The release or non-release of the names of the bands that will be performing at the Lollapalooza festival has generated a lot of interest and buzz around the Internet.
One thing that led the conversation was the "unofficial" release of the list of bands that will perform, i.e. it was leaked.
What I probably heard more than any other minor complaint across the Web, was that this year the lineup was weaker in the middle of the band pack than in the past, which obviously points to a more indie focus this year.
With the overall music industry struggling, and obscure bands finding it difficult to get any exposure, this does give an opportunity for them to gain recognition and build a fan base. So from that perspective it's a good thing.
That doesn't mean there aren't some headliners at the event this year for the fans, as Radiohead, Rage Against the Machine, Nine Inch Nails and Kanye West, among a number of others will be there.
The three-day festival will be held again at Chicago's Grant Park on August 1-3.
Here's the list of all the performers so far. Even though the list leaked, an addition since that leak has been Lupe Fiasco, who wasn't on the list when it was leaked.
Lollapalooza festival list:
Radiohead
Rage Against the Machine
Nine Inch Nails
Kanye West
Wilco
The Raconteurs
Love & Rockets
Gnarls Barkley
Bloc Party
The Black Keys
Broken Social Scene
Flogging Molly
Mark Ronson
Cat Power
Lupe Fiasco
The National
G. Love & Special Sauce
Sharon Jones & the Dap Kings
Explosions in the Sky
Brand New
Gogol Bordello
Stephen Malkmus & the Jicks
Dierks Bentley
Okkervil River
Amadou & Mariam
Blues Traveler
John Butler Trio
Girl Talk
CSS
Battles
Jamie Liddell
Butch Walker
Mates of State
Spank Rock
Brazilian Girls
Chromeo
Duffy
The Kills
Rogue Wave
The GO! Team
Mason Jennings
The Gutter Twins
Yesayer
Grizzly Bear
MGMT
The Weakerthans
Booka Shate
Santo Gold
Black Kids
Black Lips
Louis XIV
Dr. Dog
Nicole Atkins & the Sea
The Ting Tings
Kid Sister
Office
The Cool Kids
What Made Milwaukee Famous
Does it Offend You, Yeah?
The Whigs
Manchester Orchestra
Foals
Uffie
The Octopus Project
Cadence Weapon
Ferras
De Novo Dahl
Noah & the Whale
Margot & the Nuclear So and So;s
J'NAAN
Serena Ryder
Newton Faulkner
Your Vegas
Eli "Paperboy" Reed & the True Loves
Steel Train
Bang Camaro
The Blakes
Tally Hall
White Lies
Magic Wands
Electric Touch
Innerpartysystem
The Postelles
The Parlor Mob
Bald Eagle
Krista
Ha Ha Tonka
Witchcraft
We Go to 11
Sofia Talvik
Related Stories:
Lolla nabs Radiohead, Rage, NIN, Kanye
Kanye, Radiohead, RATM, Nine Inch Nails top Lollapalooza lineup
I for one am glad that there appears to be an indie focus this year. How else are new bands supposed to be able to prove themselves outside of being able to do big shows like this one? With the premature success of Vampire Weekend, who sells out shows but puts on lackluster performances, it just becomes more apparent that bands still need to prove themselves in a live show.
Posted by: Kimberlee Morrison | April 7, 2008 6:16 PM | Permalink to Comment