The 2010 Lollapalooza is getting hammered for being "too mainstream" in its selection of bands, and while I don't see it (though maybe you can make that case for the headliners) there are still almost 90 other under-the-radar performers who offer a breadth and depth of what's going on in the music industry today.
But, if that August 6-8 event isn't cutting edge enough for you, take a look at Chicago's other alt-music fest, Pitchfork Music Festival, running from July 16-18 in Union Park. While a much smaller operation in a much tighter venue, Pitchfork has gained notoriety for risk-taking and for showcasing not just up-and-coming bands but bands whose up-and-comingness could well be several years down the road. In the past this fest has not been for the faint of heart -- and this year is no exception (though organizers have made some mild efforts to broaden the popular appeal of the program). But it's a bargain at only $40 a day.
Among the name bands that will attract those just on the edges of the pop stream are Modest Mouse, Kurt Vile (curiously not performing with the Violators), LCD Soundsystem, and Pavement. Plenty there to bring in the crowds, but here's a sampling of some of the other more interesting bands worth spending some time with.
Broken Social Science -- A Canadian band with three records under their belt, this group takes a collective approach to writing and performing with members Kevin Drew, Brendan Canning, Justin Peroff, Feist, Emily Haines and Jimmy Shaw of Metric, Amy Millan and Torquil Campbell of Stars (and even more than that). Fuzzed-out guitar, pretty catchy vocals, and a modern-day psychodelic sound have earned these folks high praise from critics and indy fans alike.
Panda Bear -- A rare opportunity to see and hear Baltimore-born but current Portugal resident Noah Lennox, part of Animal Collective, perform in his Panda Bear incarnation. Good luck guessing what you're going to hear, though, as Lennox is known to explore the musical universe and go wherever the moment's rocket ship takes him.
Netherfriends -- One of Pitchfork's efforts to expose Chicago's alt-music scene, Shawn Rosenblatt's Netherfriends will appeal to anyone looking for, as the Pitchfork site explains, "that bastard-psych-pop-catchy as hell band that you've been searching for." The music mixes piano, guitar, sampling, drums, and even the occasional glockenspiel.
Sleigh Bells -- Might want to bring your earplugs for this Brooklyn-based duo of Derek Miller (of hardcore Poison the Well) and Alexis Krauss (RubyBlue). Some folks -- critics and hardcore indy music fans -- see the Bells as The Group to Break Out Big this year.
Other peformers on the schedule to look into include Major Lazer (futuristic Jamaican dancehall music), OutKast spinoff Big Boi, St. Vincent (really Annie Clark out of Texas), Alla (a Chicago trio that is inspired by and pays homage to their Mexican heritage).
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