Lollapalooza 2010

Lollapalooza 2010 got off to a fine start with queen-of-all-she-touches Lady Gaga headlining the Parkways main stage, along with Akron spudboys DEVO and a host of impressive acts. At least on day one, there was not a dog in the bunch. Follow the video in chrono order on opening day, Fri 8/6/10:

Watch the video here: http://www2.coolcleveland.com/files/video/lolla.html

Foxy Shazam, immensely entertaining, holds a stage better than most arena-rock acts, and was our pick for discovery of the Fest.

Balkan Beat Box pleased everyone camped out in front of the Parkways stage with their sinuous melodies and non-stop jams.

The Walkmen assembled a massive crowd, but were dealt a disservice by an incompetent sound crew. No one cared. They rocked, they screamed, they made a lot of friends.

Mavis Staples brought out Jeff Tweedy of Wilco, who is producing her new album, “You Are Not Alone,” due out in September, which features, as her Lolla set did, covers by Creedence Clearwater Revival and Randy Newman. She blew the huge crowd away with her smooth vocals, a crack band and a small army of backup singers. Closest thing to a revival, and the Lolla crowd was ready for it. Listen to the girls testifying in the audience.

DEVO turned the frowns upside down, and just in time, as the heat was starting to cook our brains. Their classics sounded fresh, and the crowd couldn’t help but wiggle around to “Mongoloid,” “Whip It,” and the awesome anthem, “Gates of Steel.” Tossing out energy domes to the crowd, Mark Mothersbaugh and crew were rock-solid in delivering the sound that, as it turns out, actually has influenced a generation. “Do you believe in de-evolution?” He answered himself, “Well, it’s 2010…”

Matt & Kim can sure make two instruments go a long way. With their infectious sing-along melodies, even the frat boys in the audience were digging this juvenile duo’s beatific energy.

Neon Trees needed a venue larger than the BMI Stage to show off their quirky melodies and rock-solid beats.

Lady Gaga conquered the estimated 80,000 Lollapalooza fans in a way that’s rare for an artist today. Referring repeatedly to her 2007 Lolla gig on the BMI Stage (which she says a critic called a “train wreck”), her 2010 triumph contained a palpable, personal note. She dedicated one song to her father, who she called a “drunk,” and who was in her dressing room. Even her heavy-breathing interludes and preachy pronouncements of her philosophy (paraphrased as “all my little monsters can succeed just as the freaks they are…”), possibly aimed to prove she doesn’t lip synch, couldn’t squelch the momentum of her non-stop succession of radio hits: “Telephone,” “Poker Face,” “Just Dance,” “Boys, Boys, Boys,” “Alejandro,” and the (only) year-old classic “Bad Romance.” The artist had something to prove, and she went over the top to prove it, with a dozen dancers, a dozen costume changes, and a set that Lolla organizer Perry Ferrell had to spend an extra $150,000 to raise up 12 stories. Was it worth it? We only noticed one person leave in disgust, which is amazing considering how far the artist pushes boundaries: a fountain flowing with blood, smeared on her face; the skimpiest outfits imaginable, pornographic poses, all while displaying her piano playing (sometimes upside-down), her soaring vocals and hook-laden songwriting. They’re going to have to build a bigger stage for her next year.

Watch the video here: http://www2.coolcleveland.com/files/video/lolla.html

Review and video by Thomas Mulready.