Grove), Plastic Visions (12:00 @ BMI Stage) and Bear Hands (12:00 @ Lakeshore Stage).
