My appointments were light in the early part of the day, so I got in about midway through Rival Schools at the PlayStation Stage.  It didn’t leave time to get to retro songstress Imelda May, whose set was just slightly ahead of RS and across the park; that was where I hoped to be.  No regrets though, as Rival Schools were new to me and I cannot report being put off by their sound.  Plus, afterward I was able to run from Rival Schools over to see Little Hurricane on the Google+ stage (after having caught just two tunes the day before).

From there I opted to once again head to Kidzapalooza where Tor Hyams was taking off his stage manager hat and giving his annual performance, playing keys along with guitarist Peter DiStefano, formerly of Porno for Pyros.  They were joined for a few songs by Keller Williams, who when off the stage patiently dealt with an overly enthusiastic, if not slightly stalker-ish fan.  Note to fans: if you get a chance to say “hello” and have to force conversation after that, take the hint.

As Peter DiStefano & Tor wrapped their set the backstage area began to get a bit crowded – it happens every year when it comes time for Perry Farrell to make his appearance.  As Perry made his way back to the artist tent to prepare, I ran in to endorser Ralph Covert (of Ralph’s World), who played Saturday and would be closing out the Kidz stage after Perry and Peter’s short 15-minute set.

Knowing that catching a ride on the Fest Express would be nigh impossible after Perry and Peter’s set, I got in line right as they went on.  I caught almost all of their show while a line piled up behind me.  About the fourteenth minute (not that I was counting) a cart with one opening finally stopped and I was on my way North to surprise my friend Aaron, FOH for long time endorsers Flogging Molly.

From the FOH position of the Bud Light main stage I tapped Aaron on the shoulder.  “Man, you know how hard it is to get in here without your help?” I asked, joking.

He had a surprised look on his face for a split-second and then replied, “Oh, yeah.  By the way I’m coming to Chicago!”

Moments later Flogging Molly took the stage and the crowd was rapt.  At one point Dave King pulled up his slacks to the knees and started dancing around the stage.  “I have no shame showing legs like this, I tell ya,” he bantered to the roaring crowd.  About that time I started to notice some threatening clouds bearing down on Grant Park.  Just as the band wrapped up their set I went over to let Aaron know he was probably going to want to work fast and pointed towards the approaching storm.   Behind us the PlayStation stage roared to life as endorsers Cage the Elephant launched in to their set.

During Cage’s raucous show the sky opened up and turned the most trodden parts of Lollapalooza’s 115 or so acres to ankle-deep mud.  Fortunately I had a seal-able plastic bag, in which went my phones, the Lolla schedule, and my notes from the weekend.  The rest of me was waterlogged in seconds.

My goal had been to finish out the evening with a few Deadmau5 songs and then hit the road for the annual post-Lolla deep dish pie.  However, while I would not say the rain dampened my spirits, it certainly put some punctuation on the story of the weekend.  Strolling past as Manchester Orchestra began their set, I wound my way out to Michigan Avenue in search of a dry cab and warm pizza.

We’ll see you in 2012, Lolla.  Thanks for the good time.

Richard

PS – Lolla Day 1 & Day 2

Maps & Atlases were decent; they drew a crowd that could broadly be described as jam band fans (in spite of the fact that they played songs rather than meandering solos over long stretches of background comping…you know, practice!).  The vocalist had an unusual timbre that was somehow familiar, yet I cannot recall of whom it reminds me.

After the show I was to split off and head to the Kidz stage again to see if I could catch Shure endorser Ralph’s World before his set.  In walking and talking with Ryan I somehow ended up in the South backstage area listening to another new Shure endorser, Fitz & the Tantrums.  The next thing I knew I was being introduced to Matt Pinfield of MTV’s newly resurrected legacy show, “120 Minutes”. We chatted briefly and then he and Ryan caught up while I picked the brain of one of the C3 production crew.

I had been curious as to whether Lollapalooza had a designated radio frequency (RF) coordinator.  With nearly 141 performing acts that may or may not have wireless mics, in-ear monitors, and hundreds of crew, security, 2-way radios, and 90,000 cell phones (give or take a couple thousand), not to mention the giant antennas topping Chicago’s tallest skyscrapers pumping out HDTV it would seem a necessity.  In spite of an ever-increasing need for a designated RF Coordinator, it’s a position that is seldom filled on most large tours these days.  I had heard that even Lolla had done without one in years past.  Whether or not that is true, I couldn’t say.  However, I was told that there was an over-watch on the wireless world on site this time around.  Good to hear.

