Ooh la la Lollapalooza! (Day 1 in the Park, 8/5/11)

We blew into the Windy City around ten in the morning, and the day soon became a whirlwind of activity. After parking the car, waiting for almost an hour outside Grant Park, and finally making our way into the venue, it hit us: we did it! We made it to Chicago, and the day was only going to get better.

Above: fountain and Chicago skyline inside Grant Park.

      We made our way through the crowds to our first show of the day: Wye Oak. After battling through some technical hi-jinks, Wye Oak pulled through and had a great show. They even played Dogs' Eyes!

Sony Stage set up for Wye Oak

Jenn Wasner of Wye Oak

 After grabbing a bite to eat, my brother, friend, and I determined which shows we would go to next. I dragged my brother to Grace Potter & the Nocturnals where my cousin was already camped out for Coldplay who wouldn't go on until 8:30 that night. This brings me to my next segment:

Artist Spotlight: Grace Potter & the Nocturnals

  I had never seen Grace Potter & the Nocturnals live until Lollapalooza, but I am so incredibly glad I didn't pass them up! They had so much energy, and were exciting to watch. The crowd went wild for hits "Medicine" and "Paris (Ooh La La)." Even my brother admitted it was a good show, even for having been unfamiliar with all of the songs. This was Grace Potter & the Nocturnals first performance at Lollapalooza, and I can assure you, after the performance they gave, it won't be the last.

Stage setup for Grace Potter & the Nocturnals

One of several stuffed tigers on the amplifiers. At one point, Grace Potter actually threw one into the crowd. The other one (similar to the one pictured above) was too heavy for her, and it just fell into the media pit, haha.

Grace Potter & the Nocturnals

Grace Potter

Jenn Wasner performing with The Mountain Goats.

 I also checked out The Mountain Goats. I hadn't heard too many of their songs prior to Lollapalooza, but they were a blast to watch. Jenn Wasner from Wye Oak even came over and performed with them!

However, the day wouldn't be complete without staying for the evening performances: the headliners. At one end of the park (and we're talking several blocks, with thousands of people milling around) Muse would perform at 8:15 pm. At the polar opposite end, Coldplay was set to start at 8:30. Decisions, decisions. I went with Coldplay, and I was so glad I did. Not that I don't love Muse, because I know they put on a great show (my brother will not stop fangirling), but Coldplay is just a little closer to my heart, with their perfect daydream-like piano solos and Chris Martin's smooth vocals.
Coldplay was great, this being their debut at Lollapalooza. The crowd around the stage was overwhelming, and the sound of everyone singing along to the songs together had me envisioning that world peace had arrived.  The setlist included surefire favorites, "The Scientist", "Politik", "Viva la Vida", "Clocks", and "Every Tear Drop is a Waterfall." 

Coldplay performing "Yellow."

Awesome light show & balloons in the crowd for Coldplay.

All in all, Day 1 at Lolla was a complete success. We emerged from the show dirty, sweaty, and exhausted, but it was well worth the drive and efforts made to get there. In the words of Grace Potter during "Paris": "Ooh la la Lollapalooza!"