Lollapalooza: My Day 2 adventures

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lolla-sat1-dawes

Is there any better band to see on three hours’ sleep than the Morning Benders? That’s how my Saturday started. It got better too. Even got the chance to sneak up behind some homies (that’s Dawes, pictured).

Highlights:
‣ Not sure that I can capture the magic of Edward Sharpe & the Magnetic Zeros’ set, but in terms of overall Lollapalooza highlights, it has to be No. 1b to Arcade Fire’s 1a. I caught the second half of the set (while en route to another assignment), and at the end, Alex Ebert had at least 40 friends onstage, all seated, and had commanded the crowd to sit down as well (at least, those who hadn’t climbed trees to get a better view). This, after doing a jam-band version of “Home” as the barefooted faithful went nuts. A total love-in. No question in anybody’s mind that the band could have commanded a second- if not main-stage slot.
‣ Social Distortion. Rocked out to the hits, gave the new songs a chance, loved (as always) the “Ring of Fire” closer. Respect.

Lowlights:
‣ Slightly Stoopid?
‣ Sleep-inducing stops at sets by Rogue Wave and The xx.
‣ Missing the debut of Empire of the Sun, which apparently was a spectacle.

I thought for a second I was in Silver Lake when:
‣ Between 2 and 6:30 p.m. on the Sony Bloggie stage, there were sets (all good, or better) by Warpaint, Dawes and Edward Sharpe.

My scribblings:
Items on Phoenix, Cut Copy, Social Distortion, AFI, Dan Black and the Morning Benders in Best & Worst, Day 2

Also: Steve Kandell’s report from the Sony Bloggie stage.