I won't even try to have an argument of with you about if you should go see Sir Paul McCartney or the Alabama Shakes, Tame Impala or Sam Smith, Florence + the Machine or Of Monsters and Men. I'm not going to. If you are going to Lollapaloza in Chicago this July 31 - August 2 you probably have already picked the headliner you're seeing and sticking to that decision with all of your guns. And that is completely alright.
This is to help with the part of the day you haven't even thought about yet. Early afternoon, the bands that will have those making the trek in from the suburbs take an earlier train in. Yes, this list of bands comes from the bottom section of the list. For those unfamiliar with how Lolla sets out it's lineup, they announce it in an enormous list from the headliners and generally better known bands to the smaller and lesser known ones. These are the band you can get up close and personal with. You don't have to camp out all afternoon and evening long for a place by the front. These are the bands that probably will come back to Lolla in three years, but in an evening slot.
I've included the stages, the performance start time and the day for easy digestion. So as you're planing your personal lineup for the festival, take a listen to see if you want to add these to your schedule. The full lineup and schedule can be found on the official Lollapalooza website.
Coasts: (Bud Light - 12:45 p.m. - Friday) Coming to Chicago all the way from Bristol, this indie rock quintet will be performing on Friday. They were at Coachella earlier this year and are confirmed to play Reading and Leeds Festival in England this August. This is Coasts' single "Stay" which was released in 2012.
Spookyland:(Lake Shore - Noon - Friday) The lead singer, Marcus Gordon, sounds gravely and quivering. They are coming all the way from Sydney, Australia and this is their song "The Silly Fucking Thing". I personally like the adjective "Spooky" very much.
Bear's Den: (BMI- 4:30 p.m.-Friday) Set to play on Friday this three piece indie folk band comes to Chicago from London. According to their facebook page their genre is "swag" and their influences are "Wool and steel". Because that doesn't tell you a drastic amount about what they sound like, here is Bear's Den's song "Agape" from their album Islands.
Beat Connection: (Pepsi-Noon-Saturday) You'll find them on the Saturday. Formed in 2010, this four piece electro-pop has shared the stage with the likes of ODESZA, STRFKR, and Toro y Moi. Below is their track "Hesitation"
Elle King: (BMI-5:40 p.m.-Saturday) Early on Saturday evening this bluesy growling voice will draw you in. She song "Playing For Keeps" from the 2012 debut album The Elle King EP, which was released on Fat Possum Records, was the theme song for the show Mob Wives of Chicago. Here is her song "Devil Don't Go" from the album Love Stuff.
Hippo Campus: (BMI-1:10 p.m.-Saturday) This summer indie rock band performs on Saturday. You might have seen them perform their song "Suicide Saturday" from their album Bashful Creatures on Cohen. You can listen to the track below.
Raury: (Pepsi-12:50 p.m.-Saturday) Another great early afternoon act on Saturday. After graduating high school in 2014 he has be full throttle pursuing his musical career including contributing to SBTRKT's album Wonder Where We Land according to the Lollapalooza main website. This is his song "God's Whisper" from his album Indigo Child.
White Sea: (BMI-1:10 p.m.-Saturday)They have great harmonies that will draw you in during their Saturday set. Hailing from Los Angeles here is White Sea's song "They Don't Know" from their album In Cold Blood.
Black Tiger Sex Machine: (Perry's - 12:35 p.m. -Sunday) You'll find these Canadian EDM artists on Sunday. This is the Urban Contact remix of their song "Destroy It"
Lion Babe:(Pepsi - 12:50 p.m. - Sunday) This fierce duo of New Yorkers' singer/songwriter Jillian Hervey and producer Lucas Goodman on Sunday. This female empowerment song "Wonder Woman" features Pharrell Williams.
Circa Waves:(Samsung Galaxy - 12:45 p.m.-Sunday) This catchy British indie-pop band can be found on Sunday. Made up of Kieran Shudall, Sam Rourke, Colin Jones and Joe Falconer Circa Waves have been around since their founding in 2013. This is their song "T-Shirt Weather" from the album Young Chasers.
In The Whales:(Pepsi-Noon-Sunday) This duo will be performing their rock and roll songs on Sunday. The url for their band page is inthewhalesucks.com which I frankly think is pretty funny. This is their song "Heels" from their 2012 album Cake.