After our unplanned stop, Ryan and I parted ways.  I jumped on a golf cart (the “Fest Express”) and got let off behind the Kidzapalooza stage to see the last few numbers by Ralph’s World.  I stayed after the set awaiting to see what the next act, billed as “Special Guest” on the schedule, would be.  Blues-rock duo Little Hurricane filled that role for a fifteen minute show for the kids and parents.  I caught two, then hoofed it Northward.

Behind the stage for Little Hurricane at Kidzapalooza

I wanted to catch a bit of Death From Above 1979 at the Bud Light main stage.  I was pretty taken with You’re a Woman, I’m a Machine when it came out, but did not go see them prior to their break-up.  On the way I was able to drop by the PlayStation Stage (which faced the Bud Light stage) where longtime Shure endorsers Deftones were due up next.  They had the same idea as I – watching DFA’79 from a slightly elevated, less crowded spot.  I stopped and caught up for a few minutes with Frank Delgado, the Deftones’ DJ and keyboardist.  We chatted briefly about gear, mostly about DFA and how they were a band that caught fire in the dance music category in an unusual way, sounding like they do.

I caught Deftones from the Front Of House position for the Bud Light stage for the same reasons we were watching DFA from the PlayStation stage.  Also, I was there to visit with one of my favorite FOH mixers in all the world, my friend Hutch.  Deftones tore it up as Hutch got ready to mix Ween.  Chino Moreno, one of the more unique singers on the planet, has got his mic technique down pat.  It may frustrate engineers to no end when an artist puts a fist over the mic grille: it’s classic bad mic technique.  But in Moreno’s hands it’s hard to argue with the results.  Chino gets his Beta 58s to do what he wants.  The band sounded tight; they even had me singing along for a few tunes.

Ween from FOH/lighting position (note: dude ? Hutch)

About two songs in to Ween’s stellar set Hutch turned around with a huge grin on his face.  “I’m mixing WEEN!”  It was finally something he could check off his to-do list.  That level of engagement absolutely shone through the show.  After their set Hutch went to close up shop and I went off to catch a few by another artist with good buzz, Lykke Li.  She put up some solid tunes and had quite the reception for it.  The crowd was larger than what I imagine the supposed capacity would have been.  Alas, some loud mouths in front of me ended up drowning her out after a while, so I departed.

Seeking refuge from the crowds, I closed out the evening at the park behind Eminem’s stage.

Richard

UPDATE: Day 1, Day 3

Day 1 – Friday, August 5, 2011

I entered the park through the main gate at about 12:30 and made my way to TAB the Band at the PlayStation stage.  Being a gear junkie (and this being a blog about microphones), I immediately spied a line of SM58® on UHF-R® across the stage.  It turned out that those were the house mics and they were used for almost every act at that spot.  After TAB the Band wrapped up I stopped for a few minutes to listen to Young the Giant at the Bud Light main stage.  I was quite a ways off, but could spy on the massive screen a Super 55 being used every so often.  Always nice to hear the updated classic in action.

After a few songs I made my way to the the Kidz stage.  Kidzapalooza is curated by one of the Shure family, endorsing producer and performer, Tor Hyams.  Before running backstage to say “hello” I stopped in stage’s bazaar to visit the Hip Hop Workshop.  This was a space where kids could come in and say a few lines in to a mic and, thanks to the talents of two DJs and an MC, end up on a real track made up on the fly.  They were using a few sets of our headphones, the SRH750DJs, and had some pretty high praise for them.  I have recently started using them myself around the office, and was happy to geek out with them over it.  I wound my way back stage to meet up with our endorser.

After a quick catch-up I made my way back to PlayStation to catch new endorsers, Smith Westerns.  I’d seen them earlier in the Spring at local venue, The Empty Bottle.  They were good then and much tighter still now.  We grabbed a quick word after their set and then it was off to explore the grounds.

Smith Westerns at the PlayStation stage

The most noticeable expansion from years past was at Perry’s, the area showcasing electronic music and DJ culture.  I ran past it several times over the weekend and each time it was either packed or really packed.  The festival organizers have stated that this is where they see the most growth happening for Lollapalooza in the foreseeable future.  Like it or not (and I do), electronic music is here to stay.

After an exploratory walk-about I ran backstage to see who I could see.  Lolla draws a crowd from anywhere and everywhere.  Back in the artist lounge I ran in to several touring guys and girls whom I’ve come to know in my years at this job.  It is a great place to catch up and see who has been up to what.  Some were working, some were just there to hang out.  The latter is something I find fascinating about Lolla – you probably have a good festival if you’re getting people that eat, live, and breathe the music industry every day to go and just hang out in their off-time.

I ended my evening with Muse, which is never disappointing.  After they tore it up it was time to head out for some late-night dining with some industry friends.  Nothing too crazy – there were two more days to go!

Richard

UPDATE: Day 2, Day 3