Lollapalooza 2010: X Japan makes their stateside debut, Badu is just bad, and MGMT bring out the "Kids" in all of us

Day 3, August 8, in Chicago

By Nicholas Jackson
Published: August 9th, 2010 | 9:00am

Led by Jake Duzsik, HEALTH, a noise rock quartet out of Los Angeles, took to the ADIDAS Mega stage under gray skies. With rain clouds stretching from Grant Park west through the suburbs, it looked like light rain was going to plague the final day of Lollapalooza as temperatures threatened to climb into the 90s. The heavy winds and rain served as perfect accompaniments to the group’s loud, aggressive sound. Throwing guitars to the stage and banging on various electronics is part of HEALTH’s appeal: This is balls-out fun—a mix of dance and electronica that you’d be hard pressed to find in another band of the moment. While HEALTH’s set would have been better suited to an evening show, the band didn’t have the ability to draw the crowds that slot would require—and while they’ve found some success across the pond with a number of singles on the UK indie charts, it’s unlikely they ever will.

As HEALTH wrapped up their set, Nneka was preparing to warm up the crowd at the main Parkways Stage. It’s hard not to draw comparisons between the soulful Nigerian-German singer-songwriter and Erykah Badu, who was on the bill for later in the afternoon, as both have successfully merged soulful R&B with hip hop influences—but Nneka is someone to admire in her own right. She fused strong lyrics that force a stand on everything from capitalism to war with sexy smooth vocals delivered in both English and the singer’s native Igbo. The effect worked to draw more people in; despite the relentless rain and wind, the crowd grew as Nneka piqued their curiosity.

While Lollapalooza is exclusive to Chicago now—it formerly toured the country—and the majority of festival-goers are from the city and surrounding suburbs, surprisingly few of the bands on the lineup are actually from the area, which itself has a rich musical heritage and vibrant modern-day scene. Company of Thieves is one of those bands and during their set at the Sony Stage, they were quick to show why they were selected. Frontwoman Genevieve Schatz continues the strong female tradition at Lolla 2010, as she led her band through a set of fun pop tunes that ended too soon. The group has had minor success since forming several years ago, but they seem poised to break out any second now; this performance may have provided the necessary catalyst.

Perry’s is my personal favorite stage. With the expansion of the Lollapalooza grounds across Columbus Avenue this year, Perry’s (named for the Jane’s Addiction frontman and Lolla founder), had been pushed perhaps too far west, making it difficult to remember that it’s even an option when you’re walking back and forth from the Budweiser Stage on the north end to Parkways Stage on the south end. When you do remember, though—or have an assignment to head in that direction as the case may be—you’re grateful. In years past, the small DJ stage has been packed from open to close by sweaty, drunken masses jumping and swaying to the blaring beats. The too-cute Australian twins—they resemble wholesome versions of the Olsen sisters— that make up NERVO don’t fit in physically, but their dance music gets the crowd moving. The Grammy Award winners have collaborated with everyone from Kaskade to Deadmau5 and written for Ke$ha and the Pussycat Dolls, so they know how to piece together a hit. It’s unclear if the two will remain in the spotlight for long as they may work best in the recording studio and behind the scenes, but should they disappear from the public eye, at least they had their fifteen minutes on Sunday.

If NERVO know how to dance, X Japan know how to rock. The Japanese band that has been performing on and off for nearly 30 years in their home country made their stateside debut to a small crowd of diehard fans who knew the words to just about every song. Dressed in a glam get-up and frequently screaming “Are you ready to rock?” singer Toshi Deyama looked like he continues to be inspired by the American hair metal from the distant year his group formed. By the end of the short six-song set, onlookers were pumping fists and playing air guitar. Whenever prompted, arms were raised and crossed to form an X representing the band’s name. Heavy metal music reminiscent of an age before most festival-goers were born tends not to excite most people, but for the small contingent who are moved by such music, X Japan excited them enough for the rest of us.

At a festival where female musicians made a huge impression—Mavis Staples and Emily Haines, to name a couple—Erykah Badu was expected to be a fan favorite, but was sadly disappointing. After arriving to her stage late, Badu played a lazy, slow set only to look incredibly agitated when Wolfmother then drowned out her music from across the field when they started their own set at the scheduled hour. After lecturing the crowd and whistling at them to settle down, Badu, who brought with her a large backing band and several additional vocalists, put everyone to sleep. At this hour in the day, the crowd was looking for something with energy (especially after seeing X Japan and NERVO give exasperated sets), but they didn’t find it here.

They for sure found that excitement at MGMT’s set. After taking a lot of heat the last time for not playing “Kids,” the anthem that rocketed them to unwanted star status, the duo refused to make the same mistake twice. The audience response was so enormous that it’s doubtful anyone remembered anything else that college pals Goldwasser and Van Wyngarden played.

Capping off the festival, and playing opposite a reunited Soundgarden, Arcade Fire played with a passion unseen at any point over the previous 72 hours. This is a band that can write sweeping ballads about parking parallel and still bring you to tears. The nine members of the group, fronted by Win Butler, are each so invested in the material that it’s impossible not to enjoy their performance. Oh, and it simply sounded spectacular.

Lollapalooza 2010 ended on a high note, but organizers have their plates full trying to organize the 20^th anniversary of the fest next year. Rest assured, Venus Zine will be there again to give you our full wrap-up.

—

Read up on Lollapalooza Day 1 coverage here

Read up on Lollapalooza Day 2 coverage here