Lollapalooza Day 1: Hey Champ, White Lies, Bon Iver, Fleet Foxes, Depeche Mode!

Depeche Mode at Lollapalooza, 8.7.09

We arrived in Chicago a day early to hit the town and get read for Grant Park bright and early for Friday’s opening day. We were warned about the entry line for opening day, but surprisingly the side entrance moved along pretty quickly. Unfortunately we didn’t make it in time for Hockey’s set at 11:30, but their set seemed to have ended before schedule for some reason anyhow.

Although I’d love to give you the dirty details, it’s impossible to thoroughly cover 22 bands. Instead I will be putting together a photo album and just briefly discuss and share highlights of the festival. Enjoy!

Hey Champ Chicago 2016 Stage, Friday 12:15PM

Prior to this year’s festival circuit I hadn’t really heard of Rockford, Illinois’ Hey Champ,  so it was a pleasant surprise to stumble upon them as our first act of Lolla.

It was cool that these local heroes were given a prime spot on the Chicago 2016 main stage, drawing in an impressive crowd and inciting an electro dance party when most people are having lunch.

MP3: 80kidz -Getting You Off (Featuring Hey Champ) or zShare

<< White Lies Budweiser Stage Friday 2pm

It was around this time when the rain really started to come down.  White Lies took the stage promptly at 2 to a surprisingly male dominated crowd. When I spoke to lead singer Harry McVeigh in May we discussed the transition from venue to festival stage, a challenging feat that the band was both excited and nervous for.

However, the heavy rain and sunlight weren’t enough to keep this dark English trio from delivering a powerful hour-long set. Highlights from the set included the B-Side Taxidermy, Unfinished Business, and Farewell to the Fairground. Can’t wait to hear the new material and see what these guys do next.

MP3: White Lies – Taxidermy or zShare

Bon Iver Playstation Stage Friday 3PM

Immediately following White Lies, we sidestepped to Bon Iver. It was quite a shocker when we realized it was impossible to get within 50 feet of the stage and a decent view over all of the umbrellas. Bon Iver  delivered a piercing set with the highlight being Skinny Love.

MP3: Bon Iver – Skinny Love or zShare

Fleet Foxes Playstation Stage Friday 5PM >>

The rain was still coming down pretty heavily during Seattle’s Fleet Foxes set but the show must go on! The four-piece band hushed the crowd through their hour long  set comprised of tunes from the self-titled debut album and the Sun Giant EP both released in 2008.

After enduring 5 hours of rain and cold weather, I took a break from Grant Park and walked to the hotel to regroup myself. I returned to catch the tail end of Peter Bjorn and John then made my way over to the Chicago 2016 main stage for Depeche Mode while Jess watched Kings of Leon on the Budweiser stage (check back for that review)

<< Depeche Mode Chicago 2016 Stage, Friday 8PM

Depeche Mode are f***ing legends. As a child, I remember being in the back seat of my parent’s car singing along to tunes like Enjoy the Silence and Policy of  Truth on the radio, not quite knowing what they meant.

Depeche Mode’s 2-hour headlining set was pitted against Kings of Leon at the far end of Grant Park. Although I love KOL, I couldn’t miss the opportunity of seeing childhood heroes Depeche Mode rock the stage at opening night!

The first half of the set comprised of a lot of new material and gorgeous visual backdrops, but the diverse crowd of fans rejoiced once Policy of Truth was unveiled in the second hour.  Highlights from their set included Walking in My Shoes, In Your Room, I Feel You, and of course Enjoy the Silence…but where was Behind the Wheel and Strangelove?  Seeing Depeche Mode live was truly an experience I feel privileged to have taken in.

MP3: Depeche Mode – Halo (Goldfrapp Remix) or zShare