It's getting close to the time where festivals will stop dropping their lineups and I stop getting excited for festivals. All that's really left is for Riot Fest and Austin City Limits to drop their lineups and the year will pretty much be done! Then it's rinse and repeat.
This year's Lollapalooza lineup is about as good as it was last year. Some highlights, surprises, and the usual. Unlike last year's booking of Metallica and Paul McCartney, this year's lineup doesn't really feature any legacy acts... unless, of course, you consider the Red Hot Chili Peppers a legacy act, seeing as they've been around for over 30 years now.
This year's Lollapalooza lineup is about as good as it was last year. Some highlights, surprises, and the usual. Unlike last year's booking of Metallica and Paul McCartney, this year's lineup doesn't really feature any legacy acts... unless, of course, you consider the Red Hot Chili Peppers a legacy act, seeing as they've been around for over 30 years now.
Hits
Radiohead
It's been a while since we've heard anything from Radiohead. Sure, Thom Yorke had his solo album in 2014, and Philip Selway had his solo career last year. But seeing Radiohead on festival lineups is nothing short of refreshing. The band has been in the studio recording their album for several months now, so them appearing on this lineup confirms that the album will A) be released by then, or B) they will be playing significant portions of it at the show. Either way, it's near impossible for me to not get excited over a Radiohead headlining show.
LCD Soundsystem
LCD Soundsystem is now appearing at several festivals, including Bonnaroo, Coachella, Wayhome, and Goldenvoice's new festival Panorama. If you won't get to see them at one of those festivals, this will be your chance. Hope you got your tickets before the scalpers did!
Ellie Goulding
It's been amazing seeing Ellie Goulding's rise from being an unknown pop star to being a bona fide festival headliner. With a slew of hits under her belt and an army of screaming fans waiting to see her, this set will be one that will rival fellow Brit Florence Welch's performance last year. Hopefully, Goulding's set won't be cut short by a storm!
Chris Stapleton
Country music's newest badass just hit platinum status thanks to the now-infamous CMAs performance back in November, combined with his three awards received at the ceremony plus two more at last month's Grammy Awards. Having seen him play live now, I know his live capabilities, and I know for a fact that his huge, robust voice is very much the real deal. While Lolla doesn't typically attract huge crowds for country, you will do yourself a huge disservice by now going to see a future legend in country music.
Jane's Addiction
Jane's Addiction playing Lollapalooza isn't really a huge surprise, but given the band's incredible longevity in the indie rock scene, their high-billing is well-deserved. Plus, you know, it's Perry's festival, so it's really a no-brainer having them there. They're slated to headline the Shaky Knees Festival in Atlanta in two months where they will play their seminal album Ritual de lo Habitual in its entirety, and I would be very surprised if they didn't also play significant portions here as well.
Misses/Least Interesting
Disclosure
Don't get me wrong, Disclosure are a good group, and their booking comes with a huge heart. After last year's disappointing Caracal, it's just hard for me to get excited about seeing them on festival lineups again. Plus, there are so many festivals that they're playing this summer that you could see them just about anywhere.
Flume
Flume has never been interesting to me. He just seems like a bad SBTRKT ripoff. Seeing him so high on so many festival lineups isn't really that surprising, but I know they could've done better. Was Bonobo not available this time around? Was SBTRKT himself not available either?
Third Eye Blind
Forget Hardwell. How are these guys still a thing? Seeing these guys at Firefly in 2014 was one of the most disappointing performances I've ever seen, and people getting excited about them is weird. Oh well, I guess "Semi Charmed Life" will be a huge sing-along. If we're looking for cool 90s alt-rock acts, let's at least aim a little higher. Were the Barenaked Ladies or the Offspring not available?
Bastille
Bastille were a one-hit wonder two years ago, and since then, I think most people have forgotten about them. I loved their one hit, too, as it helped me get through a pretty dark time in my life, but unless they have new material coming out around the time of Lollapalooza, then there's no reason that they should still be booked at major festivals.
Bryson Tiller
I've always considered The Weeknd to basically be Frank Ocean-lite, but if that's the case, then Bryson Tiller is pretty much The Weeknd-lite. Seriously, whose idea was it to book him? There's nothing new, good, or really interesting about him.
Surprises
Lana Del Rey
Like Goulding, seeing Lana's career skyrocket thanks to the appeal of Born To Die has been nothing short of astounding. While she may not have quite the same star power that Goulding does, Lollapalooza and Osheaga will be her chance to prove herself as a headliner. I mean, hey, she's already billed above Goulding on the lineup poster anyway!
Future
After a distinct lack of hip-hop headliners on last year's Lollapalooza lineup, this year, we get two: J. Cole and Future. I knew ahead of time that J. Cole would be headlining, but when I saw Future's name up there as a headliner, I was instantly surprised. Not to mention he's up against freaking Radiohead on the day he's headlining! That's almost unfair, but this will be a true test for Future's ability to headline a festival.
Who To Know
Aurora
Miss seeing Lykke Li two summers ago? Have no fear, Aurora is here and she is taking off right where Lykke Li has left off. While nobody can replace Lykke Li's sweet voice and heartbroken lyrics, Aurora definitely fits that same bill.
Skepta
While UK grime artist Skepta hasn't hit it big here in the States, he is a phenomenon in his home country, appearing onstage with Kanye West at last year's Brit Awards for his performance of "All Day". I'm really bad at making predictions, but I do predict that he will make it big State-side, so if you can't catch him at Coachella, this is your chance to be in-the-know before he hits it off.
Audien
Electronic dance music's newest sensation will be making his major music festival debut in Grant Park this summer. While he doesn't have the name recognition that contemporaries like Martin Garrix or Hardwell have, he certainly has the talent. Who knows? Maybe he'll bring out his friends in Lady Antebellum for his song "Something Better".