Chicago – Yes, yes, it’s that’s time of year again! Time for Chicago’s biggest music festival: Lollapalooza. With so many acts and a multitude of stages, it can be hard to work out just who to see. Best New Bands has made of list of the top new bands to see over the three day weekend. (Photo credit: Lollapalooza by Jeff Garmon)
Here we go:
Bear’s Den
This British trio makes some mighty fine indie folk music, which you may have heard in the new James Marcus Haney doc Austin to Boston. Last year the Londoners released their debut Islands via Communion Records, the artist-led label created by Ben Lovett of Mumford & Sons and Bear’s Den drummer Kevin Jones. Jones, along with guitarist Andrew Davie and banjoist Joey Haynes, have begun winning over music lovers with songs like “Above the Clouds of Pompeii” and “Agape.” Friday 4:30-5:10, BMI Stage. (Photo credit: Jenna Foxton)
Alabama Shakes
By now you’ve surely, hopefully heard of these Athens Rockers, led by the incredible singer Brittany Howard, and if you’re a Lolla regular, chances are you attempted to catch Alabama Shakes in 2013 but mother nature put the kibosh on that. Let’s all try again this year! The five-piece recently released their sophomore album Sound & Color, so we’ll be treated to songs old and new… assuming it doesn’t rain again. Friday 5:45-6:45, Samsung Galaxy Stage. (Photo credit: Alabama Shakes at Glastonbury by Nathan Dainty)
alt-J
These Lolla alumni are back! If for some reason you missed them the first time, now is your chance to see Leeds’ pride and joy. If you saw them perform at Lollapalooza in 2013, you still ought to check out alt-J because they have plenty new material to play off their sophomore album This Is All Yours. And frankly, can you ever really get enough of alt-J? Friday, 6:30-7:45, Bud Light Stage. (Photo credit: Sarah Hess)
The Weeknd
Abel Tesfaye – better known as THE WEEKND – is Canada’s apology for Justin Bieber. We kid! But seriously, the alternative R&B singer is amazing! Last year The Weeknd had one of the best songs of the summer with “Often.” Now he’s set to release his second studio album, Beauty Behind the Madness, at the end of August, so maybe he’ll also drop some new tunes at Lolla and lay another summer hit on us? Friday, 8:30-10:00, Bud Light Stage. (Photo credit: Alee West)
Raury
Raury, Raury, Raury! We just caught Raury Alexander Tullis at Bonnaroo, and the soulful singer blew us away! What. A. Performance. You must pencil in this Georgia hip hop star in the making. Since releasing his mix tape Indigo Child last year, the nineteen year-old has been hard at work on a new album with Frank Ocean and Adele, so perhaps we’ll get a new song or two! Saturday 12:50-1:30, Pepsi Stage. (Photo credit: Sarah Hess)
Walk The Moon
We just saw WALK THE MOON put on an epic dance party at Summerfest in Milwaukee, so we can tell you if you love 80s infused pop music and shaking what your mamma gave you, then this is a band to see. Make like a die-hard and paint your face full of “Different Colors.” Saturday 5:00-6:00, Sprint Stage. (Photo credit: Sarah Hess)
Twin Peaks
Alright, if you’re a Chicagoan, there’s no need to tell you to check out Twin Peaks, but for the rest of you, check these Windy City rockers out. This is an order! The foursome recently became a five-piece, adding even more volume to their sweet tunes, infused with the sounds of The Beach Boys, David Bowie, and The Rolling Stones. (Take a listen to their new Spotify Session!) This very well may be the best set of the entire weekend. Sunday 1:30-2:30, Sprint Stage. (Photo credit: Sarah Hess)
Twenty One Pilots
If you’ve never seen Twenty One Pilots live, now is the time. The Ohio duo – made up of lead singer and multi-instrumentalist Tyler Joseph and drummer Joshua Dun – puts on a phenomenal show. We saw them run, jump, and flip all over the main stage at Bonnaroo. Catch them going wild at Lolla and performing new material from their latest album Blurryface, which mixes hip hop, rock, reggae, and pop. Sunday 4:30-5:30, Samsung Stage. (Photo credit: Sarah Hess)
Bully
We just saw Nashville band Bully at Pitchfork, but we couldn’t be more excited to see them again! The four piece dishes out irresistible rock peppered with witty lyrics, and while you may have heard that they’re part of the 90s revival, do know that Bully is more than that. I said before, and I’ll say it again: Bully is on track to be one the best rock bands of our day. Sunday 5:40-6:20, BMI Stage.
FKA twigs
The beautiful and talented U.K. singer Tahliah Debrett Barnett, better known as FKA twigs, has been on our radar for quite some time. If she hasn’t been on your radar, now is the time to see magic in the making. Between her beats and sultry vocals, the former back-up dancer will captivate you with her spellbinding moves. FKA twigs is simply enchanting. Sunday 7:45-8:30, Pepsi Stage.
With so many great new bands playing Lollapalooza, it was hard to narrow it down to just ten, so here are a few honorable mentions:
Black Pistol Fire Friday 2:10-2:50, BMI Stage
Django Django: Saturday 2:25-3:00, Samsung Galaxy Stage
Elle King: Saturday 5:40-6:20, BMI Stage.
Keep up with our Lollapalooza coverage by following Best New Bands and our senior writer Sarah Hess on twitter, and tweet at us the new bands you discover over the weekend!
All photos by Sarah Hess for BestNewBands.com unless otherwise credited.
Sarah Hess
After attending The School of the Art Institute in Chicago, Sarah went on to study education at Dominican University, earning a degree in history. When not teaching, writing, or taking in a show, she is most likely to be found with a camera to her eye or hanging out in a darkroom.
You can follow Sarah Hess on twitter at @Sarahhasanh and view her music photography on her website: smhimaging.com.
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